It has been a while now since Bachmann released this engine. I have been watching this site for any news that this model is subject to the high failure rate of the previous Climax, the three truck version.

I would like to purchase a few of these for my layout, but only if I am assured by those who purchased the HO two trucks that there is not the failure rate of its earlier sibling.

I know that the Shay also suffered gear problems but luckily NWSL makes replacement gears for the Shay. I know there was talk of NWSL also making replacement gears for the Climax but I an unsure if they actually did.

I still have a few DC only engines that I like to run once in a while.

I have read the warnings included with the Bachmann E-Z Command that care must be used when running DC engines on the DCC system. Today I hooked up one of my Bachmann DC controllers to the E-Z


Command unit to run a DC engine rather than using the # 10 button/selector on the DCC unit.

Is it my imagination? Using the DC controller hooked to the EZ Command unit seemed to give me better control of the DC engine than using botton #10.  Also I could hear no buzzing of the DC motor.

Has any one else run the DC and DCC controlers together?

I would just like to thank Laura and the folks at the Bachmann Service Centre. I send in a locomotive for repair and was notified that the engine could not be repaired and would be replaced, however, they did not have the same roadname in stock.

I received the replacement unit plus my old tender plus the entire boiler structure with the cab. A few minutes with the screwdriver and I had my locomotive with the original roadname back in service.

Thanks again.

I recently purchased another Spectrum engine and when it arrived it had shed a few pieces during its transit to me via the mail. One of the domes was laying loose as well as the pilot, as well as both of the windows  and the bell.  This package was one of a few of the new Bachmann boxes that I received with the contents suffering damage.

While these items can be glued back on it just illustrates that the new packaging does not protect the contents of the box as well as the old foam.

The new packagine used by Bachmann with the formed hard plastic inserts does not cushion the locomotives as well as the foam inserts previously used.

I know that there is now biodegradable packing foam available today, I would urge Bachmann to consider switching back to a foam insert. I am sure the formed hard plastic inserts used by Bachmann are not biodegradable.

I recently upgraded my DCC from a basic Bachmann EZ command system to a Digitrax Zephry.

i am very disappointed with the top speed of the Digitrax unit. I checked the Zephry's setting and the top speed is set to the units max. Both DC and DCC engines are equally affected.

The digitrax unit's top speed is set correctly.

The top speed of the Digitrax is only about 2/3 of the Bachmann EZ Command. The Zephyr reaches top speed at setting 4 and does not increase speed through setting 5 or the max 6.

I have about 55' of mainline track on my layout. Would adding more feeders help? Is there anything I could try.

This engine is a couple of years old and has been in storage until now. When I first received the engine I did break it in to check its performance.

I just recently added a digitrax decoder to it a week or so ago and it was running fine until this afternoon. At first when I powered on the engine did not seem to be receiving power. No lights no movement. I checked another engine and it ran fine.

I placed the engine on my test track and it started. It was running fine and then the rear wheels locked again . The front drivers work but not the rear. I can restart the engine and it will run fine a few feet and then the rear wheels lock again with the front drivers slipping in place.

With the power off the rear drivers free wheel so it does not appear to be a case of any of the rods locking.  I do not think the rear drivers should free wheel when the power is off so I am assuming it is gear or driveline related.

I sent a note to Bachmann Service regarding this problem.  

Should I wait until Bachmann service contacts me or should I just wrap it up and send it in?

Given the time of year I am sure it will be a while before I hear from the service department.

Where is the on-line manual for the EZ Command DCC controler? Can not find it under the Product Information section on this web site.

My Bachmann EZ DCC controller has now been relegated to power my test track and the main layout is now powered by a Digitrax unit. My program track is on my main layout.

Yesterday I was performing routine maintenance on some of my BLI engines by lightly oiling and greasing a number of units. I had just finished one unit and was letting it run on my inner test track when I started to check another unit. These units are sound and DCC.

The second unit started to run very erratic, and then the first unit did as well . I thought I had a faulty electrical connection or malfunctioning decoder.

It turned out that I had maxed out the EZ DCC command unit. Each engine ran fine on its own. I changed to power source over to the Digitrax unit and all was fine.

The EZ command can handle two Spectrum engines with sound with no problems, two
BLI units are another story.

I had never realized the the BLI engines consumed signicantly more power than the Spectrums, Protos or Intermountain units.

A question for the Bach Man

I recently bought another of these engines and am very impressed with its running abilities. I was in the process of breaking in the engine to ensure that there were no defects with this engine.

This engine runs better than any of my other Spectrum steamers. I was impressed with the overall running capabilities of all of my Spectrum steamers but this particular engine is just that more noticeable a superior running engine.

Can you give me some comparison data of the motors installed in the Spectrum steamers. I see the SY has a larger engine than the typical Spectrum. I have to assume that the motor used in the SY is a superior engine than those used in the other Spectrums.

Can this motor be swapped and mounted in any other Spectrums?

Where on this web site is the EZ Command manual? Can not find it since the web page update. Had a copy on my computer but it became corrupted and will not open correctly.

I am running DCC, however have not learned how to change CV's or any of the more advanced abilities other than consisting and changing addresses.

However, one of the Model Railroaders I have met has become very experienced at changing CV's.  He asked me if I had changed any of CV's on any of my Bachmann Spectrum DCC steam engines.  I admitted that I had not and he offered to show me which CV's if changed would increase the running abilities of my steam engines.  He explained to me that the factory settings on the Bachmann DCC engines left a lot to be desired as to fine tuning their running capabilities.

I gave him a couple of my engines and he said he would take a look at them and once he had examined the CV settings he would show me which to change and what to change.

Unfortunately for me, I had to leave town for a few days and when i came back he had already returned the engines to my house. So I was unable to learn from him what he had done to the CV's.

One thing I know he did was change the setting for power, the engines now start more quickly and their low speed responses are greatly improved.

I Thought the factory Bachmann DCC engines were very basic and not much could be changed other than addresses. Apparently there are settings on the CV's that will allow one to make changes. and that they are not quite as bare bones as I was led to believe.

I was very happy to see that the Bachmann Climax is now available for sale.

Model Train Stuff has them.

Am looking forward to hearing from those who have bought this engine to hearing their feedback. I always like to see what the purchasers think of their latest acquisitions before I buy.

I notice that the Bachmann site has not been updated to show the Climax engines.

I recently switched my layout over to DCC and decided I should update my Spectrum 4-6-0's to DCC. Installing the decoders was easy, sure not much room in the low boiler 4-6-0 compared to the high boiler versions.

In the past I was sure that I was spinning the drivers of my 4-6-0's if I pulled any more than the 3 standard length walthers heavy weights on my 2 1/2% inclines.

Since I added the decoders my 4-6-0's all pull 4 of the walthers heavyweights on my inclines now.

One of the low boiler 4-6-0 engines does on occasion slip for a second or two and then the drivers catch and away it goes.

Would adding the DCC decoders actually help with their pulling power on inclines?

I was going to add some weight but I do not need to after all.

Jim Banner

I saw your 2-6-6-2 photos for the circuit board and I have a question.

( Your photos attached)


http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/dcc/b-mann2-6-6-2/b-mann2-6-6-2.html


Is there two or three capacitors?

My question is concerning the capacitors. There are two capacitors on the circuit board each marked 104 and they are clearly marked as C1 and C2. However, there is what appears to be a third also mounted on the board as well. It is marked as 105 and there is a plus and minus sign next to it.

As it appears to be the same size and is also colored yellow and has the two prongs(legs) I thought I should check. If this is not a capacitor what is it?

Also it is impossible from the diagrams to tell if this engine comes with a bulb or a LED, can anyone advise me on it. Does it need to be changed or modified when adding a DCC decoder?

Mr. Bach Man, would you please conifrm the lenght of the new Bachmann Turntable?

I have run across a number of references to model railroaders who use Digitrax DCC systems are having problems with the standard Bachmann decoder made by Lenz.

Some of them report having to change the Bachmann decoder(Lenz) to another brand.

Is this a common problem?

Any members of this forum using a Digitrax system with the standard Bachmann decoders? Are you happy with the system? Any locomotives running erratic or jerky?

Did anyone read the review of the H4 mallet in Model Railroader?

Has anyone on this board paired up the Bachmann Hicken tender to one of the Spectrum steamers without having to rewire the connections between the engine and tender?

I checked the web site and found some information indicating that some members of the board had paired up the small vanderbilt tender with the 2-8-0 without having to rewired.  Also some had paired up  the large vanderbilt tender to the Heavy Mountain 4-8-2 and the 2-6-6-2 without requiring rewiring.

I did not find any instances of anyone pairing up a Hicken with any of the Spectrum steamers.

Please advise.

At first I was very hesitant about acquiring any of the new Spectrum sound equipped steamers. I have a number of BLI steamers and am satisfied with their sound system.

Finally I saw a Spectrum steamer with the factory sound in person at the local model railroad club and became hooked. I had thought that I would only update the Spectrum steamers to DCC but have now decided to go for the sound option as well.

I now have 10 sound equipped Spectrum steamers on my roster. I thought I would buy the Tsunami sound decoders and speakers and update existing locomotives.  It turned out that it was far cheaper for my to buy the engines on line than to upgrade.

I now have too many Spectrum steamers and will have to cull some of the DCC ready engines.

I have a question on the Bachmann line of DCC decoders.

These are found in many of Bachmann's Spectrum steamers of which I have many. I, myself, have no problems with the Bachmann decoders.  However, that certainly is not the case on other boards that I have viewed. The main complaint is that the Bachmann decoders can not be adjusted as to speed, acceleration.

Many members have stated that one should immediately replace these decoders. Are these posters slamming the Bachmann decoders without merit, or are these decoders so striped down that they lack being able to be programmed?