There has been a lot of discussion about the theory and engineering behind a lot of Bachmann locomotives lately, in particular, the K-27.
I would like to hear from people who OWN a K-27, and OPERATE it, about their experiences.
For example, I have a first run K-27, and chose the RGS #455, Post Wreck variety. Having read about some first impressions from those who landed theirs before mine, I asked TOC to go through it and modify some of the areas that others had raised as concernworthy. The counterweights were therefore shimmed, the first and fourth axles locked, and the factory wiring had been more or less replaced by the time the engine arrived in my hands, including the chuff timer which had been replaced with a magnetic one. The locomotive is equipped with RCS and a Phoenix sound system.
I find that the engine is a favorite of mine to run, although there was something of a learning curve. Even with the throttle set for a long ramp up /ramp down on the acceleration/deceleration curve, one needs to “feather” the controls (much like a 1:1 steam locomotive with superheaters…) or it bolts away from the starting line like a greyhound and very quickly goes to speeds faster than I’m comfortable with; I like to run somewhere between 15 and 20 scale miles per hour. I’ve also found that if one adds a lot of cars to the train you’re trying to pull (say, between 8 and 15 cars) that the point where the locomotive wants to “bolt” happens with more power applied, and that the batteries discharge must faster, which to me means the extra load is drawing lots of current, as the batteries have a fixed ampere/hour rating, and one can run either light or with up to five or six cars on the same track without this happening. I have compensate for what I perceive as problems with the drivetrain on the locomotive by being careful how I use the throttle, and being careful to run shorter trains if I plan to be running for awhile … I will also soon have a trail car that will alleviate the problem somewhat. My layout is indoors, and relatively flat, though there is one side that has a “low area” where the basement floor is sloped for drainage… something I intend to shim up at some point.
So, for those of you who own the K-27 and run them, how does it work for you? What difficulties have you experienced, and how have you overcome them?
Again, please note, if you don’t own a K-27, or own one but don’t run it, it’s going to be hard to participate in this discussion in the way that I’m intending this thread to go … and I would prefer that anything outside the reasonably limited scope I’m asking for be corralled into the already burgeoning discussions on this engine, and its related issues.
Matthew (OV)