My two new Bachmann diesels

[Ronzzr11]

Here,s my latest additions to my locomotive stable, a Dash 8,and a GP35, both bought from eBay, as new old stock. I,ve fitted both with their handrails, and other small parts, but I need to paint the end rails yet.
The other Dash 8, is her sister loco, 8611,so now I have a pair I can run together.
Ronzzr11

 

[UP2CSX]

You'll like the Dash 8 but that GP-35 isn't going to be quite as nice. That model had a lot of problems with misaligned gears and jerky running. You can fix most of the issues by disassembling the gear towers and filing the burrs off the gears. Make sure the motor and the drive shafts are properly aligned and that the bearings have enough lube grease. This would also be a good time to change out those horn hooks for Kadee's too. The GP-35 will never be a very good road engine but it will work as yard switcher with some extra maintenance.

 

[Ronzzr11]

Thanks for the tips about the Geep ,Jim, it runs smoothly enough, but it is a little loud yet. I,ll be changing over to Kadees, as soon as I get some more bought.
Whats the best way to get the body shell off ?, the parts sheet does,nt give me too good of an idea on how to go about it.
Ron

 

[UP2CSX]

Ron, there were two ways the older Bachmann shells were held to the frame. The earlier batches just had four clips right above the fuel tanks that snapped in place. Use a small screwdriver to gently pry apart the shell at the fuel tank and it should come off. Later runs had two or four screws in the bottom of the fuel tank so look for those first. If they're there, just unscrew and the shell should come off. In either case, you should first remove the couplers since the shell tends to get hung up on the coupler box covers.

 

[Ronzzr11]

The bodyshell came off the Geep quite easily, the fuel tank comes off first, then there are two more screws under there, that hold the shell in position.I used some Marklin locomotive oil I have,on the worm gears,as well as the white plastic gear trains in both trucks. It runs a touch quieter now at lower power settings, but I think it will need some more running in yet. I also oiled up the Dash 8 too, as I,ve no idea how long these two locos have been stored before I bought them.
I found that, on both locos I did,nt need to remove the couplers, the shells pull off okay with them in place.

Ron

 

[Jess Red Horse]

Those are some nice bachmanns there.

A lot of folks don't like Bachmann for product choice but I must say in their defence that I have about 3 that are quite nice , good runners and still pulling strong, I think it is the luck of the draw.

I would bet some of the folks working on the assembly line really care about trains and some see it as just another assembly job and could care less what they are making, I was lucky I guess and got 3 out of 5 that were built by an HO fan

Enjoy them and if you like them and can make minor repairs when needed they could possibly end up bringing years of enjoyment to your layout.

Just remember, this is supposed to be fun!!!