Bachmann announce Narrow Gauge range led by Baldwin 4-6-0T

[Stevelewis]

Last weekend I had one running round a layout with 16cm radius curves. (6 1/4 inches).

 

From  my  experience  with the  Baldwins  I can   add  there  is  no  problem  with small radii  as  Nile  mentions,  there  are  a few of  them running  in my  area  which  I have  observed,  I have  seen  no  lurching  or  rocking  occurring  at  all  even on  some quite  complex formations,  Haulage  power  is  reasonably good, typically we  have  found  on the level  30 to 36 axles is  achievable  ( mixed  stock  Bachmann & Peco 009)  gradients do  reduce  this quite a lot, due to  the  light weight of the loco,  but  the addition  of additional 'ballast' such as  heavy metal  crew members  and cast  toolboxes  helps.

[Nile]

As it comes the CoG is just ahead of the middle drivers, so a white metal crew is a good idea. If you are not interested in sound there is scope to fill the bunker with lead instead of the speaker. Maybe a few bits of lead inside the cab as well.

[SDJR7F88]

A look at the all new Bachmann Narrow Gauge - 009 Scale - Baldwin Class 10-12-D 4-6-0T, fitted with Digitrains Digital Sound. Available for just shy of £115 from Digitrains Ltd, the new ZSBA Baldwin Premium Sound and Zimo MX659N18 sound decoder is the perfect partner for the Bachmann Baldwin Class 10-12-D, bring this superb model to life. Fitting the decoder takes a matter of minutes, thanks to the clever assembly and pre-build in speaker. Highlights features include Wagons Clatter when accelerating and decelerating with a loaded train, and Speed Lock, which allows to you intensity off the chuffs, while keeping the loco locked at the same speed. In this video, we take a look at just some of the many built in sound functions (Full List Below), with the model hauling and shunting a mixed supply and troop train on my WW1 Trench Railway.

Sound Functions List;

F0 Lights F&R

F1 Sound on, heavy mode

F2 Brake key

F3 Whistle

F4 Whistle

F5 Light engine mode

F6 Coal shovelling

F7 Injector

F8 Safety Valve

F9 Speed dependent wheel noise

F10 Speed lock

F11 Handbrake

F12 Water filling

F13 Wagons clattering

F14 Whistle

F15 Cylinder drains

F16 Whistle

F17 Shunting mode CV 3 & 4 values = 0

F18 Guard's whistle

F19 Fade sounds

F20 Coupling sound

F21 Air pump start and fast

F22 Air pump slow

F23 Safety valve

F27 Volume down

F28 Volume up

Hope you enjoy!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFd3IMZozRg

[The Ghost of IKB]

Good as that sound is, the toot toot whistle gets tedious very quickly. Shame it isn't playable.

[SDJR7F88]

Good as that sound is, the toot toot whistle gets tedious very quickly. Shame it isn't playable.

There are two more whistle on the file, sadly I didn't have the list to hand when recording the video (but have added them to the video description).

[bertiedog]

Oh dear... yet again short comments are taken somewhat out of context.  As I made the points I felt it basic advice for newcomers not experienced users.

 

   The minimum radius warning is in comparison with 040 and 060 types of locos that will go around 4-inch radius c6rves once far too common in 009.

 

     Most stock will not go realistically around this tight a curve anyway.

 

    With flexible track laid by eye, it is very easy to underestimate the radius, and often the curve is elliptical, not truly curved. This should be checked by a track jig, compass or trammel rod.

 

    The Bachmann is a relatively long wheelbase but will go around about 5-inch radius with Peco track. If the track is handmade it could do more if the jig used gauge widens in the curve.

 

    On causing a slight judder It should be clear it refers to a hump or transitional change of gradient being too sudden.

With a load on the rear coupling, on a deliberately bad test hump, the front wheels leave the track and as it regains level track there is a small lurch that does not happen with a 040. The effect is slight and any longer wheelbase loco would do the same.

 

.  The Bachmann only does this due to rocking on the front drivers, the C.G. point, when the top of the gradient makes no effort to ease from the slope to the level track.

 

   Anyway, the loco was not being criticised in any way, just pointing out that even 009 demands very careful track laying to get the best realistic running. 

 

Stephen

[bertiedog]

 

Exaggerated to show the issue if no effort is made to give easing. If the transition is bad and on a curve, it might derail any such loco.  I checked this very carefully as there is a trestle bridge approached by gradients with curves on the new 009 layout.

 

Stephen

[Gtucker72]

Has anyone had problems with these shorting out?

 

Bought two, both ran for circa 3 mins fine but then stopped dead and shorted the circuit.

 

Took them off the main track and put them onto the test straight but the shorting out continued.

 

Checked pickups and internals and nothing obvious so both returned. Gutted. The first one even ended up with smoke pouring out.

 

Bought a new controller and new wiring to the track in case there is something wrong there.

 

Any ideas before I fry a third one?

[bertiedog]

Gtucker72

Assuming DCC as you mention a  test track, it is the decoders badly fitted, or faulty, or if other locos also fail a bad controller output.

The Bachmann has a coreless motor which requires a dedicated decoder or a decoder that can have the CV settings altered for coreless.motors.

Check with the shop that the chip is factory fitted or have they done it themselves. If not original then the right type must be fitted and programmed to suit coreless operation.

 

Stephen.

Edited July 22, 2018 by bertiedog

[Gtucker72]

Thanks Stephen - to help clarify it is NOT being run on DCC.

[Nile]

 

Bought a new controller and new wiring to the track in case there is something wrong there.

 

Any ideas before I fry a third one?

 

Did you buy the new controller after the shorting incident? If so what was you using before? Have you run any other locos without problems?

[PaulRhB]

Is it actually shorting out or is it the coreless motor suffering with an old feedback controller? What controller were you using?

Two locos doing this and burning out something would suggest the controller is a strong second option for the fault.

[Gtucker72]

New controller bought with as yet untried third loco today. Old one was guagemaster and no issues with other Locos.

[Gtucker72]

New controller bought with as yet untried third loco today. Old one was guagemaster and no issues with other Locos.

[rembrow]

New controller bought with as yet untried third loco today. Old one was guagemaster and no issues with other Locos.

Although its not stated in the instructions, I read that the Baldwins are fitted with coreless motors, which means that dc controllers with feedback feature, should not be used as they can 'fry' coreless motors, as can electronic track cleaners, so worth checking that you have neither of these.

Edited July 22, 2018 by rembrow

[bertiedog]

As it is DC check with Gaugemaster that it suits coreless, which generate Back EMF that feedback does not like. Some early controllers are also "noisy" with an AC Component added to the DC voltage. This AC will cause the motor to "hunt" and overheat under load also causing a hum.

 

It is curable by adding large value capacitors to the output of the controller, with a new reversing switch. It may be difficult to interrupt the output where reversing is on the board, so extra reverse vital.

Many consider coreless to be troublesome like this, but with a plain DC or special coreless controller, they are far superior motors.

 

Stephen.

Edited July 22, 2018 by bertiedog

[bertiedog]

 

This is the picture I have based the WW1 trestle bridge on, and in real life, the transition from the centre span beam to the gradients is very sudden but dealt with by the locos springs and stock wheelbase being short.

On the model, the change will have to be adjusted on the gradient to allow for the Bachmann's long chassis. As smooth a transition as possible.

Wood all cut out, yards of it! with a plasticard main beam. building off layout for ease of construction.

Stephen

 

[Hobby]

New controller bought with as yet untried third loco today. Old one was guagemaster and no issues with other Locos.

 

Which Gaugemaster? They do lots of them! If it's a Combi or W then it will have no issues with it. If however, as others have said, one with feedback then that's your issue...

 

You need to tell us which controllers you have been using, specifically which "models" and rough age.

 

There's lots of threads on NGRM and FB and I've not read of anyone having issues with them shorting so it rather points to your controllers burning out the motors.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Hobby

[Gtucker72]

Thanks all. The new one is a Combi. No idea on the old controller; it is now out of use permanently I think.

 

Hopefully better luck. My gut feel when the second loco went was the controller - even if it’s caused no problems elsewhere.

[Hobby]

That's strange, the Combi should control it just fine, it's the alternative to the W and isn't feedback... I wonder if the damage had already been done by the other controller before you tried the Combi.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Hobby

[Gtucker72]

Thanks Hobby. The Combi is the new and as yet untried controller. Bought it when the second engine fried and I realised that there was more at play than a single dodgy loco. Loco 3 and controller being set up now.

[Hobby]

Good luck!

[bertiedog]

Succumbed to the delightful appearance of Peggy, which turned out to be the least expensive version available in non-DCC. last night on the net.

 

Tests on the black version show it can climb 1in25+ gradients OK.with two bogie coaches or four bogie wagons.

 

As the other 009 locos are Talyllyn "Thomas" types from Bachmann, I think the lines setting should be post WW1, as a line rather like Ashover, but retaining the tidied up trestle bridge as the main feature,

 

To ease the gradient required to cross over a line under the bridge, the lower track will be dipped under the bridge, and the depth of the bridge central beam reduced to a minimum. I have some kit Ashover coaches, but see Bachmann has promised RTR versions.

 

All the bogie WW1 stock from Backman can be used along with Peco items. from the L&B etc,

 

The Baldwin is the best shot in the arm that 009 has had so far, with assistance from Peco....

 

Stephen

[bertiedog]

H'mm just what is going on with the pricing of these locos on eBay... some are way over the makers suggested price, some lower, and direct sales from shops are way lower., often post free. Not quite the feeding frenzy of the Peckett or the fiasco and shambles of the L&B.

At least it seems a better organised release to a more specialised buyers group. I do hope the Ashover coaches are available this year.

Stephen.

[Pre Grouping fan]

H'mm just what is going on with the pricing of these locos on eBay... some are way over the makers suggested price, some lower, and direct sales from shops are way lower., often post free. Not quite the feeding frenzy of the Peckett or the fiasco and shambles of the L&B.

At least it seems a better organised release to a more specialised buyers group. I do hope the Ashover coaches are available this year.

Stephen.

Always happens with sought after items. The Hornby SECR H class can be seen for £70 more than the rrp on ebay for example.

 

Dont think theres any chance of seeing any of the recently announced new models this year (Ashover coaches, Quarry Hunslets etc). Seeing as the re-livery items or models already released (wd wagons etc) items at the decoration sample stages are due next year.