Dammit! Just received my new never opened G scale Bachmann Climax today and it runs a lap or two and shorts out. I cleaned the rails and wheels and tried again. One lap and stopped again. The red light on my cheap Bachmann controller was dimmed. A short?! woo woo woo?! I ran my LGB diesel and my Bachmann 4-4-0 around without trouble so it’s not the track or controller connections. Only the Climax takes a lap or less and stops. I have the front smokebox switch on the DC position. The switches on the rear of the tender are in proper position. The EBay seller is very kind and I’m sure he’ll take it back but I want this locomotive! Any similar experiences or suggestions. I can return it but I hate to.
Well that just sucks. Nothing like getting a brand new loco just to have it not work right. Bummer man.
I know! Thought this scale would be more bulletproof than HO. I’ve had better luck with HO, N and Nn3. Rough week at work and this just topped it off. But we soldier on.
I hear you Jim. I have had the worst day for failing technology around here. My phone just died for no reason. Internet issues. Think I am gonna get a six pack of HAPPY, as long as my manual bottle opener doesn't fail.
I already have it packed up and return label emailed to me. Love eBay. And yes, hell week for sure. I’ll get the first few rounds.
Long overdue embarrassing update. Shortly after returning the beautiful Bachmann Climax to the ebay seller I decided to run my 4-4-0. Guess what, it also made a round trip and stopped! My heart sank for two reasons. 1, I returned a perfectly good locomotive and the seller was pretty unhappy and 2, I had an electrical issue to resolve. Well, it turned out that my cheap, underpowered toy grade Bachmann controller had gone bad. I always wondered why my 4-4-0 wouldn’t move very fast. I replaced it with a Tech 7 ampac 760 and things ran great! I never did get back in touch with the seller (my bad) but a few days ago I ordered another new Bachmann Climax and 12 more feet of track to expand my garden layout. So now I have this off my chest. I’ll post a pic when it arrives along with a short victory lap video.
Yay. I got it this morning, lubed it all up as recommended and made a quick, although boring, video of its first run. Our outdoor “train cat” also makes an appearance. Someday I’ll add sound. Someday.
That cheap little Bachmann controller doesn't put out near enough volts or amps for G-scale. The Tech 7 probably doesn't either. Most G-scale requires 19-24 volts and a minimum of 1 amp, if not more. Find yourself a good G-scale power pack.
That is great advice and I appreciate it. Wish I had known that a year ago! G scale is a bit out of my league and merely a passing fancy while I smoke tenderloin or steaks on the deck. I just like to watch it chug around the loop and of course the grandkids love it. Most of my hobby coins go towards my indoor scale projects. This Tech 7 made a huge difference such as it is. If this scale grows on me I will definitely take your sound advice. Thanks.
Yes. They come factory installed for 4’ radius curves which is what I have. The loco also comes with optional body mount couplers included in the box but they require an 8’ curve radius. I’m just in the toy stage for now. Good eye!
Thanks, Kurt. I discovered that I actually already have 5’ radius curves. I thought I had 4’ and just ordered 5’. Jokes on me. I received the 5 footers today and that’s exactly what I already have. SOB! Oh well. I’ll have a 5 foot circle under the Christmas tree this year. I’m bad about getting in too much of a hurry. Next round of shots is on me. Root beer for those who prefer that.
