Back in the 80s and 90s, Bachmann produced a lot of locomotives that were halfway decent runners, some with pretty good detail, but most of them had the problem of having their white nylon gears, which also served as the drive axles, split, which renders the locomotive useless.

More recent releases utilize a superior design and black delrin plastic gears, which are much more durable.  So far, the only locomotives that have been reintroduced from the old days with the better gearing in N scale are the Plymouth switcher, the 0-6-0 shifter, and 2-6-2 Prairie, the 4-8-4 Northern, the trolleys and the Spectrum F-7 series.  (There may be others, but they don't leap to mind).  Everything esle that Bachmann has released since changing over to the better gears have been entirely new designs, which has been a great improvement in every respect.

But the older Reading style Consolidation 2-8-0 (not to be confused with the newer Spectrum Baldwin model) and its sister, the 2-8-2 Mikado, as well as interesting and well done engines like the E-60 Amtrak electric, and the small 0-4-0 switcher haven't seen the light of day in a couple of decades.  These models turn up frequently on the auction sites, but the cracked gear problem makes them hard to buy or sell.

I've tried purchasing 3-D printed replacement gears for my Mikado, but they didn't fare too well.  It would be nice if we could get factory fresh replacements that match the geometry of the old ones, but made from the modern, more durable plastic. 

If not that, it would be nice to see those old models reintroduced with current level of detail and technology.  I really enjoy my Spectrum steam, and my S-4 and 44 ton switchers.

Any thoughts from the Bach Man?

Lee

I have a Bachmann S4 that has a dual mode decoder.  I no longer have a DCC controlled layout, although I have occasion to visit others who do.
I have been running it on my DC cab control layout, and it was doing fine.  Then one day, while running lazy loops around the track, it up and died.  I've tried resetting CVs (I still have a DCC cab, I just don't use it on my present layout) and it won't even read back.

Has there been a problem with your decoders failing under dual mode use?  Is there a process by which I can see about replacing it (other than dumping another $45 into an engine I bought for $50?)

Is there a bypass board available that I can put in it so I can run it on my DC layout?

Many are the questions.  Let's see how you make with the answers.
Thanks in advance.
Lee

Hey, Bach Man.
I've been on a bit of a nostalgia kick lately, collecting older N scale models from the late 60s and 70s.  When I was a kid, I had an Amtrak N scale Metroliner set from Bachmann.  It was a dog, and over the years it got parted out.  I recently accumulated a new (to me) set of Penn Central cars, and I've enjoyed running them.  I changed the headlight to an LED and blacked out the cab windows so it doesn't look like it's on fire anymore. 



But man, the drive is still a dog.  It runs for a short time, then overheats and stalls.
The shells aren't bad, even by modern standards, but given the great strides forward Bachmann has made in many of their other products, is there a chance that the Metroliners will ever see the light of day again?
They'd look really good running next to the new GG-1 you produced.
If so, they'd benefit from body mounted couplers, better pantograph detail, and of course, a smoother drive.  Interior lighting would be fun too.
I'd also be interested in a re-tooled E-60 in N scale.  The model has always looked pretty good, but again, the drive is wanting.

Can you tell us if those of us along the Northeast Corridor can count on these models being updated?
Thanks,
Lee