That's a lot of work to do to get sensible running at the price of the model!

Yes - exactly. Maybe I have been unlucky but I suspect that here will be a few other disappointed modellers. Living in the 'wilds' so to speak it is not sensible to pop into a shop and try before buying. Equally I doubt that many retailers would wish to unpack and test the full six car unit. It will be interesting to hear how other modellers get on.

Regards

Ray

I am so so relieved to hear that we are not the only ones to have exerienced difficulties with the BP... and thankyou so much for the clear photos and excellent analysis. We have a few minor delairment issues too... probably due to back-to-backs on Peco code 100 set track and points. We sueezed a couple of wheelsets and now running seems perfect.

Thanks again.

Rob

Rob

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! Returning items to a supplier is not always the easy option - besides I do like a challenge.

Regards

Ray

Many thanks for sharing this Ray

Your excellent photos helped tell the story. Seems a very basic QC error in manufacturing... and not one but two faults.

How's it running after the mods?

I was severally tempted... but on reflection probably not after reading about the problems experienced by you, Rob and others.

Chris

.........How's it running after the mods?

 

Chris

It is nearly very

Regards

Ray

That's an awful design for a power bogie, All my Mainine locos died from broken split axles and this is even worse.

Only hope is tha the wheels pull off the stub axles because if you pull the stub axles from the gear you will never get it tight again, and will probably split the gear.

If you can pull the wheels and can take 5 thou off the back of each one then it might be ok but otherwise it's a good siding filler.

It certainy wont run on my layout as I have to reset Hornby bogie wheels to 14.75 mm with a home made gauge, Filed from a wood block and checked with a micrometer, to get around some of my tight 21" radius curves.

I guess you need a wheel puller made from a G cramp, 2 for

David you make a lot of good points. I would love to investigate the wheel / gear design further but the set is running well - so do not interfere. Having just spent the best part of a day trying to sort the running qualities of a Bachmann Split chassis Hall I do rather see the Blue Pulllman wheel design as a step backwards.

As other RMweb members have pointed out, parceling up and sending back to the retailer / Bachmann is not necessarily the best option, better to wait until Bachmann have some spare wheel sets.

Thanks Ray

What a good article and it mirrors my findings.I too have had problems with my Pullman and a friend has had the same. On mine the table lights on the the last car did not work and the roof light did not work on car A. As I was putting a sound chip and passengers in the coaches I was not unduly bothered. On stripping the offending coaches the roof light fault was caused by the reflective material not being cut properly and insulating the the copper contact from the pick up. This was cut back and the roof lights burst into life. The table light fault was traced to a broken wire that was trapped under one of the body securing screws and had twisted and broke. Again an easy job to rectify. On running the loco on the test bed car A was quiet but the rear power car was very noisy and did not require a sound chip!!

After a good hours run and coupling the beast ( those who have one will know what I mean)  I started to run it on the main line. 1st left hand point, off it came and then every left hand point. I spoke to my colleague who also had just bought one and his was identical. We took both units to a friends layout  and the same happened, on each left hand point off it came.

On taking it home and with a strong light and patience I watch it creep over the point and it looked as if the rods in front of the wheel were riding over the diamond and de-railing the loco. On checking the back to back the front leading bogies were 15. and the trailing 14.95 and the same on the rear drive car.Thinking to would be a simple matter of pushing the wheels onto the axle I stripped the loco wheels out and tried. Well they are either pressed on or glued as I could not move them even in a vice. The axles are as described in 2 pieces and the only way I could improve them was to pull them out of the plastic worm and gently grind down the part that went into the worm. After much care I have ended up at 14.5 and It runs like a dream and floats over the points. I did write to Bachmann asking them if they were aware of any issues as 2 out of 2 locally  rings bells on quality, but they have not replied. My friend is sending his back to Liverpool as his view is you should not have to self repair and if the same happens on the replacement he is going to cancel the order.

With these units costing

 I suspect this is the tip of the iceberg 

Yes  - that was my suspicion.  Thanks for a very useful post.  I was particularly interested in your suggestions for re-gauging the wheels.  Bachmann tell me that they are still awaiting spares.  I prefer a solution where I have some control!

Regards

Ray

Well after a week of good running a friend came over to have a couple of DCC locos tweaked and see the mighty Pullman in action with sound.All ran well then after around 6 runs the lights flickered and the loco stalled, then off it went again. I then noticed it had no tail lights so parked it in the sidings. I tried all the normal buttons on my controller to see if it was a chip problem . On removing the loco ( those who have this model will know what fun it is) I could hear a rattle in the body.On removing the body ( now the 6th time) I could see the fault as the cradle that holds the 3 L.E.D.S. had come unglued from the body. On closer examination the amount of glue on this fitment would not have held a fairy onto the body let alone a plastic moulding. Bachmann really have disappointed me with this model as I have over 20 locos of theirs and this is the most expensive and sadly the most troublesome. I hope they feed back to the factory as I know 2 people who have now returned this model due to inability to run properly

stmartins

I have been delaying a reply because I have another Bachmann offering en route in the post which might provide some more interest.  I try to avoid negative statements but I have returned quite a few Bachmann items to retailers this last twelve months - more than I would perhaps have expected.

Ray

Silver Sidelines

I hate criticising Manufacturers too but they do have a duty to accept things do go wrong.My friend who has had 2 with the same problem spoke to their service people and there was an admission "some had gone out with oversize wheels" 

I feel if they get a complaint they should react to it and rectify it with the correct wheels especially if they do not have the labour content to pay for

Like you I am a bit of a succour for punishment as I am awaiting delivery of the new compound which I hope will restore Bachmann up the pecking order on quality

I agree - I must 'prod' Bachmann and see if their supply of Pullman spares has arrived. Like a lot of items from China these days faulty goods seems to be the order of the day. My latest purchase, a GWR 'ROD' arrived in the middle of the week. It runs fine but after 'playing' with it for a while I realised that one of the boiler handrail knobs was not 'in line' with evidence of attempts to correct. It is now sorted but should the engine have gone back?

Regards

Ray