I was given a non-working tracking number earlier and can't seem to get in touch with Bachmann/Laura Harris over the phone to find out what the correct track is.

Could someone at Bachmann get back to me and email me a correct/working tracking number for this repair?

My customer ID is:  93258

email to:  ftherrmann  AT   bellsouth   DOT  net

Thanks...

Actually I had to select other items that are being sent to me to replace the Acela.  Bachmann will no longer repair or replace the N scale Acela as it has no parts to repair or replace broken Acela N scale locos.  Apparently the main office (China) decided NOT to provide parts for warranty repair or replacement of this particular model. 

A really BAD business decision IMHO!

Wanted to update and correct my previous post.  The part numbers for the engines/coaches I posted are HO and NOT N scale.   I also spoke with Laura Harris.

I appreciate what Laura is trying to do by buying back Acela train sets from retailers and replacing defective parts with the re-purchased sets because the main (China) office has decided to stop making parts with which to honor the Bachmann 1 year warranty.   What ever works for Bachmann works for me, but this doesn't sound like a good way to run a railroad!

Assuming that this plan works out I'll be happy, however if it doesn't work out I don't want to be stuck with a $212 paper weight.

I recently purchased the DCC N scale Acela train set and the engine quit working.  I sent it to Bachmann about 8 weeks ago for warranty repair/replacement.

This morning I got a call from Jenny in service and Jenny told me that Bachmann can't fix the Acela engine and Bachmann doesn't have a replacement engine.  She also told me that she "heard" that Bachmann is getting replacements in but doesn't know when.  I then called Laura Harris and left a message on her phone to please call me back.  I've called Bachmann in the past and left messages but rarely seem to get a call back.

I don't think it's either fair or resonable to leave me hanging given the price of the original Acela set and the short time I've actually had to use it.  Ideally I would like to have the Cafe engine car replaced, but if that's simply not possible it seems like there should be other options available.  Once such option would be to send the powered locomotive (item 81945)  and the un powered Cafe Acela (item 89941) which are both listed in the 2012 Bachmann catalog.

Fred Herrmann

When the customer service rep made the statement she made no distinction between scale.  Based on this I assume it applies to all scales.

I recently purchased a 81661 USRA 4-8-2 locomotive.  Despite still having both its traction wheels it has "absolutely" no pulling power.  I have a 3 deg incline in my layout and this locomotive "spins" it's wheels WITHOUT any rolling stock attached. If you attach two small cars it basically stops and spins. I have some of the other smaller, non-spectrum locomotives and they have at least 10 times the pulling power of this locomotive.

I also tried "Bullfrog Snot" in an attempt to get more traction.  The "Snot" improved things a little, but the locomotive is still basically useless for my layout.

I spoke with one of the Bachmann service people and they told me that Bachmann locomotives are limited to a two degree incline.  I didn't find this stated anywhere when I purchased it back in Feburary.  I also don't find this to be the case with other Bachmann locomotives which are even smaller than this 4-8-2 and have at least 10 times the pulling ability.  If a 2 degree incline limitation is indeed the case shouldn't Bachmann state this in their marketing material?

Being limited to a 2 degree grade would mean that in order to have any type of over passes you'd have to have an enormous layout.  Most likely twice the size of a typical 4x8 ft N scale layout.

I've returned the loc back to Bachmann hoping for either a comparable loc replacement or finding a fix for this useless 4-8-2 loc.

Please tell me that this 2 degree limitation isn't true...

Fred

I'm using the Dynamis controller.  I have the ACELA programmed to address 1 along with the dummy engines.  I also have a Con-cor Zephyr programmed to address 12 (it uses a Digitraxx sound decoder).   The ACELA and the Dynamis work fine until I place the Zephyr on the track.  At that point the Dynamis refuses to work and looks as if it quits talking to the base station based on the signal strength meter on the hand controller.

Is this some type of address conflict?  I'm a bit confused.  I have other loc's with addresses from 2 to 11 and haven't seen this problem when running the Con-cor.

Thanks,

Fred

Thanks!  Will do...

I just got three new Bachmann 73488 "silver series" tank cars and they have square type couplers that don't work with the standard "knuckle" couplers that everything else uses.  What's the best solution to fixing/replacing these?  They did not come with any extra "standard" type knuckle couplers.

Thanks!

Fred

Just put in my order for the Dynamis Pro box and an extra IR receiver.  I've looked around for some online instructions but havent' found any.  Does the IR receiver mounted to the Dynamis controller snap/pop off?

TIA

Fred

It's for the 4-8-4 that comes with the Empire builder set. 

PS:  If they do come with traction tires they don't stay on long!  But I still paid for them, so I'd like to get the order corrected.

Rangerover1944,

I didn't take the "solder the wires together" literally, but somebody with less info may have tied the common to one of the function fwd/function rev wires.  Needless to say that load (or should I say "No load" or even better "dead short") would exceed the decoder's specs just a little bit!   

I think you've been beat with the wet noodle enough now!   Just don't let the loose verbage happen again.   

Tanks for the info!

Fred

Yes your right.  You need the probox in order to read the CV's.

Speaking of Caboose's...    I had a problem with a N scale Bachmann caboose.  Every piece of rolling stock ran fine over the crossovers and turnouts with the exception of the caboose.  I added about 0.5 oz of lead to the inside and haven't had a de-railment since.  Those little guys need more weight.....

I placed an order for some large traction tires (9-10mm) and they sent me 5mm tires.  I've left voice messages and sent emails asking them to send me the correct tires but haven't heard anything back yet after 3 days. 

Is this normal customer service from Bachmann?

Fred