Quote from: patzwaldb on November 12, 2024, 11:36:08 AMI ordered a new 4 wheel truck for the front but not sure how to get the wires snaked to the motor connection. (no manual)

It is pretty easy to lift the body from the chassis. Just unscrew the big screw under the smoke stack and the 2 screws under the cab. You may have to remove the air tanks first [2 screws each.] All will be revealed - including how the wires snake in to the loco. Note the direction of the truck matters, or you get a direct short.

Quote from: patzwaldb on November 12, 2024, 11:36:08 AMThe Christmas trolley stripped the small drive gears.

The trolleys do that, or melt the motor. Many users buy a used motor block from a USA Trains or Aristocraft diesel and glue it underneath instead.  Check for one on eBay?

Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on October 12, 2024, 08:04:44 AMMaybe 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.

Quote from: Fred2179 on October 11, 2024, 02:53:46 PM.  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.)

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.

Quote from: bbmiroku on September 11, 2024, 06:47:01 PMWould a Bright Boy bring life back into the track?

Yes, but as I noted, it will rust, eventually. By all means clean the top of the rails if you think they need it.

Quote from: bbmiroku on September 11, 2024, 05:41:29 PM2-train set, no. 90054.

If that really is a 90054, with the train and the trolley, then $60 is a great price. There's a used one on eBay right now for $349. Forget the track - it's pressed steel and will rust, although if there's a loop or two they will work around the Xmas tree for a few years.

It's old production, but those 4-6-0s soldier on and can easily be fixed or updated with a modern chassis. The trolley's are fine but melt contacts or gears if over-used. Again, easy to install a better motor block. The coaches are better with metal wheels but the plastic works.

The track is a 4' diameter circle and the loco looks ridiculous (imho) going around the corners. I personally would invest in a circle of Piko 6.5' diameter curves, or something similar that you find used on eBay or Facebook.

It's definitely a bargain if the locos work.

Steve, if you have the motherboard in the tender and 16 wires, then it's a new/latest version? Or was it wired by the previous owner?

I'm surprised there isn't a wiring diagram posted yet, but if it is the original wiring, then it's the same as all the others.  The C-19 wiring and the plug-n-play motherboard are fully documented:
https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=documents&cPath=8_50_51

Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on July 28, 2024, 08:57:18 AMThere are no metal gears available for the older 4-6-0 Standard Locomotive,

True, but Jiro Yeramian makes Delrin replacements for several of the final drive gears. Contact him at [email protected].

As Jay says, your best bet is to find someone at the local RR club who would be happy to help swap the gears. It's not a big job.  Check out this thread.
https://largescalecentral.com/t/bachmann-4-6-0-ten-wheeler-gear-fix/81887

Quote from: wagnera361 on June 07, 2024, 10:40:59 AMThe waddle is synchronous with the wheel revolution.

If you look at how the wheels are secured to the axles, it is quite possible that one wheel is not perfectly at 90 deg to the axle. The nylon bush does allow a bit of latitude in the fitting.

Put the loco upside down [careful with that whistle casting - use a lump of styrofoam to support the cab roof,] and apply power. You will probably see one (or more!) wheel wobbling as it rotates. Grab a felt-tip pen and use it to mark where the wobble is greatest. (Hold it close to the wheel and let the wheel touch it as it wobbles.)
 
Once you figure out which wheel is wobbling, you can pop off the center screw cover in the middle of the wheel, and tighten the screw, or remove the screw and push the wheel into alignment, or just try to rock the wheel into alignment.

Quote from: CMO99 on April 14, 2024, 04:52:11 PMI was able to get it going by turning it to max speed and physically pushing

Quote from: CMO99 on April 15, 2024, 06:27:57 PMDo you think I should purchase a more powerful transformer?

If it runs when you push, then it is not the transformer. (A better transformer wouldn't hurt.)

I am assuming this is a Bachmann Christmas set, with a 4-6-0 loco and you are using the regular Bachmann transformer? Those locos have been continually improved over the years, and you may have an old one with only a few wheel pickups. Take a look underneath and see if you have a rubber plug between the rear driving wheels - that's an access for greasing the gears - and also check the front truck for wires, which are an extra set of wheel pickups. Let us know which you have.

Are you using the original 'steel' rails that came with the set? Two problems here - they rust fairly quickly and the corner radius is very tight, causing wear on the wheels. For long term reliability, a wider corner radius will be a great help - 4' radius / 8' diameter is recommended.  LGB 16000 track is about 4' radius, or you can use flexible track.

You did oil all the axles before you started running it?

Mike's (Railman63) comments above are probably your next step. Clean the wheels and the track and see if that improves things.

Quote from: Train lover on April 08, 2024, 05:24:14 PMDoes anyone know where I can get gear's for my 040 saddle tank locomotive I need the gear that goes on the axle please email me at [email protected] thanks Rick

Suggest you contact Jiro Yeramian, who makes Delrin replacement gears for us.
[email protected]

Quote from: Greg Elmassian on April 05, 2024, 06:20:57 PMHow 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.

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

Quote from: JamesSullivan on April 01, 2024, 04:56:28 PMIs there a way to remove the wheels off the axle

I think we gave you chapter-and-verse over on Mylargescale.com.
https://www.mylargescale.com/threads/removing-the-wheels-off-the-axle.94148/