Awesome video! I loved (ok, ok, I still love) Thomas and Friends, and it was neat to see how you’ve kept them alive even as you transition into more “realistic” aspects of the hobby. Keep up the good work!
Wait. These were THAT CHEAP back in 2002?! I just started to get back into Thomas, and I just assumed they were always like that because they’re more collector-oriented models, and didn’t know quality was that different. By the way, are the newer models any better? I got a 2019 Thomas, and I want to know if they’ve fixed any issues with the models.
@Wumpus I own three Bachmann Thomas models as of now. One from 2019 and two from 2002-2006. The only difference is how the model is wired. The 2019 ver. has easier wiring to allow for easier maintenance. Other than that, the detailing, performance and electrical components are all the same.
@@trainstorm1225 okay. It’s nice knowing that at least they made it easier to repair. Edit: I ended up stripping one of the screws on my normal Bachmann Thomas, and it was one that connected the chassis to the body shell. Bachmann’s quality control must be terrible when even the SCREWS are easy to damage. Now I just gotta pray that Thomas doesn’t let his motor give out, because there’s a thin chance I’ll ever be able to replace it now.
This is amazing that you’ve been able to fix these locomotives. I have a Hornby Henry and Hornby Gordon and they both don’t work and they were so expensive and of course now the Hornby Thomas and friends range has been discontinued… grr! It’s so frustrating. I don’t know enough about model repairs and as such have not been able to fix them. The whole affair has been really frustrating and disheartening.
You can buy the classic Gordon on eBay for about £40 nowadays , if you get lucky on a bid but Henry is impossible , I recomend you ask the unlucky tough ( through email ) about his Custom Edward and how he rewired it or watch that video
If you're lucky, you just need to clean the contacts and wheel treads. Or maybe remagnetize the motors. If you're not so lucky, you may have damaged wires that need re-soldering. If the motors are truly dead, well.. I'm pretty sure they both use the dirt common XO4 motor.
I haven’t burned out any motors or boards yet, but our James broke a gearbox many years ago. I installed DCC in all our Thomas gear and it’s been pretty reliable. My issue with Henry is his front bogeys would often jump the tracks. Never was able to sort that out. I ended up buying the British Hornby Thomas, as I didn’t like the face on the Bachman one. He’s a good runner!
Ah yes, the wonderful Thomas range, as nice as they look I will agree they are not reliable. I’ve burned out 2 Gordon motors and am on my third, although the second was due to a faulty controller. I’ve started adding DCC to my fleet and they run much better. I love the real locomotive content, but I’d also love to see some more content on your Thomas fleet in the future!
Oh yeah. I’ve replaced parts after parts with these things, but they are quite old. I plan on adding DCC and Sound soon. I’ve got some ideas for Thomas content, just need to fix my Thomas lol!
What are you people doing that you're managing to burn them out like this? I have NEVER had one of my Bachmann Thomas motors burn out on me despite working Gordon and Henry fairly hard and often at full power.
Great Video TrainStorm! I remember having trouble with my Bachmann set (but it wasn’t the Thomas range although I wouldn’t mind getting one some day, but I’m getting off topic). At first, I thought the track needed cleaning, then I thought I have the transformer in wrong, and then I thought the engine wasn’t properly maintained, which resulting in me braking off a few pieces of the engine. And then I even went to get nickel plated ez track to replace the original track. All of that didn’t until I got a new transformer from a different set, and then it finally worked after several years of finding out the problem...it was to simply change the transformer...
It's the eye mech that puts a strain on the motor and burns it out
Awesome video! I loved (ok, ok, I still love) Thomas and Friends, and it was neat to see how you’ve kept them alive even as you transition into more “realistic” aspects of the hobby. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Harrison! Appreciate it!
im 21 and i still love thomas and friends i wont ever outgrow it
The fact that Percy is now 100$ in 2021 compared to his 29$ in 2002 despite the fact his mechanism is cheap garbage blows my mind.
I know right! It’s so greedy.
Wait. These were THAT CHEAP back in 2002?! I just started to get back into Thomas, and I just assumed they were always like that because they’re more collector-oriented models, and didn’t know quality was that different.
By the way, are the newer models any better? I got a 2019 Thomas, and I want to know if they’ve fixed any issues with the models.
@Wumpus I own three Bachmann Thomas models as of now. One from 2019 and two from 2002-2006. The only difference is how the model is wired. The 2019 ver. has easier wiring to allow for easier maintenance. Other than that, the detailing, performance and electrical components are all the same.
@@trainstorm1225 okay. It’s nice knowing that at least they made it easier to repair.
Edit: I ended up stripping one of the screws on my normal Bachmann Thomas, and it was one that connected the chassis to the body shell.
Bachmann’s quality control must be terrible when even the SCREWS are easy to damage. Now I just gotta pray that Thomas doesn’t let his motor give out, because there’s a thin chance I’ll ever be able to replace it now.
That's HiT and later Mattel licenseflation for ya! Probably paired with the stupid practice of raising prices to make up for decreased sales
Nice job with the repairs!
Thank ya!
This is amazing that you’ve been able to fix these locomotives. I have a Hornby Henry and Hornby Gordon and they both don’t work and they were so expensive and of course now the Hornby Thomas and friends range has been discontinued… grr! It’s so frustrating. I don’t know enough about model repairs and as such have not been able to fix them. The whole affair has been really frustrating and disheartening.
You can buy the classic Gordon on eBay for about £40 nowadays , if you get lucky on a bid but Henry is impossible , I recomend you ask the unlucky tough ( through email ) about his Custom Edward and how he rewired it or watch that video
If you're lucky, you just need to clean the contacts and wheel treads. Or maybe remagnetize the motors.
If you're not so lucky, you may have damaged wires that need re-soldering.
If the motors are truly dead, well.. I'm pretty sure they both use the dirt common XO4 motor.
I haven’t burned out any motors or boards yet, but our James broke a gearbox many years ago. I installed DCC in all our Thomas gear and it’s been pretty reliable. My issue with Henry is his front bogeys would often jump the tracks. Never was able to sort that out. I ended up buying the British Hornby Thomas, as I didn’t like the face on the Bachman one. He’s a good runner!
That intro was absolutely beautiful
Thank you!
Congratulations
The ORIGINAL Thomas series was the best. Change my Mind.
No.
My point still stands. try me.
I have ordered replacement parts from Bachman before and at least two on occasions they have come broken...
Ah yes, the wonderful Thomas range, as nice as they look I will agree they are not reliable. I’ve burned out 2 Gordon motors and am on my third, although the second was due to a faulty controller. I’ve started adding DCC to my fleet and they run much better. I love the real locomotive content, but I’d also love to see some more content on your Thomas fleet in the future!
Oh yeah. I’ve replaced parts after parts with these things, but they are quite old. I plan on adding DCC and Sound soon. I’ve got some ideas for Thomas content, just need to fix my Thomas lol!
What are you people doing that you're managing to burn them out like this? I have NEVER had one of my Bachmann Thomas motors burn out on me despite working Gordon and Henry fairly hard and often at full power.
Hey buddy, what do you use to edit videos/clips together? I was think about doing a 1225 Super edit on my channel and I don't know what to use
iMovie. Nothing fancy.
@@trainstorm1225 on phone or computer?
Great Video TrainStorm!
I remember having trouble with my Bachmann set (but it wasn’t the Thomas range although I wouldn’t mind getting one some day, but I’m getting off topic). At first, I thought the track needed cleaning, then I thought I have the transformer in wrong, and then I thought the engine wasn’t properly maintained, which resulting in me braking off a few pieces of the engine. And then I even went to get nickel plated ez track to replace the original track. All of that didn’t until I got a new transformer from a different set, and then it finally worked after several years of finding out the problem...it was to simply change the transformer...
Thank you! Glad you got your set going again!
@@trainstorm1225 You’re welcome!
Thats why I collect the hornby Thomas range instead
They will last forever
Awesome video!
Hey I remember you! You were in fired up trains server
funny thats the exact same thing that happened to me when i got my first HO trains
Can you please make a video about servicing James? I cannot get the shell off and i can't find any more screws to un-do.
I have owned 2 Gordon's and one Henry and they all broke very quickly.
Nice
1:12 background music?
great video could you also do a video on your mth gs4
Thank you! I got one in the works! 🙂
Where is his trailing weel
Man I'd love bachmann henry if he didn't have like the most wack proportions ever
Why is his tender so short and why are his eyes so small 😭
So I was wondering, would you like to join my discord server? (If you have discord) we mainly talk about model trains