I do have other Mikado's and like them very much also. However I like the looks of the Backmann's for it's stocky fat boy looks. The tenders on those need pickups which is no big deal to make. The main thing is to make sure you quarter them corectly to get a smooth running machine. The big problem being the gears that crack, there is a fix but I believe Bachmann should make replacement gears for these locos as thousands were produced and then dropped.
Jim

Your probably right about that James, about the Ray fix. I am all the way down to the grears but don't have the brass tubeing to do it right now and thought the Bachmann folks may have another idea. Yeah, see ya back home.
Sheriff Jim

Thanks Tim, I appreciate that info.
Jim

I just bought a brand new, in box Mikado. Now before you all start I know it is an out of production model. I had one before and loved it but had the same problem I have with this one. I sent it to Bachmann and they replaced it with a different model ($15.00)

This one I want to keep as they are my favorite so here's the thing. The gear train cracks on all of them, I thought I would try again but this one has the same problem. Why can't Bachman replace the gears to correct this problem?

Does anyone have a fix for the problem that is simple? I know of one fix but it involves a good bit of work. Is there any replacement gears available in metal? I have found this same problem in other steamers as well such as the 4-8-4's. I have a few Bachmann steamers and it scares me thinking this will happen to them all because of bad plastic gears.

Thanks for any help,
Jim