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
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