Anyone have any experience w/ Bachmann and service - repairs? I just had something very bizarre occur. This is a first in 20 years of active modeling. My C&O Bachmann 4-8-2 that I purchased 4 years ago just "clunked" out, big time. This is an engine that I put my first Tsunami in about a year ago. (Bachmann has since released w/ a factory installed Tsunami). Anyway, I have been online here tonight, at my workbench, and so on. The whole time I have had the trains running in the background. I had the Bachmann pulling a short passenger train. Just humming along. I noticed I hadn't heard it and went to check it. The thing had stopped. All the other engines were puffing, and hissing, and carrying on. Still had power. The C&O Mountain had stopped. I tried to gently rock it and it was stuck. I noticed one of the side rods had "popped" off. At the third drive wheel back from the front. I picked it up and took it to my work bench. The rod on each side at the third drive wheel had actually broken on the "rivet" at the wheel. I mean dang? It hadn't hung up on anything. There was no obstruction in the track. The track is pretty dang reliable. This is a bummer to be sure. Of course, I will box it up and send it back for repairs. I love this engine and how it performs w/ the Tsunami. How is Bachmann to deal with? I will send a check. Obviously, at 4+ years old, I don't expect them to fixt this for nothing. I am just at a loss at to what would cause such a violent "rip" in the drive rod, on both sides of the engine at the same wheel set. Strang stuff
go to the bachmann site to get the details on warrentee repairs, along with the shipping fee. call them and see if they have the parts in house that maybe they could send out to repair yourself, if not ,I would recommend you pull the decoder before you send it in because you will probally be getting a new loco as a replacement. they are very good to work with, the only downside is they are sometimes slower than mud going uphill.
I had to send back an nscale 2-8-0. It was orginally painted B&O but I had put some Rio Grande decals on it. I also installed a decoder. I also sent the $20 and explained that I had actually purchased it used. About two weeks later, a nice lady called me and explained that I had tightened the gear retaining plate two much when I installed the decoder. I know this wasn't true since the loco actually wobbled before I installed the decoder. I was just hoping with a little break-in, the problem would work itself out. Anyway, she told me that since I bought it used, the warranty didn't apply and they would keep the $20. Thats what I expected anyway but she told me that they usually return the 20 if it is still under their warranty terms. They decided to replace the loco instead of fixing it. Somehow they knew it used to be a B&O loco. But because I had a "custom" paint job on it, she told me they would remove the tender shell and the boiler and send me another B&O. About 3 days later I got the replacement - it was an undec (cool). They also sent back the whole tender and boiler (minus the broken mechanism). They also removed the decoder I had installed and sent it back as well, still attached to the lightboard so re-installation was a cinch. I was very pleased with their service. I expect you will experence good service as well. Eric
Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments. Last night after I posted, I put the engine on the bench and looked at the underside pretty good. The wheels have absolutely no rotating "play" as an engine normally has. Its almost as if they are frozen. Seems to me what happened was something inside the engine is completely binding the gear or motor. I'll call Bachmann this AM and set up a return. I appreciate the comments.
I have had nothing but good results in dealing Bachmann. They have gien me prompt service and even sent back a custom decorated shell i had sent in, along with a brand new engine. My only compant was the 2-6-6-2 I had to send in. They have stopped making them and couldn't replace it. (broken rod). But they did offer me any!! other engine they had to replace it. And that my friends is the story of how I got my new 2-10-2. Tom
