Greetings all -

I need a replacement PCB headlight for the Bachmann GP40 (2018 release). The Bachmann parts store does not have this part available.  What is a suitable replacement LED?

Many thanks for your help!

Hello trainman!

Thank you for your thoughtful reply!

On the wiring harness, a lead to the motor broke, so I thought it would be best to run a continuous wire from the motor to the tender rather than splice a segment of wire. Had I known I was getting into this tedious process, I would have gone a different route. I thoroughly enjoy this little locomotive and I would rather it run than be a display unit.

Thank you again! Keep the trains running and happy railroading!

Greetings all...

I need help reassembling the boiler of a Spectrum 2-8-0.  If I get the washers aligned to attach the screws and chassis connectors, the spacers on the bottom of the boiler either move or fall out of place. If I get the bottom of the boiler aligned, the top is too wide to accommodate the chassis connectors and screws. If I am fortunate enough to get the boiler alinged, it's difficult to get the cover over the motor assembly without everything coming apart and keeping the motor in place with the belt drive.

I know I can use a drop of glue to secure the washers and spacers until I get the screws in place, but, that doesn't resolve the alignment issues so everything fits as it should.

This has been a frustrating task. I would prefer to keep the engine running and not make it a display model.

I truly appreciate your help and suggestions! Thank you in advance!

Thank you Steve!

I truly appreciate your input!

I know the "Spectrum" version of the J is much more advanced... but this model (BAC 65769) will negotiate 9.75" curves. I  have the Spectrum model, but the disc behind the piston assembly "popped off" while I was running the J... and it appears Bachmann is not going to restock the parts for this model once the available supply is sold.

Again... thanks for the input!  I pray you can get your J back on track!

Hi Rich...

I have a Niagara, which is just about the same length as the J, and it glides through turns, which the J had been doing.  It's a bit of a mystery.

Thanks for your interest and input!

Greetings all -

I have a Bachmann Plus Class J 4-8-4.  The locomotive has started to lose speed on curves.  On straight track, the speed is good, then the speed will drop in a curve and then the normal speed resumes on straight track.

I clean the wheels and the track.  The drivers and side rods don't seem to be binding.  Even though the speed drops, the locomotive is smooth through turns, so I don't believe it's "out of quarter".

I appreciate your thoughts!

Many thanks!

Greetings Bach-men and Bach-ladies...

I have a pre-Spectrum Class J 4-8-4 (model 65759).  The model runs great, however, when I change the traction tire on the rear driver, the locomotive comes out of quarter.

What is the best way to re-quarter the drivers without a quartering tool... and... how can I keep the drivers in quarter when I change the traction tires???

Many thanks for the help!

Greetings N Scalers....

A couple of questions regarding Bachmann GP50 (analog).  For some unknown reason, my GP50 "leans" slightly toward the engineer's side (short hood forward).  There are no obstructions under the frame... the split frame design only has the motor and gears inside... so my question is why would it lean?

Also... for some reason... this unit runs very smoothly forward (short hood forward)... but... in hesitates in reverse.  Again, no clear indication there is anything impeding electrical pickup.  The wheels and track are clean, all contacts are in place.  Forward direction is fine... reverse is hesitant with speed variations.

Thanks for your input!

Thanks much Len!

I believe Bachmann has used date "stamps" for some time, I just never knew the "code".  The stamp above is likely from the early 80's.  A newer Bachmann Sound Value locomotive has the stamp on the box flap... K141208.   I suspect these codes are for inventory purposes and/or for repairs to know the "run" of a particular item.

Again... many thanks! 😀

Greetings....

I bought an older Bachmann F9.  The chassis is stamped "30819".   What is the "translated" date for that code?

Also, I see newer Bachmann products with a longer alpha-numeric code (The code begins with a letter).  How should those codes be interpreted???

Thanks in advance for the assistance!

I looked at some of my older rolling stock and found an AHM Pennsylvania 4 bay hopper ( from Christmas 1968) that appears to be the same mold as the Clinchfield hopper pictured and it's lettered as a 50 ton capacity car!

I was fortunate to find a Clinchfield rolling stock roster. It appears some "creative liberties" were imployed on this model!  The lettering for CRR 47000 is correct, but the roster shows the car at 33 feet with two bays, which would be more typical.  I know lettering is much less expensive to create than car molds, but it"s interesting someone took the time to get the lettering correct although it was applied to a "stock" 70 ton hopper mold!  And... choosing lettering from only one of the two prototypes that existed is a fascinating tidbit!

The little things that make this hobby great!

Fascinating a 40 foot hopper was limited to 55 ton capacity!   I grew up in southwest Virginia seeing the N&W Clinch Valley district every day.  The Clinchfield, Interstate, L&N and Southern were nearby.  100 car coal drags were the primary rail traffic.  A car hauling less than capacity had to drive the decision makers around the bend, thinking of lost revenue!

True!  Some of molds and designs seem to have been passed around from one company to another or they were "creatively acquired".   Fascinating how some of the designs were around for years, just in different boxes with different manufacturers.

You mentioned Revell... I have the 1/96 scale Saturn V that was popular during the Apollo days!

Thank you Terry for your research!  Train folks are good people!

Len... You nailed it!  I searched a lot of manufacturers,. but I didn't think about older IHC runs ( post AHM-Tempo-Rivarossi days).

Fascinating quirk about this hopper... It has weights listed for a 55 ton hopper instead of a 70 ton hopper!

Many, many thanks for solving this little riddle!