pdlethbridge,

Thanks for the link.  Got your e-mail and will get back to you this afternoon. Was running late this morning. I'm at the office now without access to my e-mail.

Mr. Bachmann,

This unit was purchased just before Christmas from an e-bay store. It was received new with the factory wrap still intact. Several others were also offered in new, unopened condition. The e-bay listings stated that they were covered under the Bachmann warranty. For future reference, are items sold through the e-bay stores covered by the warranty?

Back to the thumping:

I totally dismantled the power truck which was quite a project in itself. The gears and bearing points were all checked carefully and the problem may have been found.  The middle gear has a slightly deformed tooth and there is considerable free play in the bearing points
Hopefully, the replacement part, that is on its way, will not have this defect.

Paul,
Thanks for the idea.  I watched the power truck as it was moving and noticed that the lead wheel would jump like there was a split gear. However, I managed to get the truck assembly apart and there is no split gear.

pdlethbridge,

Thank you for all of your help. Did not correct the problem but I did need a grammar lesson.

The other ex-sperts out there,

I appreciate your input.......

Mr. Bachmann,
I contacted the service department and they told me that the doodlebug was no longer available so all that they could do was to replace it with something else. If I wanted something else then I would have bought something else. By the way the doodlebug with trailing car is listed on this web site as available.

The service department is sending me a new power truck that I can install. I was under the impression that as this is under warranty that that was the function of the service department.  Yes I did agree to this option as I would like to be able to operate the doodlebug without this problem. Hopefully I will be able to repair it.

pdlethbridge,

Feel free to again correct my grammar..................

There is a correct photo on page 9 (maybe 10) of the HO scale "Motive Power" product listing.

Yeah, and the doodlebug caught it.  So now it has it also............................ I flunked grammer when I was in high school...............

I recently bought a new Spectrum Gas Electric Doodlebug from an e-bay store that has a significant thump when it is moving.
It sounds like there is something out of alignment between the motor and the counterweight.  I have tried to figure out how to get the body off the frame but have as yet been unable too.  The exploded diagram that comes with it is useless and there are no other directions.
Any help with getting the body off and the posible source of the thumping would be appreciated.
Other than the thump it operates outstandingly.  It will crawl along at a very slow speed with a Bachmann heavyweight observation in tow.

The driver contact wheel base of the Bachmann GS-4 is 3", The BLI 2-10-4 is 3 3/8" and the brass 4-10-2 is 3 1/4".  The overall length of them, without tender, is 8", 8 1/8" and 7 7/8", respectively. The appearance of these is acceptable on 30" radius curves.  The contact wheel base of the 4-12-2 would be 4 1/8" with a 9" length. This is a significant difference.

Ben

I must agree with Gene.  I have a BLI 2-10-4 and a Brass import SP 4-10-2. My minimum mainline radius is also 30", however, I do have a lead into the yard that is 28".  Both of these locos look acceptable on the 30" but you would be amazed at the difference you see on the 28" radius.

I can not see a loco as large as the 4-12-2 on anything less than 36" radius.  The larger locos need to be for use on large club layouts that have the radius needed for them to look and operate as they should.

Although, I would not mind having one with a decent sound unit on a roller display on my desk. The volumn would have to be turned down some but it would be great to watch and listen too.  I have thought about doing this with my BLI cab forward but do not want to have to carry it back and forth.  It sees too much service on the layout at home.
Ben

One way to lessen the noise level is to remove the nails that were used to fasten the track after the ballast has been applied.  The diluted white glue will attach the track to the roadbed.  Apparently the nails tend to transfer the vibrations from the track to the plywood.

As you are the original owner you can return the Northern to Bachmann and they will replace it.  The fee is $30.00 and it will cost you about $10.00 to mail it with insurance and delivery confirmation.  The cost of a new Northern, on e-bay, is considerably more than that.  Call customer service and they can advise you.

I have had only one occassion to use customer service at Bachmann and was pleased with their service.

The beginning of December I took out my old GS-4 Daylight and Athearn passenger cars to run under the Christmas tree.  When I put it up I had forgotten that the drive wheel had broken.

I contacted customer service and they said to returned the loco for replacement.  They were very helpful and gave me a time frame of 4 to 6 weeks before I should expect the replacement.  I told them that I had intended to have it operating under the christmas tree and the lady said that they would do their best.  The replacement arrived the week before Christmas (three weeks).

Hi Chuck S.

I have tried the MRC steam sound unit in my new DCC ready Bachmann GS-4 and it does sound OK.  Not as good as the sound in my BLI Paragon QSI or Blueline locos.  My main problem with them was that they draw so much current that they were not suitable for long trains or grades.  They may be fine for a flat world.

Mounting Kadee couplers in talgo wheel sets is not that difficult.  I have purchased a few cars with talgo wheel sets and if you carefully cut the center post off of the kadee bracket it will fit over the smaller pin that is normally on the talgo wheel set.  I use the whisper style Kadees for this as the spring for the #5s is difficult to hold in place.

The foam in the factory box will breakdown with extended storage.  How long it will take depends on the conditions it is stored in.  If you must keep them in their boxes then it is very important that you wrap the loco and tender in the original plastic wrapping.

GG
What is with the gloss coat?  I only apply the dull coat. The dull finish is what I remember of the old freight steamers that ran on the line behind my parents house. The only semi-shinny finish I remember was on some of the passenger locos and cars.

Billm10454 - Checked the e-bay listing and it appears that the seller is making a double light (forward/reverse) for diesels. It has a price of $7.99 plus $3.00 shipping.  I asked him about two seperate lights (loco/tender) and am waiting for his reply. The installation appears to only require the replacing of the existing lights.

The Bachmann locos I have that I would like to add constant lighting to I think are all Spectrum models:  2-6-2, 2-10-0, 2-8-2 and a doodlebug.  In addition I have IHC premier models: 2-6-0, 2-8-0, 4-6-2, 2-8-2 and 4-8-2 that need new lighting. If I get around to it I need to do something about the factory installed light in the Bachmann Observation pulled with the doodlebug.