Bachmann Harry Beck problems?

[IamDaniel]

Hi chaps,

 

I recently bought the limited-edition Class 66 Harry Beck and have had it running around on my layout for a little while now.

 

While I’m impressed by the detail and the all-wheel drive, I’m a little worried about the noise it is making – it sounds like it is in agony; see the video below.

 

This being my first Bachmann model, I just thought I’d post a video to see if this is normal or not? It’s running on a DC layout (I don’t have DCC) using the silvery Hornby trainset controller. It seems to make this noise after 10 mins or so of running, presumably after it has warmed up?

 

I have only oiled the axles, as I can’t seem to find a way to take the body off and access the motor/gears, as I can’t find a service sheet online!

 

Any diagnosis/suggestions would be really appreciated.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Edited March 22, 2018 by IamDaniel

[martin_l_jones]

Is it second hand or new ?

 

If it's new, return it to the seller.

 

It certainly sounds like the gears are grinding.

 

Have you run it in ?

 

If it was mine I wouldn't be running it ?

 

You can unclip the bottom bogie covers on each end with a small blade or flat screwdriver, be very carefull not to snap them.

 

The cover should come away leaving the wheel sets exposed.

 

If you need to drop the bogies out, you need to remove the body by taking out the four screws underneath the chassis, a long small cross head is required, once the body is off you'll need to drop the bogies,

 

But first unfurl the wires going into the holes to give them some slack to allow the bogies to drop.

 

Good luck.

Edited March 22, 2018 by martin_l_jones

[IamDaniel]

Is it second hand or new ?

 

If it's new, return it to the seller.

 

It certainly sounds like the gears are grinding.

 

Have you run it in ?

 

If it was mine I wouldn't be running it ?

 

You can unclip the bottom bogie covers on each end with a small blade or flat screwdriver, be very carefull not to snap them.

 

The cover should come away leaving the wheel sets exposed.

 

If you need to drop the bogies out, you need to remove the body by taking out the four screws underneath the chassis, a long small cross head is required, once the body is off you'll need to drop the bogies,

 

But first unfurl the wires going into the holes to give them some slack to allow the bogies to drop.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

It was bought 'as new' from a member on this forum - who, by the way, I'm not blaming at all, as he had only unboxed it to photograph it for me and very kindly hung onto it for a few months until I was able to pay for the item, so no chance of returning it to the seller. As the model is from circa 2016 and sold out, I'm guessing it is now out of warranty with Bachmann.

 

Yes, it has been run - for a few hours (maybe five or six tops), and as I say, it is nice and quiet for the first few minutes and then makes the sound you can hear in the video.

Edited March 22, 2018 by IamDaniel

[Paul-H]

Does it make the same noise in both directions, something is ammis as it sould be almost silent.

 

Still think of the money you are saving not having to put a sound decoder in it (every cloud has a silver lining )

 

Paul

Edited March 23, 2018 by Paul-H

[IamDaniel]

Does it make the same noise in both directions, somthinb is ammis as it souldbe almost silent.

 

Still think of the money you are saving not having to put a sound decoder in it (every cloud has a silver lining )

 

Paul

 

Yep, same noise backwards and forwards.

[G-BOAF]

Could be totally wrong but might be dried up lubrication on the gears or worm. I don't (yet) have a 66, so can't comment on how to open it, but assume its somewhere between 6 and 8 screws on the underside, likely around the fuel tank area and under the cabs (possibly hidden by bogies - move them to one side).

Try lubricating worm and gear train would be my advice.

[Ouroborus]

This won't help, but I think your best bet is to sort it out. Returning Harry Beck back to the LTM shop will only get you £170 back at best (the highest price they were). They have been out of stock for 18 months, so I would guess little chance of a replacement. All this assuming LTM will help you - they would be well within their rights not to. I have Harry Beck and it's a lovely loco - I'd be loathed to send it back or sell it on. How about sending it to Bachmann and asking them to repair it?

[Philou]

Hi IamDaniel,

 

I assume that there has been no change in design between 2016 and this year. If not, there are 4 screws to undo. Turn the model onto its roof in a cradle or soft cloth - I use bubble wrap - and at the rear of the bogies (fuel tank ends) are the screws. You will need a jewellers style screw driver (Phillips head and I believe it's size 0). They are recessed and not too obvious at first. You need to turn each bogie hard right then hard left to access the screws. When turning the bogies, ensure that the coupling hooks (if fitted) do not foul the buffers.

 

If you turn the loco back on its wheels - take care as the screws will likely drop out! There are two clips at each end of the loco in the cab. To unclip these, I used two credit style plastic cards inserted between the body and the underframe starting near-to the fuel tank and working towards one end and then the other to gently prise the body off. Mine wouldn't come off straight away and it needed a little fiddling before it would unclip - but unclip it did.

 

Once you've done the maintenance, re-assemble in the reverse order. The re-clipping of the clips on mine was the longest part (maybe as I have a chip and loudspeaker, the wires may have fouled the bodywork at first).

 

Good luck,

 

Philip

 

Edit: Just to add, I hope you are able to sort it out as I have two 66s and they are both very smooth runners and quite powerful to boot.

Edited March 22, 2018 by Philou

[IamDaniel]

Hi all,

 

Thanks again for your messages and suggestions. As I mentioned, I bought the loco off a forum member who assured me the locomotive had not been run, so sadly I can't return it to LTM and the warranty has expired from Bachmann. It's a tad annoying in that respect that I'll have to shell out at least £30 in repairs to Bachmann given it is a new model.

 

I phoned Bachmann this morning and the chap there seemed to be a little confused by my explanation. I suggested I would send a video of the locomotive, which I have done. It's below - I thought I'd put up another clip; this time of the locomotive by itself, going both backwards and forwards.

 

[SimonMW]

I've found Bachmann pretty good at repairing stuff in the past. My Blue Pullman started making horrible noises after about 18 months, and they fixed it for a reasonable cost.

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi, it does sound a bit dry but there is a slight whirring sound which could be the flywheel rubbing of the motor isn’t seated quite right.

 

Usually after a good running in these things all bed down especially when something hasn’t been run for a while. Whilst I would be confident to strip a loco down and fix the fault I would advise contacting Bachmann directly and see what they suggest.

 

Thanks

Mark

[IamDaniel]

Have to say I'm not too impressed with Bachmann's customer service so far. I emailed them last Friday after a phone call and was told I'd have a reply within 24 hours. Nothing back by Tuesday afternoon so phoned again and was told "Oh, we didn't think we needed to reply to your email". Eh?

 

Anyway, the lady who I spoke to suggested taking off the body and oiling the gears/motor, which is easier said than done as once the body is off, the motor and gears aren't visible and there doesn't seem to be a service sheet anywhere showing you how to take the damm thing apart.

 

Removing the body doesn't give access to gears/worm drive. I do not think I should continue to dismantle anymore because I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

I guess I'm a bit unlucky here - buying a new loco from someone on this forum  and out of warranty and seemingly having a disinterested Bachmann not wanting to help out. Bearing in mind it is brand new, it shouldn't have problems like this, even more so given the RRP of the model.

 

For the record, the chap who I bought it off has been very helpful and has offered to reimburse me for any costs involved in getting it to run right.

[37501]

Good afternoon,

It is quite an easy task to gain access to the gearing. Remove the body and unscrew the screws holding the bogie in place. This will drop down releasing the drive shaft. The worm gear and its housing can be unclipped. Unclip the bogie base and the wheelsets can be popped out. Check everything is free to turn. Hopefully the fault will be evident. On reassembly, hold the copper pick up wipers against the bogie base so that the wheelsets can be popped back in.

Hope this is useful and your 66 is back in service soon.

Best wishes

John