I have a Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 that just stopped dead on the tracks. I’ve checked the wheels for dirt & grease & the copper leads running to the wheels. The light is on, so it is getting some juice, but doesn’t run.
Does anybody have any suggestions?
Dan
are you sure you have the DC terminals hooked up to the tracks and not AC and the wires from one terminal isnt touching the AC
I’d look at the gears. Perhaps one of the gears has locked up or the motor has shifted causing some binding.
I’m guessing a microscopic break in a connection, or else worn/corroded components. You may be able to salvage it with a good careful cleaning, and blow it dry with compressed air…carefully! Don’t let anything spin with the compressed air.
Depending on its age, you can send it back to Bachmann and they will replace it. Check your warranty card for details.
Update –
It’s not the track wiring – I have other engines running on the same track with no problem.
I took it to my workbench with a spare power pack – touching wires to the middle drive wheels got it to run for about 2-3 seconds, then it stopped again. Did this a few times, now won’t even do that. The light does not even go on now.
It’s a beautiful little engine. Even thought about running more of these, but not if they aren’t reliable.
Thanks for your quick responses.
Dan
even though you checked clean the contacts and wheels anyway, and maybe some lube on the gears
I think Selector has it right. Most likely a broken wire or a contact not picking up power. Could be a bad solder joint inside the loco. Bachmann is good with warrenty repairs and the Spectrum series are excellent locos. You don’t say how old the loco is. Assuming that it not too old and still under warrenty, I would contact Bachmann and see what they recommend. If you are comfortable removing the shell and checking things out, you may want to look it over yourself. If it were me, I would call or e-mail Bachmann and see what they say. You also don’t say whether you are running DC or DCC. If you are running DCC, that would open up some other possibilities of causes.
I do not know what the access is like but it sure would be nice if you could apply 12v direct to the motor like you did to the wheels. If that is not possible how about applying it to the copper leads that run down to the wheels? If possible, with power applied, tap on the motor and see it will catch.
Jim
check the dcc plug block out it may be lose
B
It could be a faulty PC board. I have a LL P1K DL-109 with a faulty PC board. The light would barely glow, so I checked the wiring. The wiring was fine, and I eventually hit the diodes on the board with my finger and now it works again.[%-)] It could be something as simple as that.[:)]
Thank you all for your help. I putzed around with it tonight, but still had no luck. It has a lifetime warranty, so I boxed it up and am mailing it to Bachmann tomorrow.
Thanks again. The offers to help were incredible.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year. I hope you all get cool stuff, & time to work on your trains, this holiday season.
Dan
Typical botchman crap! Runs for a while, then takes a dump.
You’d be better off to set it on the mantle and buy something with a little QUALITY!
It will run a lot longer and make you a lot happier.
gtr