I have a number of Bachmann steamers. I think they are great value.

I have a 2-10-4 Santa Fe #5016 which has a Tsunami sound decoder.
I like running long trains and this engine used to slip on a grade, so I put some lead inside the engine to improve its hauling capacity.

I then found that on a grade with a big train the motor would slow down quite a lot.
Rather than slip, like other locos do, the motor would just grind to a stall if I let it.
Also, even though the loco was running really slowly, the Tsunami chuff still chuffed away at running speed.

So I deduced that Bachmann motors don't have as much torque as other motors, which I initially thought was a failing.

But then I installed a wheel cam and switch assembly, which synched the chuff to the wheel rotation.
I also removed some lead so the motor won't stall.
Now the overall effect is that the train slows right down until the motor almost stalls, then it slips. 
And you can hear the chuff slow right  down, then slip - just like the real ones.
So now I think the low torque motors are an advantage.

Thanks for all the replies.
I ended up making a rigid coupling - like all my other Bachmann.  Made it out of brass and it works fine.

I am having trouble with my Bachmann J class engine-tender coupling.
The coupling jerks a lot when the engine rounds a curve - more specifically as it comes out of the curve.
It often throws the tender off the track.
I've checked it but  - apart from the design of the thing - I can't see anything wrong.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Is there a solution - other than making a rigid bar coupling?

Thanks

Dear Mr Bach-Man,
Is the sound decoder in HO C&O 2-6-6-2  BAC 84814  a Tsunami?

Thanks

Having produced the superb 2-8-8-4 EM1, does Bachmann have on their drawing board plans for a C&O H7 or, better still, an H7a?
I'm thinking a 2-8-8-2 should be pretty easy after the 2-8-8-4.

Thanks

I have an H5, which is a great loco.

I understand the prototype H5 was a USRA, whilst the H4 was C&O design.

Can anyone tell me the difference in the models between the H4 & H5?
Are there any significant prototype differences not represented in the  models?

Thanks

Bill,
You need the board because it has the connectors for the track power, but you dont need the caps and inductors.

So, bypass them:

Unsolder the motor wires from the motor and from the M+ M- pads on the board that the large socket is soldered to at the rear bottom.

Solder new wires from the motor to the M+ M- pads on the socket board.

Erik

Thanks Jonathan,
Erik

Just took delivery of an EM1.  Bachmann's best engine yet.
Can anyone tell me how to get the body off the chassis?  Thanks

Does the Tsunami fitted to Bachmann steamers have the facility for a chuff cam?

Thanks

Is the motion decoder in the EM1 a Tsunami, ie, with back emf?  Or is it one of the first gen Bachmann?

Can you explain what the sync is, referred to in the shipping post?

Thanks

I had cracked gears and obtained a replacement set.
I refitted one of the shafts OK but one of the little clips for the other shaft won't stay in place.
I have used a new clip but I can see that the amount of metal that the clip has to clip onto just wont support a firm grip of the clip.

So what do I do?  Has anyone worked out an alternative way to hold the shaft in place so the gears mesh? Because my clip is never going to clip tightly.

Thanks
Erik

Dear D,
I run it at about 15% max volume for all the reasons you state.
Having all that audio gain means that at low levels, you get an excellent sound.

It's like having a 500hp car.  You only use a bit of the power but its there if you want it.

For anyone installing sound in a Bach 2-10-4,  here's a suggestion:

Use a Hi-bass speaker and Hi-bass speaker enclosure.  Mount the speaker in the enclosure upside down, ie, with the solder pads outwards.  That makes it easy to solder to.

Araldite the speaker into the enclosure so it is an airtight fit.

Locate the speaker/enclosure with the enclosure end down in the front of the tender over the grill. It is just the right height and is held snugly in place when you tighten the screws holding the chassis to the tender body.

I used a QSI Revolution A and the sound is seriously loud and good.

Can you tell me the font type and size on the Colorado Mining Co Shay? Thanks.