Trying out Bachmann HO Again after hearing good things

[Anonymous]

Ok, so I've heard people talking about how much Bachmann has improved their quality, new DCC ready locomotives, etc.

So I picked up a discounted DCC equipped Union Pacific GP40 and just ran it through it's paces.
The weight and detail on this locomotive are pretty good. It definetly has some pulling power!

I set it on the track and in automatically started working on decoder address 3. Bachmann included a dimming feature to their directional headlights which is nice, but the brightness is not all that bright to begin with so an even dimmer option doesn't strike me as terribly effective.

Performance was surprisingly good. The train accelerted from a crawl slowly and realistically.

My biggest complaint is the loco's deceleration. Especially on serious downgrades (2% or more). The engine jerks and skids as it's trying to slow itself. So I'm actually wondering if anyone else has had this problem with this unit or other Bachmann equipment. Or perhaps it's a defect with just this unit? I thought it might be a gearing problem, but it's specifically happening on steep downgrades. And more noticeably when there are a string of cars pushing it downhill.

Any ideas? Thanks for looking!

Jawbone

[rrinker]

There's probably too much play in the gears. On Athearn and P2K locos you can get small thrust washers from NWSL and others to put on either side of the worm gears to minimize this back and forth play which makes everything run smoother. When the worm gear can move back and forth, you get alternating binding and freeing up, which results in the surging, most often when going downgrade and worse with a train behind pushing. What's happening is the train starts running away from the motor, which pulls the worm gear tight against one side and binds it up slightly. This slows the train until the motor 'catches up' which frees the binding and the whole thing starts over again.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

There's probably too much play in the gears. On Athearn and P2K locos you can get small thrust washers from NWSL and others to put on either side of the worm gears to minimize this back and forth play which makes everything run smoother. When the worm gear can move back and forth, you get alternating binding and freeing up, which results in the surging, most often when going downgrade and worse with a train behind pushing. What's happening is the train starts running away from the motor, which pulls the worm gear tight against one side and binds it up slightly. This slows the train until the motor 'catches up' which frees the binding and the whole thing starts over again.

--Randy

Randy,

My hats off to you. That sounds exactly like what is happening! I have not noticed this problem on Athearn or P2K locos, just this Bachmann. Think it would help at all running 2 or more locos in a consist? Perhaps more drag from the second loco would smooth things out?

Thanks again!

Jawbone

[davekelly]

Jawbone,

Just out of curiosity. I'm assuming the Bachmann doesn't run as well as the pricier locos that are out there - but I too have read good things about Bachmann's latest endeavors. A couple of people have already opined that given the price they were very pleasantly surprised. I'm interested in your opinion. Given the price point - is it a good buy?

[tstage]

Are we talking about the $40 DCC-equipped Bachmann locomoitves here?

Tom

[davekelly]

Tom,

Good seeing you again! How's the Mike runnin'?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Are we talking about the $40 DCC-equipped Bachmann locomoitves here?

Tom

Yes, that's the one!

UPDATE: So I put an Athearn GP50 in front of it to slow it down a little on the downgrades and the problem seems to be solved. However:

When I put the Athearn loco behind the Bachmann so it was pulling it, the problem re-appeared, but with much less frequency.

So I would say the thing to consider here is that the Bachmann units have this problem with their gearing as RRINKER pointed out. But it's only a problem on serious downgrades. (I'd say 3% and above.) If you don't have more than 2% downgrades, you're fine. Or if you plan to run it in a consist. Aside from this little problem, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the loco! Especially given the price!

The only other thing I would say is that I wi***he lighting on the unit was brighter. Almost impossible to see in a bright room.

I've got another Bachmann unit coming so we'll see how two Bachmann locos handle the gearing problem. My guess is that I will always need to run this loco with the Athearn, aside from switching duties.

Jawbone

[Anonymous]

Typical bachman crap!!!!!!!!!!!

[tstage]

Hey, Dave!

It's doin' great. The initial squeaking problem I had was eliminated with some miniscule doses of lubrication and some break-in time. Hasn't squeaked since. It's a sweet locomotive! [:)] Can't wait to get my NCE PowerCab soon so that I can try experimenting with the CVs some.

You gotta be happy about those Longhorns. The Vince Young is one amazing "young" man. Wow!

Tom

[davekelly]

Tom,

Glad to hear it!

Yeah UT did well, (didn't watch it, but it wounded like a great game) but living in Lubbock doesn't put the Longhorns way up on my list lol. Of course coming from the NE I'm still trying to understand the religeon of Texas football lol. (BTW: not to thrilled about the Red Raiders either [:D])

[tstage]

Dave,

I'm not necessarily a U or T fan. I'm just estatic they beat USC. Born and bred rooting for the (OSU) Buckeyes. Actually grew up in FL but both my folks were from OH. Became an ND fan as a kid, too. (Hence, my dislike of USC.)

Tom

[Anonymous]

Quick update: Same problem with two of the same Bachmann units. Same gearing issue on the downhill. Only solution is to run them with other *better* quality locomotives to keep their speed constant.

Jawbone

[davekelly]

Have you tried the washer thing that Randy described above? Would be curious to see if it works. Considering the price of the Bachmanns, if this simple solution makes the things into smooth runners, they are quite the bargain.