Almost a year ago to the day, I posted on my Latton Fields thread how I had managed to run my Bachmann J11 off the end of the board onto the garage floor, as I'd left the hinged section I had at the time lifted, and stupidly didn't have isolating sections leading to it. Apart from one set of broken cab steps I didn't think there was any damage and since the layout then went more diesel and electric loco powered, the J11 has sat in it's box for most of this time. Since I was going to video a few trains going over the new bridge, and thought it would be nice to have various trains for different eras, I got the J11 out of it's box yesterday and did a test run. Thought it was odd that it shorted when running only forwards through a 'Y' point and also de-railed and the re-railed as it went through a crossover, again only forwards. Assumed the back to backs must be out on the driving wheels after it's tumble last year, so got the loco cradle out to have a look. Oops Not a very good video, bit out of focus, but clearly there's a bit more damage than I thought. I've had a look around for spare driving wheels (310-117) but there doesn't seem to be any available. I've also emailed Bachmann's service department but they don't work week-ends and may not reply until late next week. So, does anyone know where I might get a set of driving wheels for a Bachmann J11? Ed
Hi Ed, Sorry to hear of your woes. I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a supplier somewhere. Toto
Ed, sorry to hear about this little accident. Can you drop the wheel set out and have a look to see if the the axle is bent, if its ok then it might just be a case of using pliers to realign the wheels on the axle ends. kim
Probably have to wait for Bachmann to reply Toto, but I don't know if they carry spares in the UK or if I'll have to wait for wheels from China. Reckon the axle is bent Kim, but I'll drop the wheels out tomorrow anyway when I've more time. (currently doing Sunday lunch ) Ed
Any chance of finding a replacement complete chassis on Ebay Ed, there are quite a lot of various types on at the moment? Keith.
Tried that Keith, but I could only find complete models for sale. Don't suppose it's really an old enough model for parts to be being sold off just yet. I think I saw that Alan Gibson do a set of wheels, but that's more for conversion to EM and I couldn't find 'em listed anyway. Really need someone who's destroyed a body somehow and just has a chassis they don't want. Ed
Hi ed Peters spares I have found have a large range http://www.petersspares.com/ and normally respond fairly quickly. As Keith said if you can drop the axels out, push the BTB gauge right up to the axel, and rotate the wheel set, sqeezing them against the BTB. If your lucky this true up the axel again. Paul
Thanks Paul. I did look at Peters Spares yesterday and I had another look today, but the only wheel set he has is for a 4MT. I'll drop the wheels out tomorrow, but I suspect either the axle is bent or the splines are damaged so I'll probably have to wait for Bachmann's response. Ed
I've not managed to run any of my loco's off the end of my 'duckunder', but that's only because (A)I've learned to lean forwards as I climb the loft ladder, so seldom need to drop the moveable bit, and (B)I make it a rule never to run the layout without the flap in position, essential as I don't have any form of section isolation. So far, so good! Flap in the down position. Attached files
If I forgot and ran a loco off the end, it'd be scrap since it would drop straight through the loft hatch onto the hall floor below, and that's a 12ft drop, hence no running whilst the flap is dropped! Keith. Flap in the normal running position. Attached files
I was working to rule B at the time Keith, but doing a bit of testing of a newly laid piece of track I simply forgot to stop the loco Had the wheels out yesterday and tried to just straighten things up. It's better but still not right. Runs through the crossover without derailing but sometimes still shorts on the 'Y' point, so I need to do it again. Not looking forward to it, as the sand pipes for the rear drivers are a right PITA to get back in. Can't quite make out what exactly is bent, axle, wheel, chassis, bearing Bachmann have emailed back and can supply a new set of wheels for £21 including p&p, but there's no point in buying a new set of wheels if won't solve the problem. Also, although £21 isn't that much for spares, it's rather a lot when the loco only cost £70 new (admittedly discounted) and I don't really run it much. The £21 could go towards a new loco................... decisions, decisions Ed
