I recieved a Bachmann Spectrum streamlined 4-8-4 with factory sound. This is not a new loco, but very little use. The sounds work and the lights work but the engine won’t move. The sound chuff increases with the throttle increase. I haven’t figured out how to remove the wires connecting the engine to the tender. It doesn’t seem to have a plug like my other Spectrum engines. The parts list doesn’t show any connectors. I haven’t had much time to look it over but wanted to post this and see if anyone who has this loco can give me some clue as to how to get to the wire connections in the engine. I am pretty sure the tender will come apart with the removal of the screws on the underside. Thanks,
-Bob
PS: Forgot to mention that the engine makes a noise when trying to move forward or back, like there is an attempt to rotate the motor.
Hi, I could not find, the factory installed one, but the Ho one appears to have a plug,that looks like,somehow it comes,out of the tender. Here is a diagram of the N DCC ready,if you need it:
Well, the problem appears to be with the drivers. They wouldn’t turn at all so I rocked them back and forth until they freed up and then it ran, but I noticed one of the side rods was bent. I removed the rod and straightened it and also removed the bottom driver cover to see what kind of lubrication was there. I oiled the worm and gear and reassembled it. Now it wouldn’t move at all so I loosened the screws on the plastic bottom driver cover and the engine ran. I still see erratic rotation like one of the drivers is out of quarter, especially at slow speed. Occasionally the loco won’t move from dead stop so I reverse it and it runs the other direction, then I switch directions and it runs again. This is confirming my suspicion that I have a driver out of quarter. Haven’t decided wether to contact Bachmann and see what they suggest. This was a used engine when I bought it so I don’t know how old it is.
Unfortunately these specific engines have a history of issues that you are experiencing. Generally it’s with the driver wheel, which is the rear driver wheel in this instance, if I am correct. I’ve had two (one was a brand new replacement engine) and it had these issues right out of the box. I sent the last one back to Bachman to replace and they wouldn’t even replace it with another N&W (not that i wanted them to at that point), so I got another engine instead. That one has ran flawlessly so far, and it’s been a number of years.
Good luck with it, but I’m afraid you have a dud in that specific engine from that Manufacturer. It was a shame too, because I was very satisfied with the engine other than that.
You are correct I am afraid; it is the rear driver that seems to have the problem. Guess I will have to replace it with another loco. Thanks for the info.
I removed the tender body and the wiring harness plugs into the light board, but by that point it didn’t matter.
As an update, I contacted the seller and he is giving a full refund plus return shipping, so I will send it back and look for another loco. Too bad, the Bachmann is a great looking loco.
I had checked with Bachmann customer service and they would repair it for $45 plus shipping, which I had considered, until I heard of all the issues with this particular engine, so I sent it back to seller today. Hopefully I can find a BLI version for not too much $$$.
BLI’s are nicely discounted at trainworld and at modeltrainstuff. It wouldn’t hurt to shop around at other sites in case there’s a better deal, but I doubt it…maybe hogtrainz…not sure.
