Large Scale Central

B'mann Spectrum Stirrup Steps.

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

I couldn’t find a thread on the Bachmann Spectrum Boxcar 1:20.3 scale. I just wanted to know if everyone else thinks it was a bad idea to use plastic stirrup steps on this boxcar. I mean really, how much more would it have cost to use brass. At least the brass would bend instead of break off completely. One of the boxcars came with a broken step and on the other one I turned it over on its side to look at the bottom and bingo, another step broken off.

Does any know who makes 1:20.3 brass stirrup steps as a replacement. I’ll make my own if need be but thought I would check with all of you wonderful folks out there first.

#2

The steps on mine, and the flat cars, seem to be made from a die cast metal material like Zamak. Yes, very brittle. Wait till one of the trucks collapses, made from the same material. Had to buy a couple of Accucraft replacements for mine when it blew for no apparent reason - not dropped, no rough shunts, no dodgy trackwork. A weak point on what are otherwise nice, and wellcome, additions to the Fn3 retinue. Pity Bachmann seem to be pulling out of that market.

#3

Frank and Max

I am sorry to hear you guys are having so much trouble with the Bachmann Spectrum line. My experience has been completely different. I have been using and recommending these cars to every 1/20.3 modeler I know. Now I am hoping I have not sent them down the wrong road.

Frank I did some searching around. You can find steps here:

http://www.warriorrunlocoworks.com/tsstirupp.php

I also checked and Ozark Miniatures have some made for 1/24th that they claim will work. MMM well we know how that can go.

Accucraft has no steps listed on their site but a phone call to them can sometimes be productive.

Max has me wondering about the trucks but the only thing I have ever broken on them was the brake shoes…my fault for thinking I could pick up such tiny things with my big caveman hands.

I hope your luck with this line and the few remaining RTRs improves. If not I guess we will all go back to scratch building.

#4

I break details all the time, but as far as I know I’ve not lost or broken anything on my Fn3 Spectrum cars except brake hoses. Accucraft is a different story!

#5

I had the same problem with stirrup steps, two box cars arrived at the same time one was OK the other had three steps broken off and the forth one broke off when I touched it. I made up new ones from brass strip. I have also heard of trucks disintegrating there must have been a bad batch of castings at some stage.

Mick

#6

Frank

I don’t know how well these steps would fit. You could try them.

http://philsnarrowgauge.com/Parts.html

They are about a third of the way down the page.

Tom

#7

Thanks to all of you for responding. And thanks for the links. I’m going to order a four pack from Warrior Run and I’ll check out Ozark miniatures. I hope Bachmann is not getting out of the 1:20.3 market because I do love their equipment. I’ve bought 4 of their boxcars and don’t regret it for one moment. I’ll buy more as soon as the budget allows it. I also have the Connie and K-27 and hope to get a C-19 in the future. Now all I need to do is build the garden railroad to run it all on, but that’s coming this summer for sure.

#8

Boomer K. MOGWAI said:

Frank and Max

I am sorry to hear you guys are having so much trouble with the Bachmann Spectrum line. My experience has been completely different. I have been using and recommending these cars to every 1/20.3 modeler I know. Now I am hoping I have not sent them down the wrong road.

Thanks for the link Boomer. Don’t be sorry. I’m generally very happy with all the Bachmann Spectrum stuff I’ve got. I think they are very undervalued products in the secondary market, which quite a bonus when shopping (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif). Possibly due to the little production glitches like failed drive gears and such like that keep on getting reported. That and the crazy manufacturers listed prices when launched . I think I must have 1 of every Spectrum locos (2 x K-27 !) and the newbie’s favourite the Annie and an RGS Goose #1. Not to mention the Cabeese, box/flat cars and log skidder. I love them to bits. Even the little bits you end up with when they fall apart (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

I could point the finger at AMS/Accucraft too. I’m having a devil of a time trying to fix coupling mounts/pivot blocks on a rake of 5 framed tank cars. Again it seems a problem with a Zamak type material casting. Their couplings in general can be a PITA. Might have to go to an old supplier of mine to get some blocks recast in white metal.

#9

Frank,

Warrior run is long out of business due to a fire several years ago. you can order direct from trackside miniatures here http://tracksidedetails.com/

depending on how long you had owned the cars Bachman (warranty) was supplying replacements on both steps and trucks as there was a bad batch of Chinese Zamac. in some cases they replaced entire cars.

and yes the AMS tank cars have a bad (read expanding) Zamac retainer plate. best solution is to replace with a plastic retainer plate, or just drill out the pivot hole a little bigger. this has worked for me.

Al P.

#10

Perhaps you can make new ones from K&S brass strip and some NBW castings. The strip material is tough enough not to break at the first sneeze, it might bend in a rough derailment like the real deal.

#11

Eric Schade said:

Perhaps you can make new ones from K&S brass strip and some NBW castings. The strip material is tough enough not to break at the first sneeze, it might bend in a rough derailment like the real deal.

It’s not that hard, either. Mine are 1:20, but of course you can make them any SCALE you want!

Here’s a picture of one I made - the top one is from an AMS car, the bottom one is made by me.

For some reason, I called them “strap steps”, but the result is the same.

I ended up using some brass hex headed bolts I got from MicroFasteners.

#12

Al Pomeroy said:

Frank,

Warrior run is long out of business due to a fire several years ago. you can order direct from trackside miniatures here http://tracksidedetails.com/

Al P.

AL say it ain’t so!!! I have not bought from them in forever but their website still looks amazing. Wonder who is still paying the bill on that. Anyhow I will add them to my list of defunct suppliers.

Sorry for the misdirection Frank.

#13

I used brass I beams for my steps in the Mik challenge a few years back. Bent the same way, the flanges give my crews an extra bit of traction with muddy boots and adds a nice visual. I used rivets to secure them.

#14

Al Pomeroy said:

Frank,

Warrior run is long out of business due to a fire several years ago. you can order direct from trackside miniatures here http://tracksidedetails.com/

depending on how long you had owned the cars Bachman (warranty) was supplying replacements on both steps and trucks as there was a bad batch of Chinese Zamac. in some cases they replaced entire cars.

and yes the AMS tank cars have a bad (read expanding) Zamac retainer plate. best solution is to replace with a plastic retainer plate, or just drill out the pivot hole a little bigger. this has worked for me.

Al P.

As I suspected on the AMS front, yes, the blocks have expanded and they are prone to breaking too. Bought them 2nd hand, MIB from a respected source. Drilled 'em and re-profiled the spring retainers to get more movement, still having a problem with derailments. I might just go down full replacement drill and pin brass/plastic card route. 5 pairs to do.

Never heard about the warranty claims on the bad batch of Bachmann trucks. Pity, but then I had owned the affected box car some 5 years and it would be difficult to prove that it just failed without encouragement. If you knew the retailer, same “respected” one, I bought it from in the UK you would know why I didn’t even bother to ask…or continue buying from them. In the UK the buck stops with the retailer not the maker/distibutor.

#15

Tom. Thanks for that. I sent Phil’s an email order last night.

Al. I sent an email order to Warrior Run last night and it went through without a return error. I’ll wait a couple days to hear from them and if not, then order direct from Trackside and Ozarks.

Erik. Yes, I have a supply of brass strips from K & S in my hobby room, as well as NB and NBW castings from Grandt Line (I think). I am going to replace all the stirrup strips on the BigHaulers box cars as well as grab irons with brass ladders and grab irons. The size of BH Boxcar doesn’t look all that bad with the new 1:20.3 stuff and I plan on widening and raising them all as shorty boxcars. I have and am picking up (EBay) B’mann Box cars and Box car kits whenever I can find them for kitbashing material.

I have a PDF document that I have been working on for some time explaining my Garden Railroad concept. I"m a Model Railroad in the Garden type of G scaler. The document should make it clear that I’m a big Bachmann fan. I just have to figure out how to upload it somewhere.

#16

Bruce, Really nice work. Those stirrup straps look great, thanks.

#17

Boomer K. MOGWAI said:

Al Pomeroy said:

Frank,

Warrior run is long out of business due to a fire several years ago. you can order direct from trackside miniatures here http://tracksidedetails.com/

Al P.

AL say it ain’t so!!! I have not bought from them in forever but their website still looks amazing. Wonder who is still paying the bill on that. Anyhow I will add them to my list of defunct suppliers.

Sorry for the misdirection Frank.

Clem is still doing the Warrior Run business. The portable track and his portable shop were unharmed by the fire, I’m told, and I think you will see him in his usual spot at ECLSTS - selling TD and Ozark parts and other stuff. The RR store was the part that burned. His slot car track was also unharmed, judging by the posts on FB!

#18

Yea, he was at the ECLSTS after the fire. He stuff had a bit of an air about it.

#19

From Clem (Mr Warrior Run)

“Peter, will be there with the layout and a few special items only! No more Ozark or TrackSide parts!!”