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Bowser mechanism for HO Bachmann locos.

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3 replies
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  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 20 posts
Bowser mechanism for HO Bachmann locos.
Posted by pcc4199 on Saturday, August 9, 2003 1:49 PM
Has anyone re-fitted the Bowser mechanism to a Bachmann loco? Have the Niagara and would like to know if the new mechanism improves overall performance.

TIA,

Andy,
Burlington, Ont.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 20 posts
Bowser mechanism for HO Bachmann locos.
Posted by pcc4199 on Saturday, August 9, 2003 1:49 PM
Has anyone re-fitted the Bowser mechanism to a Bachmann loco? Have the Niagara and would like to know if the new mechanism improves overall performance.

TIA,

Andy,
Burlington, Ont.
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Monday, August 11, 2003 2:47 PM
Answer 1 - Yes
Answer 2 - how could it possibly make it worse? :-)
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Monday, August 11, 2003 2:47 PM
Answer 1 - Yes
Answer 2 - how could it possibly make it worse? :-)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 11, 2003 8:31 PM
The old Bachmann mechanisms were pretty bad. The new mechanisms in the all new N & W Class J 4-8-4 are very good. They just need a little running-in.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 11, 2003 8:31 PM
The old Bachmann mechanisms were pretty bad. The new mechanisms in the all new N & W Class J 4-8-4 are very good. They just need a little running-in.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: PRR Mainline
  • 118 posts
Posted by detting on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 12:31 PM
I repowerd an early B-man K-4 with excellent results. This model no longer wobbles and it can pull more than its shadow. This repower kit was essentially the standard Bowser K-4 kit less body.

For the Niagra, the kit is essentially the wheels, frame and open frame motor. I believe that the valve gear from B-man is recycled. This causes me concern since there are differences in the two wheel sets. Also, at some point, you may want to replace the open frame motor with a can. The repower kit seems to me to be an expensive proposition.

It may make sense to get the Bowser book and order just the parts that you need. The Bowser book has exploded diagrams and part numbers for all the kits they make.

Cheers,
Mike
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: PRR Mainline
  • 118 posts
Posted by detting on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 12:31 PM
I repowerd an early B-man K-4 with excellent results. This model no longer wobbles and it can pull more than its shadow. This repower kit was essentially the standard Bowser K-4 kit less body.

For the Niagra, the kit is essentially the wheels, frame and open frame motor. I believe that the valve gear from B-man is recycled. This causes me concern since there are differences in the two wheel sets. Also, at some point, you may want to replace the open frame motor with a can. The repower kit seems to me to be an expensive proposition.

It may make sense to get the Bowser book and order just the parts that you need. The Bowser book has exploded diagrams and part numbers for all the kits they make.

Cheers,
Mike

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