Bachmann 44 tonner question

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m returning to the hobby after a spell away. I have some Spectrum 44 tonners, some twin motor ones and some singles. Some of these have gears on the drive axles that have split. Has Bachmann ever addressed this issue with better replacement gears? Thanks. Dan

2

Bachmann doesn’t show any gears available individually for either version of the 44 tonner, and the truck assemblies are only available for the newer single motor version.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_68_194

NWSL might be able to supply the correct gears. If you drop them a line they can usually tell you what part(s) you need if they have them.

http://www.nwsl.com/

I solved the split gear problem in the older version by simply buying the older 44 tonners when they came up cheap on eBay. I paid about $20 plus shipping for each of the engines that I have. Hopefully not all the gears will split.

You have to be patient because they are usually listed in the $55 to $80 dollar range on eBay. Not all vendors know which version they are offering. If the packaging is pictured the older version has a greyish moulded plastic holder whereas the newer version uses black foam. Also, if you look at the engine from the side you can usually see the drive gears on the older engines.

I have also repaired one gear by removing it from the axle, thoroughly cleaning it in alcohol and then welding the crack with the tip of my pencil soldering iron. Amazingly it didn’t split when I put it back on the axle. So far the gear has not cracked. Don’t inhale the fumes!

Dave

3

Your probably better off picking up a new chassis for $35.00 and transferring your old shell.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_194&products_id=1401

Edit: oops, they are presently out of stock.

4

Thanks for the replies. So it’s only the new ones that have this problem?

5

Southgate

All five of the 44 tonners I have are the older version. I bought them because I wanted the motorized trucks to make small industrial diesels (critters) although I will keep one or two intact. I have had a couple of cracked gears in the older models.

The biggest problem with the older version is that the motors are not very reliable. If a motor or gear set jambs up the brush holder will melt if you don’t turn off the power right away. The motors apparently are still available from Bachmann for $10 each.

Sorry, I can’t offer any detailed info on the newer version.

Dave

6

no, they do not. I have 3

7

Dave, I have successfully used those little motors for powering up small locos and a crane for rail movement. If you are good at microsurgery, there is a way to fix the stalling and burning problem.

The carbon off the brushes gets jammed in between the commutator plates and shorts them. I have solved this problem by dissassembling the motors (make sure magnets go back to their relative sides or they’ll run backwards), and supergluing a tiny strip of styrene in each (cleaned out) gap. You leave the styrene sticking out a tad, then file to the right height, make sure to use only the glue needed, and polish up the commutator when finished. All motors I’ve done this to never give me trouble. Brushes last longer too, since there aren’t those gaps scraping away at them. Love them little critters. Dan S

8

Hey Dan!

Thank you for that bit of advise on how to extend the life of the motors. If I can solder 0402 LEDs I should be able to manage installing the strips.

If I can ask, what specific glue are using? I am assuming CA but I would like to be sure.

I’ll bet you didn’t learn anything new from my posts.[(-D]

Dave

9

Sorry I let this one slip by me. It must have been CA I used, I use it a lot. When you do this, you have to make sure the plastic gap spacers dont stick out any or theyll lift the commutator brush off the contacts. Use styrene that almost wedges into the gap tight. Dan

10

Southgate:

Thanks for confirming the glue.

Dave

11

I use to have a two motor 44 ton with DCC but it cracked a gear. I sent it it back and got a DCC ready single motor 44 ton in return which is now DCC with sound.

My two motor use to have a motor issue. One brush would eventually hang up and the other motor was trying to move the loco. I would touch both brushes on the offending motor with a toothpick and the motor would start running.

Never experienced a shorting issue.

In those links someone provided, you will find an active forum with a forum for HO scale. A couple Bachmann reps are there also.

Rich