Large Scale Central

Bachmann Climax

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Afternoom, All - got a call this morning from a friend whose wife had bought him a 1/20.3 Climax many moons ago, and he had forgotten about it [!], and since I had one, could he bring it around and get it checked out before attemtpting to run it [wise move].

Turned out to be the same road-name as mine - Pardee & Curtin - so without delay, I upended it and took off the truck bottom covers.

Hmmmmmm The inside of both trucks was liberally spread with a near solid white substance, and I MEAN near-solid. It took a few plastic toothpicks and a mini-scoop to clean it out, a task that took me over two hours…

Got my Hob-e-Lube set out, and did a full lube job, top to bottom, front to back, and put her on the tracks for a gentle run.

Well, that was three hours ago, and it’s still running in front of ten home-built log cars with wood logs.

What a beauty this loco was and is, and what a great shame that it has been deleted from the Bachmann catalogue.

I would not part with mine for a small fortune.

tac

#2

Terry,
I purchased a second generation ‘demonstrator’ Climax with the "Climax’ roadname on the cab. My model has the slip clutch arrangement on the aft driveshaft. Early models (first gen) suffered from a drive torque binding problem, causing the rear drive to seize in operation. My model runs as smooth as silk.

     I removed the protruding knuckle couplers, extended the end sill timbers and modified the pin coupler so that it is functional. This then entailed an offset rooster bar to couple to roling stock.  The loco is truly one of B'mann's better products.
#3

I sure wish Bachmann would bring back the Climax! I’d love to have one for my layout.

#4
Tim Brien said:
Terry, I purchased a second generation 'demonstrator' Climax with the "Climax' roadname on the cab. My model has the slip clutch arrangement on the aft driveshaft. Early models (first gen) suffered from a drive torque binding problem, causing the rear drive to seize in operation. My model runs as smooth as silk. 
     I removed the protruding knuckle couplers, extended the end sill timbers and modified the pin coupler so that it is functional. This then entailed an offset rooster bar to couple to roling stock.  The loco is truly one of B'mann's better products.</blockquote>

Tim - pics, please, if you care to, to my e-mail address. Don’t know how you tell the genrations apart from the outside, but mine is six years old and also runs like a fine watch.

Best

tac & ig, the Christmas Vulture