News:

Please read the Forum Code of Conduct   >>Click Here <<

Main Menu
Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - LastManOut

#1
Well the locy runs fine on brass track, on my layout.  I just wish I didn't buy the "ready to run" set with this train just so I could throw out the track.

Come on Bachmann, I didn't expect Accucraft quality, but to sell this as a set for children and not be able to operate is disappointing.  Maybe that's my problem, I'm 50 years too old for this toy.
#2
I was so happy that the Thomas set I ordered to set up and run for the grandchildren arrived yesterday in time for their visit for Father's Day.
The electrical connector that hooks to the track will transmit not power the rails.  I fixed that with female spade connectors to the tabs on the supplied track connector with alligator clips to the track.
So now I have power to the rails.  Thomas starts to roll around the track for about 12 inches until it jumps the track. Re-rail. I checked all the track connections they are fine. Try again, derail re-rail. One of the plastic locks was left under the ties and twisted the track on the carpet a smidgen. Maybe that was the problem.
I ran the locy sloooow around the track and it made it once and almost twice before it derailed again. Torque the track a bit to flatten it out and try again with better results and re-rail.  (Remember this is a kids toy train.)
Connect the two coaches and see if it will pull them around.  (The kids will be here soon, so I got to get this working.)  Derail, re-rail, derail, re-rail.  Pack it back in the packaging and get it ready to ship back.
Sure I can buy wider curved track and rewire the power supply to rail clamps, but this is supposed to be a ready-to-run toy set for a child.  I guess it is, if you want frustrated children or grandpa.
#3
I set up a new Thomas Large Scale set for the grandchildren today.  The power terminal connector will not make contact with the track.  I tested the connection by placing the terminal upside down on top of the rails, there is power to the terminals. I cleaned the contact point on the track and connector terminals, pressed the terminals against the track, twisted the terminals flatter to make contact, none of which helped.

Is there a better available connector.  I know I can cut the plastic between the ties and use rail clamps, but I do not want to damage the track in case I have to return the set.

P.S. I am a retired residential electrician and municipal electrical inspector.  I have been building and running G Scale trains for five years, but I can not figure this out.
#4
Large / Re: New American won't run
May 06, 2009, 06:58:18 AM
My fix was to remove the circuit boards and wire in new incandescent lights including a cab light.  I runs fine now but using track voltage for the lights may not have been the best way to power them.

I did call Bachman Customer Service back in March for a better "Service Manual/Owner's Manual" with wiring diagrams, parts list with screw sizes, etc and a few replacement parts for missing and broken doo-dads.  I am still waiting for a response or my shipment to arrive.  All must be on that slow boat.
#5
Large / New American won't run
April 23, 2009, 10:23:36 PM
I bought a new 8 wheeler <30 days ago.  It ran fine then.  I disassembled it, and painted and detailed it, reassembled it and it worked fine.  A second tear down to glue some broken pieces and back on.  It ran okay, but would seem to drag then pull again. Now it will not work at all.

The track is clean.  I lubed it per owner's manual after the first 15 minutes of testing it out of the box.  Testing with power lead directly to the drivers produces nothing.

An inspection under the cover between the drivers the only thing out of order was an extra cover screw stuck to the motor.

Anyone have any suggestions?