need help with Bachmann 2-8-0

KentBy

GN, NP, SP&S
I just bought a second hand Bachmann 2-8-0, got it home and tried it out. Moved about 3 inches and stopped. I could back it up about the same and it stopped.

There is some binding in the gear/wheels. I removed the bottom cover and checked the wheels. The back one (the one with the gear on it) the axle does not hold the wheels solid and the next one forward is the same. I think that the wheel axle is supposed to be fixed. Is this right?

Should I remove the wheels and glue them solid? If so how is the alignment between them done? Can someone send me a picture of how the drive linkage is supposed to work? I check Bachmann web site, but could find nothing that shows how it work.

Is this going to be to hard to fix? Should I give up and send it back to Bachmann as they will fix it for $15.00?

Kent
 

ed acosta

Member
I've had problems with Bachmann in the past and the best thing to do is to sent your $15 and return it to Bachmann. Chances are that they will ship out a new loco. If you attempt to fix it, you will void the warranty.

Let us know what your experience with Bachmann is.
-Ed
 

Don7

New Member
Check out the Bachmann service site

Bachmann Trains Online - Service / Parts

If this is an older 2-8-0 I would recommend sending it in with the $15.00 service fee for repair. Note as the likelyhood is that as it is no longer in production it is unlikely to be repaired and you will be offered another Bachmann standard engine in exchange.

The old 2-8-0's are not well regarded at all.
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
For $15 and shipping - I'll add my vote to "let them do it" ...!

However, if you'd like to learn more about it, and enjoy tinkering, and want to acquire more tools, then take this as your opportunity to do so. ;)


Andrew
 

Trainiac77

Member
I have sent many engines back to Bachmann over the years and have nothing bad to say. Almost always they have replaced my engines with brand new ones. Worth every penny of the $15 charge.
 

KentBy

GN, NP, SP&S
How do they replace...

I have sent many engines back to Bachmann over the years and have nothing bad to say. Almost always they have replaced my engines with brand new ones. Worth every penny of the $15 charge.

Sense you have done this a lot maybe you could answer how they handle it when you send back a GN 2-8-0, but they currently don't make GN 2-8-0.

How is the replacement handled?

Kent
 

HoosierDaddy

New Member
Sense you have done this a lot maybe you could answer how they handle it when you send back a GN 2-8-0, but they currently don't make GN 2-8-0.

How is the replacement handled?

Kent

I can tell you how it went for some old diesels I sent in. I had aquired some old pancake motored Bachmann F7A's in Santa Fe Warbonnet paint for probably less than $5 apiece as part of an ebay lot. I sent them in along with $10 each for diesel repair and got back, (in about 2 weeks) two new FTA's in Warbonnet paint with much improved motors and drivetrains. I had included in my shipment to them a note saying that they could feel free to change roadname, and even substitute a B unit for one if they wished. I'm not sure if they ever looked at the note or not. If you know they don't make a GN 2-8-0, look at what they do make in a 2-8-0 for something else acceptable, or something else in GN paint that's comparable you would be happy with and suggest that as a replacement.

Oh yeah, call and talk to the repair people, they can probably tell you whether a repair or replacement is necessary, and if replacement you can make your wishes known with regards to what replacement you would prefer. Here's the link to customer service.

Bachmann Trains Online - Service / Parts
 

Trainiac77

Member
Sense you have done this a lot maybe you could answer how they handle it when you send back a GN 2-8-0, but they currently don't make GN 2-8-0.

How is the replacement handled?

Kent


I completely agree with HoosierDaddy as I sent in one of the old 2-10-4 steam engines that isn't made anymore. They called me and asked if I would accept a replacement engine and I received a new 4-8-4 war baby in it's place. That suited me fine but maybe not in your case?

Just a heads up with Bachmann repair department....I called them before I wrote this since I have 2 engines in for repair right now and they are back logged 6 to 8 weeks. But they assured me that they would get to it very soon since they received my engines the early part of March.
 

bitlerisvj

New Member
I sent in a Spectrum 2-8-0 that had been customized into a Souther mode. They sent me a BRAND NEW 2-8-0 PLUS both my loco and tender shells. I ended up having 2 superstructures with one mechanism. I used my old tender shell, but ended up customizing the loco, because I did not want to chance on messing something up taking it apart.
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
If you have the old 2-8-0 based on the Reading prototype, the molds were destroyed in an accident a few years ago. The currant Spectrum 2-8-0 is a Baldwin prototype, I think it is Santa Fe, but may be similar to other Baldwin 2-8-0s on other roads. Steam engines were so detail specific for the various roads, that often the manufacturers made custom units for each railroad that ordered locomotives. If they don't offer a locomotive in GN, ask for an undecorated version to paint and decal yourself for GN.
 
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