HO scale Bachmann 4-4-0 light works will not run. The plate covering the wheels/gears only has one wire, there is an empty solder spot opposite the existing wire.   Thanks

Hello all::: MY Bachmann RS3 with value sound is fixed. I want to thank everyone who responded with advice and understanding.

1. I tried the loco on an analog track and the sound was fine.
2. I hooked up my old Bachmann EZ-Command system and the sound worked as advertised.
3. I engaged my brain with a thought. Maybe the problem was my Digitrax Zephyr settings.
4. Had to restart the old brain. Got out the Zephyr manual.
5. Went into the option switch setup and reset the unit to factory. It worked.

I've been rebuilding my 22 + year old layout and added a town business district with a street level line going through it. The RS3 looks and sounds great idling through the town.

Again folks, I really appreciate all your help.

Steve
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Hi Joe; Thanks for the response. I've changed CV29 values on my Digitrax decoders but have documentation provided by Digitrax which made it easier.  I wont bother you anymore with my questions since the RS3 is going up on the shelf. 

Steve

In a post dated around Sept 02 this year a person was having about the problem as me, after going through the programming steps you suggested maybe a broken or loose wire. And the problem was a loose wire. I'll try the CV 02value 10 , I'm not sure about the CV 29 settings, so I may skip that and get out my framing hammer lineman's pliers and remove the shell. Your help is really appreciated.

Steve

Thanks for the info. I followed all instructions ( including the power off/on) for reset and the result is the 6 second delay for flashing lights but there is no sound. I tried the 0000 setting, that solved the sound issue but the loco won't run.

Setting the decoder ID works but then the sound does the following. In F/R the sound does not come on until the throttle is at 15 or higher. I can lower the throttle to .8 and the sound continues to work, lower than that and it stops instantly. If I change direction the sound stops and I need to set the throttle at 15 or higher for sound. Setting the throttle to brake causes the sound to stop instantly.

While running in either F/R and the throttle is reduced to zero the sound quits in about 12 seconds, almost sounds like a loco shutdown. Just for info , my other sound locos work fine. Thanks again.

Steve

Hi.  I have an RS3 with factory value sound that I need some advice on. I use a Digitrax Zephyr for my control station.

The unit has not been run in 7 or 8 months. It now seems to be stuck in the "quiet mode" according to what I read in the Bachmann/soundtraxx web pages. The sound works fine when forward or reverse is selected and the throttle set at 15 or above. Moving to brake or setting the throttle to zero causes the sound to slowly shut off.

I have programmed factory reset using both CV8-8 and CV30-2 and received the blinking lights but no sound as per the instruction manual. I tried both direct and ops programming modes. According to the manual the problem should be solved by setting CV113 to zero, which turns off the quiet mode. This didn't help.

I hope someone has worked through this before and can offer some advice. Thanks.

Steve

Hello: While adjusting the sound on the RS3 I must have messed up , the engine operates backwards now. It always used to run in the selected position.

The Bachmann CV sheet and the loco instructions do not include any reference to changing the direction of travel. I use a Digitrax Zypher and mostly Digitrax decoders and changing the direction is a snap with them. I'm sure the problem is "user" error so any help would be welcome. Thanks

Steve

It' all in the child. I have a teenage grandson that grew up with my HO layout and has been operating it since about three years old. I have another grandson who is 9, did not grow up with trains, and is like a bulldozer around the layout.

I recommend starting with HO due to the availability and cost. Stay with a very basic set and you won't have the breakage problem of the more expensive collectors stuff. And when something does get broken it won't be something to get upset about.

I let kids of all ages play on my layout and it's seldom anything gets damaged. I do make sure my special items are left on the shelf or way out of reach though. There is a NASCAR track ( about 4 feet by 2 feet ) that I put in easy reach of small folks, this is non operating but does have a bunch of HO scale cars the kids play with. It's amazing how many 3 and 4 year olds navigate directly to the race track  and pay little attention to the trains.

Steve

Good morning all.

I am happy to write that Bachmann did contact me and will replace the EZ DCC for $20.00.  This is quite generous of a company to do and I thank them and all of you for your interest.

Steve

Alright, I surrender. I admit I purchased a EZ DCC, I read the instructions many times, I made an effort to learn more about the product, and after a years use I made a mistake and fried the unit.

And I did contact the company to see if it was feasible to have the unit repaired.  After waiting patiently for 10 days I have yet to hear from the them.

Yesterday I had the need to contact another model train manufacturer and a model railroad electronic control manufacturer for customer service.  The train manufacturer returned my call the next day, the electronics company answered the phone directly and they only had to transfer my call once. In both cases my questions were answered and the parts I needed were provided at no cost.

So I know good customer service is possible. I also know that the best warranty is worthless if you cannot communicate with the company.

Steve

I believe that some in the model train industry, while striving to make more intensively detailed locomotives along with operating systems that are very daunting to the average user, have not put that same effort into customer service. An example is a Athearn SD70M, this is a fine looking loco, but the detailing and electronics are so fragile that we just leave it on a siding for decoration. Once in awhile we'll turn it on to demonstrate the lights, which have since failed. Another example is a sound/movement decoder I put in a loco, the wiring is so tiny and the solder joints come undone too easily ,yes I have repaired them, but should I have to.

Our hobby industry produces many outstanding products, these products serve to keep the hobby interesting , but at the same time the service system causes way too many headaches for the consumer. My 69 year old eyes and hands struggle too much in my effort to use and repair the new products.  All I ask is for the manufacturer to stand behind their products and provide timely technical assistance, and be willing to go beyond the basics to ensure that the consumer is satisfied with the product.

Steve

Update:  As of now I have received no replies from customer service. Yesterday I called the recommended  number for Bridget. The number was answered by a robo voice, after listening to 15 options I was connected to Bridget.  Well, I was greeted by a message stating that she was not available and that I should leave a message and I would be called back.  Still waiting for the call.

History of my contacts.    Jan 14--left message.   Jan 16--sent e-mail, acknowledged.   Jan 21--- robo system sent me to the customer service manager, left message.   Jan 22--left message for Bridget.   

Steve

The dreaded auto-voice------our menu has changed-----your call is very important to us-----you are number 30 in line-----
all agents are busy helping other customers----please hold for the next representative----the agent is not available so please leave a voice message----I'm away from my desk so leave a message.     So normal in our society.  They should play "taps" instead of elevator music.

Steve

Since I fried my EZ DCC I took some advice to contact Bachmann about repair options and costs.  I e-mailed customer service as requested on the web site. I received an acknowledge and was advised that I would receive an answer via e-mail. I waited three days for the answer that never arrived, I then decided to try a phone call.  That was answered by a rude sounding automated voice message telling me to leave my information and Bachmann would contact me via a phone call. Two days later still no phone call. 

I had been considering purchasing a Dynamis system to replace my fried unit but this lack of support has forced me to order a competitors system instead. Bachmann makes fine products but in my opinion it stops there. Thanks for reading this.

Steve

Hello: 

One year ago I purchased the Bachmann EZ DCC with the included DCC equipped locomotive from the Favorite Spot and have been completely happy with it. I have a large HO layout with about 300 feet of track, the EZ system will run three trains of maybe 6 cars or so without any speed drop, even up some non-scale hills. We have had four locos going and it did fine but I like to stick to three.

I put sound in one diesel and that is the main drawback for the EZ. The sound in the decoder is steam and cannot be changed by the EZ. So I put the decoder in an IHC steamer, that was a challenge, and it works fine.  So If you buy an  EZ for $70.00 or $80.00 that includes an engine you can't go wrong. If you don't like the DCC you could sell it and get your money back and still keep the loco which will run on regular DC.

Steve