I need an opinion on an old Bachmann split axle

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

So, I got a Bachmann AFT 449 for Christmas, to open it up and discvover that it has the plasitc axle between the drives. I’ve had one break on me on a different engine. She runs great, no issues, but I want to drop a sound decoder in. So, Are these axles likey to fail soon? Am I more likely to be okay and not waste the $85 sound decoder to have to fish it out of the engine when something breaks? Or hold off and have her fit as a fiddle for a long time to come and not have the sound? Or send it in to find there’s no more DC AFTs and I have to deal with an alternative engine (of which I have both Daylights, 46 and 49)

2

All of Bachmann’s steamers are built with plastic axles AFAIK. I’ve heard many complaints about them, but I’ve never had any drivers come out of quarter, and I have some going back over 25 years. Just don’t try twisting them to see if they’re tight. [swg]

You could run a bead of CA around the joint between each driver and the axle for added strength (degrease thoroughly first). I’d go ahead and drop in that decoder.

3

Actually, I believe the post 2000(?) makes are a solid axle Or so the LHS said. I haven’t opened up the replacement or the DCC engines. I think the problem is actually the plstic axle developes a crack running the length, thus pullign the drive wheels out of sink.

4

I had one of their trolleys that developed cracked axles, but fortunately it’s never happened on any of my steamers. Using plastic compatible lube on these is especially important because of this issue.

5

[#ditto]

The CA will help a lot. I’ve only had one Bachmann steamer go out of quarter due to this problem. It was one of the chead 0-6-0’s with the pancake motor that sounded like a mixmaster.

6

Cool. I’m recording this, and she’ll be treated ASAP.

Thanks Guys. (always wondered what out- of-quater was)

7

Anyone who has never heard of older Bachmann steam engines having EXTREME quartering issues has led an extremely sheltered existence. I would not waste ten minutes on a non -Spectrum or Standard loco more than a couple of years old, MAX.

They have made tremendous improvements, but the old ones still suck.