Quote from: ChooChooMan on February 28, 2007, 10:20:18 PM
I just got myself a nice Bachmann Digital Command Unit.  However, when I read the instructions, I realized that the unit requires the locomotives to be DCC-equipped.  I have about 32 N-Scale locomotives from different manufacturers and I don't think that any of them are DCC-equipped.   I don't want to return the command unit but I just look at the cost of the decoders and it is going to cost me a lot of money to upgrade my locomotives.  I don't even know if installing the decoders will make my locomotives work with the digital command unit.

I'm looking for some advise and have the following questions:

Will installing decoders really convert my locomotives to be DCC-equipped?
Is it worth getting the decoders?
Is there other type of command unit that will work with my non-DCC-Equipped locomotives?
Will other type of command unit allow me to run more than one locomotive at a time?
Can I run more then one non-DCC-Equipped locomotive with the command unit I purchased?

I would appreciate any advise you can give me.

Thanks

If You like to keep Dc engines, just get power supply and a electric switch. In couple minutes You can switch between Digital and analog. A lot healthier than running just one  dc engine with DCC,
hope this helps jack

Years ago Bachmann TGV N scale sets started to sell. Beatifull engiens and cars. Then first complaints came back to Bachmann. Gears do not work!!!
Instead of fixing it, set were absolete with out replacement.
Since Bachmann got his good name back. Why not use either Acela power car (just make chassis short) or use HHp8 insides. 2 solutions to reviva such beatifull train.
I bet everyone would be too busy admiring new set to remember troublesome from past.
What about Bachmann, We have been good, how about new verson TGV for zmas for us?
please

Quote from: skipgear on January 16, 2010, 01:01:32 PM
It's already been done. No need to reinvent the wheel.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/186-6560

Hello, i now about Brawa and Walthers making one in small quantities. Price is astronomical. I just don't know anyone whi would pay for basic kit over $200  us. On he on other hand a basic kit for about a $100 would be found on many layouts.
Bachmann is well know for reasonable priced trains.
thanks jack

Quote from: S.C.L.EDDIE on January 21, 2010, 06:10:59 PM
Just wondering when Bachmann will re-tool the U36B? How great it would be to have a more accurate model of this locomotive. Seeing as Bachmann is the only company doing a plastic model of this locomotive and the recent retool of the DD40 I figure maybe it is time for an updated U36B. I sure could use several in Seaboard Coast Line black and yellow. I still have my Spirit of ' 76 and Auto-Train locomotives.


Eddie

I agree, U36B needs upgrade the most. It looks like a push-pull toy train, not a N scale engine. It's also very popular, i think a lot of us would upgrade it.
jack

I'm using myh DD40ax with MRC Prodigy. No problems and no need to reprogram or replace decoder.
jack

Quote from: skipgear on January 21, 2010, 11:12:40 AM

Quote from: gsjcas on January 16, 2010, 04:59:01 PM
Hello fellow railroader....just some info about the Bachman Locos.....I could not disagree more with some of the feedback you have received...... I have an Empire...at least 4 sets running all the time.....I have had them all...Kato; Con Cor; Bachmann Etc. Although I really like the Con Cor New York Central "Hudson"....I can not say enough about the Bachman Locos I have. I have 2..... 4-8-2 Spectrum Light Mountain New Haven's and they not only look great (detail) but run fantastic... I also have 2 Bachmann "Big Boys" and have had the same results .. I probably have 20 or so engines from varied manufacturers....and I will tell you the Bachmann Co. is fantastic to deal with. They have handled any problem I have ever had(I can count them on 2 fingers over the years). Their customer service is second to none.......NO I do not work for them.........If you want a great Loco....I recommend the 4-8-2 Spectrum Loco that they put out....Good luck and and don't let the coal fragments get in your eyes........Trainmangs

The loco the orignial poster is asking about is a 10 year old + loco. It comes from the cardboard box era of Bachmann which was not their best time. Gears cracked, motors died prematurely etc. etc. No, it is not a good loco.

Current equipment is much better but that was not what he was asking about.

BTW- Bachmann does not, and has not made a BigBoy. I think you may be referencing the Santa Fe 4-8-4 Northern. While it is much better now than previous releases, it is still geared too tall and lacks tender pickup. Fixing those two items and updating the tooling on the shell from the 70's would make these very good locos.

The Spectum light mountain is a poor performer. It is a very smooth running loco and well detailed but it can barely pull itself. There is a fix for it if you don't mind tinkering a little bit. The traction tire does not contact the rail so shimming that driver seems to help them quite a bit.

The real performer in the Spectrum line, as mentioned above is the 2-8-0. I have some that will pull 60+ cars. The other more recent Heavy Mountain is an excellent loco that is well worth owning.

I agree with You. Bachmann made excellent job revising Spectrum line. I have new Spectrum 2-8-0, 2-8-2 and 2-8-8-2, and new J 4-8-4. If it comes to older versions, i still have and use 4-8-4 and J 4-8-4.
My least like engine is old version, not Spectrum 2-8-0. Still, even none Spectrum steam engine are fun and worth keeping. Don't forget that Bachmann makes most affordable N scale steam and diesel engines, not everyone can spend couple hundred for Fleischmann's masterpieces.
jack

I'm not sure if i'm just lucky, but my HHP8 pulls 4 Acela cars (lighted) without issues.
Speed is the same with or without cars.
hope this helps jack

I had few 484, dirty contacts is number one, number two is misalign gears or wheels. Electric motor may be stopped from this trouble. If You feel that motor wants to move but it's stopped.
Look at the side bars, they should run parallel to each other, both sides should look the same,
of they don't look rite, very gently move wheels to align them,
jack

I have Acela DCC set which runs just great, to the point that i don't miss my 5 Kato sets i had to sell couple years ago. Don't forget that any set with long  cars not only performs better with wide curves, it also looks much better!!! No matter if it's made by Bachmann or Kato. The other option is to buy Bachmann HHP-8 engine and Acela individual cars (cars are not the same as the ones in the set!), it will take smaller turns better, but will not be as good looking as the set.
I have both and i know the Acela set is better looking. At least You have options.
Hope this helps jack

Quote from: communaldungpile on January 30, 2010, 04:04:44 PM
I recently purchased a spectrum 8-40(new model) for my son. I had problems with the old ones so I almost  didn't. Sure enough right out of the box it ran spotty, then went DOA. Turns out when I just barely touch the circuit board it takes off.. any ideas how to repair it? If I put something to hold the board down the shell will not go on correctly. Thanks in advance...

Mark

Since You can't return it to the dealer, hear is a easy trick. Take 9V battery and a piece of wire. Run power straight to the motor (don't worry, it can handle 19v, nothing will burn), if motor is good, You have 99% chance to make it work. I have 3 8-40's converted to DCC. They all working fine, but one i added my first decoder, my engine would not work. Simple contact cleaning (between pc buard and split 2 part chassis) did the trick.
Hope this helps jack

Quote from: shayfan on January 06, 2010, 03:52:19 AM
how likely is an n scale 3 truck shay similar to the bachmann HO product #81909 . Or at least plans made available. They are a fantastic looking locomotive that could have great appeal. I myself am a modeller of the new south wales railways in australia and there was a small shale railway the employed four 3-truck shays very similar to this.
I'm sure there are many fans of shay locomotives worldwide who would relish more than the one engine currently available.

cheers.
         
Tommy.

I have to side with Tommy. Atlas made 2truck shay and it wa instant classic.Imaging 3 truck or even 4 truck. This could put bachman as masterpiece maker, next to 2 truck Shay, Athearn Challenger and Big Boy to start. That means top of the line masterpieces made by Bachman! Please make it happen jack

Not a troly, a true setup seen in any mountain resort. Overhead lines pulling 2 to 16 cars. Relatively easy to do. Bachmann has access to parts. Little of kitbash, little of rd an 2 months later you got it!!
What about Mr Bach MAN? You can make a kit lets say 2 or 4 or 10 cars, Pulls etc.
It will work. Only LG in G scale offers a decent set. MR Bach Man this must happen How many build set could add cable cars? almost all of them!!!
Please Mr Bach MAN, AT LEAST SAY what You thing,
jack

Quote from: CNW4ever on October 06, 2009, 04:53:16 PM
Bach-Man

I like many others have a bunch of the original DD40AX engines released under the Bachmann name as well as subsequent PLUS and SPECTRUM runs.  Every one of my Spectrum and Plus engines have the infamous cracked gears making them useless unless I cannibalize several to make a few work.  Some of the original Bachmann release DD40's I have suffer from engines that are pretty much fried.
A few years back I contacted Bachmann Parts about the cracked gears and was told that they do not have any replacement gears, however a "replacement" engine could be traded to me. Too bad a replacement is a GP-40 or whatever is in stock.
Now the new DD40 is released (a suitable replacement) and i was told by customer service that they cannot offer any trade in for the old units.
I understand the new units are much nicer, but YOU NEED TO STAND BEHIND YOUR WARRANTY! It is not my fault you produced faulty gears and I have several engines that wont run!  I should not have to take a GP-40 for a replacement when a DD40 is finally READILY AVAILABLE!

Please do something to remedy this situation!
The customer service manager said her hands were tied and she was told by higher-ups that this is the policy.  

I wonder if new DD40 has the same part number as the old one. So far all new Sectrum diesels have the same part number as older versions (bad idea, eapecially when You buyiing online). Is yes You have a very good case.
jack

Quote from: Slam on December 21, 2009, 10:46:37 PM
Hi. I was wondering if temperature would affect a bachmann gp50's running. My layout is in the attic, and I have experienced situations recently affecting the running of my engine.
                              Thanks, Sam

Make sure that Your track is clean, especially if it's not used for a while!
Engine it self usually is not the problem, but You can buy Trix wheel  cleaner for about $15 buks.
I both severel used engines from ebay and wheel cleaner works great.
hope this helps jack

Quote from: ease in N/027 on December 07, 2009, 12:58:07 AM
Anyone run a n scale layout just around the walls of a room? or a whole house (inside of course)?...

I could do it with my O27 Lionel stuff but...  in N scale?

What kind of transformer would be needed to circle a 20 by 10 ft living room? I would need multiple power feeds right? -how far apart?

anyone ever do this/seen in done in N?

It can be done, I'm trying to finish room 18x12. with amp power supply on DC You can do feeds every 15ft to make it solid. I would still g with power booster. N scale allow You to lay a lot more track while maintaining reach detail. It's just  a  lot of work...
jack