What's UP With Bachmann?

[trainnut57]

I was just on the Bachmann website to try to solve a problem with one of my Spectrum series locomotives. When I went to "Ask the Bachmann" it hadn't been updated since April 10. Are they going down the tubes? It took them forever to replace a locomotive earlier this year.

Anyway can anybody out there help me? I have two Bachmann Spectrum 44 ton switchers (GE). One is older and with hornhook couplers. The Santa Fe I just bought when I was in California last summer. That one will not run over the turnouts without scraping bottom, and when it comes to my magnamatic uncouplers, it stops dead. (The older one, a B&O, clears fine) I know what the problem is, just don't know how to fix it: the covers over the gears on the trucks are too thick, i.e. they hang down too low. I sanded both cover plates down and that seems to be okay for the turnouts, but since the uncouplers must be slightly above track height (by 1/64"), the undercarriage will not clear. I thought of swapping the covers from the older unit, but they are considerable different.

Suggestions welcome.

QUOTE:

I wish I was back in Sacramento

[egmurphy]

Can't help with the engine, but the "Ask the Bach Man" part of the site was working yesterday. It's probably just a temporary glitch. Disregard the April 10 message at the top, there's always an outdated message up there for some reason.

Regards

Ed

[trainnut57]

Thanks. I'll try again. When I was on it, it showed "No Topics Available" and I couldn't figure out how to get one started-no links or whatever they call them to get started.

trainnut57

[Anonymous]

"Are they going down the tubes?"
Botchmann has never been anywhere else but at the bottom of the tube(Toilet)!
Good luck getting any help!
gtr

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gtirr

"Are they going down the tubes?"
Botchmann has never been anywhere else but at the bottom of the tube(Toilet)!
Good luck getting any help!
gtr

Thats Bull[censored] !! I think There DCC engines, are great ! They are no Atlas, but they are smooth running and can be detailed up to look good. Look at my Sig. If you look in their new book they have a couple of new engines coming out, GP35, a switcher and a couple other engines all @ $35 - $45 . MY opinion Bachmann is doing fine.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gtirr

"Are they going down the tubes?"
Botchmann has never been anywhere else but at the bottom of the tube(Toilet)!
Good luck getting any help!
gtr

I would have to disagree as their product line over the past few years has improved greatly. As to their customer service I can't say enough about them as they have treated me exceptionally well, Full Kudos from this corner!!

Fergie

[mike33469]

I sent my Spectrum 2-8-0 in for repair and they called me at home to ask if I would prefer a NEW engine instead of having my old one repaired. Because I had weathered my old engine they returned both the engine shell and the tender shell along with a brand new engine. Those old shells will look great in the engine service yard I'm planning on adding to my layout in the near future. I think their customer service is great.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gtirr

"Are they going down the tubes?"
Botchmann has never been anywhere else but at the bottom of the tube(Toilet)!
Good luck getting any help!
gtr

I have been model railroading long eneugh to know that when I first got started with model rairloading, your statement was indeed correct. That the "Silver Streak" trainset after about two hours of running would suddenly become the "Great Ball of Fire"

However their foucus on quality has shifted and Bachmann is one of the more reputible firms in the model railraod industry. As a matter of fact, Now that Athearn has fallen off the wagon and has gone off to go find itself. Bachmann seems to be ramping right up with the posistion they vacated and filling the need for a quality yet inexpensive locomotive for those people, (I cite the teenaged model railraod crowd) who are on a budget and can't afford a $100.00 locomotive. But maybe a $30.00 one. (When I was going to college in Bozeman, the LHS there routinely had Bachmann FTs for $29.99) For $10.00 more it seems you can get that same engine DCC equipped.

So Bachmann has turned their act around and today I have no qualms about reccomending Bachmann To any one looking for a rugged and dependable locomotive on their layout. Now if they would only Release their F-9 and GP-18 I would be in GN heaven.

James.

[Wdlgln005]

Their website seems to be down. Haven't been in all week.
Like anything computer, maybe they caught a virus ?

[AntonioFP45]

Trainnut,

That really is an aggravating circumstance.

Check your wheels/axles and see if it would be possible to install taller aftermarket drive wheels as this might give additional clearance.

I think, but not totally sure that the prototypes may have used 36" wheels. So using 40" or 42" wheels may work.

[egmurphy]

For those anxiously awaiting the "Ask the Bach Man" forum to be back on line, I'm happy to report that it is now functioning again. Looks like it came back up early this morning.


Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

I prety sure Bach is alive and well. I had a problem with one of my 2-8-0's. The push rod broke(my fault) I emailed Bach and they sent the part to me. I got it 3 days later (and I live in Vancouver Canada!!!) installed it, and my loco was running fine that evening. The best customer service I've experienced in a long time. Thanks Bachnman....

[Anonymous]

I have 2 Bachmans locomotives (GE-70 tonners spectrums series) seem to be pretty good have no problem with them and they are the only ones I have in my fleet of locomotives. Haven't been to their website in awhile.I really can answer you problem them going down the tubes, good luck to ya

[Anonymous]

I agree with those that praise Bachman both for their new product line and service. I have four of the N scale Spectrum 2-8-0 and four of the 4-8-2. All of them with one exception ran fine just out of the box. I'd compare their detail to anything on the market as far as steam goes. Oh, and the one that didn't run well- I called and they said to send it in. And like Willist, they called at home and said that they didn't have an undec in house but would I accept another road name? You betcha!

Ed Schultz
Farmington, MN

[Anonymous]

Big Sky Blue stated:

QUOTE: I have been model railroading long eneugh to know that when I first got started with model rairloading, your statement was indeed correct. That the "Silver Streak" trainset after about two hours of running would suddenly become the "Great Ball of Fire"

The Silver Streak trainset, while not of very high quality, was not from Bachmann. It was produced by Tyco, who has long been gone from the toy train market. It was the Silver Streak, however, that many of us cut our teeth on, so to speak. I, for one, saw the commercials on TV for that particular set and wanted one in the worst way. When I was about eight, I got one for Christmas. I have had an interest in model railroading ever since. It was not much of a train, so it was quickly replaced with Athearn equipment, most of which I still have. Since that time, I have added a lot of higher quality items to my model railroad inventory, so I guess I should at least thank the Tyco folks for getting me interested in what I consider to be a fantastic hobby. There's something for almost everyone with model railroading.

By the way, even back in my early days, I considered Bachmann to be superior to Tyco. Now that they have their Spectrum line, I would say they are trying very hard to market products that appeal to even seasoned model railroaders, and are doing so successfully.