Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Bachmann SP Daylight 4-8-4 slow

1071 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2015
  • 54 posts
Bachmann SP Daylight 4-8-4 slow
Posted by cscannon222 on Sunday, June 18, 2023 7:59 AM

I purchased a NOS Bachmann SP Daylight 4-8-4 DCC non sound locomotive a year or so ago and the top speed is much lower than I expected.   Roughly 60 scale mph with no cars and 55 mph with 6 Athearn BB shorties.  

The Loco appears to be in great shape and it runs smooth and quiet.  An inspection revealed nothing concerning.   I greased and oiled with no change in top speed.

Is the Bachmann motor only decoder restricting peak voltage to the motor or is this Loco geared to run slow?   I plan on installing a sound decoder and I wonder if this will help achieve a higher top speed.

I typically run my passenger trains around 45 scale mph which requires 80% speed setting. 

Chris

  • Member since
    January 2023
  • 30 posts
Posted by scott7891 on Sunday, June 18, 2023 6:31 PM

Bachmann's non-sound decoders are notoriusly bad and at this point well outdated.  Very jerky and not smooth at all.

Their sound decoders were better as they used Soundtraxx Econami and now TCS.  You should have better performance with a new decoder from TCS, Soundtraxx, or ESU, the big three when it comes to good decoders.  

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Sunday, June 18, 2023 6:32 PM

It is a stripped decoder that may have cost Bachman $12, maybe less.  If lights come one first, that's a little juice that doesn't get to the motor.  However, what is left, maybe 13 volts, should get to the motor.  All I can suggest, since you say it is re-lubed, is that there is a snubber/resistor in line for some reason, that might account for the lag.  I can't believe Bachmann put a "Russian" decapod's drivetrain into this 4-8-4, but.....who knows...?

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, June 23, 2023 12:36 PM

My Bachmann EM-1 2-8-8-4 is also slow when run on DC with the non-sound DCC dual mode decoder.

I would lover to remove the decoder, but I accidentally glued the tender shut.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2015
  • 54 posts
Posted by cscannon222 on Friday, June 23, 2023 7:38 PM

My Bachmann 2-6-6-2 with a Tsunami sound decoder runs really slow also, slower than my 4-8-4 mentioned above. 

However I expect that since it's a low speed drag freight engine.

Chris

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!