Bachmann Class 56xx : Repair Request (Episode 3)

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Bill. Thanks again for fixing her. I reckon she's running better than ever, now she's had a heart transplant and some OOBill TLC. I've got a few chocolate & cream coaches & some South Wales private owner coal wagons for her to haul on her (and my) return. She looked good running opposite your green DMU set.

[@tombeck6335]

Well done Bill, great video!

[@buildingbuddy1]

Seeing you put this back together, and how fiddly it can be, makes me appreciate the people who actually put these together in the factories. I can see why it all costs so much. Thanks for all your videos, we all learn a lot from you. :)

[@roberthocking9138]

Great job Bill.

[@stevechapman-s1q]

brilliant job Bill

[@alantoms3263]

Well done Bill. I picked up a 2nd hand one a couple of months ago - perhaps I was lucky but is near-silent and runs like a dream, perhaps the smoothest locomotive around - real bargain! Nice to see you keeping the locomotives running. Thanks for sharing. Al.

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, mine (this one) was never the best runner and just got progressively worse over time. I bought it from Hatton's so wasn't expecting problems, but there you go... I also have a Mainline/Airfix version that's a REALLY poor runner. It seems to need regular re-quartering. But the plastic chassis is way past its sell-by date. Anyway, as I'm an ex-Pat from South Wales now living in East Anglia, I needed a 56xx in VGC as I'm a GWR fan, and these are arguably the archetypal Valleys locos, both pre & post Grouping in 1923. Bill did the business again for me.

[@alantoms3263]

@@stephendavies6949 It certainly looks like it. I was so surprised, and moreso based on your additional comments. I 'won' what must be a bargain, she runs like a dream (leaning on wood), is silent, has a good speed range from crawl to good 'fast goods' and had been wanting one for years - just never bit the bullet as they say. I have a power monitor and draw is very slight and consistent - no spikes - can be left on light goods duties at low power for hours if so required (I won't go beyond perhaps 2 hours for such runs - express passenger perhaps 5 minutes - may need a fast response!!) Totally understand thoughts of 'archetypical locomotive', just looks the part - glad she's running well again for you. Enjoy. Al.

[@stephendavies6949]

@alantoms3263 Thanks Al.

[@bigmac60]

Nice work bill

[@jesusse9757]

Muy buen trabajo 👌Buen vídeo!! 👍👏👏👏🇪🇸🇬🇧

[@forrestrobin2712]

Excellent ! Since North is marked on the motor and it was drawing a lot of current and heating up, might it not be worth trying to remagnetise it? Just for fun to see if you can resurrect it for your spares box?

[@MrVinnyh]

First of all, I saved the 3 episodes to watch together Bill. As I did on the WD. I only fired a 56xx a couple of times on the NYMR's a powerful loco, ideal on a persevered railway.

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, they were classified 5MT by BR. True beasts of burden. Would love to drive one. PS: The WD Austerity is still running well in the layout. Bill knows that he's doing!

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, BR rated it 5MT. They were pugnatious beasts when chugging up & down the Welsh valleys. When I was much younger, I recall speaking to a driver who said that whilst they had great power, most crews preferred the later class 57 Panniers, as although they were not quite as powerful, they were more straightforward locos and did the job with less fuss than the 56's.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Great video thanks lee

[@peternorris6438]

Quite a pricy repair but running weĺl another good video

[@stephendavies6949]

Yeah, Bill did give me the option of calling it a day prior to progressing with the repair, but as I wanted one in my fleet (I'm an ex-pat Welsh Valleys Boy), this was cheaper then acquiring another pre-owned model that may well have had a similar problem. Now I have a superbly performing example!

[@charlesemerson6763]

I've had two of these fail for the same reason, blowen motors. luckily Bachmann are very good at spares requests whereas Hornby are abysmal.

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, they (the motors) seem to be just not quite up to the job.

[@DaiElsan]

Hello Bill. I wonder if the 56XX will run forward without a leading ponytruck more successfully than the original.

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, there are many photos of them running tender first by choice. But from what I understand, overall they were a very successful type of loco (both pre & post grouping) in the Valleys, with the class 56xx being classified as a 5MT by BR, but eventually found themselves being less preferred by crews than the later pannier classes that could do the work just as well but without the shortcomings of the 56xx's.

[@JerseyBill-x9r]

I'm not a fan of Bachmann mechanisms for they have been failing for years and parts are not available here in the states so no thanks. The repair went well and for around $29 Stephen has a new locomotive. I'd take that any day. Great series, Jersey Bill

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, I'm a very happy boy! The 56xx was the archetypal loco in the South Wales Valleys both pre & post Grouping in 1923, so as I used to live in The Valleys, I just HAD to have mine in working order.