Ok CSX #'s 7664, 7652 & A&A #5148 (All Bachmann spectrum -8's) stopped operating correctly yesterday. #7664 was gliding outof the yard by itself when it suddenl;y stoped and the engine was whining and the lights were shining, I pushed it and everything but it just stood there wuith the motor spinning and the lights shining, but to wheel activity. #7652 was paired with 8302 (F3A)and was starting to do some moves to make a train. I suddenly found that The A unit was pushing 7652. 5148 has done this for a while, but when it is running it has a cliking sound about twice a second, nothing on the wheels. I opened it up and foud a defected main drive gear, I have no replacements, nor Bachmann warranty cards (Never came with the boxes.) Are there recommended sites out there fore regearing, and new wheel for my f units??
You can always repower the -8's with KATO frames from either the C-30-7 or U-30C. Trouble is finding one of those frames. Brian
Pat, If I were you, I'd give Bachmann a phone call. Explain the problems and so on and I bet you can get motors or whatnot for them to install yourself, or send them to Bachmann to have a repair done. I've called Bachmann on a B23-7 I have in HO scale and i'm sending mine back to the factory! Its going to cost me $10 plus the return shipping! For them to do the work! I'd give this a try, being the Bachmann Plus B23-7 I have is over 10 years old! You can e-mail me at : yellowstone10@hotmail.com for a phone number if needed... Hope this helps.. [ 20 November 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]</p>
Actually Brian finding a C30-7 or a U30-C isn't the problem.Affording them is.Some people seem to think that because they are KATO they must be pure gold.
I had a B23-7 give out too, I striped it for parts for my SD45 and C40-8W. Currently I hardly run Bachmann anymore due to the fact of the piss poor reliablity of there units, Most of my fleet it Athearn or Athearn like drives (LL P2K), or Kato/Atlas/Athearn Genisis drives (all have simularitys)
Chessie, My B23-7 was a decent running loco untill the day the motor went clanity clank on me! It was a quiet runner and smooth and all... the drives in the trucks made no noise and all so. It needs a motor and motor mounts replaced... Over all though it run good for being Bachman. But still wouldn't out run my Bachmann Spectrun GP-30! I'll praise that little guy up being its Bachmann and runs like a scared jack rabbit! I have had no trouble with it ever! Just for gease and oil and wheel polishing/cleaning which is basic maintenance. Never anything major on it.... Oh I have replaced one light bolb in the GP-30 but thats it! And its 10 year old or so... And its probably one of the diesels I own that gets run alot! More then any of the rest of the diesels I have anyway... Then again. its the most reliable diesel I have!
Off the beaten path, John, but if you want a decent-running Bachmann Spectrum, get a 44-tonner or two- they're nicely detailed, and run slowly and well. Price ain't bad, either. I have two of them, both in Frisco. Now, back to N scale..... Highball, y'all!
Sounds like the A&A Mechanical Department needs to submit a Purchase Order to the Fiancial Department for the procurement of some new motive power- may I recommend some Kato Dash 9s?
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by friscobob: Sounds like the A&A Mechanical Department needs to submit a Purchase Order to the Fiancial Department for the procurement of some new motive power- may I recommend some Kato Dash 9s?<hr></blockquote> I will have to agree with that (note once again I forgot I was in the N scale forum instead of the HO)
Friscobob, Sorry fella! I own 4 Bachmann Spectrum 44 ton center cabs! B&O #'s 19 & 20 and Western Maryland #'s 75 & 76! I know they run really good for their price and do the yard work nicely! I bought the 2 B&O's at the very same time just as I did the 2 Western Maryland ones! at $19 each! From a local hobby shop that went out of bussiness in the early 1990's. But to this day all I ever done to these loco's was grease and oil and polish and clean the wheels! But they don't get run like my Bachmann Spectrun GP-30 does! Hes run 8 to 10 hours a day at the up comming holidays shows that I attend and all.... Not the same type train show most of you are used to but a train show of nothing but trains hauling frieght and yard movements... No seeling of anykind and the show is totally free to the public! I do the shows with 2 other guys.... Gary Bear and Pete Riggio. I'm their for one reason and one only. The kids are really great! I love to see them happy and having fun without any type trouble! If I do one show and only get one happy kid.... Thats enough to say... I'm going to be at the show the next year! Thats my take home pay! And the organization only puts out a donation pot and all so...
The Appalachian & Atlantic Railroad Corporation has approved a 55 million dollar deal (actually $175) to EMD for new locomotives which are yet to be announced. Sources say the new units could be SD70's or SD80's. [ 22 November 2001: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]</p>
Jimminy Christmas, Merry Crickets!!!! Find those EMDs, May you find them cheap, and find them plentiful...you may never know when this kind of charity will come around again!!!
Telegrapher, Yes thats what its all about to me! I know what it was when I was real young and all with my Grandfather when we went to the train shows for the holidays and all.... I know how it felt and i'll never forget! And back then I never imagined I'd be doing it! So I'm giving back what it once gave me! Only I didn't get to run the trains! I let them run mine (a few at a time) and all. I know what it was for me too watch, but to run them. I know they're having fun! And as much of a chance i'm taking when I let them run the trains.. I have had no problems or trouble out of them! all besides 2 brothers once... The one want to run the other brothers train and vice versa... It was funny but they switched trains and all so... And didn't have alot of trouble just 2 little kids arguing over what train they wanted to run... I get enjoyment out of it. They don't charge admission or anything, just set out a donation pot. And if they start charging admission.. I'm gone! I do it for free to let kids have fun and to bring in the holidays... and besides these are my trains and all so. Noone is going to pay anyone to see my trains so... Its all for enjoyment...
Hey John, I'll add my 2 cents and agree that the little ones at the Station always get a blast from running the trains on your layout up there and I always enjoy sharing my own locos and cars (especially a certain Big Six!!!) as well. It also shows alot of history when we run our trains because it shows them how this nation, and our region was built during the heyday of railroads. Mike K., P.S. e-mail me if you're running this year or not mikek_15558@yahoo.com
If you're gonna go EMD, you may also want to consider the SD60M from Atlas as well. It runs well, and cuts down on inventory parts, just in case your mechanical department is uncomfortable with AC traction motors
The A&A helped EMD design the SD70MAC's so, they have NOO problem with Ac's, (that's why more SD80's are on the way)
