Just converted to DCC. I have a couple of bachmann locos that I'd like to get to run better. Continuity testing shows most of the failure points to be where the trucks power flanges rubs against the right or left half of the metal frame. By contrast I have a old Life like GP9 that I made DCC with a LaisDCC Decoder. It runs great on the same track and its trucks have a wire going from the trucks to the decoder, no moving metal parts that need to have contact. I'm wondering how to go about getting these Bachmann locos to run like this. I've considered soldering wires to the trucks and running to the wires to the decoder terminals but the shell is skin tight, I'd have to machine groves for the wiree. Anyone else have Ideas to get these contact points to work better?
What Bachmann models are you looking at, specifically? Their mechanisms vary a bit between models is why I ask.
go to spookshow and look at his write up. I have a 44 toner and it runs great after I cleaned the trucks
What NS737 says is probably your answer. Here is the Spookshow entry: http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bach44ton.html . I've got two of these and they can get finicky if you get even a little guck back there, but with some cleaning they run well.
I also have 4 of these locos and all run great with no issues what so ever. But I do service my locos at least twice a year which includes a light lube if needed and a wheel and truck cleaning.