Large Scale Central

New Bachmann Mogul Not Moving

Problem Solving
#1

Hi everyone. I recently bought a brand new in box Bachmann 1:20.3 mogul which arrived today in the mail. I put it on clean track and decided to give it a test run but it won’t move. I applied power to the rails and I can hear the motor running with a clicking sound accompanying it, the lights all work but it won’t move under it’s own power. I lifted up on the back so that it would still move with one set of drivers still on the rail and the wheels started rolling. I have no idea what the problem could be especially since it’s NEW in box. :confused: it should also be mentioned that unlike my Big Hauler 4-6-0 which won’t freely move if you push it powerless, this one does.

Your help is greatly appreciated. :slight_smile:

#2

Caleb,
assuming the ‘American Centennial’ Mogul and not the tiny industrial locomotive, then unfortunately the dreaded ‘connie’ cracked gear scenario. Common failure on the Connie, the Mogul and the American 4-4-0. Either contact seller or source a replacement gear from B’mann or someone will chirp in with the NWSL replacement gear.

#3

Yes it’s the Spectrum 2-6-0. Really even fresh from the box? That’s just… I have no words. Thank you Tim I bought the loco from Trainsworld but I wonder if jsut contacting B’mann to replace it would be easier.

#4

Trainworld will take it back and replace it if they have another…But Bachmann will stand behind it. Your choice but as it’s brand-new and you like it I’d send it to the Bachmann.

Good luck!

#5

I had a new in the box Connie with a split gear.
I didn’t know it affected the 4 4 0 and moguls as well. My mogul is still OK.
(but for how long?)

#6

Caleb,
I know B’mann rereleased the 4-4-0, but am not aware of a Mogul release. Your ‘new’ locomotive could be ten years old almost.

#7

Frankly, I’d just buy the replacement gear from NWSL. It’s either going to be part #2223-6 (24-tooth) or #2226-6 (25-tooth). The 24-tooth gear is sold as the replacement for the 4-4-0/2-6-0, though all the ones I’ve had apart (three of them) and others I’ve talked to have had 25-tooth gears. Both are $12.95 last I checked. Pull yours out, count the teeth, and order the appropriate one.

Sure, you can send the loco back, and pay shipping, but you’re spending more money doing that than you are buying the replacement gear, and you’re only curing the symptom, not the disease. Replacing the gear with the NWSL gear will solve the problem.

This cracked gear issue is a fairly widespread issue, especially with the 2-8-0, but to a lesser degree with the 4-4-0/2-6-0. I’ve not seen one yet that didn’t at least have a cracked hub. Fortunately, Bachmann has since “seen the light” and vastly improved their drive trains on subsequent locos. Most of their releases in the past 5 or so years have had all brass gears. (To that end, Bachmann sells a brass gear replacement axle assembly for the 2-8-0. You could order that, tap it off the 2-8-0 axle and re-install it on the 2-6-0 axle. But the NWSL gear (which is Delrin) should hold up well enough. I’ve got other NWSL motor blocks in service with gears of similar size and material that have held up very well for 15 - 20 years or more.

Later,

K

#8

If I send it to Bachmann will they replace the gear with a brass gear or is that just wishful thinking? See I’d replace a gear if it were my 4-6-0 however this locomotive is pretty high detail and I’m hesitant on taking the thing apart and damaging somthing.

#9

If you send any loco to Bachmann for warranty work they will likely just replace it with another one.
So if your loco has been highly detailed by you, you will probably not get that loco back.

#10

The brass gear is on a Connie axle and not a replacement for your Mogul.

Barry

#11

Thanks guys. I decided to order a replacement gear from NWSL. I found a handy tutorial on replacing the gear on the same mogul I have on youtube.