Bachmann Spectrum split gears?

[Purc]

Depending on the age of the locomoyive, I have seen brand new Bachmanns right out of the box with split gears. One of the best (although not the cheapest) ways I've fixed them is using NWSL gears. Takes a bit of work but once done they never have another problem.

 

[Purc]

Bachmann split gears

Depending on the age of the locomotive, I have seen brand new Bachmanns right out of the box with split gears. One of the best (although not the cheapest) ways I've fixed them is using NWSL gears. Takes a bit of work but once done they never have another problem.

 

[jasonelki]

Depending on the age of the locomotive, I have seen brand new Bachmanns right out of the box with split gears. One of the best (although not the cheapest) ways I've fixed them is using NWSL gears. Takes a bit of work but once done they never have another problem.

Hmm, I'm not opposed to spending a little more as long as they work, which is why I'm skeptical of buying another set of gears from Bachmann, as they may split again.
Hopefully NWSL is better with the gears than the wheelsets, still waiting on a set from my LHS for 3 months.

How does the NWSL take a bit of work?

 

[jayl1]

" still waiting on a set from my LHS for 3 months."



You can order directly from NWSL. Their shipping cost on a set of Shay gears was minimal & they were fast.

 

[stationmaster]

I've not seen many Spectrums with gear problems, but I have seen many P2K B-truck engines with their fair share.

I wouldn't glue ANYTHING in the gear box. Only asking for trouble. Fix it right the first time or don't fix it at all. Don't order online .....call. I received a new regear and repower kit for an old steam engine in 3 working days a couple of weeks ago. You can ask if the item is in stock, the computer isn't always right, and delivery time.

Bob

 

[jasonelki]

Called NWSL and they do sell replacement gears for the 44 tonner. They are made of brass. Will brass axle gears wear the plastic gears in the trucks at all? I do not have a caliper or anything else that will measure this gear precisely, but I think I'll order a couple and see what happens. The tech thought the gear should have 16 teeth, and after counting twice I had 15. Was there differences in gears on these locos? Maybe different runs? Hoping to get the correct item, if not hope they take returns/exchanges!
They are $10 each, if the two I order work well it should be worth it. I don't trust getting replacement gears from Bachmann for about the same amount...

 

[stationmaster]

The techs at NWSL are quite knowledgeable, I'd trust them. If you have any questions before you order, you may want to call back and air them with the staff. These guys are among the best in the hobby and strive to make things right the first time. I trust you wish to fix the engine right the first time too. Call them again to make sure you get what is needed.

I'm glad you found what you need and a source from which to get the items. Keep us informed and good luck.

Bob

 

[jasonelki]

Bachmann update...
Received the replacement gears from NWSL (along with the wheelsets I've been waiting on through my LHS for 3 months...). They sent me the wrong replacement set of gears. Apparently Bachmann had 2 different runs of the 44 tonner. The older version had a motor on top of each truck, and the newer version had a single motor. I was sent the replacement gear for the single motor when in fact I had the double motor version. At the time of initial order I wasn't asked by NWSL which version I had so this wasn't a big deal, as I didn't know there was two different runs.

Called NWSL and spoke with their tech Dave and he fixed me up with not only the gear, but replacement wheelsets as well, which was only a couple bucks more and would make the loco run a lot better.

The package arrived about a week later with the set of 4 wheelsets plus gears, just like the photo. So, I of course run down into the basement to try and put the loco back together. I read the first step of the instructions, which was "remove the wheels and gear from the axle". It is hard to tell from the photo, but the wheel on the right is electrically insulated from the axle. The original Bachmann wheelsets only stuffed into the (crappy) plastic gear and didn't make contact with each other. So, I take one wheel off, no problem, the gear slid off too, not easily, but it still came off. The other wheel was not so kind, so of course I forced the issue and ended up ruining the wheel and axle trying to take it apart. As it turns out, I only needed to take off the insulated wheel. The other side, being pressed in, was to stay intact. Bottom line, I was in a hurry trying to repair the loco and royally screwed up one of the 4 wheelsets. At the time I didn't think it was a big deal, I only needed 2 of the 4 I was sent. Well, I finally slide everything into the correct place, somehow not totally boogering up the plastic (not brass like the other set I was sent) gear, and run the loco. Runs the same as before, hesitates. So, I take the trucks apart yet again to find out the other two axle gears are cracked as well! Arg, should have known/looked while I had it taken apart the first time. All 4 of the gears were shot on this loco, and it was essentially brand new. So, I can only fix one of the two gears because I ruined one set trying to follow directions and take it apart to begin the intial repair...

Another call to NWSL. I spoke with Dave again and told him I was following the directions and asked why the wheels/axle/gear weren't just packaged pulled apart instead of together, as that was the big hurdle for me(never really answered this question). I described the process needed to install the replacement gears. He was under the impression there was a clip on the bottom of the truck (like athearn) that once it was removed the gears/wheelsets would fall out. Bachmann has closed trucks, at least on this model, so weaving the axle through without marring the gear was a small miracle, but I got it done.

Anyway, to finish up this novel. I received a package last week from NWSL that included 4 new sets of wheels and gears, no charge, how sweet is that?!
I put the loco back together and it runs pretty good, its definately not a proto or an atlas, but it is serviceable.

I learned 3 lessons from this "experience".

1-Don't rush, read the directions fully, or at least think the process through. I felt like an idiot thinking I needed to take off both wheels, duh...

2-This may be painting with a broad brush and a bit harsh, but don't buy a Bachmann. All 4 gears were broke on this model and it didn't look slightly used. Even after fixing the problem the loco still runs ok, not great, maybe a click above the athearn BB. It is no Proto or Atlas, although the MSRP on this loco was ~$75 (didn't pay close to that...). The only reason I purchased the loco was because only Bachmann makes the 44 tonner in HO(I think). As always, you get what you pay for.

3-Support NWSL. It was not their fault I busted one of the wheelsets and yet they sent me a complete set of 4 wheelsets/gears to help me fix the loco. Great customer service, although Dave is their only tech and sometimes hard to get ahold of, he is very knowledgable. Call, don't bother email, they'll set you up. Very happy about how generous they were in handling my error.

Now that I have it running, time to strip the paint and give it the Milwaukee road orange and black!

Jason

 

[UP2CSX]

Jason, although I feel for you, Bachmann models are poorly represented by the original 44 tonner. It is the only Bachmann engine I'm aware that commonly had gear cracking problems. OTOH, almost all early P2K engines had cracked gears. Bachmann went to the single motor to cure the problem of the two motors, which were the cause of the gear cracking. Remember that Bachmann, unlike all other engine makers, has a lifetime warranty on their locomotives. If you had called them and told them of your problems, you would have gotten a brand new, single motor 44 tonner for $15 and shipping.

 

[cct70]

I have to second what Jim says about Bachmann locomotives and service. I too have a 2 motored 44 tonner and it is a POS. HOWEVER. My other Bachmann locos (2 VERY superdetailed DD40AX's) are OUTSTANDING runners and though I have gotten rid of my Bachmann SD45's, never a runing problem with those either. Their steam engines ROCK though. I bought a Christmas train set for my Step daughter that had an 0-6-0 and she brings it by before setting it up around her tree each year for me to service, lube, etc. The first time I took the shell off to lube it, I discovered, to my surprise, that it had a can motor, not the old "pancake" style and it runs like a Swiss watch. I would liek to find another one as it is almost a dead ringer for a WP 0-6-0. Anyway, I also have a bunch of their On30 scale stuff and it is all VERY nicely built and runs GREAT. As a kid, I had a TON of trainset Bachmann's, and occasionally, one would crap out. A real bummer for a kid, but a real pleasant surprise to a kid to send in his locomotive to the manufacturer (and a weeks worth of lawnmower wages) and recieve back a repaired (good as new) or wholly new replacement locomotive. And all these years later, they still offer that kind of service and level of service. Bachmann is (deservedly) famous for its level of service and got a bum rap for their first 44 tonner. However, they took that as a learning experience and re-tooled the drive to a single motor to alleviate that problem, so they do listen to their customers. Don't judge Bachmann too harshley, they try hard and they put out a decent product, but this one just happened to be a lemon. And you found the one lemon of the bunch I'm afraid.

 

[jasonelki]

Jason, although I feel for you, Bachmann models are poorly represented by the original 44 tonner. It is the only Bachmann engine I'm aware that commonly had gear cracking problems. OTOH, almost all early P2K engines had cracked gears. Bachmann went to the single motor to cure the problem of the two motors, which were the cause of the gear cracking. Remember that Bachmann, unlike all other engine makers, has a lifetime warranty on their locomotives. If you had called them and told them of your problems, you would have gotten a brand new, single motor 44 tonner for $15 and shipping.

You guys are probably right, just a bad break for me getting a lemon and not representative of the rest of the product line. Jim, I did indeed call Bachmann to inquire about this warranty, but since the item was used and I didn't have the original receipt, it would have cost $25 (as it was a spectrum) plus shipping to have it fixed, which looking back on it, would have been a bargain, especially after the amount of time I spent on it...

Oh well, at least I know how to fix it!

 

[UP2CSX]

Jason, as you say, $25 for a new $90 locomotive is worth it no matter what you have planned for it. The NWSL gear set was a good thing back in the day when all 44 tonners were crap, including the brass models, but Bachman really shined on getting the single motor right and giving their customer a good deal on an inexpensive replacement.

 

[stationmaster]

P2K's problems were with the "B" axle trucks, those with 4 drive wheels. The 6 axle engines, or "C" axle trucks are just fine..... Though my (9)BL2's tagged for Monon(#31-39, and yes, I did renumber eight of them) have never busted a gear yet(knock on wood).

My Bachmann Spectrum and Athearn Genesis units experienced much the same problem for a while, though I have not heard much on the problem lately. I had a half dozen or so engines go down to gear failure. Probably the reason I own so many Rivarossi, Varney, and assorted brass steamers, and Atlas(Atlas/Roco and Atlas/Kato), Roco, Stewart(Stewart/Atlas and Stewart/Kato), and Kato diesels. Not to mention the detailed and "modernized" Athearn Blue Box engines in my stable that are darn near bullet-proof.

I do like the Bachmann Plus engines that seem to be immune to the defect.....at least so far in my experience with them.

So much for overseas manufacturing being so great.

Bob