I have my Grandfathers old Texas Chugger train and my 4 yr old loves it but the axels are broken. Anyone have any idea where to get parts? Bachmann told me to come here for help.
Exactly How old is this train ? What axels on which loco or cars are broken ? Parts on very old equipment are exceedingly hard to find ? John2.
It doesn't look like there is much out there. This is from EBay if you wanted to go that route.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachman-HO-scale-train-Santa-Fe-2-10-4-steam-engine-tender-parts-restoration-/162454709630?hash=item25d30e257e (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachman-HO-scale-train-Santa-Fe-2-10-4-steam-engine-tender-parts-restoration-/162454709630?hash=item25d30e257e)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-HO-Pennsylvania-PA-Locomotive-Train-Set-The-Texas-Chugger-6439-/162454669555?hash=item25d30d88f3:g:TM0AAOSw4A5YxaA~ (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-HO-Pennsylvania-PA-Locomotive-Train-Set-The-Texas-Chugger-6439-/162454669555?hash=item25d30d88f3:g:TM0AAOSw4A5YxaA~)
Unfortunately this locomotive is not really worth being repaired, I have a newer model of the Bachmann 2-10-4 (AT&SF) with DCC that I got for around like $60 brand new and it runs much better than the older model. You can buy a similar size engine such as the 4-8-4 for around $100-130 brand new depending on the specific model. The newer 2-10-4 is not currently in production at this time.
It depends how you look at it.
I think it is valuable in a nostalgic way for the writer.
I can sympathise with the writer as i have a few locomotives from my late father.
They are not worth a lot but for me they are invaluable.
Ton
Perhaps, but there is a big difference between them being say a pre war Lionel engine, or a rare American Flyer engine or something like that and a rather ordinary run of the mill engine. Further repairing the engine at this point would probably not make sense since it is likely to break again probably sometime in the immediate future just due to the circumstances. Unfortunately some engines just aren't really built with the type of craftsmanship of others that tend to last longer so to speak.
At this point it is likely best to just hang onto it as a memento of your grandfather. Additionally, without a great deal of supervision the enthusiasm of a young child unfortunately can lead to an accident that may otherwise be the demise of your engine.
I love when these topics surface... ::)
I am with ACY, there are times to know what makes sense to invest further capital and time in and what does not, irrespective of sentiment and nostalgia. If the sentimental pull is so high, why not just display it? What makes is so necessary to get it to run? People must really have more $$ and/or time on their hands, than they know what do with... ::)
To fix your old Texas Chugger, first remove the rear drive wheels reattach to axel and make sure they are quartered then crazy glue them. To replaced all other axles I used ball point ink refills clear plastic ones where the ink is used up. Remove old axle measure cut plastic tube to length push wheel hubs into tube , careful it is a tight fit ,do not glue .Quarter and measure wheels to fit on the track properly . You can still make adjustments to wheels if necessary. To keep the front trucks from climbing over the rails ad a small weight I used a hearing aid battery , for the rear trucks stretch the spring a little. Place on track add power and smoke fluid and watch her go! Hope this helps because all trains should run they are not a lot fun to stare at .