Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 repair help

[Albertaboy]

I have many H/O scale Bachmann Spectrum, 2-8-0's.  I'm guessing they're 5 plus years old but new and never been run.  From right out of the box 3 of mine have had a noticeable grind noise. I kept them cause I wanted to repair them myself.

From past forum posts, that I remember reading,  many 2-8-0 owners have experienced this problem as well.  I had kept a link that someone had posted but I can no longer access it.

I am wondering if anyone on list has ever repaired this well known problem, and would you consider doing a mini clinic on how to diagnose and then repair.  Or just some tips would be great.

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

[rbturner]

Vern, one of the common items I have found when repairing Spectrum is that the wipers on the drivers get bent out of whack and can cause all kinds of noises.

 

Randy

[Darth Santa Fe]

It could be bad gears. Have you checked to make sure the gears are all OK?

It could also be the motor or worm bearings in need of oil. My 2-8-0 was already quiet when I got it, but oiling the worm bearings made it even quieter.

It could also be the previously mentioned contact strips getting caught in the wheels.

Other than that, I can't think of anything that might be causing it.

[cjcrescent]

There is another problem associated with the 2-8-0 that hasn't been mentioned. Gear Mesh. Many of the earlier models have a problem with the way the frame is built and this causes the gears to mesh improperly.

If you know how to remove the boiler, remove it from the mechanism. Look at the front of the "weight" that makes up most of the boiler. There is a "stud" that fits down into the cylinders. If this "stud" has a slightly rounded end, then your gears have a bad mesh and will grind aganist each other.

The fix is simple, File this "stud" flatter. This will lower the boiler weight low enough to improve the gear mesh. Reassemble and test. If still grinding, file a little more. The rear of the loco that sits on the rear of the mechanism may need filing as well. The metal is not that hard so filing isn't that difficult.

[Albertaboy]

These are good tips, Thank you.

I have not yet opened these as I wanted to, first, know what I was looking for.

cjcrescent wrote "If you know how to remove the boiler, remove it from the mechanism" Actually this is a good point raised.  Is there any trick you know of to disassemble the boiler off from the mechanism??

Thank again.

[cjcrescent]

cjcrescent wrote "If you know how to remove the boiler, remove it from the mechanism" Actually this is a good point raised.  Is there any trick you know of to disassemble the boiler off from the mechanism??

Thank again.

The 2-8-0 is one of the easiest of the "modern" plastic steam to get into.
1. Remove the screw for the lead truck.
2. Remove the screw between the drawbar and the gearcover plate.
3. Remove the screw from the cylinder block.
4. At the front of the loco, the top of the steps "plug" into the boiler, pull these out of the boiler carefully. The bottoms MAY be glued to the pilot deck.
5. Holding the loco by the mech, pull the boiler straight up.It should come free.
6. Slide the boiler forward barely and it should come free of the boiler weight.
7. Look at the part of the weight that came from the cylinder block. If it is rounded, it needs to be filed flatter. The gear mesh itself can be seen with the boiler separated from the weight.  To check place the boiler weight back onto the mech in proper postion and examine the gear mesh with a light held behind the loco and you looking toward the light. The gears should mesh with each other no less than 3/4 of the depth of the gears. Any less and the gears WILL cup, (wear abnormally) and grind.
8. To check the wipers, there are two small screws that hold the gear cover plate in place. The pickups are attached to this plate. With the mech upside down remove screws and pull straight up.  Make sure the position of the wipers all match to the rims of the drivers.
9. Check gears, bearings and axles for lubrication. Lube if necessary
10. Reverse procedure to reassemble.

[cjcrescent]

Made a mistake on #6 originally. It has been corrected.

[Albertaboy]

Thanks for this information and for your time.  I will start on these soon and if I notice anything un-usual or experience something different than your directions, I'll post it here later on.

Thanks again.

[Fergmiester]

If it is a gear problem then new gears can be bought from NWSL but be careful as I went this route and busted a rod and as there were no spares available as it was an older version Bachmann replaced the engine.

Fergie