Those are nice locos are the bachman spectrum?Sadly, if it is an 80s or early 90s variation, you most likely have cracked gears. Bachmann used a nylon axle/gear assembly mounting two metal drivers to it. This is how they isolated the sides for electrical pickup. They used a pancake motor---the same one as their Brill Trolley no less---for a spur gear drive that just didn't hold up. Cracking was just as likely while running as sitting on the shelf waiting to be purchased...not a bright moment in Bachmann's day. I have one of their Northern's that still runs fine, I have their early N&W Class "J" that is showing signs of giving way. They make nice displays
UPDATE: Bowser makes a running gear assembly with motor that is a drop in fit and works great. I plan to get them for mine as funds are available.
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No, but you could say that the Spectrum line wouldn't have been possible without these. They were offered in the late 70s/early 80s and later as a good stab at being taken seriously in the scale market while keeping costs in reach of the trainset crowd. The "J" runs great, has a DCC chip and pulls a 5 car train quite well but has that distinct hitch in it drive that tells me a gear is amissThose are nice locos are the bachman spectrum?
hwell: The Northern was a $3 gimmee at a swap meet and runs like but it sure looks good doing it. I touched up the smokebox front to bring it more in line with her big sisters and the tender still has the sound system once offered in certain models. I have the matching N scale one that Bachmann did in the early 70s as well. They did a much better job on those that never carried over to the HO ones.
[The biggest problem you will have is "quartering", making sure that each driver is ---exactly---90 degrees opposite its mate. There is no room for fudging, take my word for it.
/QUOTE]
Wheel pulling and installing is a little beyond basic train repair. On the O gauge 6 wheel drive motors, I took one axle out to gain access to the armature. The wheel I pulled took minor damage. OK for my use but I couldn't do it to something with a high quality. To replace it I had to have the drive wheel right on the exact gear tooth to line up . Not to mention the other side being aligned and then pressing the two together. I did it slowly, rechecking the alignment often.
I got it together , it ran until the drum broke on the e unit. The short fried the armature.
I'll get around to it but I'm not looking forward to replacing the wheel.
I thought the alignment deserved another mentioning.
Working with wheels and axles is not that hard with O scale stuff since it is big enough, one more reason why I think O scale rocks, LOL... What did you use to take them off? I used a flat head screwdriver to pry them off my 2026 and they came off with a little force, not enough to cause any damage though
Hello! I was googling "Bachmann Pancake" looking for some kind of solution to my problem and stumbled into your forum. Maybe y'all can help me. I have a pre-Spectrum 'J' class with the dreaded pancake motor....I had it in storage for several years, so I lubed it up and set it on the track. It went half-way around the layout and stopped cold. The headlight was on, and smoke was coming out of the stack, but no movement. I took the shell off and did the finger push on my test track....the motor made a humming sound, flashed, and started to pour smoke. I took it to my local train shop, hoping to find a replacement motor, but the fellow behind the counter told me I was out of luck and that I would, like you said, have a really nice display.Sadly, if it is an 80s or early 90s variation, you most likely have cracked gears. Bachmann used a nylon axle/gear assembly mounting two metal drivers to it. This is how they isolated the sides for electrical pickup. They used a pancake motor---the same one as their Brill Trolley no less---for a spur gear drive that just didn't hold up. Cracking was just as likely while running as sitting on the shelf waiting to be purchased...not a bright moment in Bachmann's day. I have one of their Northern's that still runs fine, I have their early N&W Class "J" that is showing signs of giving way. They make nice displays
So I called Bachmann, and was told I could send it in with $40.00 and get an upgraded replacement. That's cool and all, but I'm attached to my 'J'...I've had it for almost ten years with no trouble, and then *POOF* up in smoke. Is there someone that might have aftermarket motors, or will I have to be resigned to searching the junkpiles at the trainshows/flea markets? Or should I just give in and send it back to Bachmann? Thanks!
