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Improving running of Bachmann 4-4-0 Standard locomotives Locos and rolling stock
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Active Member 40 posts RussR Active Member 40 posts
RussR

Hi Everyone,

I did a bit of a search but couldn't find much on this..

i bought some Bachmann 4-4-0's (the ones from the golden spike ceremony) and they're a bit noisy (and one of the lights doesn't work)

anyone got any tips on how to improve their running? and what i should change about them? i know early bachmanns are a bit rough, but I assume there is something i can do?

Thanks in advance!

Russ
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DKRickman Prolific poster 3,069 posts
DKRickman

Remotor them

These models are pretty simple, from what I remember.  There's not a lot you can do to improve them, except replacing the motors with better can motors.  That should go a long way toward making them run quieter.

Other improvements I would consider, depending on time and money:

  • Replace the wheels in the pilot and tender trucks with larger size, smaller flanges
  • File or turn the driver flanges down
  • Replace the drive shaft with a smaller one made of metal wire, so that it is less obvious visually
  • Add electrical pickups on the pilot truck
  • Convert the tender trucks to all wheel pickup, instead of one side per truck
  • Install a small DCC decoder in the tender

Visually, I would also consider replacing the wood pile in the tender and the details on the boiler, especially the bell.

I remember testing one of these on a club layout, and found that it was one of the strongest pullers on the line.  The traction tires make a huge difference.  The drivers are actually fairly nice (I use them for building much larger models, since they are the right diameter and hard to find elsewhere), although they need counterweights.

Ken Rickman

Danville & Western HO modeler and web historian

http://southern-railway.railfan.net/dw/
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hminky Regular poster (deceased) 458 posts
hminky

I have a "what I did" about

I have a "what I did" about improving performance at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/bachmann_4-4-0/wipers/

The newer "Blue Box" ones have smaller flanges and the new motors run well. If you have an older one a new motor and tender chassis run about $18.00 from Bachmann.

Putting pickups on all the wheels will make it run great.

I have reduced the driver flanges by putting the wheels in an electric drill with a file. They are self-quartering which is great.

Thank you if you visit

Harold
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lexon Prolific poster 1,211 posts
lexon

DCC

You can also put a non sound N scale decoder in these like a DZ125. I have done an older Bachmann 4-4-0, IHC 4-4-0 and Mantua General.

The decoders I used a few years ago are N scale decoders.

Rich

Rich
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Wabash Banks Regular poster 471 posts
Wabash Banks

I have one of these I would

I have one of these I would like to improve as well! Thanks for the great replies as I have found them very useful as well!
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lexon Prolific poster 1,211 posts
lexon

Bachmann standard 4-4-0

If OP is still around. Bachmann advertising a new HO version with DCC and sound and DCC ready with 8 pin NMRA socket.

When they show up, shop online. Pricey.

Motor will be shifted to the boiler and the tender will only have decoder and speaker.

The 2014 announcement at the Bachmann site shows a file photo of the older tender drive models.

Rich
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