Large Scale Central

Bachmann Trolley rebuild

Interesting. I went to NWSL looking for motor. I can buy a motor block that needs major surgery to fit into a Bachmann trolley at a cost which exceeds the cost of a new Bachmann trolley I think. I couldn’t find a price. I guess I’ll look around for someone dissatisfied bith a Bachmann trolley that won’t run properly, but it as cheaply as I can, and then meld the two.

Greg Elmassian said:

Dick, nylon has been used for years successfully. The reason the nylon gear broke was bad engineering, made too small so the press fit created excessive stress. (also cannot speak to the quality of nylon used in this case)

Cracked, split, nylon gears are pretty much an epidemic with Bachmann HO and On30 trains.
Correction, pandemic.

I was told the Eggliner motor block is a close drop in replacement with minor modifications needed. I have purchased an Eggliner and I will be attempting to change it out probably in another week when I have time and I will let you know.

Unless I missed it in this thread is there a direct drop in replacement for this trolley?

Mark, it doesn’t appear that there is a direct drop in replacement any more. Not since Barry’s Big Trains closed.

Dick Friedman said:

Mark, it doesn’t appear that there is a direct drop in replacement any more. Not since Barry’s Big Trains closed.

Richard,
Bachmann finely got some stock with a replacement drop in, but still probable won’t last very long like the others. The new one’s has no sliders on them like the old one had and still has same original 3 pole motors.

They go for around 57 bucks plus shipping.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_613&products_id=513

Thanks to Noel Wilson’s Bachmann Trolley rebuilt - with the USA motor - I’m now ready to do the same having received my open trolley and USA diesel motor block from Charles Ro Supply.

My order was made last month and a prompt response from USA was the trolley was back-ordered and when received, both motor and trolley would be sent. They were, yesterday.

USA came through as stated.

Costs - ordered directly from USA Trains.:

Bachmann Open Trolley 109.95 and the USA motor block was 49.95

I think both prices were very fair.

Bachmann Open Trolley factory lubrication:

There isn’t any – at least of significance.

I opened the bottom plate - six screws - and used Mobil One grease on the worm gear, and the Mobil 1 synthetic oil on the axle rests. Plus, I dropped oil on both armature shafts and tilted the unit to permit the oil to run back into the bearing sleeves.

I’ll use the trolley until the motor assembly gives out, then install the USA motor block. Noel’s pictorial on replacing the Bachmann with the USA is easy to follow and is very helpful.
Kudos to Noel.

Dick,

That overheating motor probably has a partially shorted armature. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)

Joe Zullo said:

Dick,

That overheating motor probably has a partially shorted armature. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)

Ya Joe. Guess that was our problem to. Run them for a long time at shows and then after awhile, they start going slower and slower and not paying attn. We up the run voltage from 12 volt to finely ending up after awhile to 20 volts. then the motor armature goes Pooffff… lol. Carbon built up short out the 3 poles… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)

Actually it’s usually insulation breakdown in the windings. As the insulation breaks down with heat and vibration, the coils short. This means less windings and draw more current, require higher voltage to maintain speed.

eventually enough shorts that it really draws so much current that it seriously overheats, and usually melts the plastic under the commutator or other parts iniside and the rotor locks eventually.

it’s a vicious cycle, the more heat the more the insulation breaks down, the more it breaks down, the more heat.

Greg

Thanks all for advice AND comments. Can’t fix the motor’ I’m still looking for a used motor. Wish I could 3D print them as easily as the gears.

Dick, NWSL doesn’t have something that would work?

Wow Dick almost a year later and no motor?

Greg

Correct, Greg. No one that I know of has a derelict Bachmann trolley. In the meantime, though, I’ve picked up another couple of trolleys. Got pretty near the whole Bachmann set.

There is still a way to get one or many trolleys running, Greg.

The new type of 'B" blocks has no track pick up wiper and motors/gears will not last long outdoors.

For a few extra bucks you can get a motor block that probable out last us all.

Here is the link to the Article I did last year on here, two trolley styles using a USA block.

http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/25690/sf-amp-bhc-r-r-bachmann-trolley-upgrade

Video out on layout test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNXqjcd2gJo

I’ve done 5 so far.

Our layout is not flat and has a few hills so the Bachmann motor block with the large wheels and small motor dies on any small hill with out ruining 70mph to get over it. Lol.

I like to run them more to scale, slow and USA F-7/GP9/GP30/GP38-2 motor block works fine for that.

Also, kinda like adding details like little people and maybe a batt. for lights.

Dick, do you have a picture of the motor itself you are trying to replace?

I also have used the USA Trains motor block in many Bachmann trolleys. ot a perfect fit (USA are a little bit longer) but with a dremel drill and quik grip glue they fit nicely.

No Travis, I don’t. It’s a Kadar 831.

Where can I find Noel’s pictorial on replacing the Bachmann with USA power block?

Timmy, Noel is still around. (I clicked his name and then the photo on the pop-up box, then ‘activity’ and that tells you when he last posted - 12 days ago.)
Send him a message. He probably has the original photos.

Or go to the website forum and post a message for Bob (owner) to ask if he can find the originals. When the software was updated, he didn’t port all the old threads with photos.