my HO-scale 2-10-0 decapod won't operate!

[UP5521]

Foregive me if I am angry but,in all of my years of collecting steam engines,my painted and unlettered 2-10-0 from bachmann spectrum gave out on me[my second 2-10-0]and I don't know if the gears on the engine had lost their teeth and/or there is more problems that is associated with the motor itself,now the headlight works but it won't move,I looked for some replacement parts on the NWSL website,but no parts for the decapod,I like this locomotive but I just don't want it sitting out there while my other steam engines operate,can someone whoever had this problem before help me out and thanks!

 

[PWeiser]

Things to Check

I was in N-gauge so this may be of little help, but...

If you're using CTC features, check that: might have address wrong? If you're in simple DC, maybe CTC has somehow become active?

Mechanically, check quartering (the wheels can get out of alignment if the axles turn in them)

Electrically, check motor leads and (if applicable, i.e. not a can motor) check brushes. Lubricate bearings if present.

If the light comes on, it's probably telling you CTC or DC is OK, so look at mechanicals and electrics. I guess the wheels/track could also be dirty enough that the light would come on but not enough current get to the motor - polish wheels but don't dislodge the insulation if they have insulating tires.

Just some (probably outdated) things to check .

 

[UP5521]

nope,this is a DCC ready locomotive!

 

[Klinger]

Bachmann motor's tend to randomly die. I had it happen to my 2-6-6-2, then the 4-8-2 that replaced it. They then sent me a new 2-6-6-2 which does not get much use to preserve it.

 

[gary6204]

Bachmann motor's tend to randomly die.

ive never seen this happen.... i have 3 Bachmann engines and this has never happened to the 3 of them. then again, 2 of them are from the 80's or 90's and ones a 2005 i think

 

[Sampug394]

ive never seen this happen.... i have 3 Bachmann engines and this has never happened to the 3 of them. then again, 2 of them are from the 80's or 90's and ones a 2005 i think

Unless it's Spectrum, Bachmann trains have a tendency to be... Poor Quality

 

[505657j]

Unless it's Spectrum, Bachmann trains have a tendency to be... Poor Quality

The locomotives he stated were a part of the spectrum series:'(

 

[gaugetamper]

Quite, Though Not as Old, My Spectrum Light Mountain *currently being turned into a REALLY light Northern* Is the 2001 Release, And It's probably my best runner considering I have brand new engines from Atlas and Bowser And have Had Many Athearn Genesis Engines. I have to say, If your Engine is just having motor problems, Just replace the motor...

 

[UP5521]

my 2-10-0 does not see any use anymore since the problem happened,what is worse is that I'm worried about the 0-6-0t,4-8-2,4-4-0 also giving out but right now,I'm waiting to see if it happens again to the other 3 iron horses I own and see if it is worth getting a proto 2000 usra 0-6-0 switcher with sound to cover for the 2-10-0!

 

[gary6204]

Unless it's Spectrum, Bachmann trains have a tendency to be... Poor Quality

one of them is not spectrum, but has worn out from 20years of use, one of them is spectrum, and the 3rd i have no clue about

 

[UP5521]

you know,now that I think about it,everytime one of us finds a steam engine we want,whether at a hobby shop,online or in a magazine,epecially a bachmann spectrum,I just can help but question the quality of their engines if problems like these occur,I just can't begin to think if the parts became offline itself or too much oil!

 

[K4driver]

I got a 4-6-2 K4 Pacific that is still running fine, except the wheels are too smooth...any idea on how to fix this?

 

[SPNGTyler]

Quite, Though Not as Old, My Spectrum Light Mountain *currently being turned into a REALLY light Northern* Is the 2001 Release, And It's probably my best runner considering I have brand new engines from Atlas and Bowser And have Had Many Athearn Genesis Engines. I have to say, If your Engine is just having motor problems, Just replace the motor...

I got one of those as well. It came stock with a DCC ready COAL tender, which is not, although in some places, right on the SP. We have bought another Bachman Tender that is Oil and the right size. Amazing what a tender change can do.

But this engine has always been a favorite of mine. It was the first engine I ever owned that had a lghted firbox. I would make it dark just to see it.

 

[Ronayne]

Bachmann motor's tend to randomly die. I had it happen to my 2-6-6-2, then the 4-8-2 that replaced it. They then sent me a new 2-6-6-2 which does not get much use to preserve it.

I had a Bachmann Union Pacific 2-6-2 which doesn't work at all. The headlight comes on, and it produces smoke/steam (Its meant too), but it doesn't move... :'(

 

[gp792]

Foregive me if I am angry but,in all of my years of collecting steam engines,my painted and unlettered 2-10-0 from bachmann spectrum gave out on me[my second 2-10-0]and I don't know if the gears on the engine had lost their teeth and/or there is more problems that is associated with the motor itself,now the headlight works but it won't move,I looked for some replacement parts on the NWSL website,but no parts for the decapod,I like this locomotive but I just don't want it sitting out there while my other steam engines operate,can someone whoever had this problem before help me out and thanks!

Check the Bachmann Parts Catalog, last time I checked they had 2-10-0 parts. Hope this helps:http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_68_158

 

[TorenHynes]

Dissasembleable?

Are there screws that you can take off in the locomotive? If so, you might be able to dissasemble it, take out the motor, get a new one from a hobby shop, and replace the motor and reassenble it. If your'e unfamiliar with this kind of electrical wiring, maybe you should talk to a hobby shop dealer or an electrician.
As for K4driver's problem with the wheels being too smooth, you should check if there are replacement wheels available on the website. If not, you may be able to sand the wheels with coarse sandpaper & make them rougher.

 

[UP5521]

Are there screws that you can take off in the locomotive? If so, you might be able to dissasemble it, take out the motor, get a new one from a hobby shop, and replace the motor and reassenble it. If your'e unfamiliar with this kind of electrical wiring, maybe you should talk to a hobby shop dealer or an electrician.
As for K4driver's problem with the wheels being too smooth, you should check if there are replacement wheels available on the website. If not, you may be able to sand the wheels with coarse sandpaper & make them rougher.

yes,there are screws,but,from what I read or something else,this particular steam engine is difficult to disassemble and get to the trouble spot,the motor is still good,as I can tell by the headlight and the power from the transformer to the engine's motor so I doubt the motor replacement,I still think that the gears had probably lost their teeth and needs replacement and I'll most likely check the wiring and if that is the problem,I'll replace that too,thanks for the response!

 

[spiffy101]

Bachmann is notorious in the repair world for their bad gears. I have had the same problem with a RS-3 in N, a GS-4 in HO, and several G scale, including 3 shays that I've worked on. The big thing, if you don't hear the motor turning over, is to remove the shell. Try turning the armature by hand, unless its a dc can motor. If you cannot turn the motor armature over, there might be a bind, if you can turn the motor over and the wheels dont turn, the gears might be shot. Finally, if the motor turns, the wheels move, but nothing happens, there might be a bad motor coil. Hope this helps.

 

[TorenHynes]

Bachmann is notorious in the repair world for their bad gears. I have had the same problem with a RS-3 in N, a GS-4 in HO, and several G scale, including 3 shays that I've worked on. The big thing, if you don't hear the motor turning over, is to remove the shell. Try turning the armature by hand, unless its a dc can motor. If you cannot turn the motor armature over, there might be a bind, if you can turn the motor over and the wheels dont turn, the gears might be shot. Finally, if the motor turns, the wheels move, but nothing happens, there might be a bad motor coil. Hope this helps.

You mean that the gears are stripped. Well, you may be able to go to a local hobby shop and get the old gears off and put on newer, higher quality gears.
Are the gears nylon or steel?

 

[Torpedo423]

I had this happen to me too and after a year of sitting on the self the darn thing magicly started working and now it runs fine