Bachmann Thomas woes

Madman

Madman

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I have just about given up on my Bachmann Thomas loco. I really don't think it's made to run in a garden railway. Rather I believe it should have a continuos perfectly level tack with no turnouts and such.

I have come to the conclusion that the wheelbase is too long and ridged. The ridged part I took care of some time ago by elongating the axle bushings and installing springs inside the motor block to keep the wheels down on the rail. It works just okay, but on turnouts it will derail unless I ease it through with the throttle. Basically I was hoping to just let it run when the little ones request to see Thomas.

An alternative would;d be to set up an oval somewhere, but where? That would never get an approval. Or possibly looking at the Lionel version. I have no experience with it however.
 
Hi Don,

I converted my Thomas to battery powered remote control as, being mostly live steam, I have no power to my track. I found that the added weight of the batteries made the little loco stay on the track and run really well. I have some steep gradients and sharp bends and he copes well. In fact he is a really useful engine!! The kids love it. ;D

May I suggest opening him up and adding a bit of weight. There is a good bit of space under the bonnet to do this.
All the best.

Cheers!
Keith N.
 
Re the Lionel version: I always thought it looked poor and I'd read that the brass wheels gunk up very quickly. On the other hand, the motor block seems to have been reliable. This is worth a read as a comparison between Lionel and Bachmann ?

http://familygardentrains.com/primer/rolling_stock/thomas_shootout/thomas_shootout.htm
 
If you have a Fishing tackle shop near, buy some SEA Fishing weights they are fairly inexpensive and heavy

Easily cut to size and if nescessary pounded into shape with a hammer to fit! Also worth wrapping with insulation or sellotape before fixing in place

Remember though to wash hands thoroughly after you have handled them and keep away from children
 
I've fitted my Thomas with RC, it's all fitted inside Annie.

The extra weight improve Annie's ride quality, and as I used a 12v pack the speed is still plentiful, but Thomas stays on the rails as he doesn't take off like a scalded cat!!
 
I've done all of the above as far as converting to battery and R/C. I have added quite a bit of weight to the loco also. My tightest curves are R2. My track work would get a grade of B if I was a teacher.
 
ntpntpntp said:
Re the Lionel version: I always thought it looked poor and I'd read that the brass wheels gunk up very quickly. On the other hand, the motor block seems to have been reliable. This is worth a read as a comparison between Lionel and Bachmann ?

http://familygardentrains.com/primer/rolling_stock/thomas_shootout/thomas_shootout.htm
Click to expand...


Thanks, that was interesting and surprising at the same time. Might have a second look at Lionel's version.
 
I cannot comment on the Bachmann Thomas, as I don't own one ;).
However, I do have Bachmann's Percy, Toby and Emily, and I find they run well.
I own two Lionel Thomas sets and a James. With a bit of twitching from God's hand, they run show after show, and have for 20 years. My principal beef with them is the pickup system, carbon bushes in tubes, the bushes being held against the back of the outer driving wheels by springs. Unfortunately, the bushes seem to jam in the tubes, and frequently lose contact with the wheels, which have considerable sideplay. This results in frequent hesitations or outright stops; some days are worse than others ;).
I know I should open the chassis and check the innards, but I have always been reluctant to do this because I tend to lose small bits :-[. Also, I need high-power magnifiers to see said bits 8).
I am considering installing battery r/c in one Annie and removing the track pickups from its Thomas. Not so good for shows when the trains run for several hours, but OK in the backyard.
An alternative, for track power, is to use ball-bearing pickup wheels under Annie to augment Thomas's pickups. I could do the same with James's tender. Must get a round tuit ::).
Incidentally, I find Paul Race's analysis of the two Thomases to be spot on.
 
My Bachmann Thomas runs fine round the garden. It has coped with heavy handling and is a great reliable performer.
 
Mine runs around the R1s in the trailer without any problems - apart from the coaches becoming uncoupled (solved with a few links of chain).
 
Dan, I agree on Thomas. In fact i use him as a test, if he will run round then everything is in good order! I suspect he is a product of a bench test track in some chineese factory. Once he is running ok you know everything else will. For example he is less tolerant than my aristo 66.

He needs lgb type flanges, and mine is loaded with lead and runs at a permanent 7,2v. The wheelbasd is also too rigid.

Having said all that once i have played around with the levels and ballasting he will run all day.

Ian
 
Just for the jollies, I dug out a couple of sets of LGB ball-bearing pickup wheels (I`ve had `em for years for another project that I haven`t got around to :-[) and installed them on my Lionel James tender. They fit nicely, so I reckon I`ll take James and the tender apart and install a connection to James` motor. Yes, I know very few British tenders had solid wheels, but they are fairly unobtrusive in a side view. I may paint the shiny rims to make them less obvious.

100_2055 (Copy).JPG
100_2054 (Copy).JPG

I may also replace the middle axle with non-pickup solid wheels just to make it match, but that can wait.
While I was at it, I installed a second pair of BB axles on a new set of `bearings` for Annie, so I can connect her electrically to Thomas. The original bearings have to be replaced anyway; they got bent in the box. Clarabel will get a set of Bachmann metal wheels. The coaches should have solid wheels, so all`s good :)

100_2063 (Copy).JPG

 
A Lionel Thomas arrived two days ago. I found it on Ebay for less than $50.00 including shipping. I immediately set to work converting it to operate on battery power. I added some weight but not quite enough yet. During trial runs it derailed on two of my R3 turnouts. At first I blamed the frogs. But before I decided to change the switch tracks out, I decided to add more weight at the front, just behind the pilot. Problem solved. Ran it last night for an hour and had not one issue. I'm very pleased with it. It also had no trouble hauling the trailing battery car and two Bachmann coaches, Annie and Clarabel.
 
[quote author=Chris Vernell link=topic=301724.msg357733#msg357733 date=1438443399]
I cannot comment on the Bachmann Thomas, as I don`t own one ;).
However, I do have Bachmann`s Percy, Toby and Emily, and I find they run well.
I own two Lionel Thomas sets and a James. With a bit of twitching from God`s hand, they run show after show, and have for 20 years. My principal beef with them is the pickup system, carbon bushes in tubes, the bushes being held against the back of the outer driving wheels by springs. Unfortunately, the bushes seem to jam in the tubes, and frequently lose contact with the wheels, which have considerable sideplay. This results in frequent hesitations or outright stops; some days are worse than others ;).
I know I should open the chassis and check the innards, but I have always been reluctant to do this because I tend to lose small bits :-[. Also, I need high-power magnifiers to see said bits 8).
I am considering installing battery r/c in one Annie and removing the track pickups from its Thomas. Not so good for shows when the trains run for several hours, but OK in the backyard.
An alternative, for track power, is to use ball-bearing pickup wheels under Annie to augment Thomas`s pickups. I could do the same with James`s tender. Must get a round tuit ::).
Incidentally, I find Paul Race`s analysis of the two Thomases to be spot on.
[/quote]

One round tuit as requested ;D ;D

a_round_tuit.jpg

 
Would the Round Tuit be for everyone to use? I certainly hope so. Incidentally, when I dismantled the Lionel Thomas, I noticed that the brushes were not all making contact with the backs of the wheels. I removed the brushes, springs and holders, all of which were is very good condition.
 
Madman said:
Would the Round Tuit be for everyone to use? I certainly hope so. Incidentally, when I dismantled the Lionel Thomas, I noticed that the brushes were not all making contact with the backs of the wheels. I removed the brushes, springs and holders, all of which were is very good condition.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is a perpetual problem with Lionel Thomas and James.
 
Do not understand all your problems, just Thomas being naughty. You need the Fat Controller to give him a good talking to.
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
Do not understand all your problems, just Thomas being naughty. You need the Fat Controller to give him a good talking to.
JonD
Click to expand...


When I acquired my Bachmann Thomas last year, he ran with a grade of B-. I had to make sure my track, particularly the turnouts, were in good condition and also keep a watchful eye on him. As I mentioned earlier, I did some remediation to Thomas' suspension system, of which there was none. This helped greatly but still didn't allow me to run him while I sat back with a beer.

Another note about Lionel's Thomas. I measured the depth of the flanges and found them to be smaller than Bachmann or LGB loco flanges. This could have an issue with turnouts, as it did for me in my first testing. The added weight to the front of the loco solved this issue.
 
My grandchildren's Bachmann Thomas was purchased two years ago. I converted it to battery (14.4v), RCS radio control and (needless to say) MyLocoSound. The wheels, etc. were not touched. Has run very well for two years with no derailments (except when a three year old kicks it :()

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound
 
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