45xx Dodgy wheels!

"piemanlarger" wrote

Had this problem with the 56xx 0-6-2T (but only with BR black ones) but all of the 45xx 2-6-2Ts I've tested have been really smooth.

We test all loco's on receipt, and the duff ones go back to the manufacturers forthwith, in that way no rough runners should get in the hands of our customers. Obviously not all retailers are quite so fussy!

John.

I suppose it could be a small batch that has been delivered to the West of England and Wales. I saw a black 45 with the same problems in Cardiff. Bachmann claimed we were the only ones to report problems with the first batch of 56xx, I returned three of those too. They also said I was the only one reporting faulty A1 motors at the start of last year !!! As for testing, Holts are too busy I think to test every model sold, and besides which they should not have too!

"piemanlarger" wrote

I hear what you say, but we're too busy to do it too, but still find time. I agree in principal that it shouldn't be necessary, but your experiences prove otherwise.

John.

Yes, both sides of the coin are right, retailers should not have to check but it would have saved me the bother of a return trip if they had! Sometimes I envy your "Local" customers John.

Oh b***er I wish I had bought mine form you John! I got mine from Holt, not suggesting its their fault but maybe there is something in the Wales batch theory?

I got a 45xx and 56xx. The 45xx is not too bad until you put it under load and run on a curve, then the train bumps along. The 56xx on the other hand seems to have square wheels!

I am going for a refund.

John?

I can recomend his Postal service. Wish I had used it for the 45xx now too!

I returned another 45xx tonight to another dealer in S.Wales and guess what the first chassis replacement we tried was like! Yep, another duff one off a GWr loco. Luckily the second one we tried was a BR Black one and that was not too bad, so I took that chassis. Both of the "ok" chassis tested in the shops worked better after about 30-45 mins "running in", but the returned chassis were no better after an hours running in so it seems some are better than others.

As for your 56xx, I returned 3 chassis out of the first batch before I got a Lined BR Green one that worked ok. I was lucky with my BR black (second batch) one as it was ok straight from the box. However, our club sectary turned up with and unlined BR green one tonight that was jerky / suffering from a tight spot at low (Realistic) speeds. I remember Bachmann claiming the chassis that Holt MR sent back from my three duff ones at the start of the year were ok apart from the two centre screws under the chassis being too tight, I am not convinced of their theory though!

Same problem as all the ones I have seen, it seems to be an off centre wheel on the axle. I suggest you E-Mail Peter Edwards in the service department at bachmann other wise he will just say its me, again!

In view of your previous mails I have already done that! Be interesting to see what he says.

I was in two minds about the 45xx but in the end felt that a brand new loco should run better than that despite any running in claims. In addition it seemed to get worse the more I ran it so that did not look too good. Anyway both are in the post and I have asked for a refund as I can't afford to keep paying postage. Amazingly it would have been cheaper to buy from the Engine Shed (West Sussex) this time in view of return postage. If they are doing screws up to tight then thats their problem not ours! I don't like the way Bachmanns problems are off loaded onto the customer, the A1 motor thing was alleged to be due to using the 'wrong type' of controller, now where I have I heard that sort of excuse before? ;-)