First Newbie Question Bachmann 4-6-0

Handsomerob

Handsomerob

Catching the fever
O.k. I received my first Non Thomas Engine today, a Bachmann 4-6-0 Rio Grande Southern #25 it is used and did not cost me much compared to what it's worth new.

My question is: when I run it I hear a gear kind of whirring sound, I opened up the drive section and inspected the gears everything looks in good order and there is lubrication where I would expect.

I put a battery in it and the sound works but the whirring sound isn't completely masked by it.

I basically want to know if this is "Normal" for these engines or should I be concerned?

By Comparison Thomas makes no noise except for the clacking of the track.

Thanks in advance.
 
It's quite common for there to be some motor/gear/wheel noise but it should be of a low level and certainly not overly intrusive. I presume the loco is track powered? Do you know how old it is? - The reason I ask is that there are two versions, commonly known as the "Big Hauler" for the older versions which usually has plastic side rods and the "Annie" (for Anniversary version) with metal side rods. The Big Hauler version frequently suffers from gear issues when it ages, they're made of a plastic which can harden and crack. That was addressed in the Annie. However, the symptom of cracked gears is motor noise without motion, so providing the loco is moving with a reasonable application of throttle you don't have that problem.

One thing to make sure of is that the loco has been lubricated, but importantly, not over lubricated. Lack of lubrication, or too much old oil or grease which has started to harden, could cause noise and sluggishness; and of course accelerated wear as well.

Bachmann maintains their own forum on their website, http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/board,6.0.html. It's not the best forum in the world, but worth keeping an occasional eye on if you run Bachmann stuff. There is a guy who posts there (Loco Bill) who will answer almost any 4-6-0 question, he's the sort of unofficial historian of the type.

In addtion there is George Schreyer's website: http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips.html. This contains a number of technical tips on large scale issues, including quite a number relating to the Big Hauler (or Bug Mauler as you will sometimes hear it called) 4-6-0. Although it hasn't been maintained for a few years (George hasn't been particularly well) it is still a very valuable resource.

Hope this helps. A very large number of us started with this loco, and it's both loved and loathed in about equal measure across the hobby. Personally, I love mine (which is converted to battery power) and it has given many years of good service. With a bit of luck and some occasional attention yours should too.

Steve

PS My Thomas is also a lot quiter than my Annie, but then it is a much lighter loco.
 
Well this one is the Big Haulers series, I noticed the Anniversary editions looked much more impressive however for Less then $80 US I figured this was a good way to start my collection, My Daughter loves Thomas and Percy but I wanted an Engine I could run outside with lights, sound and smoke, I also have a used LGB 2020 Stainz on the way.

perhaps I can get some video of it and maybe the sound will be evident. I'll see what I can do might not be until the weekend.

Thanks for the response!
 
Well, this gives you some idea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fo6z_gOqmY. At that price, though, it's hard to see how you could go wrong!
 
Thanks, the whirring sound I would say is normal from what I can hear under the sounds from the speaker in that video, I took the drive apart again and while I was looking I noticed that the wheels weren't all in phase, one was out I was able to rotate the wheel on the shaft and line up the wheels again now none of the side arms deflect. I believe this was causing some of the noise I was hearing.

I really appreciate all the help so far.
 
That's known as the quartering being out; it's a relatively common problem (and it affected real steam locos as well) if the wheels aren't a sufficiently tight fit on the axles. Now you've corrected it, you should be OK for quite a while, just be aware the problem might recur in the future - although having said that I had to correct the quartering on one of my locos (not a 4-6-0) and it's been fine for about 3 years now. However, you might want to check that the gauge (distance between the wheel backs) of each pair of wheels is the same; often the one that was out of quartering will also slip out of gauge as well because the cause is effectively the same, and that can cause derailments. Afraid I can't what the measurement is supposed to be and I'm not at home but if they're all the same to a millimetre or so you should be right.
 
Handsomerob said:
Thanks, the whirring sound I would say is normal from what I can hear under the sounds from the speaker in that video, I took the drive apart again and while I was looking I noticed that the wheels weren't all in phase, one was out I was able to rotate the wheel on the shaft and line up the wheels again now none of the side arms deflect. I believe this was causing some of the noise I was hearing.
Click to expand...

I is a good idea to apply some 'Loctite' to the driver wheels where they fit on the axle. Under the cover at the centre is a screw which keeps the wheel on the axle.
If one wheel has gone out of quarter already, it, or more, will go out of quarter again and could cause real bad problems so it is prudent to use the Loctite to ensure it don't happen again.
 
For future reference, if the axle (as opposed to one side / wheel only) has gone out of quarter, you can often lift that axle and more it one tooth in either direction to get things right again. - They do occasionally 'jump' a tooth if you have a shock to the engine (crash).
 
Got a few Big Haulers of that ilk. Noisy gears too!
 
So after reading the information found here: http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html

I have figured out my 4-6-0 is a second generation, the really noisy one, also I discovered that only 1 of the wheels aside from the front skate was actually making contact. The contacts were loose and not coming even close to touching the wheels. I since repaired that issue temporarily and have ordered some LGB contacts to upgrade as recommended in that wonderful link.

I was saddened to see that the link to Barry's Big Trains no longer works; I'm curious if he is still doing this or has something more sinister happened. I would be very interested in one of his upgraded chassis.

On another note I am very pleased with the quality and detail on my LGB 2010D very impressive and quite heavy.
 
Barry has semi retired but still does some work I understand. However, I'm afraid I don't have his contact details. He occasionally posts on one of the "big 3" boards; the other two being Large Scale Central and MyLargeScale.
 
The Bachmann smoke units don't usually start smoking until the engine is going at quite a fast speed. They also seem to burn out rather easily, so either keep it topped up with smoke fluid or turn the smoke off (switch is inside the smokebox door). I've replaced mine with Graupner smoke generators (similar to the LGB ones together with an electronic gizmo (Rectifier?) so the unit turns on and is maintained at 5 volts.
 
You may mean 'regulator' Royale, It keeps the voltage to a pre-set limit - i.e. 5V
 
Thanks, Alan - I did mean a voltage regulator - it's an age thing.
 
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