Bachmann gear replacements

[gregh]

I have four Bachmann Big Haulers ? my first ever loco purchased in 1994 is one. One failure mode is the 'plastic' gear on the axle splitting. In the past, I have used a soldering iron to melt the plastic back together again. Finding replacements from Bachmann has been impossible. This might help those of you with the same problem.

Recently I was fitting 2.4 GHz radio control to my big blue Garratt, which has 2 Big Hauler motor units. Both of the final drive gears were split. The 2 units have different types of gearboxes. The front unit has 28 teeth/24mm dia and the rear unit 26 teeth/22.5mm dia. Both shafts measured ¼?, but the gears have no collar (if that?s the right term)

On the web I found http://www.hobbyparts.com.au/ < Link To www.hobbyparts.com.au in Queensland that seem to have every imaginable gear ? the problem is searching the website to find what you want. I found two that looked OK and ordered them. They seem to mesh perfectly. Here?s the links to the two I used:

http://www.hobbyparts.com.au/store/item/gs32260476b0635achp/gearsspur32pitch20degree/
http://www.hobbyparts.com.au/store/item/gs32280476b0635achp/gearsspur32pitch20degree/

They are around $10 each incl postage.
The only problem was they are a loose fit on the shaft. They have a nice big collar, so I had to drill through the collar and axle and screw them on. Maybe next time I buy them with a smaller shaft hole and drill it out myself.
I?ve run a few times and all seems OK.

 

[peterbunce]

Thanks for that Greg, very interesting, the only downside for us in England is the carriage charge of approx £33.00!

But its still helpful - Thanks

 

[gregh]

Thanks for that Greg, very interesting, the only downside for us in England is the carriage charge of approx £33.00!

Good Grief. That's ridiculous. I wonder how companies manage to do business some times. They obviously won't get any international business. I now notice their statement that "Under no circumstances will goods be sent by regular post." Maybe there is some justification for bulky/expensive items, but surely small stuff can go in a small padded bag. I know I was cheesed off enough by having to go to the Post Office to pick it up my 2 gears, as a signature was required for the Express Post.

Not just this company either. I virtually can't but from the US anymore as all the companies will only send by UPS or similar couriers and not by normal post. Luckily Hong Kong is still cheap.