Electronics and DCC

It's not that unusual for an engine to run poorly right out of the box. I find after a break-in run of 15 min. continous running forward and then 15 min running in reverse, engines generally run much better.

Also, I'd suggest checking the connection between engine and tender for a couple of things:

First, if you have the drawbar on the closest setting, move it out to the other hole to allow more room. I have one or two Spectrum engines that will derail on my layout (31"R curves and No.6 turnouts) when the tender is in the closest connection. I think it has less to do with the tender hitting the engine than it does that the close-connection may create tension with the wiring between the engine and cab.

Second, check the swing-down "apron" between the engine cab and front deck of the tender. It's very easy to get that stuck under the lip at the front of the tender, lifting up the rear of the engine and causing electrical pickup troubles and derailments. I always put the apron all the way up, then put the engine on the track, then when all the wheels are on, reach in with a pencil or screwdriver etc. and put the apron down.

Having a fairly large fleet of Bachmann spectrum locos, I have a few thoughts:

wjstix:

First, if you have the drawbar on the closest setting, move it out to the other hole to allow more room. I have one or two Spectrum engines that will derail on my layout (31"R curves and No.6 turnouts) when the tender is in the closest connection. I think it has less to do with the tender hitting the engine than it does that the close-connection may create tension with the wiring between the engine and cab.

Second, check the swing-down "apron" between the engine cab and front deck of the tender. It's very easy to get that stuck under the lip at the front of the tender, lifting up the rear of the engine and causing electrical pickup troubles and derailments. I always put the apron all the way up, then put the engine on the track, then when all the wheels are on, reach in with a pencil or screwdriver etc. and put the apron down.

The above recommendations are of the utmost importance with these locos. 

I have found all of the tenders to be too light to insure good tracking and reliable electrical pickup. This is compounded by the loco/tender wiring harness. As built it is easy for the loco or the tender to loose contact because of pressure from the wires at the drawbar. Addtional weight in the tender and careful placement of the wires and deck plate is necessary for good operation of these locos. The additional tender weight makes the tender pickup very reliable and easily compensates for one or two drivers not always being in contact with the wipers.

I have eight Spectrum 2-8-0's, ranging from the earliest to most recent production runs. Yes, sometimes the wipers get out of ajustment, sometimes they do wear out after extended use, but as mentioned they are easily replaced. But overall they are smooth and reliable runners from my experiance.

Their slow speed performance on ANY DC source can be improved by the removal of the motor noise suppression capacitors on the circuit board.

ANY new Bachmann loco that runs poorly should be returned. in my experiance they often simply send new replacements unless you specificly request that they try to repair your orginal loco.

All my experiances with the service department have been very good. I have 26 Spectrum locos, two had to be returned and where replaced. All run great.

Other Spectrum hints:

On the USRA Heavy Mountain, I bend a small "U" in the drawbar to make better clearance for the wires/plugs and also add tender weight.

All spectrum tenders are not wired the same, anyone wishing more info on Spectrum tender swaps and rewiring should send me a PM.

Are you running DC or DCC? If you are running DCC I strongly suggest you buy a new decoder and hard wire it removing the Bachmann circiut board. The Bachmann factory decoders are truely "budget" in nature and much better performance will be seen with a higher quality decoder.

I'll admit to the ocasional quality control "DUD" from Bachmann, but in my book they are one of the best values out there. I've had just as many "problems" with all the high priced "stuff". They too always need tweaking and ajusting for good performance.

Sheldon

wjstix:

It's not that unusual for an engine to run poorly right out of the box. I find after a break-in run of 15 min. continous running forward and then 15 min running in reverse, engines generally run much better.

I agree that break-in usually improves performance. Did I mention that most of the wipers don't even touch the driver wheels? I don't care how much "break-in" you give this thing, most of the wipers should contact the wheels, period!

wjstix:

Second, check the swing-down "apron" between the engine cab and front deck of the tender.

I have about 9 steam locos, all DCC, and I have checked such normal things as the apron and wires, and I have the drawbar in the longest setting. Did I mention the front drivers are out of gauge? When the drivers are too far apart they tend to ride up and derail when they encounter a slight discontinuity in the track work, such as at a turnout. This is what is happening. My 8 other steam locos run fine, even my old converted Riverossi's and my 2-4-0. And my 26 diesels also run flawlessly.

My layout has a double track with a main run of about 320 feet round trip, and this Bachmann has made the complete circuit about 8 to 10 times. That means about 30 minutes of operation. So it has been operated a bit. However, I need to follow it around to give it a little shove about 3 or 4 times per trip and to re-rail it. Not cool! 

I think you missed my point. I have found the problems with this loco. I have outlined these problems in my two letters to Bachmann. Bachmann has failed to service these problems. Shoddy work - period. The only question is, do I sent it in again or just repair it myself? (Kind of makes me want to just throw it in the trash can.)

ATLANTIC CENTRAL:

ANY new Bachmann loco that runs poorly should be returned. in my experiance they often simply send new replacements unless you specificly request that they try to repair your orginal loco.

All my experiances with the service department have been very good. I have 26 Spectrum locos, two had to be returned and where replaced. All run great.

This is my first Bachmann loco and their service has failed me two times.  Obviously, others have had better luck.

ATLANTIC CENTRAL:

Are you running DC or DCC? If you are running DCC I strongly suggest you buy a new decoder and hard wire it removing the Bachmann circiut board. The Bachmann factory decoders are truely "budget" in nature and much better performance will be seen with a higher quality decoder.

This Spectrum 2-8-0 has factory installed DCC and it has great low speed performance. No problem with the decoder at all! Just the pick ups, driver gauge, and grinding gears.

60YOKID,

I don't doubt that you have a dud, what I don't understand is why you are having problems with the service department at Bachmann. I have known many people with good experiances with their service, very few with bad, except those who require instant gratification and expect their loco back in two days by overnight delivery. That does not sound like you.

Have you weathered or painted the loco which would possibly make them reluctant to just replace it?

These locos don't actually have many gears, just a worm and the driver gear. Power is transfered to the worm via a rubber drive belt. The worm gear bearings are known to fail after MANY, MANY hours of operation (like on commercial/club display layouts), but it is possible they are bad or misaligned on your loco.

I suggest you return it again or call first and speak to the service department. I'm not saying or implying anything about you, and the miscommunication could be on their end, however, after following the Bachmann forum for many years, it seems most of those unhappy with Bachmann service where those who simply decided all Bachmann products where junk because they got one bad one. 

As I explained, I've had a few duds too, and, I have had a few with minor issues I simply fixed myself. And, in my view, the little tweaks I recommended are "must do" for good performance, at least for what I do. My trains are long, locos must be able to back up with them, etc.

I use two 2-8-0's double headed and pull 40-50 car trains. I'm actually considering getting a couple more 2-8-0's and a couple more 4-8-2 Heavy's.

While I understand the factory DCC does have great slow speed, I have heard many who use DCC complain about other limited features of the decoders. Many I know with DCC use other plug in decoders or hard wire other decoders removing the Bachmann circuit board.

I use DC, Aristo Craft Train Engineer wireless throttles to be exact, and dispite the fact that some "experts" don't understand why, on DC all Bachmann locos run much better with the motor noise reduction capacitors removed. Some other brands of decoders also require this.

I just delt with Bachmann service as recently as last week, ordered some parts for kit bashing and to repair a mistake of my own. They went out of their way to understand my unique needs and provide what they could.

One more thing you shold know about Bachmann, except for specificly identified commonly needed service parts, they do not have a regular parts inventory. Most parts are salvaged from the returns. Those wiper plates for the 2-8-0's are one of the exceptions, they do have new ones and should be able to repair that, OR replace your loco. I have never known them to be reluctant to replace a loco, again, unless you somehow conveyed that you would rather they fix yours.

My other steamers include Proto, BLI/PCM, IHC, Genesis, Mantua and few older brass pieces. The Proto ones are the only ones I have ever found to be "perfect" out of the box. Everything else seems to require some sort of tweak or ajustment for good performance. So, for me, "Why pay more?" than Bachmann prices. And, admittedly, the locos Bachmann has chosen to produce fit my needs/wants better than most of the offerings from those others. 

Sorry your having such a bad experiance, hope you get this resolved, I have 26 of Spectrum Steamers, two more on the way and about 5 more "on my radar". I have found them to one of the best values out there.

Sheldon

djpereira:

Hi Sheldon, have you ever had a problem with the worm and drive gear. The worm has worn out the drive gear laterally. Any idea if i could just buy the gear from somewhere? Bachmann sells the entire wheel assembly.

Not that I know of. The only people I have seen wear one out are those using them on display layouts. Guess you really ran it a lot. At only $70-$90 street price, maybe you should just consider it used up and buy a new one. OR, return it to Bachmann with $25.00 and get a new one.

Sheldon