Bachmann K27 acceptance trials

[KeithT]

This morning was my first chance to run the K27 on my layout.
I have one expected minor width problem at a bridge which is easily remedied.
Problems elsewhere though; I have only two R2 curves but it won't traverse those running forwards without derailing. This will entail a realignment of the curve and its support decking; traversing LGB R3 points (those points again!)causes a significant hoppity-hop-hop-hop and the same occurs over LGB track connectors. The front pony truck is largely to blame for the derailing I think because it seems to lack sufficient weight . A simillar problem to the front bogie of the Bachmann Annie.
The problem with the counterweights is now very obvious and there are distinct signs of "lock-up" of the rods due to the sloppiness in the fitting of the weights.
I don't intend to run it further until these are replaced and I definitely won't order a sound card until the problems are fixed.

To add insult to injury the front light has stopped working!

 

[barryw]

i also purchased a k27 but unable to run at this time do i need to attend to the weight problem or do i need to sent loco to backmann i thought these problems had all been resolved

 

[KeithT]

i also purchased a k27 but unable to run at this time do i need to attend to the weight problem or do i need to sent loco to backmann i thought these problems had all been resolved

Hi Barry

Have you tried to rotate the counterweights or check that they wobble if you try to move them laterally? There is only a problem if they move in relation to the wheels.

The replacement of the weights isn't difficult, the major problem looks to be holding the loco whilst you work on it. I intend to use the polystyrene packing that it came in.

Was it from Totally Trains?

I have emailed both Totally and Bachmann but no reply as yet.

 

[KeithT]

I have emailed both Totally and Bachmann but no reply as yet.

I know nothing about totally trains but this is Bachmann's problem, not theirs. You are wasting your time e-mailing Bachmann whether you are in the UK or anywhere else - they will only respond to a phone-call to 'customer service'. I have to say that in my experience there are better responders, and leave it at that to prevent breaking the rules and getting banned.

tac
http://www.ovgrs.org/ < Link To www.ovgrs.org
RLGSS Member

Thank tac I will do that.
However, the last time I contacted Bachmann by phone about an Annie I got the wrong bits!

Strictly though the retailer is responsible as I have the contract to purchase with them.
Having said that I don't care how or who resolves it!

 

[stevelewis]

From my experience of dealing with Bachmann a telephone call is the most effective way of getting things sorted out, When I required the balance weights for my K27 a Telephone call one Morning reulted in the weights being received the next day,
Keith has the phone number which I sent him or PM Me and I will send it.

Re working on the loco I suggest that it is placed on its side on a thick piece of foam ( Out of the K27 outer packaging)

Size of the K27 is a problem as I discovered even when my line was all R3 & R5 I had several clearance problems, unfortunately it was not poss to gain any extra space so the K27 went to a new home!!

 

[barryw]

it would seem that i need to contact backmann any one have the correct number please

 

[KeithT]

it would seem that i need to contact backmann any one have the correct number please

Barry
PM sent

 

[spike]

it would seem that i need to contact backmann any one have the correct number please

Barry
PM sent

I just filled in Bachmanns email form with "I want two sets of counterweights please "and quick as a flash they appeared.
My first ever contact with Bachmann and they did the business.
Excellent service.

 

[nico]

it would seem that i need to contact backmann any one have the correct number please

Barry
PM sent

I just filled in Bachmanns email form with "I want two sets of counterweights please "and quick as a flash they appeared.
My first ever contact with Bachmann and they did the business.
Excellent service.

whats the email address Mike

 

[KeithT]

it would seem that i need to contact backmann any one have the correct number please

Barry
PM sent

I just filled in Bachmanns email form with "I want two sets of counterweights please "and quick as a flash they appeared.
My first ever contact with Bachmann and they did the business.
Excellent service.

They must owe you money!
I live in hope.
It appears that there are lots of the Mark 1 K27s still about.
Either that or they are still being manufactured to the flawed spec' and being sold tongue in cheek.

 

[Richie]

This morning was my first chance to run the K27 on my layout.
I have one expected minor width problem at a bridge which is easily remedied.
Problems elsewhere though; I have only two R2 curves but it won't traverse those running forwards without derailing. This will entail a realignment of the curve and its support decking; traversing LGB R3 points (those points again!)causes a significant hoppity-hop-hop-hop and the same occurs over LGB track connectors. The front pony truck is largely to blame for the derailing I think because it seems to lack sufficient weight . A simillar problem to the front bogie of the Bachmann Annie.
The problem with the counterweights is now very obvious and there are distinct signs of "lock-up" of the rods due to the sloppiness in the fitting of the weights.
I don't intend to run it further until these are replaced and I definitely won't order a sound card until the problems are fixed.

To add insult to injury the front light has stopped working!

Sorry to hear of the trouble your having with your K-27 Keith :wits: It seems that we have all suffered one way or another when i got mine i found that a journal box lid was missing from the tender and the fire box flicker wasn't working . Steve sent the loco back to Bachmann who then fitted a new circuit board and replaced the counter weights at the same time , If you find that your front light isn't working it maybe the same circuit board that i had replaced if your loco does have to be returned i would get them to do the counter weights too . I found that when i E mailed them they did get back to me quick ( might have had something to do with how i wrote it wasn't a happy chappy ) . Once you have over come all these problems you will be pleased that you have the loco mine is the pride of my fleet never regret buying it .

 

[KeithT]

This morning was my first chance to run the K27 on my layout.
I have one expected minor width problem at a bridge which is easily remedied.
Problems elsewhere though; I have only two R2 curves but it won't traverse those running forwards without derailing. This will entail a realignment of the curve and its support decking; traversing LGB R3 points (those points again!)causes a significant hoppity-hop-hop-hop and the same occurs over LGB track connectors. The front pony truck is largely to blame for the derailing I think because it seems to lack sufficient weight . A simillar problem to the front bogie of the Bachmann Annie.
The problem with the counterweights is now very obvious and there are distinct signs of "lock-up" of the rods due to the sloppiness in the fitting of the weights.
I don't intend to run it further until these are replaced and I definitely won't order a sound card until the problems are fixed.

To add insult to injury the front light has stopped working!

Sorry to hear of the trouble your having with your K-27 Keith :wits: It seems that we have all suffered one way or another when i got mine i found that a journal box lid was missing from the tender and the fire box flicker wasn't working . Steve sent the loco back to Bachmann who then fitted a new circuit board and replaced the counter weights at the same time , If you find that your front light isn't working it maybe the same circuit board that i had replaced if your loco does have to be returned i would get them to do the counter weights too . I found that when i E mailed them they did get back to me quick ( might have had something to do with how i wrote it wasn't a happy chappy ) . Once you have over come all these problems you will be pleased that you have the loco mine is the pride of my fleet never regret buying it .

I had seen and admired it elsewhere. Mistakenly I thought that by delaying purchase the niggles would have been ironed out.
The thought of shipping the 'packing case' back especially as Bachmann state that they will not pay return postage is a tad offputting.

 

[Richie]

This morning was my first chance to run the K27 on my layout.
I have one expected minor width problem at a bridge which is easily remedied.
Problems elsewhere though; I have only two R2 curves but it won't traverse those running forwards without derailing. This will entail a realignment of the curve and its support decking; traversing LGB R3 points (those points again!)causes a significant hoppity-hop-hop-hop and the same occurs over LGB track connectors. The front pony truck is largely to blame for the derailing I think because it seems to lack sufficient weight . A simillar problem to the front bogie of the Bachmann Annie.
The problem with the counterweights is now very obvious and there are distinct signs of "lock-up" of the rods due to the sloppiness in the fitting of the weights.
I don't intend to run it further until these are replaced and I definitely won't order a sound card until the problems are fixed.

To add insult to injury the front light has stopped working!

Sorry to hear of the trouble your having with your K-27 Keith :wits: It seems that we have all suffered one way or another when i got mine i found that a journal box lid was missing from the tender and the fire box flicker wasn't working . Steve sent the loco back to Bachmann who then fitted a new circuit board and replaced the counter weights at the same time , If you find that your front light isn't working it maybe the same circuit board that i had replaced if your loco does have to be returned i would get them to do the counter weights too . I found that when i E mailed them they did get back to me quick ( might have had something to do with how i wrote it wasn't a happy chappy ) . Once you have over come all these problems you will be pleased that you have the loco mine is the pride of my fleet never regret buying it .

I had seen and admired it elsewhere. Mistakenly I thought that by delaying purchase the niggles would have been ironed out.
The thought of shipping the 'packing case' back especially as Bachmann state that they will not pay return postage is a tad offputting.

Do you happen to have a model shop that sells Bachmann close to you as they may collect and drop it off there if it needs to go back .

 

[KeithT]

This morning was my first chance to run the K27 on my layout.
I have one expected minor width problem at a bridge which is easily remedied.
Problems elsewhere though; I have only two R2 curves but it won't traverse those running forwards without derailing. This will entail a realignment of the curve and its support decking; traversing LGB R3 points (those points again!)causes a significant hoppity-hop-hop-hop and the same occurs over LGB track connectors. The front pony truck is largely to blame for the derailing I think because it seems to lack sufficient weight . A simillar problem to the front bogie of the Bachmann Annie.
The problem with the counterweights is now very obvious and there are distinct signs of "lock-up" of the rods due to the sloppiness in the fitting of the weights.
I don't intend to run it further until these are replaced and I definitely won't order a sound card until the problems are fixed.

To add insult to injury the front light has stopped working!

Sorry to hear of the trouble your having with your K-27 Keith :wits: It seems that we have all suffered one way or another when i got mine i found that a journal box lid was missing from the tender and the fire box flicker wasn't working . Steve sent the loco back to Bachmann who then fitted a new circuit board and replaced the counter weights at the same time , If you find that your front light isn't working it maybe the same circuit board that i had replaced if your loco does have to be returned i would get them to do the counter weights too . I found that when i E mailed them they did get back to me quick ( might have had something to do with how i wrote it wasn't a happy chappy ) . Once you have over come all these problems you will be pleased that you have the loco mine is the pride of my fleet never regret buying it .

I had seen and admired it elsewhere. Mistakenly I thought that by delaying purchase the niggles would have been ironed out.
The thought of shipping the 'packing case' back especially as Bachmann state that they will not pay return postage is a tad offputting.

Do you happen to have a model shop that sells Bachmann close to you as they may collect and drop it off there if it needs to go back .

I am not sure that there is. It could be a bit difficult asking them to return something bought elsewhere.
However, if I encounter problems I t is an option.
The whole thing is annoying at this stage rather than catastrophic. If I don't hear anything by tomorrow then I start getting "edgy".:impatient::thumbdown:

 

[Richie]

This morning was my first chance to run the K27 on my layout.
I have one expected minor width problem at a bridge which is easily remedied.
Problems elsewhere though; I have only two R2 curves but it won't traverse those running forwards without derailing. This will entail a realignment of the curve and its support decking; traversing LGB R3 points (those points again!)causes a significant hoppity-hop-hop-hop and the same occurs over LGB track connectors. The front pony truck is largely to blame for the derailing I think because it seems to lack sufficient weight . A simillar problem to the front bogie of the Bachmann Annie.
The problem with the counterweights is now very obvious and there are distinct signs of "lock-up" of the rods due to the sloppiness in the fitting of the weights.
I don't intend to run it further until these are replaced and I definitely won't order a sound card until the problems are fixed.

To add insult to injury the front light has stopped working!

Sorry to hear of the trouble your having with your K-27 Keith :wits: It seems that we have all suffered one way or another when i got mine i found that a journal box lid was missing from the tender and the fire box flicker wasn't working . Steve sent the loco back to Bachmann who then fitted a new circuit board and replaced the counter weights at the same time , If you find that your front light isn't working it maybe the same circuit board that i had replaced if your loco does have to be returned i would get them to do the counter weights too . I found that when i E mailed them they did get back to me quick ( might have had something to do with how i wrote it wasn't a happy chappy ) . Once you have over come all these problems you will be pleased that you have the loco mine is the pride of my fleet never regret buying it .

I had seen and admired it elsewhere. Mistakenly I thought that by delaying purchase the niggles would have been ironed out.
The thought of shipping the 'packing case' back especially as Bachmann state that they will not pay return postage is a tad offputting.

Do you happen to have a model shop that sells Bachmann close to you as they may collect and drop it off there if it needs to go back .

I am not sure that there is. It could be a bit difficult asking them to return something bought elsewhere.
However, if I encounter problems I t is an option.
The whole thing is annoying at this stage rather than catastrophic. If I don't hear anything by tomorrow then I start getting "edgy".:impatient::thumbdown:

It may have been my edgy E mail that got noticed at Bachmann . Steve had a sales man collect and deliver the loco i had asked Bachmann that i whated a replacement but the same loco came back good as new in 2-3wks , Been fine since.

 

[KeithT]

The K27 is being returned.
I spoke to Totally Trains this morning who referred me to Bachmann.
Bachmann who claimed to have replied to my email - I haven't seen it - asked if the box had a red dot on it(? it hasn't and they never explained the significance, they did not offer replacement counterweights but suggested that they would repair it under warranty if I paid the carriage.
I went back to Totally who have agreed to replace it although not in quite the same livery.
I have to say that with Totally I did not feel a valued customer. "They are not as reliable as LGB you know." This about a loco which did not work on day 1. They did not arrange pick-up even though they have a Parcel Force account.

BTW List of faults: loose counterweights, front headlight out, smoke sucked into boiler instead of coming out of chimney and broken off regulator handle.
Distance buying can be a bit of a trial at times.

 

[Tony Walsham]

A follow up on the loose counterweights.
The test is to see if the counterweights are loose on the axles relative to each other. Not the wheels. The wheels are loose on the axles anyway, by design.

You can easily tell which run version it is by looking at the tender trucks. If it has visible wiper contacts on the tender axles it is a version # 1. Version # 2 had metal side frames and no axle wipers. Every version # 2 I have seen has had the counterweights replaced.

Yes the fan sucks "smoke" down instead of blowing it up. The only way to fix that is to remove the boiler and turn the fan over. Doing so will require shorter self tapping screws. Be sure and ask Bachmann to do that when they get the loco back. It is easy to get the boiler off but very difficult to get it back on again unless you know the trick to the procedure.

 

[KeithT]

A follow up on the loose counterweights.
The test is to see if the counterweights are loose on the axles relative to each other. Not the wheels. The wheels are loose on the axles anyway, by design.

You can easily tell which run version it is by looking at the tender trucks. If it has visible wiper contacts on the tender axles it is a version # 1. Version # 2 had metal side frames and no axle wipers. Every version # 2 I have seen has had the counterweights replaced.

Yes the fan sucks "smoke" down instead of blowing it up. The only way to fix that is to remove the boiler and turn the fan over. Doing so will require shorter self tapping screws. Be sure and ask Bachmann to do that when they get the loco back. It is easy to get the boiler off but very difficult to get it back on again unless you know the trick to the procedure.

Hi Tony
The tender has the visible wipers and I found a shipping date on the outer box of Jan 2008 so it is definitely a V 1 loco and presumably the replacement (it is gong back to the retailer) will be the same.
Clearly the retailer is disposing of old stock.
The "price was right" but it shows the disadvatages of not buying locally and not knowing the detail either!

 

[KeithT]

K27 has gone back to its "maker".
With luck - a lot - I might have its replacement by the weekend.
It's not been all bad news today I have booked a trip to Austria in August to incude the Zillertalbahn and the Achensee Cog Railway. All travel to be by train, assuming Eurostar behaves that is.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and guidance. It is much appreciated.
I am not an expert on K27s but I am now much better informed!

 

[silverflyer]

Hi Keith,

Sorry to hear of your problems with the K27, I think I'll wait a while.

I too will be in Austria in August this year, stayed in Mayrhofen every year for the last 20 years, love the Zillertal region it's a great place.

Hope you have a great time.

Regards

Bruce.