I have heard nothing good about these engines. I have a couple, and I have had no trouble with them. What problems have others had with them? Why are they so famously bad?
I baught an A and B unit about 3 years ago. 6 months later the B unit started smoking and before I could shut it down the motor was fried. 1 week later the A unit did the same thing. I contacted Bachman about it and was told they were out of warranty but would repair them for so many dollars. I still have them sitting on a shelf.
I think it's a kind of a luck of the draw thing on the Bachmans. I've also had reasonably good luck with my Bachmans, but I think thats more the exception than the rule. I'm actually vaugely considering getting some of the F7s for a couple of trains I have that need them.
