2-6-0/4-4-0 Axle & Gear Availability

[Fred2179]

Mr Bach-man/Administrator,
The axle with gear has been out of stock for months. There are still lots of 4-4-0s and 2-6-0s that need a replacement.
Model: 813XX-13:


And I notice you sell just the gear - some poor guy tried to fit it on the old knurled axle. I don't think we have any of the new "D" gears failing yet, so no-one has an axle with a flat for the new gears. Suggest you delete this:
Model: 813XX-13-A   Axle Gear G Scale (/Universal/2-8-0/2-6-0/4-4-0 )
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_139&products_id=11565

[Greg Elmassian]

How can that gear be universal? Aren't there 2 different axles/gears?

if so, the gear alone clearly cannot be universal.

[Fred2179]

How can that gear be universal? Aren't there 2 different axles/gears?

if so, the gear alone clearly cannot be universal.

It certainly isn't universal. As far as I know, the 2-8-0 axle is longer for the outside frames and counterweights. There's a replacement axle with a brass gear.  There is no long axle for the 2-8-0 with the new "D" gear.

The 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 axle+gear, as pictured in my post, works on either loco.  The gear, with the "D" shaped hole, is NOT compatible with the old axle which is knurled.

IMHO Bachmann should not be selling the gear on its own unless they also sell the axle.

[Chris9017]

The D axles have remedied the problem of the older splined gear designs of the constant splitting and breaking.
However if you can't get ahold of the D shaped gear and axle, your best bet is to order an after market drive gear from Northwest Shortline.  Those will last you forever and never break given the thicker plastic.
They used to sell the metal gears from the newer spectrum Moguls, but because someone posted about converting their 2008 4-4-0 American from having a plastic gearbox to a metal gearbox on social media, many others jumped on the band wagon, and the bronze gear boxes from the 2017 Moguls sold out like hotcakes.
So best bet, Northwest Shortline gears.

[Fred2179]

This is the "D" gear that is currently available in the Parts Store.



It won't go on an old axle past the flats for the valve gear.



With the proper tool, one could flatten the axle across the center portion.  I didn't - I put the gear on my mini-drill-press and drilled it 0.250" (1/4") and it now fits.

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Nice job Fred, Maybe they should keep that gear in stock so others like you can make the same fix.  I also have used NWSL gears in the past and they are great, so dont be afraid to use them too.

[Fred2179]

.  I didn't - I put the gear on my mini-drill-press and drilled it 0.250" (1/4") and it now fits.

On reflection, I think that filing some of the flat section with a curved file, before drilling, would be a better approach. The drill might try and go between the flat and the opposite side. Get most of th flat out of the way and the drill will stay central (we hope.)

[Fred2179]

Maybe they should keep that gear in stock so others like you can make the same fix. 

The "D" gear is in stock, but the whole axle isn't.

Bill, I'm still really annoyed that they sell the "D" gear without the axle. I've had a lot of experience fixing these [2 more this week!] but your average owner isn't going to know to come here and read how we fix them up.

Bachmann should sell the whole axle with the new gear, or sell an axle and a gear separately.

[Greg Elmassian]

I agree, it's nuts....