Looking for a little help...

BugNerd Mar 23, 2007

  1. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    ...picking a steam locomotive. Bachmann contacted me about the Class J and it turns out that the replacements are also having trouble with the wire insulation. They offered to replace it with a different locomotive and I'm not sure what to get :) I know, I know, get something I like.

    The trouble is that I have these N&W passenger cars and I didn't really see any other Bachmann Spectrum N&W steam that caught my eye.

    I'm looking for suggestions regarding quality locomotives because I don't want to send one back and wait for months to get it.

    Hit me with suggestions :D

    One that I noticed was the 4-8-2 light mountain Southern. Did they run any passenger routes? I can always paint the passenger cars a different color...except for a Lima N&W car...I'll leave that one original.
     
  2. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, btw, I was very disappointed about the Class J...It's the one that got me interested in model railroading :(
     
  3. Ed M

    Ed M Passed away May 2012 In Memoriam

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    Hmmm, tough decision.

    I don't know your situation real well, so what I might tend to do may not seem like a good idea to you.

    If I really wanted the "J", I'd be inclined to tell Bachmann to put me on teh wait list until they get the problems straightened out and can replace your locomotive with a good one. This could, as you point out, take months.

    Meanwhile I'd just use another of my locos temporarily, or if I didn't have another one I might be temted to buy something inexpensive and repaint it to pull the train until I could get my "J". I hear that some online vendors have some decent prices on some early diseasels that might be close to appropriate.

    Just one idea.

    Ed
     
  4. SteveM76

    SteveM76 TrainBoard Member

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    Meanwhile I'd just use another of my locos temporarily, or if I didn't have another one I might be temted to buy something inexpensive and repaint it to pull the train until I could get my "J". I hear that some online vendors have some decent prices on some early diseasels that might be close to appropriate.

    Just one idea.

    Ed[/quote]
    I'd just wait it out. Do you have any GP 9s that you could substitute in the meantime? If not, that might be the answer. Microscale makes the N&W diseasel passenger decals. I'm thinking about painting up a few myself.
     
  5. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions. I have some N&W decals that ns737 sent. They look great, but I haven't applied them yet.
     
  6. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    Well, looks like they decided to send a replacement Class J. He previously tolf me that the new batch was having the same problem with respect to the insulation flaking off. He returned my call to tell me that would send a replacement Class J and that the new ones are okay...he said if I see any copper on the wires, not to worry about it. Apparently, the manufacturer coats the wires with clear coat and then spray paints the wires black. He said if I see anything flaking off, it's just paint.

    The decision to send a replacement came after I asked about a refund...wonder how much that had to with their decision?
     
  7. Ed M

    Ed M Passed away May 2012 In Memoriam

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    Who knows? But I wouldn't waste much time worrying about it until you get the engine and try it out. If it runs okay then it doesn't really matter what affected their decision.

    Regards

    Ed
     
  8. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    Sounds good :) I'll be waiting patiently :D
     
  9. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    The thickness of paint is a pretty cheap way of insulating wires!
    It might do better to just solder regular insulated wires in place of the cheapo's.
    I found I have received several Bachmann engines as presents and am dissapointed in all but one that was rebuilt by another member.
     
  10. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    They sent the replacement, but it had a faulty headlight. They sent another replacement and it seems to be running nicely. They were very good about sending the second replacement.
     
  11. fsm1000

    fsm1000 TrainBoard Member

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    I use to have a problem with trains shorting out on turnouts as they picked the point. I used clear nailpolish. Works like a charm. It could also be used to insulate your problem as well I imagine. I hope that helps :)
     

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