Hello Mr. Bachmann.
I have an H-4 2-6-6-2 with a Vanderbuit tender. I was having power pick up problems with it so I took it apart to see if there was a loose wire. It turns out it is a bad board. That is the easy part...

1) The has DCC and sound. It has a sound module that plugs in to this board. The sound is fine. It is the board that it plugs into that needs to be replaced.

2) Here is the odd part. I ahve worked with 4 Bachmann engines that have had these plug in sound modules, but they all had 8 pin plugs. This thing has a plu g with 21 pins.

3) I talked to the guy from Bachman at the big train show this weekend in Ontario California. He said that board is only used in engines that are from Europe. I don't know if this is true, but it does have 21 pins and I have never seen it before. Also, it is an undecorated version with a Vanderbuilt tender. This might be why. But I did buy it on line from an America hobby shop. Ofcourse, I am assuming that it was. It was on line.

4) The board has these numbers on it H826Y # PCB02. Also, while I am not sure this matters, I also found LEDXX # 10136.

5) If I can get the correct board this will be an easy fix. Or if I can get a new board with an 8 pin board and module and trade what I have with you guys that would be great too.

I really do not want to pull all of this out and place a new $120 system into this engine if I can help it.

Thanks. Love this little engine, and I want to get it back up and running.

Jim Lowery

I have a Spectrum 2-6-6-2. Unfortunately I need to send it in. I sent an e-mail to service explaning the situation a couple of days ago. I have not heard anything yet. I know they are probably busy. how long should i wait before I send another e-mail?

thanks for your time.

Jim Lowery

I have 2 spectrum 2-8-0 consolidations that need repair beyond my skills. Do I box them up with a check for the $25 each for repair? These are some of the best running in my fleet and I would like to get them back into service.

Jim Lowery

I bought a Spectrum 2-8-4 (or 2-8-2 it is down stairs) with DCC and sound. The head light does not work. The reverse is working, but not the front. Are these hard to work on? Or should I pack it up and get it into a shop? Or am I doing something wrong?

Just askin' Thanks for your time.

Jim Lowery

PS. They did a great job on these engines. I looked for a long time to find one. I got it at a show for $175. Light or no light it is a great buy.

My wife purchased an engine from Bachmann that is a nodel of a Chinese engine. I model American, but it is a gift from my Mrs's and I don't give back gifts. So I have decided to use it as a modeling of an "excursion" on the layout. Fun!

1) Does Bachmann make the passenger cars for this engine?

2) Where can I get them?

Thanks

Chesticus

I have a Bachmann "Chinese RailRoad" engine. When I run it on the track, even at full throttle, it seems to run very slow. I know there is a break in period, but it seems to be very slow in an unusual way. Have you heard of any probelms with this engine. It has a DCC decoer, but no sound.

Thanks

Chesticus

The challenger, as she runs today, has 2 yellow tenders (oil/water) that follow behind the main tender. What are the names of these yellow tenders? And can they be found in HO scale?

Thanks

Chesticus

I have a 5 amp Bachmann power booster. Is this module rated for 5 amps? I see the switch is for N, HO and G. on the module. But can I use the module with the 5 amp power booster? Did the 5 amp power booster cause the problem ( damage) to my reversing loop module?

Is there a way to change the speed at witch the 5 amp power booster sees the short when a train is going throught the reversing loop?

Chesticus

My Bachmann reversing loop module went bad. So I went out and bought MRC's reversing loop module. But my trains are stalling coming out of the loop. I have a Bachmann EZ command with a Bachmann 5 amp power supply. I have heard that these MRC modules cannot handle the power, or work fast enough for the engines I am using (Callenger 4-6-6-4 sound, F3 A-B-A consist with sound). Should I just go back to using the Bachmann reversing loop module?

Any input would be very helpful.

Chesticus

My reversing loop module (Bachmann) seems to have quit working. Can I send it in for repair? Do I just rap it up and send it off?

Help

Chesticus

Guys I have an odd situation with my layout. I have a Bachmann reversing loop mudule.

My engines go into the loop, but will stall coming out of the loop.

It seems like a short, but the short indicator does not light up. However, the wires going into the module get very hot.

Further, just to let you know, I have 3 reversing loops that are wired into the one module.

But I am very careful not to have 2 trains going into the loop at the same time.

I do here the module "clicking," and sometimes I here it several times during a pass.

I guess it is possible that the module is going bad.

Anything?

Chesticus

I found  a decoder with sound for my Spectrum, It is an MRC it will plug right in, and it will have all of the features. There should not be any problem right? I know that Bachmann uses "Tsunami" sound decoders. But the MRC is only $50. Unless there is a problem, I am going with the MRC. Thoughts?

Chesticus

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to actually use the new Dynamis system that is coming out. How does it compare to the other systems that are out there.

Chesticus

If you have a track of 30" radius (outside) on a curve, what is the separation between center lines of the outside and inside track?
I can't get this info anywhere. My guess is about 2.25 " what do you guys think?

Chesticus

Well this board helped on my last problem. I am dexigning a model RR. I am trying to find the proper/standard distance between track centers on a curve. You would think that would be easy to find, but I can't find it.

Help

Chesticus

I was at a train show in LA, and I saw a picture of an engine that I have not seen before. It looked like a GS-4 (war baby), but it was much longer. I think it had a 4-6-6-4 or a 4-8-8-4 wheel configuration. It was not a Big Boy, and it was not a Challenger. If anyone knows what it was I would really like some information on it.

Chesticus

Watch The Skies

My Wife bought me the Rail Fan version of the N & W 4-8-4 Spectrum. It has DCC and Sound, but I have had some problems running it. The Front guide wheels seem to be coming off of the track. It is not the radius of the track as it seems to happen in moderate turns even in the easements going into the turn. Is there something I should do? Or should I pack it up and send the engine in?

I have checked the gauge with my toll. I am using flex track, and I am not having any problems with my other engines. Any suggestions would be great please.

Chesticus

I have an older Bachmann spectrum 2-8-0 Balwin. It is not dcc ready, and it does not have the pins, so it must be hard wired in. I need very detailed instructions on how to do this. The decoder I have is a bachmann decoder. Can anyone give me a source to go to to figure out how to put this thing in?

Thanks

Chesticus

I have just purchased the E-Z Command system for my X-Mas display,and I have got a couple of DCC/Sound engines, but can I up grade my Baldwin 2-8-0 to DCC/Sound? I see that the you can purchase this engine with DCC/Sound, but can I send in my engine and have it up graded? Or is there another option? How much would it cost?

Thanks

Chesticus