I was given a non-working tracking number earlier and can't seem to get in touch with Bachmann/Laura Harris over the phone to find out what the correct track is.

Could someone at Bachmann get back to me and email me a correct/working tracking number for this repair?

My customer ID is:  93258

email to:  ftherrmann  AT   bellsouth   DOT  net

Thanks...

I recently purchased the DCC N scale Acela train set and the engine quit working.  I sent it to Bachmann about 8 weeks ago for warranty repair/replacement.

This morning I got a call from Jenny in service and Jenny told me that Bachmann can't fix the Acela engine and Bachmann doesn't have a replacement engine.  She also told me that she "heard" that Bachmann is getting replacements in but doesn't know when.  I then called Laura Harris and left a message on her phone to please call me back.  I've called Bachmann in the past and left messages but rarely seem to get a call back.

I don't think it's either fair or resonable to leave me hanging given the price of the original Acela set and the short time I've actually had to use it.  Ideally I would like to have the Cafe engine car replaced, but if that's simply not possible it seems like there should be other options available.  Once such option would be to send the powered locomotive (item 81945)  and the un powered Cafe Acela (item 89941) which are both listed in the 2012 Bachmann catalog.

Fred Herrmann

I recently purchased a 81661 USRA 4-8-2 locomotive.  Despite still having both its traction wheels it has "absolutely" no pulling power.  I have a 3 deg incline in my layout and this locomotive "spins" it's wheels WITHOUT any rolling stock attached. If you attach two small cars it basically stops and spins. I have some of the other smaller, non-spectrum locomotives and they have at least 10 times the pulling power of this locomotive.

I also tried "Bullfrog Snot" in an attempt to get more traction.  The "Snot" improved things a little, but the locomotive is still basically useless for my layout.

I spoke with one of the Bachmann service people and they told me that Bachmann locomotives are limited to a two degree incline.  I didn't find this stated anywhere when I purchased it back in Feburary.  I also don't find this to be the case with other Bachmann locomotives which are even smaller than this 4-8-2 and have at least 10 times the pulling ability.  If a 2 degree incline limitation is indeed the case shouldn't Bachmann state this in their marketing material?

Being limited to a 2 degree grade would mean that in order to have any type of over passes you'd have to have an enormous layout.  Most likely twice the size of a typical 4x8 ft N scale layout.

I've returned the loc back to Bachmann hoping for either a comparable loc replacement or finding a fix for this useless 4-8-2 loc.

Please tell me that this 2 degree limitation isn't true...

Fred

I'm using the Dynamis controller.  I have the ACELA programmed to address 1 along with the dummy engines.  I also have a Con-cor Zephyr programmed to address 12 (it uses a Digitraxx sound decoder).   The ACELA and the Dynamis work fine until I place the Zephyr on the track.  At that point the Dynamis refuses to work and looks as if it quits talking to the base station based on the signal strength meter on the hand controller.

Is this some type of address conflict?  I'm a bit confused.  I have other loc's with addresses from 2 to 11 and haven't seen this problem when running the Con-cor.

Thanks,

Fred

I just got three new Bachmann 73488 "silver series" tank cars and they have square type couplers that don't work with the standard "knuckle" couplers that everything else uses.  What's the best solution to fixing/replacing these?  They did not come with any extra "standard" type knuckle couplers.

Thanks!

Fred

Just put in my order for the Dynamis Pro box and an extra IR receiver.  I've looked around for some online instructions but havent' found any.  Does the IR receiver mounted to the Dynamis controller snap/pop off?

TIA

Fred

I placed an order for some large traction tires (9-10mm) and they sent me 5mm tires.  I've left voice messages and sent emails asking them to send me the correct tires but haven't heard anything back yet after 3 days. 

Is this normal customer service from Bachmann?

Fred

I've got a new 44925 decoder.  The motor controls work fine however I can't get any output from the white/yellow common blue wires? 

I've got it on the bench now and wanted to test it to make certain all is well before doing the install.    The light button on my Dynamis works great with my other decoders.   

Bum decoder or operator error?  Is there any thing I'm missing?

Thanks,

Fred

I am trying to use an extra Bachmann decoder that I have laying around to control the lights on a dummy loc, i.e. no motor.  Is it possible to use only the light function and leave the motor wires disconnected?

Thanks,

Fred

When reading the user manual and marketing literature it sounds like you can simultaneously operate 9 dcc engines and 1 analog engine when the 44212 power pack is connected.  I just spoke with Bachmann and I was told this isn't really correct.  Bachmann tells me that when you plug in the 44212 the setup converts to DC mode and all engines operate at the same speed/direction.

When reading the EZ Command manual it states:  " the connected DC controller will allow you or a friend to control a DC locomotive in conjunction with your EZ Command System".     The word "conjunction" sounds like you can operate 9 DCC engines and one DC engine with the two individual controls   (44212 and EZ Command).

Electrically it seems that superimposing a pulsed DC signal over a constant DC signal would result in pulses that could reach 32 volts (2x16v).  If this is true it can't be good for the engines.

I'm confused....   Anyone out there actually know what the gospel is on this?

Thanks,

Fred

When reading the user manual and marketing literature it sounds like you can simultaneously operate 9 dcc engines and 1 analog engine when the 44212 power pack is connected.  I just spoke with Bachmann and I was told this isn't really correct.  Bachmann tells me that when you plug in the 44212 the setup converts to DC mode and all engines operate at the same speed/direction.

When reading the EZ Command manual it states:  " the connected DC controller will allow you or a friend to control a DC locomotive in conjunction with your EZ Command System".     The word "conjunction" sounds like you can operate 9 DCC engines and one DC engine with the two individual controls   (44212 and EZ Command).

Electrically it seems that superimposing a pulsed DC signal over a constant DC signal would result in pulses that could reach 32 volts (2x16v).  If this is true it can't be good for the engines.

I'm confused....   Anyone out there actually know what the gospel is on this?

Thanks,

Fred

I've been looking around at other N scale engines to use with my Bachmann setup and was curious which would "fit" (assuming that all N scales aren't exactly the same).  I've looked at Kato but haven't seen any type of NMRA branding. 

Assuming that another brand would physically fit the N scale Bachmann rails I could always add the Bachmann or other NMRA decoder.  Another variable would be power.  An AC run engine would be pretty hard to convert.  My guess (and only a guess) is that most DC engines would work at around 16 vdc or so....

Thanks,

Fred

I have a factory Acela with DCC and a Northern 4-8-4 that I just installed a Bachmann DCC decoder in.  I also just received the E-Z Command Control center.   After reading up on the controller I tried out the Acela and was able to assign a new address to it and run it in both directions.  However when I place the E-Z in function mode I can't get the lights to turn on or react to any of the 10 buttons while in function mode.  My understanding is that f10 is supposed to turn the lights on and off. 

I also was able to assign an address to the Northern 4-8-4 and everything works except the light.  Basically the same results I'm getting with the Acela.

I then ran both the Acela and the Northern with the DC controller.  The lights worked fine on both.  Unless there is something I don't understand about function mode it seems as if the E-Z Command isn't sending out the function commands even though I know it's in function mode based on the fact that the selected engines address light is flashing.

Anyone have any suggestions or see anything that I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,

Fred
 

I have a factory Acela with DCC and a Northern 4-8-4 that I just installed a Bachmann DCC decoder in.  I also just received the E-Z Command Control center.   After reading up on the controller I tried out the Acela and was able to assign a new address to it and run it in both directions.  However when I place the E-Z in function mode I can't get the lights to turn on or react to any of the 10 buttons while in function mode.  My understanding is that f10 is supposed to turn the lights on and off. 

I also was able to assign an address to the Northern 4-8-4 and everything works except the light.  Basically the same results I'm getting with the Acela.

I then ran both the Acela and the Northern with the DC controller.  The lights worked fine on both.  Unless there is something I don't understand about function mode it seems as if the E-Z Command isn't sending out the function commands even though I know it's in function mode based on the fact that the selected engines address light is flashing.

Anyone have any suggestions or see anything that I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,

Fred

I've pulled the engine apart and am ready to install the decoder.  Everything on the wire harness makes sense except the (Blue) "Function positive common" wire. 

I'm new to DCC and N scale but I'm guessing that this needs to be wired to the one of the engine halves?

My understanding is that when using the Bachmann EZ command controller a constant 16v AC is applied to the tracks and the decoder rectifies and regulates voltage to the engine motor.   Could someone explain to me what function the blue wire serves?  It seems redundant since since the left and right rail pickup already provide this connection. 

Does it matter which half of the engine I connect the blue wire to?

Thanks in advance!

Fred

These are part numbers 44876 and 44875.  I've been playing with powering the frogs on each of these and as best I can tell with the frog polarity being switched it's always going to be possible to mix up the frog polarity unless you switch both at the same time, each time regardless of direction that the engine is running. 

In other words flipping the green switch plug still isn't really a fix since you can always "un-sync" the frog polarities regardless of switch direction.

I have both frogs powered up.  I'm guessing that unplugging one of the frogs would probably fix the problem. 

Am I understanding the operation of these switches correctly or am I missing something?

Thanks,

Fred

The N gauge Ez Track is described as "Nickel silver track".   Normally you can't solder to nickel using ordinary rosin core solder.  I have however seen lots of posts that talk about soldering the outside edge of the track connections for a permanent installation. 

Is the "Nickel silver track" just a description of the color?  Based on what I've read it's obviously solderable using rosin solder.

Thanks,

Fred

Just bought the "Empire Builder" starter set and wanted to add DCC to the locomotive which I believe is the Northern 4-8-4.  Should I buy the EZ Command Decoder/NMRA, 9.5x5mm or EZ Command Decoder/Harness, 9.5x5mm?  I'm assuming that both decoders are the same less the  connector. 

Or in summary:  Does the Northern 4-8-4 come with a plug-in connector?


Is it possible to add a decoder with sound to this N scale locomotive?  If so, which one would be best?


Thanks,

Fred