Bachmann class 37 2022 release.

[Halton Road]

Anyone else having any issues with the Bachmann 35-301 Class 37/0 Split Headcode 37034 BR Blue OO Gauge (and no doubt others in different liveries from the same release). Pretty sure the details state no less than second radius, which I'm pretty sure I don't have on my layout, maybe my track work is terrible (although everything else seems to run fine?) but this thing is not that keen on going round corners unless they are very gentle and absolutely perfect. I mean it's a great model, it looks great, but has the focus become too much on the minute details rather than the ease and flexibility of running on all kinds of layouts, i.e. the perfect and not so perfect? And as for the cost. I was really looking forward to adding this to my collection, but after a day of frustration it has been a bit of a letdown. Sadly another one of my recent Bachmann purchases was much the same, the container flats that I spent hours fiddling with now spend most of their time on the shelf gathering dust. Perhaps I should stick to Hornby railroad models in future and less expensive rolling stock. I want to watch the trains go round not spend hours completing the research and development work for Bachmann on their badly planned products. It's all very well designing stuff on a computer but If it isn't rigourously tested prior to release I don't think that's really on. 

[meatloaf]

When you say you dont have 2nd radius do you mean yours are larger or do you have 1st radius?

[Halton Road]

I believe mine are all larger than 2nd. Maybe the odd bit that is 2nd. 

[Halton Road]

I mean, for example I have a Hornby railroad class 55 (which I have detailed up a bit) which is a much bigger co co loco and that will happily negotiate all of my trackwork and points with ease.  Not as detailed a loco but I mean surely that isn't right that the 37 won't do what that will? 

[Andymsa]

Your not alone, I have a mate that is having the same issues. He informs me that one of the bogies don’t rotate as much as the other.

[meatloaf]

3 hours ago, Halton Road said:

I believe mine are all larger than 2nd. Maybe the odd bit that is 2nd. 

Ive got the one that came out first in the large logo Cwmbran. It runs fine round my 2nd radius oval as does much larger locos like the accurascale deltic

[Ian Hargrave]

44 minutes ago, meatloaf said:

Ive got the one that came out first in the large logo Cwmbran. It runs fine round my 2nd radius oval as does much larger locos like the accurascale deltic

I have two of the new tooling and  both run perfectly..in common with the Accurascale Deltic…on 2nd radius Another is on order. There are examples on YouTube to view . If you’re not happy then return it. Think carefully before creating an issue which may be unique to individual  circumstances. Scare stories are all too easy to start but not easy to stop.

[AY Mod]

5 minutes ago, Ian Hargrave said:

Scare stories are all too easy to start but not easy to stop

 

Yes, I am keeping a sceptical eye focussed on this topic.

[andyman7]

One thought, have you checked that the chains aren't snagging? You just need to ensure that they are hanging clear so as not to restrict bogie movement relative to the chassis.

[Bill Radford]

A long shot but I have had problems with certain Bachman Class 66s derailing on 4th radius turns. GBRf ones were the guilty parties and were cured by backing off the screw holding the bogies by a quarter turn. Never had a problem with EWS/DB ones.

[Halton Road]

Thanks for all the comments, suggestions and advice. Just to be clear, it was absolutely not my intention to 'start a scare story', I was just wondering if anyone else may have experienced the same issues possibly with a view to finding a solution. If the moderators feel my comments are inappropriate then feel free to delete the thread. 

However, if anyone is interested (and in reply to some of the other comments and suggestions), I have removed the chains completely, mainly to facilitate the removal of the bogey frames. Chains can be put back on at a later date. All wheel back to backs have been checked and tweaked. Some of the underframe detail on the tanks has been delicately trimmed back as this seemed to be fouling the bogey rotation ( not visually noticeable either). I have also trimmed a small amount of the black plastic flange that is located between the wheels and axles. The wheels now have a little more play side to side which seems to have eliminated the problems and it is now running nicely on nearly all of my layout. I will also trying loosening off the bogey screws by a quarter turn as suggested. Maybe I just got a slightly off one? Feel free to have a look at my railway on Halton Road Model Railway on YouTube, there are couple of videos of the whole layout on there. I'm sure you will be able to see why I was perplexed by its performance.

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