I have a new (single motor) 44 tonner. I plan to install a Lok decoder in it but as I ran this little unit I found, not to my surprise, the motor and gears are quite loud even after a few hours breaking in. So I wondered if I could put a better motor in it. I’ve never done anything like that but it seems it could be interesting…if I can find the parts. I assume I start by measuring the motor and then looking for the replacement. NWSL is the only place I know to look. Are there other places? What else do I not know about to even ask questions about? Thanks, Mark
Are you sure its the motor making the noise? I’d suspect the gears myself.
Many years ago I got one of the original Roundhouse Shays, and it was really noisy. It had an open frame motor and I assumed it made the noise. I had to take the engine apart for some reason, and I disconnected the motor from the drive train to check it out. It was quiet as can be, so the noise was all coming from the gearing.
I agree with Bob, the gears are more likely to be making the noise. I have the older two motor one so I don’'t really know the new one, but here is what works on Athearns. Take the gear train completely apart. Remove any flash and wipe each tooth of each gear with a pipe cleaner. The pipe cleaner will show a few tiny tiny bits of black plastic which it removed from the gears. Re assemble and it may run much quieter. Works for me on Athearns, might work on Bachmann.
David and Bob, Thanks for the info. I’ll try cleaning up the gears and see how it sounds then. It doesn’t make much sense to add sound and have it drowned out by the drive mechanism! And, David, I model B&M and MEC, too. I “borrowed” your avatar. Mark
Agreed. Check the gears. Bachmann motors are really pretty good and usually quite.