Has anyone attempted to install the after market NWSL gears in the Bachmann Climax? If so, do you have any tips. I knew they were small, but they are REALLY small along with the 2 washers. Putting off installing them, afraid I’ll drop one into Never-never land or shoot it off into space with the tweezers. They do recommend having a pro. do it & I can see why. Thanks
Not a problem. Just be careful and work slowly.
Rich
Did you use the Loctite as was recommended or did you use something else? Seems a lot to pay just to get a mini drop.
Given that these little locomotives sold quite well, I’m surprised that I’m not seeing ads popping up in the magazines from “pro” folks willing to make the conversion for a fee.
Bill
I think the problem is that there could be more things wrong than just the gears & you won’t know until the gears are replaced. mine has a stripped drive shaft where it enters the rear truck. Don’t know if there is a replacement. Seems it stripped when the gears jammed. Have to think long & hard before I buy another Bachmann product.
Go to the Bachmann site and inquire
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php
There is a Parts & Service section with inquiry form and telephone number. Also a parts list for different locos. Sure makes sense to me. Even a forums with Bachmann reps there.
Rich
I kept a bottle of the blue, temporary Loctite and red, permanent Loctite around for may years and many different uses. Use your imagination.
Even a simple Google search will give you suggestions.
Rich
I should add, gear stuff for model railroad locos is not plug and play. It does require some patience and perseverance. There is info on the Bachmann site about the Shay and Climax gear issues.
A question to Dave at NWSL is a common sense thing to do. He has helped me before.
Rich
Say, please don’t take this wrong, I’m just thinking (typing) out loud…
I would not really harsh a manufacturer over a bad part or an engineering issue…
Ex: I have a very high class & spendy brass Shay that is missing an engine rod, I got the u it on eBay & do not know it’s history, so I really can’t blame the factory…
We are asking a lot of the manufacturers, & I am still amazed, every day, that these things actually work!
Sort of like a 3 tenths of a watt cell fon, yeah that was high power for a cell… My Dad had a 2500W HAM radio Linear Amp pushing his signal! I still (after 21yrs in cell industry) find it amazing it actually works, -at all!
Just a couple thoughts, no real point, just talking…
Oooppss, PS: If you have ever worked on a vehicle rear end, I have read the entire ‘folder’ form Porsche on setting the the pinion to ring gear ‘backlash’ (play) & it is extremely specific. When I think of adding 2 common shafted sets of pinions & ring gears into the mix, with what I have read, it is almost enough to check into a mental institution, -free of charge!!! Then when one thinks of it in the size 1/87.1 makes the ordeal seem to be quite an endeavor…
I’m not getting on Bachmann for an engineering issue. It’s an issue that they won’t repair their product when it fails after only 15 min of running time. They say on their site that they have the parts & give you the privilege of buying them & fixing it yourself. I’m sure they could repair it easier because they have the tools & fixtures & they would get a lot of practice from what I’ve heard.
Hey Jerr,
Say, Yes, I am totally with you there, they need to stand behind it! (Preferably ‘Free of Charge’)
I apologize that I misunderstood your situation, reading you last post, really explained it * I am tottaly on your side & with you. Sorry I didn’t ‘get it’ the first time…
Take care!
Unfortunately, Bachmann production is all in China. Bachmann is owned by a Chinese model railroad manufacturer. All their tools and fixtures are there, not in Bachmann America. The business model is to provide a replacement locomotive for something that breaks. Repairs are not a part of the business model. I would be very surprised to find out about any Bachmann-owned repair service in the US.
That Bachmann even has replacement parts is a backhand admission on their part that the original design was not very good. Which is why NWSL has engineered replacement gears. But even NWSL has found that the gears weren’t the only issue in the original design Climax drive train.
When/if Bachmann re-runs the Climax, it will have a better drive train. That has been Bachmann’s consistent history, learning from their mistakes and improving their product. The latest run Shays and 44 Tonners are evidence of that. Bachmann’s problems in making good running small locomotives is not unique to Bachmann. In many ways, making a small model locomotive run well is much more difficult than a larger model. And model railroaders are willing to pay by the size of the model, not the engineering needed, which makes small models even more difficult to engineer well. Bachmann remains the primary provider of small steam in the H
I realize everything you are saying. I know it is hard to make a good running machine with such small gears, but releasing it says to me that it will be a good running model. maybe they should set up a real repair shop in Philadelphia. It would be cheaper to replace them but they decided to stop production after so many failures. They should AT LEAST supply you with the replacement gears at no cost. Another point …Will you void the warrantee if you try to replace the gears?
not hard to make a good running loco with small gears if you have the experience and patience. Get an Optivisor and proper tools.
Why don’t you spend time at the Bachmann site with Bachmann reps there. There is a real shop in Philadelphia also.
It sounds like you have experience in running a train repair shop from your comments.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php
All this stuff is mde in China for the past maybe ten years or so.
Bachmann also has a Parts and Service page.
Rich
Also, this is one of the joys of model railroading.
Rich