Moving on from the ebay fiasco in my last thread, I have the opportunity to buy an HO scale Bachmann 4-6-0 for $65.00. Cosmetically, it’s in great condition. The problem is, the person who has it says the decoder won’t respond, so the engine won’t run as a result. I always pull the decoder and put in a dummy plug anyway, but I’m just wondering if this is a good buy. Is it worth the money? Or should I keep looking? I don’t know how long it will be available, so any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.
Is this another Ebay thing? or can you get your hands on it and see why it doesn’t respond?
$65. for something that doesn’t run, for me, is not worth the gamble, unless it’s from a local seller that will let me “mess” with it, and see what it’s problem is.
Mike.
+1
I would spend $65.00 in a heartbeat for a 4-6-0 that did not run IF it was brass and in good cosmetic condition.
There is no way on Earth I would spend $65.00 on a plastic 4-6-0 that was inoperative.
-Kevin
+2
The question is, will it run on DC without the decoder?
Sixty five bucks for a used Bachmann DC 4-6-0 seems pricey.
Rich
You can sometimes pick up a 2-6-0 with sound and DCC for under $100 brand new in box, you decide.
I have a Spectrum 2-8-0 DCC with sound I picked up for $90., just for comparison to what the OP is looking at.
Mike.
You can check a box for Completed Auctions and see what things have sold for recently. The most recent 2-6-0 had DCC and Sound and sold for $68 including shipping. Next were 73,76,78 and 85 including shipping.
The problem might be unrelated to DCC. Seeing as you already are a unhappy camper, I suggest you don’t look for more problems
I was kind of thinking it was pricey as well, and this confirms it. I’m glad I decided to ask. Thank you everyone for your input. I’ll keep looking. Just for the record it is another ebay engine, which is why I asked about it, as it isn’t something I could look at in person.
I saw it on Ebay. I picked up a MA & PA 2-4-0 DCC with box at Timonium for $75. Actually, besides any collector value, the box is very important to get it through the USPS. Yours did not have a box.
I bought a CMR turntable and the seller thought plastic grocery bags were adequate padding.
Bachmann onboard decoders are not the best but they do run. Sounds like another issue or seller does not know how to run them.
He might be trying to run them on DC and the decoder is not set to run on DC, only DCC or a wire broke between the loco and tender.
If one of the two wires going to the loco are broke, no power to the motor.
You can see the loco mechanical diagrams at the Bachmann site last time I looked. Look in the Parts Page also.
I have the small driver and larger driver versions. Nice locos but I put Tsunami Micros in them with a speaker.
Edit.
Last I heard the decoder is a low end Lenz.
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/images/44913_Decoder_IS.pdf
Rich
Is it Bachmann Spectrum or Bachmann standard line? That is a big deciding factor. If standard, walk away and don’t look back; if Spectrun read what other folks here have to say
I looked at the ad in question. I have one at home. It is one of my smoothest runners, although it does not have great pullling abilities. They typically are not cheap on Ebay. The ad says no returns… but the seller has good ratings. It’s a mechanic’s special. Can you fix steam locos?..You could make an offer, but you are still taking a chance. I’ve found good deals like that in the past, but also lost some of these gambles… i would make an offer at 45 and see what happens.
Simon
It’s not a Best Offer listing. It is an auction with a Buy It Now feature. The starting bid is $50 and the Buy It Now is $65.
Rich
I just seen the listing. There are 6 days left, plenty of time to contact the seller, and ask questions, IF the OP still wants to pursue it.
I see it is free shipping.
On a seach for Bachmann 4-6-0 all listings, there a few starting under $50., but shipping is $16.
Mike.
If the OP is interested I just added a few more details to my message. I have watched the Bachmann site, forums for some years as I have Bachmann locos.
Many replace the Bachmann decoders. I have.
The Parts page shows the PC board with the DC adapter plugged in.
The decoder would be a large black shrink wrapped device plugged into the eight pin socket. I trashed mine.
Rich
I would buy it in a heartbeat if it weren’t for the fact that clearly, the enigne came undecorated, and the owner decaled the engine for MA&PA #27. It has none of the prototype specific details Bachmann had for the #27 model, and the lettering looks wonky.
You cannot compare this Bachmann Spectrum to their 2-6-0 engines. The 2-6-0 has very little detail and isn’t based on a prototype. The 4-6-0 has loads of seperately applied pipping, and is based on MA&PA #27 and #28.
Usually, these engines have the following issue, going from most common, to least common:
-
Seller forgot decoder number(You wouldn’t believe how many times a decoder reset “fixes” an engine!)
-
faulty decoder(it happens)
-
Wire connection between engine and tender is faulty
-
Bachmann 4-6-0s use a belt drive, sometimes the gear splits. (rare)
-
Elecrical short inside engine split frame chassis. (never seen a 4-6-0 with this, but a possibility)
-
bad motor. (never seen a 4-6-0 with this, but a possibility)
Now obviously, Im not responsible if the engine is indeed beyond a decoder problem, but there’s a good chance removing the decoder will fix the issue.
Cheers!
Charles
I believe it’s standard line engine. I looked all over the page and couldn’t find any mention of it being a Spectrum.
I can usually repair most locomotives, but I’ll be the first to admit that hunting down electrical gremlins is not one of my strengths. That’s another reason why I was wondering if this was worth persuing.
Bachmann standard:
Bachmann Spectrum:
Model in question:
note that the standard line has molded on piping, whereas the spectrum lines all have separate piping. The $65 model is a spectrum, although it is the default undecorated engine, with added decals.
Charles