I have two beautiful bachmann western Maryland 2-8-0s 760 and 761 but while transporting them one day. The wires came off the orange plugs. How do I fix this? I’m broke and can’t afford new locomotives. Please help
Sorry if I appear to be skeptical, but I am having a hard time taking this one seriously.
I am trying to imagine how this could have happened.
Carrying one loco in each hand, holding it by the back end of the tender?
Rich
Hi Bachmannfan844,
The wires and plug that you desribe are very small and delicate which would require surgical precision to repair. If the locomotive is less than 1 year old Bachmann will replace or repair the units at no cost. If they are older they will do the same at a very nominal fee (much less than the purchase of new units). I have found that Bachmann stands behind there products and keeps the customers satisfaction in mind at all times. I needed to return a Spectrum steam that was defective, Bachmann gladly replaced the unit with a new one. Contact the Bachmann customer service number found on there web-site and they will advise you on how to proceed.
All the best.
Reinhard
The pins in the plug typically “snap” in place and are held there. Once they snap in, it’s hard to get them to come out and go back in and stay. The best way to force them out is push on them from the plug end by inserting something small like a pin into the hole. There is a high probability this will fail.
So you have several options.
Option 1: Remove the pin from the plug. But if you do successfully extract the pin, you’ll need to resolder it then push it back in.
Option 2: hard solder all the wires together. No more connectors to break!
Option 3: Buy replacement parts from Bachmann. You didn’t specify which of the two harnesses the broke. Two pin or four pin, but the 4 pin with motor is $25.
The four pin with motor is here: http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_86&products_id=649
the two pin connector is here:
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4185
You will have to solder the two pin harness. The four pin chassis replacement is quite a bit more complicated. If you aren’t comfortable tearing apart a locomotive, I would not persue this. As you sound like a novice, I wouldn’t try it.
Option #4: Send it to Bachmann for repair. You’ll have to pay I believe $40 for each engine to be repaired. They will likely give you a new one.
In the future use a pair of tweezers on the plug, or a small jewelers screwdriver to pry it up.
The best advise so far is to contact customer service and send them back for repair or replacement.
Thank you all so Much. I have my plan solder 761 and send in 760. Thank you