Hi
I have a Bachman 4 8 4 j that has a bad drive gear. I have tried to find the gear everywhere no one has it ,as far as I could find. Does any one know where I may be able to get this gear or where I can get a repowering kit that will work
Thanks
Go to the Bachmann site. There is a Parts page and Service Page.
Bachmann has made different 4-8-4’s. You did not mention exactly which one.
If not concerned about the loco railroad lettering, get a replacement.
Standard DC. HO or N scale $35.00 and they send a replacement.
Spectrum HO or N. $45.00.
Some time ago I sent back a HO 44 ton two motor with a check. Received a HO DCC ready single motor.
Rich
Thanks ,sorry didn’t mention age from late 70’s early 80’s has sentimental value would rather rebuild if I can. I have been all over bachman web site they show everything except the main drive gear. I bought the bowser repower kit that was just to much modification to go through with. Thanks for your reply if you come up with anything else please let me know.
Happy Rails
Greg
I have a couple of Bachmann 4-8-4 drivers with a gear that you can have, checkout the picture.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO since 1951.
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
Thanks that is very nice unfortunately the main driver gear isn’t what I need. I need the gear that runs from the motor to the driver,its a larger gear with the small gear made in with it. Really THANK YOU!!!
Happy Rails
Greg
Greg
The one you’re looking for is a pancake motor, Bachmann stopped production on those back in the 1990s. I went with a couple of Bowser mechanisms for my two GS4s. If you work at your Bowser you will have a very good running 4-8-4. The only other option would to buy a early 4-8-4 and salvage the motor.
http://www.hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosionbachmann/bachmann484classjdiagram1990.jpg
Good Luck
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
You would probably be better off just buying another engine and using the original as a track side display…
Thanks Mel,
I’m not as talented as you.Tried Bowser’s kit got mad and done something with it. I can’t find it anywhere. Thought about a watch maker, maybe having the gear made out of steel but that’s probably gonna cost more than buying a new engine. Went to your blog and oh my god you have to be a master modeler you have some amazing things that you have built . Thanks for your help and reply ,gonna keep up with your blog. It’s amazing!!!
Happy Rails
Greg
Yeah. No idea what Bachmann would send him as a replacement.
I have seen in the Bachmann forums before some have sent back in a pancake motor loco and received a better loco.
As I have said before, I sent back a standard two motor 44 tonner few years ago and received a Spectrum single motor DCC ready replacement. Those two motor had motor and cracking gear issues.
Rich
Probably right. But I’m hardheaded will keep searching and eventually,hopfully I’ll be able to find what I need. Thanks for your reply
Happy Rails
Greg
Me either ,that’s why I’m kinda hesitant to send it to them. They would probably send it back,its so old, rode the J from Greenville SC down to Tocca GA on one of the last runs before it went to the Wilson shop for restoration.Wife at the time bought it for me after we returned. Then she passed away about a year or so later so it’s kinda hard to part with. But may consider it do you have to original box to send it back?? Thanks for your reply
Happy Rails
Greg
Is this roughly what you mean by a small gear with a big gear?
(Image found off the internet)
Or do you mean a gear not like the above?
Charles
Also, is the gear white or black?
Charles
The white gear is probably the one I need. It’s a tension gear it’s not solid if you have a pic post it . I have the small gear. I’ll try to post a pic of what I need.Cant figure out how to post pic. If you can post pic of the white gear you have and I’ll let you know if that’s what I need.Thanks a bunch.
Happy Rails
Greg
The gear is white . It’s not a solid gear. But is made the same way as the black ones
To post a pic:
Upload the image to an outside source like imgur or photobucket.
when done, right click the image and select “open image in new tab”
copy that URL
click “insert” when posting a reply, and click image.
Paste your URL.
Mine isn’t like the black gears like the pic that I posted. Mine is a big white gear with a hole in the middle. Roughly 1 to 1.5cm in diameter…
Charles
Yeah I have the black gears those I need is white its the large gear that goes up into the side of the pancake motor the small gear turns in towards the frame and turns a smaller gear in turn turns the main gear on the drive wheel. I’ll see if I can figure out how to post a pic. The way you described the gear you have it may be it can you post it. Thanks
Oh, okay. I don’t have the gear you need.
The only other way as far as I know is to search for a parts engine off of Ebay.
They are rare, but when they do pop up, make sure to go for it!
It dosen’t have to be new, since you are only using it for parts…
Good luck!
Thanks for you help. Every J that I inquire about on eBay has the same malfunction the main gear is stripped or flatspotted. So I haven’t purchased another one yet. Again Thanks for your time it’s very appreciated. Happy Rails Greg
Greg I went through my send to eBay box looking for a pancake 4-8-4 and I struck out. I did find a Bachmann Plus GS4 chassis, I do not know if your J shell will fit on a Plus GS4 series chassis.
Maybe someone on the forum can help, will a pancake 4-8-4 J shell fit on a GS4 Plus chassis?
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/