Having had some conversations with Norman over his loco(s), I believe he is the original owner, and if he can find the invoice, I think the warranty will apply - though it sounds as if he wants to send it in for a refund!

I assume the original thread has been locked by the "Yardmaster" as it doesn't let me reply [what happened to the Bach-man?]

I just wanted to confirm/correct Mickey's post.

QuoteI assume you are talking about the gear that they have had a "D" replacement available for years and is not that expensive.

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_139&products_id=4833

Will this work from the 2-8-0?  I thought I read at one time that they were all the same?  No?

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_142&products_id=10285

Product ID 4833, the one labelled 'for 4-4-0 and 2-6-0' is the correct part. I have installed quite a few of them, and if you look around you will find Loco Bill's thread on how to do it, with a link to my photos.       

The 2-8-0 axle [products_id=10285] will NOT work, as it is extended to reach through the outside frames to the counter weights.

Quote from: DaylightGS-4 on June 16, 2023, 11:44:32 AMThe breakdown diagram shows a list of 3 part numbers in small blocks at the lower left. There is a separate number to the right (G81008)

You are looking at the breakdown which does not correspond to what is available as a spare part. The small print says "The Diagram is to show details of the train. It is NOT a list of the parts available. Please check the listing below for the availability of the parts you are looking for."

On looking at the parts list, I could not see any separate valve gear listed, just the complete chassis (which is worth doing if you have an old pre-gen-5 model.) At that price, you'd be better off buying a used Anniversay model on eBay!

Quote from: Kzurek on May 20, 2023, 06:06:47 PMDid the first run of the climax have gear issues like thd shay did?

I have never heard of any, and B'mann only sells spare Shay trucks so that might be a sign!

Quoteparts that is not from the forney

Check out Trackside Details, who make a variety of brass loco parts, including several headlights. I've swapped oil headlights for electric ones and vice versa.

Quote from: Götz on March 29, 2023, 02:38:10 AMWho can help me??

I'm not sure I can help, but let's start with terminology. I am assuming you are referring to the flickering fire effect inside the cab of the loco?
To see the firebox (which I did not realize was flickering in the loco I was working on,) you have to open the firebox doors, which is tricky. I assume you have done that?
The flicker effect is from the PCB02 behind/underneath which is usually attached to the power feed from the track. Do you have the 4-4-0 DCC wiring drawing?
I have always assumed that the flickering firebox PCB worked directly off track power. It might be that your AUX1/2 assume logic levels and are not providing enough voltage? I am not a DCC user, so my apologies if this is of no use.

Upland Trains in CA has them for $750.

Quote from: mudhen on March 18, 2023, 11:37:19 PMa used or new C-19 # 346 should be worth and same question for me K-27 # 456

As Bill says, that's a tough question. Both are out of production, so there are no "new" ones, though (to my surprise - don't people run their trains?,) they keep turning up as new-old-stock in original boxes.
Both are highly regarded, though an old K-27 will need replacement axle counterweights, I think. I've seen both in the $1,000 to $2,000 range.

Quote from: jaystuart on March 10, 2023, 02:18:35 PMAre there locos that aren't set up for remote control?

Yes. Only the very first series of Big Haulers (which are identified by their plastic wheels,) had a remote r/c setup. All the rest with metal wheels are/were track powered when manufactured.

Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on March 11, 2023, 08:38:56 AMGlad you figured out that you were using the wrong remote!

How did you figure that out? He didn't mention any remotes? Or did something get deleted?

Quote from: jaystuart on March 10, 2023, 02:18:35 PMIt looks like the non-responding unit has the antenna running around the cab roof, but won't respond to the remote included with the complete set.

The plastic-wheeled Big Haulers did not have an antenna running around the cab. It might be that the previous owner installed another type of r/c equipment and you don't have the remote (transmitter, or TX,) for it.
To figure it out, we need photos or more info. Does it have plastic or metal wheels? Does it have batteries inside the boiler (the back of the boiler lifts up on the plastic wheel version - not on later metal-wheel versions.)

Quote from: Speederman on February 17, 2023, 04:05:00 PMIs there anyway I can get the parts I need?

Note that most of the body parts for the 4-4-0 are common with the Spectrum 2-6-0, and also the 2017 'new' 2-6-0. It's often worth scanning all 3 locos if you need a part for one of them. (And they are sometimes mislabelled - I found the front axle plate from the 2-6-0 listed under the 4-4-0.)
 

You only waited a week.

Quoterevealed that there are no switches remaining, so they have been removed.  I do see the big, square block under the stack which would be the smoke unit.  It is, "cocked," a little to one side, not sure why

I have never used one, but I recall they can 9verheat if you aren't careful.

Two thoughts for you. The front headlight is powered through the metal brackets which slide in to the smokebox and have a thin wire on each side from the pcb in the boiler. If they are still there you should be able to make the headlight work.

The direction switch that you are missing took the output of the pcb to the motor and allowed you to reverse the motor wires. The switch had white wires that lead to a small connector and then to the motor. If your loco runs but in the wrong direction it is easier to flip the wires on the motor than to take it all apart.

BTW. I find it difficult to believe those switches are removed. Seems more likely they are stuffed inside the boiler behind the smoke unit?

QuoteI'm curious if it is an early/original version, or if Bachmann upgraded these with model changes over the year.

They were significantly upgraded in the 2017 model year. If you go to the Parts section of this website, you'll find they list the newer version separately from the old one. The new one is supposed to be DCC compatible, and you'll find the wiring diagram on the same Parts site.

Quotethe smoke and NMRA switches inside the smokebox cover are not there.

I can't tell you why, but I can tell you the smokebox front just pulls off (try not to damage the hinges on the smokebox door.) You may find the switches lying inside. Behind the smoke unit is the main PCB which is a pain to get at.

There are quite a few versions around, and folk have repainted them.

I've rebuilt 4 or 5 of these and fixed axles on a few more, so keep posting if you have more questions.

QuoteThe coupler that comes with it is unique.

That would be surprising, and hasn't been mentioned in the reviews.

Bachmann started a process of offering high and low couplers with the 1:20.3 Spectrum rolling stock. They put a 'standard' box on the frame and supplied two shanks - one straight so the coupler was high, essentially at the Kadee coupler height gauge, and one with a zigzag so the coupler came out low at the same height as the older couplers mounted on the trucks (and tenders of 4-6-0s before this rework.)
Take a look at this photo of the shanks:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/LXwAAOSwQFdjKK0-/s-l1600.jpg

There's a comprehensive review in the GR News Nov/Dec 2022 by Kevin Strong.
GRNews2022.6.NovDec2022

Did you know it has ball bearings on the driver axles?