Bachmann Baldwin Playing Up

[B.Meldon]

And that's precisely what I'm going to do tomorrow. Reseating the blanking plug didn't work so there's no point in delving any further. Interesting to hear that others have had the same problem.

What controller are you using John?

Brian Meldon

[JohnS]

I'm using a Gaugemaster Combi which as far as I'm aware shouldn't be the cause of any problems

[B.Meldon]

I'm using a Gaugemaster Combi which as far as I'm aware shouldn't be the cause of any problems

Have you just one GM Combi on the layout or two (or more) with section switches etc?
Brian Meldon

[JohnS]

Just the one

[Paulc]

Just set up a test track; an oval of set track with some points and a loop, to try out and run in my Baldwin which I purchased in July but for various reasons haven't tried out yet.

Using the Minitrains controller, which has always proved fine when wired into the test track, it would go forwards at full speed with no trouble, at half speed it went forward in a series of stops and starts at low speed it went but emitted an alarming hum.  In reverse it would go at full speed or not at all.

I switched to the Gaugemaster combi which I use for the other layout and the Baldwin runs perfectly, slow or fast backwards or forwards.  I managed to avoid sideways which can be an option at full speed on set track curves!  Can't comment on lights as mine is "Peggy" and doesn't have any.

[B.Meldon]

Just set up a test track; an oval of set track with some points and a loop, to try out and run in my Baldwin which I purchased in July but for various reasons haven't tried out yet.

Using the Minitrains controller, which has always proved fine when wired into the test track, it would go forwards at full speed with no trouble, at half speed it went forward in a series of stops and starts at low speed it went but emitted an alarming hum.  In reverse it would go at full speed or not at all.

I switched to the Gaugemaster combi which I use for the other layout and the Baldwin runs perfectly, slow or fast backwards or forwards.  I managed to avoid sideways which can be an option at full speed on set track curves!  Can't comment on lights as mine is "Peggy" and doesn't have any.

Others have also mentioned that these locos do not run properly with the Minitrains controller.

Brian Meldon

[Christopher Spring]

I to am having problems with my Bachmann Baldwin not going forwards but running fine in reverse which have only started yesterday, I purchased in Oct & doubt that I have more than 30 mins use on it. It is running on DC only & I use a Gaugemaster Combi controller so should be no issues there.

On the Facebook 009 Group there are also quite a few reports of this problem. My supplier is taking mine back & replacing it with a new one, and I really hope this solves the problem.

Has any one had any Feedback from Bachmann about what potentially appears to be a bit of an issue?.

Received my new one back on 11th Dec, accumulated about 15 mins running so far & OK, but nervous of how long it will continue OK for?!!

[JohnS]

Hi Christopher, I think you have also posted on my thread on the same subject on RMweb. I received my Baldwin back from Bachmann this morning and they said they had replaced a faulty PCB. It's working fine now. 

[Christopher Spring]

Thanks for Feedback, & I hope this has resolved your problem.

[Peter Shunter]

I purchased my Baldwin back in May . Within the running in period it failed with symptons as above. Returned to retailer who replaced it with no quibble. Within a fortnight again failed with same symptons. Returned  this time to Bachman who advised had replaced faulty component. This time it lasted about ten weeks before again failing. Again returned to Bachman who advised they had replaced Loco and track tested it. Within one hour had failed again. Using Gaugemaster Combi controller which Bachmann okayed first time. Have so far spent about twenty quid returning this load of rubbish so now in box at back of cupboard till after xmas. Should I then spend more good money after bad returning this yet again which seems pointless as Bachman seem to be replacing a faulty component like for like, or do i remove the electronics and straight wire it myself. I have contacted a solicitor friend for advice as the thing could possibly be deemed 'not fit for purpose' so will wait for his reply.

[Peter Shunter]

Tail end of last week I removed my fourth replacement[failed] loco from its box with a view to directly wiring motor and pickups as fedup with keep paying postage sending it back to Bachmann. It had failed pre xmas within thirty minutes of placing it on the rails in
the 'normal' fashion , sudden lack of power in one direction, very little power in other direction and hot electric smell. However on removing the blanking plug there seemed to be a blob of excess plastic on the bottom of it. I carefully filed that away, brushed any dust etc out of plug and socket and refitted. It went home with a much more  satisfying positive click but alas made no difference at all powerwise. Whilst still on the rails with a little power on I did
notice that if I twisted the blanking plug slightly in one direction the loco wanted to take off in both directions. Once released all action stopped again. Managing to keep the board very slightly twisted I applied a small piece of masking tape to the end of the small pcb that carries the plug and affixed other end  to the chassis hopefully to hold it in position. The loco has now run perfectly for the
last four days including one almost continuous session of almost two hours. The headlights do not however work, so presumably it was the components controlling them that expired with the hot electric smell. That i can live with as on the plus side the loco is much more controllable and runs much more smoothly at low speeds. Might not cure everyones problem but seems to be working for me as not interested in sound mods or DCC anyway  and indicates that the problem may still well be with the blanking plug and socket.

[rod335]

The problem seems to be confined to the DCC ready trickery. If this facility is not required, I offer this alternative. Whether or not we should HAVE to do this is not a question I would wish to go into. But this solution seems to work.


Remove the tank assembly (held underneath by two cross head screws) and remove the screws holding the DCC gubbins. Lift the board up and underneath, from left to right, you will see 8 soldered wires. Solder wire 1 to wire 7 and wire 6 to wire 8. Unsolder all others and remove the board. To tame the locos a bit, put a 150 ohm 1/4 watt resistor between either 1 and 7 or 6 and 8, it makes no difference where you place it. Reassemble loco. You will now have a non DCC ready conventional loco which, hopefully, avoids any of the problems some have encounterred.


I must stress that this modification ius NOT recommended or approved by Bachmann and although it has worked for me on both my Baldwins (which had not suffered problems) I can offer no guarantees or accept any liability for any consequential damage howsoever caused.

[Hugh Norwood]

Just out of interest, you understand, Rod, but from which direction are you counting the wires? or are they numbered on the circuit board?

[rod335]

Left to right viewed from underneath. Sorry, I thought I had said that!

[Christopher Spring]

Hi Christopher, I think you have also posted on my thread on the same subject on RMweb. I received my Baldwin back from Bachmann this morning and they said they had replaced a faulty PCB. It's working fine now. 

Hi John, just for info I had to return my replacement engine to Bachmann as it did fail after an hour or so, on receiving back from Bachmann it failed very quickly in both directions!!.  I then returned again & received back on 12th Jan with a note to say they had tested for an hour in each direction & fitted a PCB from a the last batch to arrive.  Touch wood this latest repair with what looks like a PCB from a new batch is working well, which is great as I have found it to be a great little loco when working.  If it carries on OK for a further month or so I'll risk buying a further engine.