hornblower Yes, I have already contacted Trainworld and the return process is in motion. I was just wondering whether this problem should be considered a fluke and I should ask Trainworld to send me another unit, or whether anyone would recommend simply getting my money back. I do have several other Bachmann Sound Value locos, including a 2-6-0 Mogul, and all run extremely well. I just wish the currently offered 2-8-0 had sound as well.
Yes, I have already contacted Trainworld and the return process is in motion. I was just wondering whether this problem should be considered a fluke and I should ask Trainworld to send me another unit, or whether anyone would recommend simply getting my money back. I do have several other Bachmann Sound Value locos, including a 2-6-0 Mogul, and all run extremely well. I just wish the currently offered 2-8-0 had sound as well.
It is just a fluke, to use your term. The Bachmann 2-8-0 is a great loco with a great track record. I have about nine of them, they all run great, never any problems.
I have lots of friends with them as well, very few problems reported over the many years they have been on the market.
Sheldon
Hornblower
I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 (DC) that ran perfectly for more than a decade. Then it was involved in an accident where a truck screw came loose from a freight car in the train it was pulling, the truck screw got caught, and the engine came to an instant stop. After that it clicks and bucks moving forward, but runs as good as new in reverse.
.
I also have a Bachmann EM-1 2-8-8-4 that runs better than any Swiss watch I have ever encountered. That beast is a masterpiece.
I think the advice to contact Train World was good and sound. I hope you get that beautiful locomotive back on the track soon.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hello all,
First of all I am not a big fan of steam.
They definitely have a "personality of their own" even when functioning perfectly well.
On my pike diesels rule.
That being said, I do have three steamers; a couple of 0-6-0's and a 0-4-0. The 0-6-0's are from Bachmann (DCC) and the 0-4-0 is from Model Power that I converted to DCC.
To be honest the bulk of my diesel fleet is also Bachmann.
I too have not been impressed with the steamers from Bachmann.
On the USRA 0-6-0 one of the side rods was bent which caused erratic running. I added power pickups to the tender which has helped through the unpowered turnouts.
With the Side Tank Porter 0-6-0, because of it's short wheel base, it tends to stall through the unpowered frogs on the turnouts.
The 0-4-0 'Lil Donkey does well despite it's diminutive wheel base.
What I discovered, with the Bachmann units, is the bottom gear cover needs to be shaved down.
Over regular trackage (I used code 100) the gear cover is not a problem but when running over the re-railers and turnouts the gear cover bottoms out and causes electrical and derailment problems.
I removed the excess material on the bottom gear cover with a rotary tool (Dremmel®). In one instance the amount of material removed actually exposed the drive gear.
Being careful with the rotary tool I did not damage the drive gear. This allowed these unit to clear the rerailers and turnouts and maintain electrical contact through the unpowered turnouts.
Yes, these units were inexpensive but with Bachmann steam the old addage, "You get what you pay for" seems to hold exceptionally true.
Like I said, I run primarily Bachmann diesels and have no complaints.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
If you just got the loco, call Trainworld immediately, speak to customer service, and explain the problem. I had a recent issue with a loco purchased there and they replaced it promptly. I wouldn't bother with Bachmann at this point unless Trainworld won't help you. And I'm sort of betting that you'll get more immediate service from Trainworld.
Hi HorneyB,
I have had mine for several years now. It worked great on arrival and has continued to perforn beautifully. No Issues at all.
Good Luck. I have heard Bachmann's service is excellent.
Johnboy out.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
I have wanted one of the Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 Consolidation locos for some time. Trainworld currently has some of the DCC Equipped versions on sale so I finally ordered one. It arrived late Friday, June 2, and I immediately took it out to the layout and tried it out.
Having read review after review claiming what a smooth running model the Bachmann 2-8-0 is, I was rather disappointed as the loco I received stuttered badly at low speed. I observed that the loco smoothed out quite a bit as I increased the speed to around 30-35 scale miles per hour. Thus, I figured it might just need a little break-in time. I set up the layout for a continuous loop and let the loco run around at speed step 40 of 128 while I worked on some scenery. Less than 15 minutes later, the loco stopped and sat humming. I gave the loco a nudge or two, changed throttle directions and throttle settings but the loco would no longer budge. Upon closer inspection of the loco, I found that the side rods along the right side of the loco, instead of being in a straight line along all four drive axles, looked more like a roller coaster. Comparison of the two sides of the loco showed that the main drivers had completely lost their quartering with the rod journals at nearly 180 degrees instead of the correct 90 degrees of offset.
I would expect the driver wheel sets to have a bit more positive mating to hold their quartering against at least a little more torque than that produced by the model in which they are installed. If I have this loco replaced, can I expect a similar quartering failure from the replacement? Anyone have a similar experience?