Back in November 2022 I was very kindly sent this Bachmann Class A4 "Seagull" as a donation by a chap called Neil. Support - ko-fi.com/00bi... FAQ - ko-fi.com/post...
A great little rescue project of this A4 Seagull from Bachman. I have to say well done in maintaining the loco back into a running model, and she runs sweet around the test track. 10/10 Recovery.
Those front bogies, are I find tricky at the best of times to fit, springs and washers flying all over the place. So excellent work when you have to fit one that suffers a degree of fragility. A great instructional vid.
Great video. I’ve always been weary of Bachmann splits chases. Heard a lot of people say keep away from them. After watching this video gives me confidence in having a go and buy these older Bachmann locos. Look forward in watching the progress of your new layout. Rgds from Down Under.
I've bought a lot of Mainline/Bachmann split chassis locos and so far, haven't had one that I couldn't fix. If you are trying to DCC fit them, it can be a bit challenging and you need to take care, but even this has worked pretty well for me. Gerry C from Australia too :)
Great repair. Nice to see it running again. I have quite a few split chassis locomotives. Some needed some TLC but they are still going strong. Thanks for showing. Regards Paul.
I remember as a kid the locomotives in display cases at the Museum in Edinburgh, you could push a button and thanks to angled mirrors you could see the mechanism. I wonder where they ended up, simple pleasures.
These split chassis, Bachmann A4s are a nightmare to own ! I've got two and they have both fallen to bits! I to got mine from Peters spares and seem OK!
You can with a little bit of finaglling get the new chassis to fit the old body. I got fed up replacing the axles on the old ones. So when the new chassis came out I converted my last 4 old ones to new chassis's, got a smoking deal on 4 of the same name and I just sold the body's on.
I might have missed something watching the video but the rear wheels on the front bogie aren't turning. Love these videos despite not owning any trains myself 😅
I’d imagine some glue seeped out. Hope Bill reads and rectifies as the plating on the older bachmann models is relatively ‘soft’ and it will Develop a flat spot.
Well done for managing to get the front bogie back on,. It's not something that I would like to try to repair. And as for the noisy tender fix I would never have thought about putting tissues inside to deaden tho sound.😊
I think the reason you can feel a mild shock when holding both sides of the split chassis is because when the motor's comutator opens and closes, the windings' inductance create a high voltage.
Seems to be common to all models that use that system. I'm into US models and the Proto 2000 locomotives have the same design and are also notorious for the plastic connectors splitting.
Now that was a great restoration job. I always wonder what oil, grease and what it contact cleaner? Mostly as I have an engine on its way to me that I know is in need of some tender loving care and my knowledge of such works is zero at the moment but hey, you have to start somewhere.
A great little rescue project of this A4 Seagull from Bachman. I have to say well done in maintaining the loco back into a running model, and she runs sweet around the test track. 10/10 Recovery.
Those front bogies, are I find tricky at the best of times to fit, springs and washers flying all over the place.
So excellent work when you have to fit one that suffers a degree of fragility. A great instructional vid.
Intricate repair job! Looking forward to seeing the first layout build video!
Great video. I’ve always been weary of Bachmann splits chases. Heard a lot of people say keep away from them. After watching this video gives me confidence in having a go and buy these older Bachmann locos. Look forward in watching the progress of your new layout. Rgds from Down Under.
I've bought a lot of Mainline/Bachmann split chassis locos and so far, haven't had one that I couldn't fix.
If you are trying to DCC fit them, it can be a bit challenging and you need to take care, but even this has worked pretty well for me.
Gerry C from Australia too :)
I remember seeing Seagull in early BR blue on a football special near Denham. I seem to recall that the coaches were still in teak livery.
Another fine repair of a beautiful engine. Well done.
Great repair. Nice to see it running again. I have quite a few split chassis locomotives. Some needed some TLC but they are still going strong. Thanks for showing. Regards Paul.
Oh... Same style of mechanism as in my poor woebegone Bachmann Pennsy K4 and same issues. Glad to see you rescuing this one.
I remember as a kid the locomotives in display cases at the Museum in Edinburgh, you could push a button and thanks to angled mirrors you could see the mechanism. I wonder where they ended up, simple pleasures.
Yeah I loved those and all the industrial engines. I much preferred the museum back then than it is now.
Im learning so much from watching your videos get understanding how motors work, do any repairs
These split chassis, Bachmann A4s are a nightmare to own ! I've got two and they have both fallen to bits! I to got mine from Peters spares and seem OK!
You can with a little bit of finaglling get the new chassis to fit the old body. I got fed up replacing the axles on the old ones. So when the new chassis came out I converted my last 4 old ones to new chassis's, got a smoking deal on 4 of the same name and I just sold the body's on.
I might have missed something watching the video but the rear wheels on the front bogie aren't turning. Love these videos despite not owning any trains myself 😅
I saw that as well - maybe a tad too much glue.
I’d imagine some glue seeped out. Hope Bill reads and rectifies as the plating on the older bachmann models is relatively ‘soft’ and it will
Develop a flat spot.
I need to start reshooting scenes when stuff like this happens. It got sorted after I noticed it when editing the video.
Another excellent repair job, thanks for sharing.
Well done for managing to get the front bogie back on,. It's not something that I would like to try to repair. And as for the noisy tender fix I would never have thought about putting tissues inside to deaden tho sound.😊
Excellent work again Bill, nice model saved 👍
Another good job done looking forward to update on new layout
cant wait to hear about the new layout👍👍
It's a great repair, but I do notice the second set of leading wheels don't seem to be turning? Were you able to fix that later?
Really nice job Bill.
I think the reason you can feel a mild shock when holding both sides of the split chassis is because when the motor's comutator opens and closes, the windings' inductance create a high voltage.
Yup. And it can hurt enough to make you drop the thing. I've done it a few times!
So satisfying. Thanks.
Great repair
Nice one Bill.....
that was another great repair it runs really nicely now..is there a limited shelf life on those Bachmann split chassis locos?
Looks like the rear set on the front bogy is not rolling.
Thanks for the lesson. 🚂
Trailing bogie needs adjusting
hI bILL to make your crandriver easier to use cut it in two and glue the halves onto old screwdriver shafts good video though another A4 saved
Nice one, Bill. Not sure if you mentioned it in the video; what vintage is that locomotive, 1970s or 80s, or is it newer than that?
I may be completely wrong, but I don't think Bachmann were making UK models until at least the 1990s.
Im sure i read that this tooling bachmann used for the A4 is the old Trix mould dating from about 1970
1990s
21:15 Rear pony truck looks wonky, there, even though the loco is (I think) on straight track. Something wrong, or just an optical illusion?
No it's fine.
what is it about bachmann gears and axles i have an n gauge loco and that seems to have these issues.jpj
Seems to be common to all models that use that system. I'm into US models and the Proto 2000 locomotives have the same design and are also notorious for the plastic connectors splitting.
What@ Bachmann cracked plastic parts ! Couldn't be !😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Do you do repairs then send them back or do they just get sent for donation?
What a great repair! We’ll done! Love what you do and keep doing it! Fantastic channel, learning so much by watching your channel 👍👍
Now that was a great restoration job. I always wonder what oil, grease and what it contact cleaner? Mostly as I have an engine on its way to me that I know is in need of some tender loving care and my knowledge of such works is zero at the moment but hey, you have to start somewhere.
Lovely job Bill
Looking forward to the layout build update
Nick Australia
good vid on the channel thanks lee
Brilliant Bill
Nice quiet runner!
Nice model Bill