Just opened my order from BLW. A Spectrum Lt Mountain, a Spectrum Consolidated, and Kato Mike. The Kato is on it’s way to Loy’s for a decoder. The two Spectrums are on their way back to BLW for replacement. The Connie sounded like a thrashing machine. The Lt Mountain, even after an hour of slow to moderate running, ran very jerky at slow speeds, even stalling out on straight track, almost like a pickup problem, and had a rattle sound at higher speeds, similar to what side rod interference might sound like. Maybe it was just gear noise, I don’t know. But, it wasn’t a normal sound.
I’ve read from several sources that Bachmann’s Quality Control was shakey at best, but Geez!!! What’s the odds of getting 2 out of 2 bummers in the same order…I think I’ll just set my sights on a fleet of Kato Mikes…
I have the IC 4-8-2, runs sweet…
I read this a couple of hours ago and wondered what I could say to help you feel better. Actually, it just sucks…period.
However, if I can prevail upon you to keep things in perspective, I have read nothing…NOTHING…but good reports about the Spectrum steamers, especially the Connie. So, it looks like the fates had it in for ya, Bud. You were the “poster” child for this week, the one to post that you had had a bad experience like that. We get them most weeks, and they rotate from manufacturer to manufacturer. What’re you gonna do, except grit your teeth, ship 'em back, and smile sweetly. It’ll all be good in a couple of weeks.
I hear a good single malt, two fingers, works really well for how you feel right now.
I guess you balance me out, because I have not had any problems with Spectrum steam.
Sorry you had a problem. I have two Spectrum Steam locos, a 2-6-6-2 and a Mountain. They are the best running engines I have ever had! Period. Nothing else in my fleet comes close with the exception of a 20 year old $500 brass Connie from Sunset Models. I plan on getting more of the Spectrum.
Hmm…Wow, that’s hard to believe. I have a Consolidation, and it runs like a dream. Pulls great as well. I’ve only ever had problems with one Bachmann product, and they sent me a replacement free, so their custom service is excellent if you need to interact with them.[^]
Five fingers works better!! LOL
Darrell, quiet…for now
I used to work in Quality Assurance/Quality Control for the Nuclear Power and Medical Device Industries. The only quality control that most of these model manufacturers have is a simple run test, to make sure the loco works and a brief visual inspection to ensure that no parts are missing and/or broken. To improve the overall running quality, etc.; these manufacturers would need to incorporate a corrective action program based on returns, field reports, etc. They would also have to set up these processes for their subcontractors in China. This aint’ gonna’ happen! It would be too costly to implement and maintain. On the other hand, if they implemented some simple customer feedback mechanisms regarding problems, etc. and worked on improving existing processes, this would go along way to improving quality.
A friend of mine seemed to have similar problems with everything Bachmann. He appears to be a born complainer, so I don’t know if his problems were real or grossly exaggarated. Either they didn’t run right, they were noisy, fell apart, or something else. Other members in our club did not have similar problems, so I don’t know what the real truth was.
One of his comments did leave me wondering though. He said when he ran his Bachmann doodlebug, his wife could not hear the TV upstairs! I told him a million times, don’t exaggerate![:D] I could see maybe a large power tool, a shop vacuum, a chain saw, etc., causing such a racket, but a little doodelbug? So that comment made me assume his other complaints were probably way over the top.
I have a bunch of Bachmann power, but since I do my modeling on modules, they don’t get run very often, so I cannot comment on their reliability.
Bob Boudreau
Very sorry for ya. Should probably contact Bachmann Customer Service. If you keep your cool, they should be more than willing to replace it. Don’t throw them out of the competition in the early stages!
I have close to 30 Bachmann Spectrum HO scale steam engines, and three Spectrum G-scale steamers, and have had nary a problem with a single one – they all run smoothly and quietly, unless you consider the sound systems that I have put into all of them.
On the other hand, two other members of our local HO scale club have had to send three or four locomotives back to Bachmann for replacement. One of these was a Spectrum; the others were the cheap Bachmann diesel engines. Bachmann replaced them all. In one case, Bachmann sent a Spectrum to replace a cheaper engine because they didn’t have any more of the cheap ones in stock.
Problems like yours are certainly not unique to Bachmann products, however. I have read a lot of comments here and elsewhere about problems with cracked gears on Athearn Genesis steam engines and problematic mechanisms on Broadway Limited products. Con-Cor’s HO-scale Burlington Zephyr has had a lot of both good and bad publicity, primarilly with faulty motors.
Practically everything sold today is made in China, so quality control testing is possibly non-existent. When you consider, too, the amount of rough handling that items are going to be subjected to between China and you, it’s a wonder that anything arrives in one piece.
QC for me lately:
BLI Niagara drive train sounded terrible; back to dealer for exchange.
Understand some production had poorly cut gears. Don’t have replace-
ment yet.
BLI MT-73 hopped down the track; lumpy traction tire was fixed by
changing to the included solid driver.
LifeLike Clinchfield had QSI board with bad speaker connector and
backup light was dead; tender was exchanged.
BLI SD40-2 has distortion mixed with chime sound; BLI examined
it and declared it normal.
Lionel Veranda had bad QSI board that kept resetting;
replaced; took six weeks.
Lionel Challenger weaved badly; replaced with another that
weaves less; took eight weeks.
Athearn Genesis 4-6-2 driver gear split after about an hour and
it took 8 weeks to get fixed.
On the other hand, my six Bachman Spectrum steam, four non-sound
LL Heritage steam and five LL Proto 2000 diesels all work well.
Some of the worst stuff on rolling stock I’ve seen are the wheelsets
on IHC passenger cars which don’t run true. And the flimsey McHenry
plastic-spring couplers Walthers puts on even its best passenger cars.
Hal
Quality control is simple, set standards and inspect to those standards at the point the part is produced. Years ago Motorola changed their inspection procedures on the manufacturing line and doubled good production. They had been testing pagers at the end of assembly by putting a battery into the unit. Half the units failed, after the full investment of parts and labor. Simple solution was to inspect the unit at each step of production, failures did not reach the end of assembly, and worse the customers hands with all the added inherient costs of impact to customer relations. If Bachmann does not want to inspect what it (we) expects, it can expect to have more bad “press” in the threads at this and other forums. Great product offerings and “customer service” cannot make up for lack of customers. BTW after Motorola “discovered” this revolutionary quality control method, it was able to compete in the highly competitive market in Japan sucessfully, and begin to establish a reputation as a highly competive manufacturer of consumer electronics.
[2c]
Will
Sounds like you’re in N scale (Kato Mike). There have been SOME problems with Bachmann N scale steam, but nothing that can’t be fixed. SOME of the 2-8-0s have a gear problem: those will have to be returned for replacement. I’d almost return them to Bachmann instead of BLW. Bachmann will bench test a return to make sure that it works. As for the 4-8-2, there’s a design flaw in the bearing blocks: they’re not squte square, but it’s virtually impossible to detect visually. If the engine is running poorly or won’t pull more than six cars, it’s because some of the blocks are installed wrong. Take off the bottom plate, check the blocks, and rotate as needed. The engine should run smoothly and haul 20+ cars. Don’t give up on the Bachmann N scale steam: if they work right, they’re actually BETTER than the Kato Mike.
I’ve got 12+ HO Spectrum steamers, and five N scale, and haven’t had a problem with any of them.
I have purchased Bachmann products and I will NEVER again purchase Bachmann products. My son did enjoy using his air rifle on them though!
My local hobby shop even advises me, if you buy a Bachmann you get a Bachmann, ie: you get what you deserve!
I only have one Bachmann Spectrum, and that’s the Acela engine. That thing runs great!! I’ve seen and used other Spectrum engines, both Steam and Diesel. No one that I’ve talked to in person has had a major problem with them. Of course, the standard line is something else. They’re meant to be for the younger crowd. The ones that don’t mind the quality not being the highest, and who have the likely hood of damaging them anyway.
Bachmann’s come a long way from the 70’s-80’s with their new Spectrum line.
I just bought 3 Bach deisels. (one a Spectrum) All needed a little tweeking, but for the price I paid I didn’t mind. I think the Chinese QC consists of making sure the lights light and the motor makes “some kind” of sound.
I have found Bachmann engines to be great. Ho and Fn3. Their Customer sevice tried to help with any questions I had and answered E:mails quickly. Course it helps to know one of their VPs.
I’ve had nothing but satisfaction with my 10-odd spectrum steamers. I certainly do think one must distinguish between Bachmann “standard” and Spectrum goods.