I purchased a Bachmann 2-8-2 dcc steam loco and I think I might have a problem. When I run the loco in the forward direction the engine starts to squeal. When I run it in reverse it intermittingly squeals. I also notice on the curves, 22 inch radius, the engine leans causing the pilot wheels to jump the track. Can anyone help?
Check to see if there is any packing material stuck behind the pilot or trailing truck.
Didn't find any packing material. Still have the squeal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtW8Gx_WxL4
This is the third time I ran this loco. When I first got it to check if it ran, second when I upgraded my track plan, and third when I programmed the decoder. Why do I need to lube the loco?
Bc it may help with the squeal you reported, although in my opinion, new locos from the factory are usually over lubed. Is this fairly new made or "new in the box", having sat somewhere for a length of time?
I don't believe the lubing will cure your track jumping issue but, even if the lubing does not work, there will be the benefit of you opening up the loco, which may lead you to find something on inspection that is causing the issues.
This loco is new. Sat for some time around 3 months. I know the wheel arrangements are different but another new loco, a 2-6-0, sat for the same amount of time and no problems. I really don't want to open the loco because I am not sure of myself. Thank you.
Quote from: joeprr on July 01, 2016, 02:05:12 PM
I really don't want to open the loco because I am not sure of myself.
How come?
How about taking that first big step toward a whole new universe?
Let me also ask; had this thing run the same way before, as it did after, your aforementioned upgraded track plan?
No. It ran great. Yes I am going to take the big step. I'll give it a try. Thanks again.
You're welcome :)
Make sure you keep us up to date on how you make out and what happens.
Give the Bachmann Service Department a call. They may be able to help you.
First: Thank all of you for responding to my post.
Update: Receive the loco back from Bachmann yesterday. No written on what was wrong or what they repaired. Ran the loco today and loco kept derailing. Pilot truck kept hoping the track. When I looked at the pilot truck the mounting screw was missing. I found the screw but I could not screw it all the way in. This is allowing the truck to raise up and cause derailments. To say the least I am not harry.
Joe, I'm working on two mikados at the moment. Here's my experience so far...
The pony truck on both locos was a little out of gage. This is common. You'll need a wheel gage tool to get it right. This will cut down on derailments. For what it's worth. I've had to adjust the lead and trail trucks on numerous steamers, not just Bachmann locos. Just part of the hobby my friend.
I haven't heard your squeal, but the most common noise for me is the pick up brush squeal on the tender axles. This is fixed by applying a tiny drop of conductalube to the axles.
Oh, make sure you have the pony truck down all the way THROUGH the post before you attach the screw.
Make sure the truck is not upside down, too. Happens all the time.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Jonathan
Thank you Jonathan. This is a new steam loco. What you are suggesting should not apply to a new loco. The pony truck was all the way down. The screw will not go all the way down and this allows the front of the pony truck to lift up off the rails.
Seems pretty bogus to me you got it back from Service in that condition and is not something to be overlooked or glossed over. >:( WTH!
Jonathan, all the things you mentioned; why couldn't the Service Department have checked for these things and then resolved them? They are the SERVICE Department ??? Was that not the reason why joe sent it to them? I have to think that if joe could or wanted to fix it himself, he would not have sent it in to be repaired.
If Joe is not happy with the condition that his loco was in when it was returned from the service department he should contact the service manager Laura Harris at (215) 533-1600 and she will do everything in her power to make things right. If the warranty card was sent in and he kept a copy of the receipt he is covered for repair or replacement. Nobody here on the forum is privy to what has transpired and none of us has seen the piece in question so the matter would be best solved by contacting the service manager via phone and discussing the problem.
I like Laura, she is a very nice lady.
Now how about moving Mau's Reverse Module question to N where it belongs? ;)
Nice to see that you understand my place in the forum Hierarchy....
Why the knock on Bachmann?? I have never had an issue with repairs or replacements. In fact there was at one time, I had to send 6 of their amfleet cars in for replacement, because there was damage to the one side of the car door. Looked like the mold was getting old.. not sure. The replaced every single one of them, all I had to was send them in with a copy of the receipt. I don't even think I filled out the little card for all of them. The replaced them all with great looking amfleet cars. Not to mention Bachmann is one of the 2 manufacturers out there who actually support and fix their products right.
Everyone.... I am NOT knocking Bachmann. When your item is returned you do not expect screws to get loose and fall out. I will contact Bachmann as I should and explain what happened. I have many Bachmann steam and diesel loco and they run very good. So please these posts and replies are NOT intended to knock Bachmann. Thank you all.
Quote from: Sparky66 on July 23, 2016, 08:03:32 PM
Why the knock on Bachmann??
Sparky, have you not been reading this Thread??
I'll remind you, you haven't always been a happy camper yourself:
Quote from: Sparky66 on July 19, 2012, 05:14:58 PM
Right now though my set is going to have to go back.... Just got it today, and on the power engine, one of the fine details is broken off, and it's not in the box. So, right now I'm not a happy camper.
I can just see this eating up shipping charges.. :(
Quote from: Sparky66 on July 21, 2012, 09:57:33 PM
Actually, I just contacted the place of purchase.... and they want me to pay for it to be shipped back, sorry, not doing that. Ticks me off when companies expect you to pay for a return when items are broken or damaged..
I'll be calling Bachmann on Monday...
Quote from: Sparky66 on July 23, 2016, 08:03:32 PM
Not to mention Bachmann is one of the 2 manufacturers out there who actually support and fix their products right.
Really?! That is news to me. ::)
Quote from: Sparky66 on July 23, 2016, 06:50:55 PM
Hey Bachmann,
I just bought a new HO DCC #6 Crossover to replace one that I got that had some ties missing (this is going to be sent in for warranty repair), but when I hooked the new one up only one switch will throw? The other is dead and will do nothing.. Is there something I can do, so that I'm not sending 2 back for repairs/replacement???
Thanks,
Sparky
Do you enjoy buying products that don't work properly and you have to ship back?
Quote from: Yardmaster on July 23, 2016, 07:49:32 PM
Nice to see that you understand my place in the forum Hierarchy....
Of course your Excellency, but what took you so long to move that Topic to N? :)
About a month ago I sent a 2-8-2 in due to a noisy vibration. It came back without the noise but with missing and damaged parts. I related my experience on this thread and it was deleted by the Bachmann and advised to call Laura Harris. I did and Ms Harris was on vacation. I was transferred to Rodney. He was not to interested in hearing in detail my complaint but he told me they would make it right. Long story short, I sent it back and received it back a week later. It appears they replaced the loco with a new one.
Thanks to the service department.
My only gripe is I had to spend an extra $18 bucks on postage to get an engine that works correctly.
I'm guessing this post will also be deleted as well but the moral to this story is Bachmann did ultimately correct the issues.