I've mentioned this before but then put it on the back burner so here it is again... I have a Bachman Spectrum Light 4-8-2 (DCC ready but not equiped). I ran it one day then put it in the original box (with original foam padding). A few months later, I took it out of the box, put it on the tracks and... nothing happened. Other locos run fine on the same track so I think that rules out track/power issues. However, the 4-8-2 does nothing. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it was never drop... not so much as even derailed and turned over. I've always treated as delicately as a newborn baby. So I'm wondering what to do/who to send it to to get it running. Would Bachman fix it? I seriously think there must just be a bad connection somewhere inside. I also would like to know where I can get it decaled as the Frisco 1529 since my decaling skills are not that good. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I highly recommend using Bachmann's online Service Inquiry form, found here: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/serviceform.php I used this last year to repair a steam loco that was severely damaged from a derailment, and I'm completely satisfied. The repair was fast, and the process was simple. - Bruce
Applying decals is not difficult; you just need patience, quality decals and a finish on your model that you can work with. Quite often problems arise because the paint job was not good and the finish is too grainy for the decals to settle down. That said, if you have the decals, I can help you out with the application. GS
I'm 2 steps closer to finally getting my Spectrum Light Mountain sent off Bachman for repairs. I've printed the form and aquired a box for shipping it in it's original box with original foam insert. I plan on putting it in the mail tomorrow. I just hope I'm not about to spend $45.00 on a simple DIY fix for a loco that only cost me $80.00+S/H about 6 years ago. Any last minute DIY trouble shooting tips would be appreciated. I may try to clean some of the pickups as a last resort this evening. If that doesn't work, it's going in the mail tomorrow. The good news (if their is any) is that I've waited to see if it can be repaired before attempting to decal it. - Brandon.
I assume that "does nothing" includes producing no motor sound whatsoever. If you hear motor sound, it may be a broken cog drive belt. Replacing one is somewhat of a juggling act.
I meant, "does nothing," as in does "absolutely nothing"... zero, zilch, nada, jack, diddly squat! Despite my best efforts to unplug the tender as carefully as possible, I suspect I pulled a tiny wire loose from/inside the plug. -Brandon
First thing I would check would be to see if the insulators on the tender trucks are both on the same side. It is possible the trucks were turned.
Oh. Duh. When others said that, I thought they thought I might have taken a truck off and put it back on backwards, which isn't the case, but they may have gotten spun around like a car truck can. I'll check on that.
Upon further investigation, the tender trucks could not have gotten turned around. They will not spin. Their swivel is limited. I set up a test track of powerlocs track. I pulled back on the tender and the drivers unexplainably started spinning for the first time in at least 5.5 years. They even continued to spin with all 8 tender wheels completly lifted above the track. I took it to the layout and... NOTHING!!! Meanwhile my RS1 ran like a scalded dog on the same track. Back to the test track... more nothing. I have boxed it in its original box and foam padding. I will send it priority mail with adequate insurance and the Bachmann return auth. slip tomorrow unless I get a convincing reply before I hit the post office tomorrow. The 4-8-2 probably wasn't run 20 minutes total since it was brand new on 12/25/08 because I didn't have a layout; only powerlocs and EZ-track at the time. -Brandon
It's a very, very sad day for my 4-8-2. Bachman called and said they cannot repair my HO Spectrum (DCC Ready) 4-8-2. They said it was made in 1995 and they no longer have parts. I bought it sealed, NIB in late 2008. I guess it sat in a warehouse or on a shelf somewhere for 13 years. I asked them to send it back. I could barely understand the guy I talked to and I almost deleted his 2nd voicemail... the way I deleted the first one 3 days ago, thinking it was a prank call from one of my high school students. I barely got to run the loco at all. It wasn't even broken in really. The guy I talked to recommended a minimum 22" radius. That's good to know while I'm still in the track planning stages of my next layout but I don't think track radius really caused any problems. I seriously think it's a wiring problem where the tender plugs into the locomotive. What horribly tiny plugs and what a ridiculous design flaw in my opinion. It is undecorated and I'm glad I hadn't put decals on it yet. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to take a look at it? I really want a Frisco 1529 up and running. If I could get it running again, it would really make my day. - Brandon
Sounds like a good time to hard wire a Tsunami sound decoder in her and let her shine in all her glory. Turn this into an opportunity.
The plug is a bad design, I soldered the wiring on both of my mountains and have run them about 20 hours with no problems. I also solder the wiring on my brass steam models. mktjames
Brandon, I could take a look at it if you aren't in a hurry - I have had a bunch of installations dropped in my lap over the last month. The connectors can be replaced if necessary.
Thanks, Keith. As soon as I get it back in my hands, I'll send it to you. PM your address again if you don't mind, please. I am in no hurry. Another thought I had was sending those decoders you sent me and letting you possibly install one and program it for DC operation for now. I had thought about doing it myself if Bachman had gotten it working again. I never liked those plugs on the tender/locomotive. It was impossible to store in the original box/foam without unplugging and the plugs are so tight that it is almost impossible to unplug them without a high risk of pulling something loose. I did everything I could to be careful. If I damaged something, I am not aware of it. The guy at Bachman said it was a gear. Could be, but with it acting as though it was on a dead track, I couldn't tell if it was a motor, gear, connection or anything else... and believe me, I know what a bad gear does to a Life-Like 0-4-0. The motor RPM's would max out but it went no where. The teeth on the plastic axle gear were worn down so that the Archimedes screw that the motor turned had no effect on the axle. That was my first steam engine. Because it is sentimental, I found another one on ebay and picked it for parts to get mine running. - Brandon
