And THIS is why...

[Dave V]

...I'm glad Bachman builds in bulk.   

After last week's ham-fisted fail on performing maintenance on CMRy #34 (and my subsequent ill-conceived thread about it) I ordered an undecorated replacement for $99 on the 'bay.  She arrived today and runs great!  She will soon be lettered as CMRy #38.

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Say what you will about Bachman...  I'm just glad there's such a wide gulf between MSRP and street price!

[learmoia]

...I'm glad Bachman builds in bulk.   

After last week's ham-fisted fail on performing maintenance on CMRy #34 (and my subsequent ill-conceived thread about it) I ordered an undecorated replacement for $99 on the 'bay.  She arrived today and runs great!  She will soon be lettered as CMRy #38.

(Attachment Link)

Say what you will about Bachman...  I'm just glad there's such a wide gulf between MSRP and street price!

I feel like commenting on the throw away society, but if mfgs are going to build low qc products that can't be maintained/repaired.. but.. eahh...

Wait.. what about the Bachmann lifetime warranty?

~ian

[Dave V]

I feel like commenting on the throw away society, but if mfgs are going to build low qc products that can't be maintained/repaired.. but.. eahh...

Wait.. what are bout the Bachmann lifetime warranty?

~ian

Well, I'm the one who opened up the gear plate and then accidentally tipped the loco.  I don't think Bachmann owes me for that.

And as for throw-away, well...  I may yet make a go of #34 but not before the show in 2 weeks.  Most of us probably have a few locos or cars where a planned modification or repair didn't go as planned...and the evidence thereof sits in a box or on the bench waiting for a re-attack that likely will never come.  Nevertheless all is well on the Midland tonight with a fleet of 3 well-running locos that should provide the depth of bench I need for 16 hours of running time at the TECO show.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Eh... Disposable society has its advantages:
I bought a MP Mogul a month ago for $60. I had to rewire the thing and fix the slipping, out of quarter drivers, but she now runs like a top.

Encouraged by this, i bought a MP Pacific listed as DOA/parts for $35. Turned out to be a fried sound decoder. Engine works fine with the decoder removed. I'll replace the Vandy tender with a Bachmann USRA and add a new sound decoder... Should come in under $100 all in.

As for parts.... Bachmann is pretty good as stocking parts, including TT for various models. I think the 0-6-0 tires can stretch onto the ten wheeler and they had the valve gear in stock last time I checked.

[mmagliaro]

...
...

I bought a MP Mogul a month ago for $60. I had to rewire the thing and fix the slipping, out of quarter drivers, but she now runs like a top.

...
...

Okay, I'll bite.  How did you fix the drivers slipping on the axles?  That's a too-common and difficult thing to fix on MP steam.

[SandyEggoJake]

i bought a MP Pacific listed as DOA/parts for $35.

I'll bite too... @daniel_leavitt2000 the MP Pacific you are swapping out the tender ... I'll buy that Vandy off you (along with some castings - see prior PM sent).

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have done two methods so far.

1. A few years ago when replacing traction tires on a friend's Pacific I used a ball and hammer from the rear of the driver and tapped it just enough to warp the plastic slightly, narrowing the axle hole. The face of the driver was on a mouse pad to prevent damage to the face and rod attachment points.

Here are the tools involved:
https://www.esslinger.com/stubby-brass-jewelers-hammer-1-lb-with-ballpein-style-head/
https://www.esslinger.com/small-fiberglass-jewelry-making-watch-hammer/

2. Recently, I have had a bit of success scoring the inside of the driver axle hole with a very sharp blade. I then added a very thin amount of green thread locker that is used to secure crowns on watches:
https://www.esslinger.com/loctite-2701-green-threadlocker-adhesive/

This method is essentially creating a groove and spline interface with the axle

When using method 2, you need to quarter the drivers while off the model. Be sure to secure the bearings and gear to the opposite side you are working on to prevent the thread locker from wicking onto those surfaces.

[C855B]

... green thread locker ...

And I learned something today! After a gazillion years of using red and blue Loctite, now I know there are green and purple grades, too! Plus a wicking blue grade (Loctite 220). Green and purple definitely go into the toolkit.

Thanks, Daniel! 

[thomasjmdavis]

'Most of us probably have a few locos or cars where a planned modification or repair didn't go as planned..." ( Dr Hotballs, above )

Do you mean that some of you have modelling projects that DO go as planned, sometimes?  I have never had that experience. 

This thread has reminded me that I need parts for a junked Bachmann consolidation that I picked up cheap. 

[Dave V]

Do you mean that some of you have modelling projects that DO go as planned, sometimes?  I have never had that experience. 

Eh, I'll get lucky now and then...   

[SandyEggoJake]

[quote ] undecorated replacement for $99 on the 'bay [/quote]

Understand urgency and rarity of an undec  ... but from what I've seen, going flEaBAY price for the Bmann 4-6-0 spectrum, NOS w/DCC is often in the $50-$60 range including shipping.  Over time, I've loaded my stalls with 6 of this loco NOS in this range.  Was the under bidder on this one just today and have no regrets on holding at my price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222674097575

[mmagliaro]

I have done two methods so far.

....
....
....

2. Recently, I have had a bit of success scoring the inside of the driver axle hole with a very sharp blade. I then added a very thin amount of green thread locker that is used to secure crowns on watches:
https://www.esslinger.com/loctite-2701-green-threadlocker-adhesive/

This method is essentially creating a groove and spline interface with the axle

When using method 2, you need to quarter the drivers while off the model. Be sure to secure the bearings and gear to the opposite side you are working on to prevent the thread locker from wicking onto those surfaces.

Fascinating!   I have long wondered about making score cuts into the inside of the axle hole and using Loctite.  I am glad to hear this actually works.  I will try it the next time I am faced with one of these.

[randgust]

I've established a certain list of 'mission critical' power on my ATSF layout and even my logging modules, and decided that the only way to stay sane in N is the same way my real railroad customers do.   Plan for failure; i.e. always have a spare locomotive or a plan as old locos never run right all the time and something is always down.    So my main line power is mostly six-axle old Katos, all with the same motor, gear ratio, and MU together well.   All told, I have ...hmmm....nine units in regular service.   So beside the nine in front-line service, I have...hmmm.... four spares, two of which are always ready to go.   That's extended down into every road job now with four-axle power, and even the yard where I have a spare Kato NW2 mechanism, as well as a standby 1982 Kato GP38 of all things.    I just don't assume I can get parts anymore.   If one goes down on me, swap it out, I'll get to it later.   And yes, Ebay is my friend to keep old power running.

With that philosophy, my logging operations on the portable modules also have ready spares for shows.  If you've seen them at Altoona, I've got 2-3 deep coverage so that if one goes down another comes in.    Finally got a spare Atlas Shay, as if ever there was a beautiful locomotive that is actually capable of self-destruction, that's it.     

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've established a certain list of 'mission critical' power on my ATSF layout and even my logging modules, and decided that the only way to stay sane in N is the same way my real railroad customers do.   Plan for failure; i.e. always have a spare locomotive or a plan as old locos never run right all the time and something is always down.    So my main line power is mostly six-axle old Katos, all with the same motor, gear ratio, and MU together well.   All told, I have ...hmmm....nine units in regular service.   So beside the nine in front-line service, I have...hmmm.... four spares, two of which are always ready to go.   That's extended down into every road job now with four-axle power, and even the yard where I have a spare Kato NW2 mechanism, as well as a standby 1982 Kato GP38 of all things.    I just don't assume I can get parts anymore.   If one goes down on me, swap it out, I'll get to it later.   And yes, Ebay is my friend to keep old power running.

With that philosophy, my logging operations on the portable modules also have ready spares for shows.  If you've seen them at Altoona, I've got 2-3 deep coverage so that if one goes down another comes in.    Finally got a spare Atlas Shay, as if ever there was a beautiful locomotive that is actually capable of self-destruction, that's it.     

This is a very good point. It's something I learned from doing NTRAK stuff. If you only bring "just enough power", one of them will cook a decoder or something, and you're gonna have a bad time.

Backups are always a good idea. It sucks, but when it comes to "mission critical" stuff, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

At least, that's my rationale for getting all four SD40-2s... I swear.

[Kentuckian]

Don’t the Navy Seals say “One is none, and two is one” or something like that?