Bachmann Spectrum SD45 Union Pacific

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just recently purchased 2 Bachmann Spectrum SD45 Locos, Does anyone know how to improve the

performance of these engines? One of the engine makes a kind of grinding noise as its running forward, not so much in reverse, the other engine stutters as it goes around the layout, and when trying to go in reverse, it goes a couple inches and stops, i have to push it a little,and it might go a little further and stops again. I thought maybe running them as a pair would help,but because the one stutters as it does, it puts so much load on the other,its awful watching them run. Ive run them and run them in the hope that they would improve after some break in, but no. They are brand new engines and I hate them. So is there any known improvements i can do to maybe make them better?

2

By the Way, Im talking about N Scale Bachmann Spectrum Locos

3

Gee, I don’t know what to tell you. SPectrums should ideally perform better than standard line.

I have several Bachmann HO DCC OnBoard locos both standard line and spectrums, and only one makes a low growling noise at low speeds. Otherwise the perform great.

I also have some standard line Bachmann N scale locos in DC. One has to have a bit more juice to run than it should need, I think, but otherwise they perform great too, Year after year when pulled out to run under the Xmas tree.

YOu could try to take apart and lube and see if that improves them, If not, then I’d say send at least the jerky one in for warrantee repair/replace as Bachmann has a great warrantee program for their products from what I understand. Sned em both back, heck. Their USA offices for such are in Philly, PA. and the address info can be found at bachmann.com

4

Are these the only locomotives you have ? Have you cleaned the track ? Locomotive wheels ? Lubricated them ? Do you have adequate power feeders to the rail ? What brand/type of track are you using ? What brand/type of power supply ? I don’t model N scale, but these are things that can cause the problems you are having with HO or any other scale. Do the locomotives have decoders ? Bachmann decoders are rather poor and usually need to be changed.

Any of these factors can be the cause of erratic running.

5

Send them back to bachmann. they are very good about fixing or correcting problems that they have in product.

6

My other Engine run great, its new bachmann ez track, i am running a bachmann power pack and I tried a installing another power feeder track so im sure im getting good power all the way around the layout. But I havent took them apart and tried to lube them yet, i might try that, or like the everybody says, send them in