2-4-2t

[petertoot]

hi chaps,i have seen on thebay,a loco,how do these perform,i seem to recall a problem with gears,not sure if its correct,any help,info will be useful,thanks,peter

[tac]

I'm trying hard to be charitable here, on account that this IS the Bachmann site, but I bleeve that most would agree with me if I were to opine that this loco, from the mechanism  POV, is a heap of junk.

Seems that the original material from which all the gears were made is prone to turning to dust as it ages, and since this model is at least 15 years old, you may have a shelf queen.

AFAIK, there are no spares for this model either.

Over to you.

tac

[petertoot]

hi tac,thanks for the info,not to upset bachmann,but i had a hunch that there was on some units,i think the later units,0-4-0 had upgraded gears etc,ok theres a couple of climax units,i might go with them,see what goes,thanks for the reply,peter.. ps this 242 was coal creek,is it still the same gears?

[Jon D. Miller]

From experience with the 2-4-2T Lynn I would agree with Tac.

The Coal Creek will have the same mechanical problems.  It's not that the gears "turned to dust" it was more the plastic used for the case.  Motors would overheat in record time.  That in turn caused the plastic to deform allowing the worm gears to go out of contact with the drive gear.  Result was concaved drive gears.  I have one of the motor blocks removed from a 2-4-2T. The gears are concaved but still in one piece.

If you could get the Coal Creek for just about zero dollars, it does have some nice appliances that could be salvaged for use on another locomotive. 

I'd take a pass on this "beauty" since there are so many reliable, small locomotives available.  Example, take a look at the Bachmann 1:20.3 Saddle Tank Porter.  It's a good runner and will pull way more than its prototype.

JD

[Loco Bill Canelos]

I have the Coal Creek 2-4-2T and have been running it for about six years without any problems other than to give the wheels a good cleaning one a year. It looks great pulling six Bachmann shorty log cars and a kitbashed caboose!!

I heard they were bad before I bought it, so I paid $40 for it at a local shop to use to decorate my engine house, I lubed it up real good and it is still going.  I guess I am lucky.

[Dave]

I also have a Coal Creek Loco which I kitbashed into a 2-4-4T and it runs ok. The track needs to be clean as the wheelbase is a bit short . I have had mine for 6 years and so far hav'nt had a problem with the gears or Motor. If I knew how to, I would put a photo in but thats something I will have to figure out one day.

               Dave
                 Waikino

[Steve Stockham]

  Make that three people that have a Coal Creek #3 that is still plugging away! I have had mine for the last eight years and it is still running smoothly. Of course, I heard the warnings and lubed the gears rather liberally and have never over-worked it! In fact, I was able to get one off of ebay a couple of years ago for a pittance to use as a "parts unit" should my first one ever give out.
  I ran my 2-4-2T with the new 1:20.3 side tank Porter and the Porter is definitely superior in detailing and running characteristics (i.e. smoothness and robustness) but the 2-4-2T is also a decade older! With that taken into consideration, the 2-4-2T holds it's own and is not completely outclassed! The main sticking point is the fragile gearing though! If you have to pay more than $50 for one I would seriously consider something newer and more robust! If, however, you are looking for an unusual engine that is pleasing to the eye in 1:22.5 scale (yes, I know the ads stated 1:20.3 but it really looks dinky in that scale!) then this may be the engine you are looking for! Just remember: Caveat Emptor!