Hi again,

I've got a 4-8-4  Class J, item no. 82105 here right in front of me. The tender has been opened, there's a 8-pin dummy plug  in the middle socket of the board. After replacing it with an ESU sound decoder, the motor starts a hissing sound and the engine shoots off backwarts, independent from the intended speed. The plug has pin 1 at the "1" mark on the board. What the heck...?

The online description of the 82105 says "DCC ready" - the description imside the package doesn't mention  decoder installation. So`?

Advice welcome.

Frank

Hi

out there from Germany (sorry for my insufficient English - it's a foreign language for me).
My actual intention to join this board is a >mental<  problem I encounter nearly every time I buy a Bachmann locomotive:

On one hand, these models (especially the Spectrum ones, but most of the others as well) are very fine designed models: detailed body, durable material (metal!), countless screws, wires, electronic stuff  and accessories – fine constructions, after all. 

On the other hand, few of my Bachmann steam locos show a satisfying behaviour when set to motion. Shaking up an down and from left to right they tumble all along the track – an unacceptable impression compared to the real thing – despite the weight and the size of the models.


Obviously, this is  due to eccentrically mounted wheels and axles -  and an insufficient quality control in the Chinese factory.
I wonder if other collectors share this experience. – and what they do or did to get rid of it.

Important:
This posting isn't meant to criticize Bachmann models on a big scale. Perhaps I just was unlucky. Anyway, I sold many of my Bachmanns to collectors who seem to be less interested in smooth motion on the track. Perhaps they put them into display cases where they look nice.  But as a dedicated lover of American railroads I 'm not satisfied with that.

I bought a new constructed class J some weeks ago. Unfortunately, I had to return it to the German dealer, because the silly tumbling motion was obvious, despite the new construction "digital with sound". Above this, the  sound could not be synchronized to the wheels' rotation.

Some  days ago I gave Bachmann another try. I couldn't resist to order a BACHMANN SPECTRUM 83304 H0 2-10-2 DIGITAL. As the other ones, it looked nice and detailed and was a heavy piece in my hands.  On the track: a motion close to an ocean liner in difficult weather conditions.

I won't send this locomotive back to the friendly dealer. I'll try to assemble the chassis and wheels somehow to minimize the tumbling motion.

So what? Am I too fussy about quality terms?

To put it simple: When I buy an model, I want a model – not a toy.

Above this, spare parts are difficult to get I Germany. I was told to xerox the product sheet an mark the needed parts. There is no online part ordering out here in the European wilderness...

Comments welcome,
Frank

PS: However, I'll continue collecting them...