Bachmann NW2 with DCC

I thought the gist of that thread was that the Life Like SW's had worm and gear issues, at least that's the way I read it. My six Kato NW2's haven't given any trouble in that regard, maybe I don't thrash my locos to within an inch of their lives like most seem to do.

The real test of the Bachmann NW2 would be a photo of one beside a Kato version if someone who has both could take five minutes to take a photo and upload it, and when the Atlas S2 arrives photograph one next to an S4. At a normal model viewing distance, not closer than a gnat's whisker.

 

My Bmann NW is on it's way. I can do the pix.
Joe D

 

As for the couplers, just do what I did on my Bachmann S4 -- replace them with Micro Trains Z scale couplers. There is an article in the new N Scale Railroading magazine by Marc Lupia. He did the same thing on his Erie Lackawanna S4. It makes the engine look so much nicer.

Joe

 

Here is an Ebay auction with a few pictures...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-N-...804892?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20dd8aa6dc

 

Yes, I do. USPS tracking show Saturday delivery.

 

Westfalen,

Not to hijack the thread, but to answer your question....

SW1200 early LL run- problem: plastic worm gears are NOT perfectly round. Wobble=noise. Walthers version has brass worms.

Kato NW2- problem: a main drive gear SLIPS on its shaft. = loss of power.

Here is a photo of a Kato chassis.


There are two white gears. The main drive gear is on the motor shaft behind the flywheel.
The problem is the LOWER gear. (I like to think of it as a transmission gear). IT is the one that has a tendency to slip.

 

Same here. Kato's couplers and Atlas' Accumates get replaced first chance I get too so we can't single out Bachmann on the coupler issue.

 

Is this one of those "it happened to two very vocal guys so now it's conventional wisdom" things or is it really a widespread issue? I have run my pair of Kato NW2's for many hours without any gear slippage.

Cheers,
-Mark

 

Mark,

It would appear that this is a somewhat spotty problem possibly.

Of course, the SW1200 worm wobble was not universal either. Some people had very quiet SW1200s.

Same would appear to be true here. In fact, now that I think about it, there is probably a higher percentage of Kato people who have a problem if they disassemble the loco. That same shaft is the drive shaft for the trucks. But the trucks have a lot of play. And so when "fiddling" with this loco, one truck could push the shaft through the hole toward the other truck. If you look closely at my photo, the shaft is not perfectly centered.
(sorry for the thread drift, but it is relavant to those who compare these small switchers).

 

Micro Trains apparent inability or maybe refusal to provide the Z scale couplers in bulk will be decisive to precluding their general acceptance going forward. But for many of us who switched to the N scale MT's way back when, the thought of added cost without any added benefit other than an arbitrary cosmetic one is no incentive.

 

You mean the Bachman unit should look like this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=395969&nseq=66

and this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=447162&nseq=11

and not like this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=432043&nseq=26

or this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=393247&nseq=69

or this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=426665&nseq=34

Is that correct?

 

Amen! I totally agree with you!

 

Very good point! I have stated on here before that with everyone screaming for RTR or Pre-built structures that all it does it hike the prices up on the affordability of the hobby. Look back 20 years ago when you could get a decent running loco (Minitrix or Atlas) for about $40. A car cost you about $5, and structures (which were ALL in kit form) for $7-10. It was affordable then, not so much now. I know inflation plays a part in price increases as well, but us modelers are the main culprit. People wanting "prototype specific" details on their rolling stock and locos, and the manufacturers have answered our demands for the most part.

I for one can tell you, that if I was getting into the hobby for the first time at this day in age, I COULD NOT AFFORD it. Thanks to Bachmann bringing out very nice models and an AFFORDABLE price for the average, the average JOE can purchase new locomotives and get into the hobby and enjoy it, without breaking your bank account.

Enough of my rambling.
Ryan

 

If someone bashes a manufacturer and refuses to buy a model just for that one reason, they are too damn picky to buy anything in the model railroading hobby.

JMHO
Ryan

 

Well, my NW-2 did not show up today, despite USPS tracking says delivered! Wonder who got it????
Joe D

 

GF can not find her digicam. Until she finds it, I can not post photographs. Maybe someone who knows where his is will receive his NW-2 soon.

I did a pulling power test. The pulling power is anemic, just as is the S-4. It got four loaded MT gondolas and an MT wood caboose up the ruling two per cent grade. In comparison, the Kato will pull six and the caboose.

I do not expect much from a switcher, it is small, thus it does not weigh much. The Kato is about what I expect from a switcher. If the Baldwin from Atlas is any indication, I expect that the S-2 from Atlas will pull better than the B-mann or the Kato. The Atlas will pull eight loaded MT gondolas and the wood caboose up the ruling two per cent grade.

 

Mine didn't arrive today either. Now Monday, I guess (assuming my mailman survives the weather).

Cheers,
-Mark