[TomTank]

I didn't know where to post this

I bought Bachmann B1 Springbok, and after running it, I have found it is the worst running loco I have ever bought, it is jerky when it runs, I have looked up on the web issues, and I found some saying excess oil, there was a bit, so I moved that, tried running again, but still it's very jerky.

I have hear issues to do with the split chassis,

Is there anything I can do to get my brand new B1 to run better?

 

[MEGair]

Hi Tomtank,
I too recently bought a Bachmann B1, but was 2nd hand on ebay OZ. I only bought it because there were no other bidders and I only paid A$75 incl postage, about GDP30. I would not have bought it otherwise. Mine runs okay, but the centre driving wheel on left side has a slight wobble. I would not normally recommend them as I have heard the same thing and someone bought a new one at our local shop and the next week I saw it on a mates workbench being repaired. Yes you are right, it has to do with the split chassis, the plastic sleeve around the axle can break and how they have quatered the wheels. Sometimes it's eithertoo much or not enough white gease. All that does not help a good model.

I think you have several options; persist with it and try and rectify it yourself, and risk using it as a static model on your layout or the bin, or take it back to the shop where you bought it and replace it. I suggest the later and don't buy another until Bachmann do a complete new chassis for the B1, and buy a K3 or another eastern region loco, much better and newer style chassis. If you decide to keep it, I would suggest thinking about a complete new Chassis Kit from Comet, available from Mainly Trains @ around GDP25, wheels, motor and gearbox will be extra. Once this one goes, thats what I will be doing.

Also when I go to exhibitions, swapmeets, I always take a 9volt battery, like those used in smoke detectors, with me to test the locos. Works a treat.

I hope this helps.
MArk

 

[TomTank]

thanks for replying MEGair,

problem is I bought at a Model Railway Exhibition (Harrogate) so taking it backs a problem, it's so annoying as all my other Bachmann locos run sweet!.

FOr now it's on shed, and looks to stay that way for now.

I have a K3, so thats doing the surburban duties. Funny thing is I bought an older V2 from the mid 90's and it runs a treat, yet this new B1 is crap! Grr

Cheers for the advice. it's much appreciated

Tom

 

[MEGair]

Hi Tom,
It's unfortunate for you that thats the case with the B1. One other option I have just thought of is to contact Bachmann and explain it all to them. I have had a good response from them, though only for spares etc.

Yea, my late 90's V2 runs nicely too. All mine are in LNER colours though.

I noticed you had some video of your layout on MRF, is it still accessible, I think it was on youtube?

Talking about Bachmann, have you heard anything about the 2009 range? All I know is the Peppercorn A2 is being done.
Any news at the Harrogate show?

cheers for now
Mark

 

[RFS]

If it's new then it will still be under guarantee so I'd contact Bachmann service department via their web-site. I had a problem with a new 9F and it was repaired free of charge.

 

[TomTank]

Hi all

well I just had a reply from Bachmann saying
Thank you for your enquiry. Sometimes when B1s have stood for a while need the axles and journals cleaning - take chassis from body and then remove baseplate. Lift each axle in turn and clean out the journal and stub axle with isopropanol and a cotton bud.
Regards


my question is, what is exactly the base plate on the chassis?

 

[BobB]

I haven't got a B1 (well it is a kettle when all said and done) but it sounds as if they have constructed it the same way as the diesel class 08. That has a plastic plate between the wheels with a screw at each end. When you take it off you can see the axles. Gently lift them all out and clean both the axles and the slots. Getting it all back in is a bit of a fiddle especially if you have inadvertently got it back to front or upside down, neither of which are recomended (!)

 

[TomTank]

QUOTE (BobB @ 2 Feb 2009, 13:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I haven't got a B1 (well it is a kettle when all said and done) but it sounds as if they have constructed it the same way as the diesel class 08. That has a plastic plate between the wheels with a screw at each end. When you take it off you can see the axles. Gently lift them all out and clean both the axles and the slots. Getting it all back in is a bit of a fiddle especially if you have inadvertently got it back to front or upside down, neither of which are recomended (!)

Cheers Bob, well I have cleaned them, there wasn't much lubricant there, well not enough to cause problems.

Anyhow, put back together, and...

it runs as bad as before, jerky, really jerky!

Anyhow I have emailed Bachmann, im hoping for a replacement. Maybe thats wishful thinking!

 

[BobB]

Hi TomTank

Sorry, forgot to mention, I put a small amount of Peco Electrolube. I actually worked a treat, I don't even stutter going over insulfrog points !

 

[TomTank]

Well Bachmann never replied after I told them there solution didn't work.

am i right to ask for a replacement?

 

[madon37s]

QUOTE (TomTank @ 3 Feb 2009, 09:51) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Well Bachmann never replied after I told them there solution didn't work.

am i right to ask for a replacement?

Hi Tomtank if I were you I would try and replace it wth a different loco. I had a brand new one bought me for Christmas just gone and had to send it back, I had a replacement and that was as bad as the first one even after running in an hour each way (forward and backward).

Its a real shame as I like the look of the B1. I think we will have to wait until Bachmann decide to do a revised model of it with their new type chassis.

Good luck with whatever course you decide to take.

Kind regards
Paul

 

[sharris]

Oh deer ...Not another loco that dosn't work properly does anyone have one that runs well . what with and the problems with hornby T9. I am beging to wander whats going on .

 

[34C]

The Bachmann split chassis is by now a fairly ancient design: the B1 with the current chassis was probably introduced in the early 1990s. Never the most sophisticated runner, and wears out faster than a conventional chassis. I am another impatient for Bachmann to complete their announced programme of replacements with the conventional chassis design.

That said, the motor used in the Bachmann split chassis units is a good one. On B1's, probably the most common problem causing jerky running is the cosmetic wheel inserts bowing outwards and fouling the rods as the wheels rotate, causing a 'stick, and let go' effect. The other common cause is one or more of the plastic insulators forming the centre of the driven wheel axles becoming a loose fit. If either of these faults are present then a return to retailer is indicated. It is possible to fix these problems, but I would only do it as 'life extension', not on a new purchase.

 

[billericaybill]

I have had 3 B1's, all imho junk. One went back to the shop straightaway and was swapped. the other two have not grown up to be anything useful. They have various problems with wobbly wheels, probably imprecise quartering and poor pick up. I might try the tip on this thread to clean out the axle slots. My K3 is also a poor runner. I have had the odd UK steam loco that has not disappointed but have given up trying to put a UK steam era layout together. The latest steam efforts although nice looking seem also to have disappointed people. The diesel era is much better catered for, at least they glide away when I turn the knob. My German steam creeps off so quietly it can sneak of the scenic section unnoticed. But this quality costs, perhaps more than UK modelers want to pay. I would have thought that their technology could be imitated at reasonable price but it seems to have escaped H & B's attention.
Andrew

 

[PeterPug]

It would be nice to have a separate 'Horror Stories' thread so that we can be forewarned. My dread is ordering stuff that turns out to be a complete dog, and then having to wait / pay postage etc.
Actually, I'm still reeling from the pictures of the Royal Scot in the review on this site. Does it really have a bendy running-plate?

 

[dwb]

QUOTE Actually, I'm still reeling from the pictures of the Royal Scot in the review on this site. Does it really have a bendy running-plate? ohmy.gif

That one is still bent. I would be interested to know if other models have the same problem or if mine is a "one off". I may try to "rescue" it by fitting Brassmasters detailing kit - that will fix the chimney profile too.

David

 

[TomTank]

Thanks for all your help guys, im sending it back to Bachmann tomorrow

 

[madon37s]

A good choice if I may say so Tomtank.

Kind regards

Paul

 

[34C]

QUOTE (billericaybill @ 4 Feb 2009, 13:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>.. I have had the odd UK steam loco that has not disappointed but have given up trying to put a UK steam era layout together. The latest steam efforts although nice looking seem also to have disappointed people. The diesel era is much better catered for, at least they glide away when I turn the knob. My German steam creeps off so quietly it can sneak of the scenic section unnoticed. But this quality costs, perhaps more than UK modelers want to pay. I would have thought that their technology could be imitated at reasonable price but it seems to have escaped H & B's attention. ..
On balance, I am happy enough with the past decade's UK steam model introductions. From an appearance perspective the models are just so much better than what went before; and more significantly, better than what I can routinely achieve from a kit, and make a good basis for further small improvements. I do regret Bachmann dropping the Buhler and Mashima five pole motors they were using for a three pole motor of their own manufacture, and some of Hornby's mechanical and electrical arrangements have been a bit flaky. Would I pay 10% more for improvement in these areas - yes - or in Hornby's case I would trade largely invisible painted detail inside cabs for mechanism improvements. But these manufacturers presumably know what our notoriously price sensitive market will bear, and what it prioritises for the money...

But that said, the basic components are sufficiently good that there has been no problem obtaining satisfactory mechanical performance out of any purchase. But with a few notable exceptions (Bachmann's 9F and Fairburn tank, Hornby's Britannia) most have needed some adjustment or modification to obtain the performance I want. Pick up wipers almost always need a tweak or two, and then there is specific stuff by model.

QUOTE (PeterPug @ 4 Feb 2009, 19:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>.. I'm still reeling from the pictures of the Royal Scot in the review on this site. Does it really have a bendy running-plate? ..
Not a general fault as far as I know, but I've only seen a couple of these rebuilt Scots that friend's own; and have a rebuilt Patriot (fundamentally the same loco) which is fine. But what I did notice on the Pate is how tight a fit the brackets on the footplate are over the pivots for the expansion link. The first attempt to replace the body after decoder fitting, was obstructed by these brackets fouling. I reduced their thickness to make them an easy fit. Had one remained fouled, and the body screw been tightened, I should think the footplate would have assumed a bend similar to that in the photograph.

 

[PeterPug]

QUOTE That one is still bent. I would be interested to know

David
I appologise about touching a raw spot there.
It was only after I'd posted it I thought that it might not have been such a sensible thing to say. After checking out the pictures on Hattons and other sites I got the impression that it was not how they all looked and could possibly have been the way the body was put back on after chipping - but I guess you've checked that out.

The idea of a 'Horror Stories' thread does not seem to have caught on.