Back in the 80s and 90s, Bachmann produced a lot of locomotives that were halfway decent runners, some with pretty good detail, but most of them had the problem of having their white nylon gears, which also served as the drive axles, split, which renders the locomotive useless.
More recent releases utilize a superior design and black delrin plastic gears, which are much more durable. So far, the only locomotives that have been reintroduced from the old days with the better gearing in N scale are the Plymouth switcher, the 0-6-0 shifter, and 2-6-2 Prairie, the 4-8-4 Northern, the trolleys and the Spectrum F-7 series. (There may be others, but they don't leap to mind). Everything esle that Bachmann has released since changing over to the better gears have been entirely new designs, which has been a great improvement in every respect.
But the older Reading style Consolidation 2-8-0 (not to be confused with the newer Spectrum Baldwin model) and its sister, the 2-8-2 Mikado, as well as interesting and well done engines like the E-60 Amtrak electric, and the small 0-4-0 switcher haven't seen the light of day in a couple of decades. These models turn up frequently on the auction sites, but the cracked gear problem makes them hard to buy or sell.
I've tried purchasing 3-D printed replacement gears for my Mikado, but they didn't fare too well. It would be nice if we could get factory fresh replacements that match the geometry of the old ones, but made from the modern, more durable plastic.
If not that, it would be nice to see those old models reintroduced with current level of detail and technology. I really enjoy my Spectrum steam, and my S-4 and 44 ton switchers.
Any thoughts from the Bach Man?
Lee
More recent releases utilize a superior design and black delrin plastic gears, which are much more durable. So far, the only locomotives that have been reintroduced from the old days with the better gearing in N scale are the Plymouth switcher, the 0-6-0 shifter, and 2-6-2 Prairie, the 4-8-4 Northern, the trolleys and the Spectrum F-7 series. (There may be others, but they don't leap to mind). Everything esle that Bachmann has released since changing over to the better gears have been entirely new designs, which has been a great improvement in every respect.
But the older Reading style Consolidation 2-8-0 (not to be confused with the newer Spectrum Baldwin model) and its sister, the 2-8-2 Mikado, as well as interesting and well done engines like the E-60 Amtrak electric, and the small 0-4-0 switcher haven't seen the light of day in a couple of decades. These models turn up frequently on the auction sites, but the cracked gear problem makes them hard to buy or sell.
I've tried purchasing 3-D printed replacement gears for my Mikado, but they didn't fare too well. It would be nice if we could get factory fresh replacements that match the geometry of the old ones, but made from the modern, more durable plastic.
If not that, it would be nice to see those old models reintroduced with current level of detail and technology. I really enjoy my Spectrum steam, and my S-4 and 44 ton switchers.
Any thoughts from the Bach Man?
Lee