This is a problem area with the Bachmann 0-6-0 and the 2-6-2.  I own six of these locomotives and have lots of run time on them.  I've seen this failure once before.  You seem to be particularly unlucky with your two.  I'd give the service department another try.  Bachmann has the main drivers listed in the parts section for the 0-6-0 but they have been out of stock for some time.  Maybe the service department can find one or two for you.

Have fun, Mark

If the locomotives stall at the same point it is a track power problem and not a problem with the locomoitves.  The point where the locos stall is not getting adequate power.  Do you have any feeder wires or are you running the entire layout from one power input?  If the latter you need to run feeder wires for at least every three feet of track.  If the former, uput in a feeder wire where the locos are stalling.

Have fun, Mark

A 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific with DCC and sound.

Have fun, Mark

DC N scale voltage varies from zero to about twelve volts.  The variable voltage is how you control the speed of the motor.  Amp draw is around 1/3 amp for small N scale engines.

Have fun, Mark

The 2-8-0 is geared lower than the 4-6-0.  The top speed on a prototype 2-8-0 is about 45 mph - it was built to haul freight.  The 4-6-0 was built to haul passengers and the prototype had a top speed around 60 mph.  The model engines replicate the actual engines.  The 4-6-0 was the first widely available coreless motor, the 2-8-0 uses an older motor design.  The 2-8-0 is considered a quite engine but nothing beats a coreless motor for low noise level.

Have fun, Mark

Kato Mikado traction tires will work fine if Bachmann doesn't have any.  The Kato part number is: 810000 and they cost $3.00 for a package of 10 traction tires.

Have fun, Mark

Dswieton,

You didn't say what engine you have, but most of the Bachmann couplers can be changed out with Micro Trains 1133 coupler conversion kit.  You can go the the Micro Trains website and download the conversion PDF file.  You also didn't say what type of coupler is on your cars.  If it is the older Rapido type coupler, a conversion coupler is still included in most Bachmann engines. 

Have fun, Mark

The absolute best pulling N steam that Bachmann makes is the Spectrum 4-8-4 J class, it will pull the paint off the wall and looks good doing it.  My 2-8-0's, heavy 4-8-2's, 2-10-2's and 4-6-0's all have nearly the same pulling power.  Have fun, Mark.

The tender that comes with both the 0-6-0 and the 2-6-2 do not have all wheel power pickup.  In addition they have a high rolling resistance, limiting what these engines can pull.  Both of these engines can be improved significantly by purchasing a Bachmann Spectrum tender, either the slope back for the 0-6-0 or short range for the 2-6-2.  With the addition of the Spectrum tender stalling problems with these little engines usually disappear and they can pull more cars as well.  Both of these engines, if they are the newer model in the plastic jewel case, can be great runners with the Spectrum tender.  It is too bad Bachmann continues to sell them with the cheaper tender.  A new Spectrum tender can usually be purchase on the auction site from everyone's favorite spot for less than $10.  These little engines are a real bargain.  Have fun, Mark.

Please forgive me, my recommendations were for the 0-6-0 not the 2-6-2.  If you go to Spookshows website, search "n scale locomotive encyclopedia" he shows how to modify the short range tender.  Basically the same, turn over the drawbar but then you need to dremel out the front part of the tender base.  This technique also works fine.  Have fun, Mark.

If you order the slope back Spectrum tender you can just turn the drawbar over, bend the stiff wires up at the ends at about a 30 degree angle, use the soldering iron to get the plastic loop hot, and bend the loop up to match the wire angle.  This is easier than the NTrak recommendations.  The NTrak modified drawbar, especially the one Skip Gear recommends are probably better, by my simple mod works fine.  Have fun, Mark.

P.S.  If you move the traction tire from the center driver to the rear driver the little 0-6-0 will pull as much as a heavy mountain.

Nscale.net has discussion complete with pictures on installing DCC in an N scale 0-6-0.  Have fun, Mark.

Just put it on the track and go.  I'm running mine on DC.  Have fun, Mark

I've just bought a N&W J 4-8-4 in N scale and the tender coupler is to low.  The coupler is body mounted so I see no way to adjust it.  I've looked at the diagram and don't see any shims between the tender truck mount and the body.  I don't want to put shims there anyway because that may interfer with tender electrical pick up.  Is this a problem with all of these units or is mine unique?  What can I do short of sending it back to Bachmann and not seeing it for three months.  Please help, thanks, Mark

For those who wonder what was wrong with my green Consolidated, it was the traction tires.  One was near the flange and the other was near the rim.  "Old Shakey" now runs straight and true.  Mark