Bachmann Pancake Motors

Mr. Controller,

The best solution I have found for the engines with the pancake motors, is a conversion to dummy status. The power truck design was just plan poor engineering. The other option is to arrange to send it to Bachmann, they will usually replace it with a newer engine for a nominal fee. In either case good luck.

More here https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/old-school-diesel-meets-new-electronics-12189434

Regards John ******************************************

Whoever controls the media, controls the mind. <> Jim Morrison

Pancake motors

Thank you John, that is a good reply lots to think about. Cheers

Idler gears are cracked

Bachmann Pancake motors are notorious for cracked idler gears.  It is ironic, because the very same pancake motor design was used in low end Life Like units.  Those had a different idler gear design and hardly ever cracked. 

The problem with these motors is mainly the lack of or to much lubrication.  They really need a small amount of a good grease on the gears.  To much and it gets flung up into to the brushes.  They also collect all the gunk that it comes close to and it gets stuck in the gears.  To often they are used with track on carpet and the motor quickly is full of loose carpet fibers. 

There are still a large number of these units that show up at flea markets and on e-bay.  Usually one of the two gears has some life left in it.  The problem you have with Bachmann is that they change their designs so often.  That is true for the newer units as well as the older models.  Basic parts are seldom interchangeable.  So you have to be careful to get the parts that you need.  If you have a otherwise good running motor, replacing the gears will be worth it. 

Larry

Bachmann Cracked Gears

If the GP50 has sentimental value, then a quest to get it running is understandable. If you are looking for operation, I strongly suggest putting you time and money in a different task.

The new Bachmann standard line engines are of decent designs, and are starting to use some standard parts. The cracked gear problem has been a reoccurring problem in the Bachmann line for years. I'm not sure if it has been poor design, poor materials or poor manufacturing procedures. I suspect that it has been as combination of 2 or more of the previous listed items.

I do not like the older pancake motors, I consider the truck design inferior, When it is in good shape and working it is a poor performer.

I like the newer standard line engines. They are affordable, and for the most part reliable. I do try to buy a few extra engines as available spare parts is not a strong point for Bachmann engines. They tend to keep parts for current production engines only.

Again Good Luck, John ************************************************************************

A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem. <> Albert Einstein

.

Ibid

If you must repair the model, then about the only options are to have gears custom made, or to salvage gears out of other models.  Fortunately, the older pancake motor models are readily available and dirt cheap, since almost nobody wants them, and most if not al of them used the same motors and gears.  Also, I and many others over the years have built "super-power" versions using two motorized trucks, and I would suggest doing so unless you insist on keeping the model in its stock configuration.

However, I would strongly recommend that you reconsider repairing the model.  Keep the shell and put it onto a newer, more reliable frame.  Or simply replace the model, as the newer production models tend to have better details, better paint, and much better mechanical components.  Frugality is one thing, but it's another to try to salvage something which is well and truly gone.

I won't go so far as to say that you must get rid of the GP50, or that you're a fool for not doing so.  Repair is possible, and probably the least expensive option.  But I would feel negligent had I not at least pointed out (as others have done before me) that you might not get the best value for the time and money you will invest.  What you do is of course your own decision, and I would be glad to see the results either way.