Bachmann tram motor fault

[dutchelm]

Thanks Wayne..
I found a brand new replacement motor was about £15 from Bachmann Europe..

By replacing the motor you still have a very poor drive system. After having many gears split I have replaced the drives in my hard working trams with USAT motor blocks. Its easy as you just strip off all of the underside & glue a new mech on with a big blob of evilstick. The axles need cutting off but they line up correctly with the tram axle boxes.

 

[dunnyrail]

When I was busy building my RHB Box Motor, I used Bachmann Tram Chassis as the prime mover, two of them. But they would only run Lumpy with my Aristo Crest RC. So I swopped them out for USA Kit. Now run perfect, but Wheelbase is a bit out for the Backman Side Frames that I still use. But I can live with that. Reliable running is far more important to me.
JonD

 

[dutchelm]

This is a USAT motor under a Bachmann tram. The magnet required for operating signals has been set in the bottom as there isn't any clearance underneath.

 

[PhilP]

The tram concerned is a Christmas model, and gets an outing occasionally, on an end-to-end shuttle.. Not used very often, and back in 2013 when I asked the question, funds were very tight..
I also have a USA trains NW2 motor-block sitting here.. Another round-toit project perhaps.
If / when the new motor fails, I will swap it out, and perhaps add a LGB Christmas music module??

 

[Kayanbee]

All,
Have a Bachmann Christmas tram, which refuses to run.
Initially, I thought it was missing one of the square silver contacts adjacent to the motor. - These pass current from the pickups to the motor et al. However, I replaced the missing piece with a couple of bits of folded wire.. Lights are rock solid, but motor refuses to run well (if at all).
Even if lift the motor clear of the gears, and put power directly to it in stalls. - I think the brushes are shot, as it arcs internally.

I have two choices:
1. Try to source a new motor. - Led to believe these motor blocks can be problematic anyway, so this might be false economy.
2. Replace the block with something else. - I have a USA Trains block (sort of) bought for this purpose. Would need to cut the axle-ends which protrude beyond the wheels. Wheels are a lot smaller diameter, but look better IMHO. Drill motor block for 'skirt', does give me the option to increase the track clearance a bit.

Second option a bit scary.. Having-at a new motor-block. Probably trimming the wiring mounts off the tram, and fabricating some sort of mount for the alternate motor-block.

Anyone any brilliant thoughts, or alternatives please?

PhilP.

I have a Bachmann United traction tram and the motor failed I phoned Bachmann spares Dept. and they were most unhelpful saying they only get spare parts when America decides to send them some. So don't buy Bachmann stick to LGB for quality where anything rarely fails and you can get parts anyway even for 20+ years old vehicles.
Does anyone know of a replacement motor as I would still like to get it working having fitted it with LGB pickups to make it even go round the garden without stalling?

 

[trammayo]

Try http://www.g-bits.co.uk/prod.html They don't do Bachmann motors but, with a little DIY, a new motor block could be fitted (you might have to solder some wires from the block to the contacts underneath the tram for the lights) and the truck sides can be made to fit as well.

I like the Bachmann trams because they are Jackson & Sharp types, which are virtually identical to the John Stephenson cars supplied for the Roundhay Tramway (1891) in Leeds. As regards quality I totally agree with you!

 

[dutchelm]

I have had quite a few failures with faulty gears splitting. I replace the lot with a USAT motor block. Somewhere there should be a redundant motor. I will look in the morning.

 

[PhilP]

The USA Trains NW2 block is almost a straight swap.. .. ..
ALMOST!
You do need to extend a few wires, and make a mount to fix it.

 

[Madman]

Which USA Trains motor block are you guys using ?

 

[Gavin Sowry]

I got 14 years out of mine. When it clapped out, I just mail ordered a replacement block, and fitted it.

 

[PhilP]

Which USA Trains motor block are you guys using ?

The one from the NW2 Dan..

 

[Madman]

Thanks Phil.

 

[dunnyrail]

Which USA Trains motor block are you guys using ?

Now that is the €20,000 question. Just got my 2 x Garden Railway Specialists. Sort of looked like they would come in handy which they of course dod. Probably could get the forrect ones for my Coffee Stirer Beast, but as it works OK not going to disturb it anymore.
JonD