FIXING BACHMANN S4 STUTTERING!

[@danielford6335]

Thank you so much! Couldn’t for the life of me figure it out, but now I know. You’ve earned a subscriber

[@StanFerris]

Thanks, Daniel. I'm really overdue for another HO scale video... it just seems the other scales and projects are always popping up.

[@crsrdash-840b5]

I've learned from the Alco Diesel Guy the interesting history of these locomotives. His layout drives me nuts! He's great for documentary research. The S4 is like the older little brother to the RS series.

[@GeorgeVanDuyne]

Thanks for the refresher course! I need to lubricate the locomotive and I'd forgotten how I'd gotten it apart soon after I bought it some years ago. (Memory.. they say it's the first thing to go. Or is it the second? I forget....) I had to fix a similar problem with the wiring to the pickups. I also thought the pickup wires were very stiff, so I replaced them with 30 gauge wire. Gave the trucks a lot more freedom of movement. Highly recommend replacing the wires if you can.

[@StanFerris]

Great idea!

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. I really like those S2, have three of them on my layout. Thanks for the tips. Gary

[@StanFerris]

Thanks! I have an idea to see if I could stuff some dead rail electronics into one them. They are such smooth runners and a real bargain.

[@TrainRstudios]

Thank you so much, also do you know how to fix the Bachmann Thomas

[@StanFerris]

I have not had any experience with that one, so sorry. However, I would presume that inside most electric locos have similar essentials. Motor, some way of picking up DC current from the track with the wheels and some metal/wire to transfer it to the motor, or to a circuit board of some sort if the power is DCC or some other digital feed.

[@anthonydibello5854]

Yes, I have a similar problem w/ a 30yr old RMC/Lima ALCO C420 which also used cheap metal wires for their Wheel contacts. Bachmann wire brushes also gather layout dust and cause power loss. I am glad that ATLAS/KATO HO diesels took another approach with power truck wheel current contacts. And they also do not suffer power axle gear hub splits like the HO Athearn & Proto1000 & 2000 diesels inherited. The early Model Power diesels had thick copper wire contacts. The HO model train manufacturers have made steady Product improvements since the 1980s. Hurray for ATLAS/Kato!

[@StanFerris]

Agreed. Although I went a step further and am using battery power for my locos now, and not from the rails.

[@crsrdash-840b5]

Good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@StanFerris]

Thanks so much!

[@davestrains6816]

Great tip and repair fix. I am sure that drove you crazy for a bit!

[@StanFerris]

You are so right, Dave! It totally baffled me for while!

[@foxyraposito8581]

does anyone know if you tell me if frateschi is compatible with bechmann

[@StanFerris]

I'm not personally familiar with the Frateschi locos, but what I see on-line is that they do HO scale, and at least their DC models would run two rail and 12 - 16 volts. That should be compatible with Bachmann DC. Not sure if they make a DCC version of their locos, but you could always take a DC and add a DCC controller if you are handy with a soldering iron. Not sure what couplers come standard, but again, those can be changed.

[@CodySlasher]

Hey Stan, I had the same problem but after I soldered the wire, the sound works but there’s no forwards or reverse. Any ideas how I can fix it?

[@StanFerris]

Well, if the sound is working then the board is getting power up from the track ok. Let's see if someone on here has had that same problem. Try checking the wires to the motor. Good hunting!

[@CodySlasher]

@@StanFerris I got it running, I knocked one of the wire going to the board loose so it just needed to be reconnected. The locomotive runs way better now after re-soldering the trucks Thanks again

[@StanFerris]

That's awesome! Glad you figured it out!

[@Salty_reviews]

John Malcovich repairs a model locomotive.

[@alcobufff]

Had this happen to me a few weeks ago. Here's a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXancoF5bJuVh80 Although mine did not run well before I took it apart. The wire that ran to the wheel wiper on the truck broke and the hole wheel wiper attachment metaled when I tried to solder a new wire to it! Yes I was using a low powered Iron. The wheel wipers were also completely out of shape! I wound up having to buy 2 new trucks off of Ebay as that was the only way I could get the parts, as Bachmann is sold out of wheel wipers, i also did not want to deal with making a new mount to put the wiper back on.

[@dissonum]

Time for truth: Was that coffee *really* decaf? 😂

[@StanFerris]

Well... actually, no. :)