Bachmann Spectrum Heisler problems?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi gang:

One of the members of our club has a Bachmann Spectrum Heisler with factory DCC and sound. It is in a blue box so I’m guessing it is a fairly recent production. The locomotive won’t run. It is getting power. All the lights and sounds work. The furthest that it has run is about one foot.

It has been disassembled and re-assembled and lubricated by another one of the club members. He noted the following:

  • When removed from the locomotive the trucks run very freely.

  • With the trucks removed, the output shaft that drives the trucks can be stalled with very little effort. Basically, Brian said he had put just a little pressure on the shaft with one finger and it stalled immediately. This was with the drive shafts that come off of the motor still installed. As he described it, apparently there is a shaft that comes directly off of one end of the motor which runs to a second shaft which is at 90 degrees to the first shaft. Then there is a third shaft that runs at 90 degrees to the second shaft and which goes back past the motor to provide power to the trucks. Please understand that I am relating this second hand so my understanding of the drive set up may be flawed.

Unfortunately the locomotive was bought used from a private seller who now wants nothing to do with the situation.

So, does anyone have any specific experience with the recent (I’m assuming) production runs of the Spectrum Heislers? How should we proceed? Could it be sent back to Bachmann for repair? If so, do you have any idea of the costs? How big a hammer would you suggest?[swg][(-D][(-D][(-D]

Thanks all!

Dave

2

Is this an On30 loco? The only Heisler Bachmann offered I believe. If so, should contact Bachmann, from what I hear they are pretty good at repairs.

HO scale models were offered by Rivarossi.

3

It is an On30. I just looked at the diagram page but cannot comment on the issue.

Below is the Bachmann web site with a forum for On30 and there are users there and Bachmann reps.

Also, a Repair, Parts, Information page.

A phone number for service and an email address.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php

Rich

4

Hi Bob:

It must be On30. I never looked that closely at the box but I do know that it is Bachmann Spectrum with DCC and sound. The box is medium blue with gold lettering.

I was hoping that someone might have had similar experiences so I could offer some suggestions at the club next week.

Rich:

Thanks for the link to Bachmann. I made the obvious suggestion to the owner to contact them but he is reluctant to do so for reasons that I can’t understand. Well, actually, I do understand the reasons but I won’t post them here. It does have something to do with a brick however [swg].

Thanks guys!

Dave