Trains.com

Bachmann Durango & Silverton Passenger set

8350 views
21 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Bachmann Durango & Silverton Passenger set
Posted by Mr_Ash on Thursday, November 15, 2007 7:11 PM

Set came UPS yesterday but I didnt get around to opening it untill today I was kinda bummed from the start as the coach and observation car have the cheep flimsy plastic hand rails (Battery power too woot!) removed the drum on the observation car it has a pic of a K36 on it.... #489 from the Cumbres & Toltec ugh! plus the observation car named "Almaosa" while numbered right its yellow... wich is okay I guess They didnt repaint it red untill sometime after 2000... other car is North Star, both car's are numbered correctly...

Im really bummed over the quality though... the paint is more of a dull yellow compared to the 4 D&RGW jackson sharp coaches Bachmann has sperate and those D&RGW car's bug me too, the only one they gave a number is the combine car 202 wich checks out and actually looks pretty close to the factory drawings of the real car.... Oh but in doing some more looking the older Bachmann D&RG red coaches dont checkout well the combine and observation car anyway. couldnt find anything on the combine 122 and the observation car "RICO" no number was a RGS parlor car not DRG Ashamed [*^_^*]

Oh well... Been having a fun afternoon breaking in Durango & Silverton #177 4-6-0 and doing some mod's to #179 Big Smile [:D]

Painted the the brass stuff black (plastic mounts too on the handrails) added visor to the headlamp, added & painted the marker lamps. Cant see it so much but I removed the reverse lamp from the tender.... fake front coupler is bad enough dont need a fake light lol! Also switched the silver tender trucks to black Approve [^]

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Friday, November 16, 2007 7:40 AM
The Big Hauler sets are more toy oriented rather than model oriented. It's best to stick with the Spectrum line with Bachmann as it is much better quality. Also, the Big Haluer sets are all 1:22.5 while the Spectrum series is all 1:20.3. WIth the addition of a few details (as you have done) they can be nice models. Good job.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Friday, November 16, 2007 9:08 AM

I love these 4-6-0 engines thought there great, none of the Spectrum engine's really looked all that great to me except for maybe the 4-4-0. but these trains are no more toys than any other scale lol just because they are cheep on a few details in the sets doesnt mean they cant be fixed and improved detailed and weathered nicely.

If your going to brand a group of trains "Toy's" lets do some finger pointing at Lionel Black Eye [B)]

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Friday, November 16, 2007 3:41 PM
Maybe that was a bad choice of words...I just meant that the Big Haluer sets were more in the toy direction than the Spectrum. Look at the Shay, Heisler or Climax. There's a huge difference.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Saturday, November 17, 2007 10:37 AM

I dont consider them toys at all, your comparing them like you would say New Bright or Playmobile trains vs anything else in Large scale.

I dont like any of the engines in Bachmann's Spectrum series plus they cost 2-3 times as much as Big Haulers stuff. Just because it cost alot more doesnt make it more of a model and less of a toy

I wanted a D&RGW/D&SNG "Grande gold" steamer/passenger set and I got it for less than $150 and most importantly I'm happy with it. Sure its rough around the edges and its going to take a little work to upgrade/paint a few parts on the coaches & engine but it sure beats paying $2000 for simmiler stuff in 1:20 scale

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Saturday, November 17, 2007 4:16 PM
Ok, nevermind.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: silver spring, md
  • 1,232 posts
Posted by altterrain on Saturday, November 17, 2007 9:59 PM

Heck, they are all toys, whether its a $20 New Bright set or a $6,500 Accucraft Cab Forward. After all, that's what separates the men and the boys, its the price of their toys.

-Brian 

President of
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Saturday, November 17, 2007 10:04 PM

IDK its just wierd how all the other big hauler set coaches and the other RR's coaches they sell seperate all get car numbers numbers but D&RGW gets shafted only the combine car got a number and the quality compared to the other coaches paint was lower quality...

Anyway... the D&S Passenger cars have red celestial windows compared to the pinkish ones that came on the D&RGW coaches.  Confused [%-)]

Good part is i can just swap the roof's/road name's with my D&RGW coaches Big Smile [:D]

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Sunday, November 18, 2007 9:54 AM
 altterrain wrote:

Heck, they are all toys, whether its a $20 New Bright set or a $6,500 Accucraft Cab Forward. After all, that's what separates the men and the boys, its the price of their toys.

-Brian 

lol im already paying out the *** for track and busting my hump doing yard work I just want somthing that runs and I would prefer D&RGW/D&S as when i was a kid my LHS allways had a D&RGW LGB layout in there front window. Plus I rode the Drango & Silverton and Cumbres & Toltec a few times as a kid. Big Haulers for the most part are same scale as the LGB trains and the price is good. Its like when i was doing HO scale, Almost all my stuff was Athearn besides my Bi-Level commuter coaches made from kits but the Athearn stuff was cheep and easy to renumber and dress up nice. Same goes for the big haulers stuff. (if i could just find some grande gold paint now! Censored [censored] )

If you think whatever your spending thousands of dollars on is better because of the price tag go on thinking that, whatever floats your boat and makes you happy to each there own Tongue [:P]

Besides yall already talked me into going with R3 track over R2 so chances are some day I will get somthing bigger, not anytime soon though I need to get track done first Wink [;)]

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Redding, California
  • 1,428 posts
Posted by Train 284 on Sunday, November 18, 2007 6:00 PM

It does not take thousands of dollars for a good locomotive or good rolling stock.

 

Bachmann Anniversary: $100 at St. Aubins; updated drive, metal valve gear, and more detail. Surpasses any of the previous 5 generations of big hauler locos.

 Bachmann Shay: $295 with updated die-cast trucks. Will run for a very long time and pull big loads

Bachmann Porter: $150 Updated drive and new metal valve gear

 Bachmann 1:20.3 scale flatcar; accucraft detail and quality without the accucraft price

 

These are just a few of many examples so don't have your mindset on thinking everything besides a Big Hauler costs over $1000 

 

Just my My 2 cents [2c]

Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Sunday, November 18, 2007 6:11 PM

If I went with 1:20 it would have to be Bachmann K-27 with Accucraft D&RGW coaches... Engine is $800+ and the coaches $200-500 each...

Other option was LGB.... and since nobody has any instock and the only place to have it is ebay for $100 a car and alot more for a working 2-6-0 in good condition... Big Haulers is the same size and if im able to get LGB trains down the line they will mix in just fine

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Redding, California
  • 1,428 posts
Posted by Train 284 on Monday, November 19, 2007 5:40 PM
The Anniversary from Bachmann IS a Big Hauler, just with updatd motor and drive, metal valve gear and lots more detail.
Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Anaheim, CA Bayfield, CO
  • 1,829 posts
Posted by Southwest Chief on Monday, November 19, 2007 7:38 PM

 Mr_Ash wrote:
...Other option was LGB.... and since nobody has any instock and the only place to have it is ebay for $100 a car and alot more for a working 2-6-0 in good condition... Big Haulers is the same size and if im able to get LGB trains down the line they will mix in just fine

Sort of.  The Bachmann coach is longer then the typical LGB coach, and they don't look all that great mixed together.  Bachmann freight cars, on the other hand, look great mixed with LGB and appropriately sized Aristo and USA rolling stock.

Is it true you can't find LGB in stock anywhere?  I haven't been looking, but that sure is bad news since I like their coaches and locomotives the best.  Does Trainworld or St. Aubins have any LGB moguls?  They always seem to have had some in the past regardless of current supply, although the road name may be something weird like Coke or Disney.

I know my local Hobby Shop (Milepost 38) had some LGB D&RGW coaches and a lot of other pieces including moguls, at least the last time I was there about a month ago.  If anyone is really looking for LGB, you might want to contact them.

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
Click Here for my model train photo website

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 12:07 AM
 Southwest Chief wrote:

 Mr_Ash wrote:
...Other option was LGB.... and since nobody has any instock and the only place to have it is ebay for $100 a car and alot more for a working 2-6-0 in good condition... Big Haulers is the same size and if im able to get LGB trains down the line they will mix in just fine

Sort of.  The Bachmann coach is longer then the typical LGB coach, and they don't look all that great mixed together.  Bachmann freight cars, on the other hand, look great mixed with LGB and appropriately sized Aristo and USA rolling stock.

Is it true you can't find LGB in stock anywhere?  I haven't been looking, but that sure is bad news since I like their coaches and locomotives the best.  Does Trainworld or St. Aubins have any LGB moguls?  They always seem to have had some in the past regardless of current supply, although the road name may be something weird like Coke or Disney.

I know my local Hobby Shop (Milepost 38) had some LGB D&RGW coaches and a lot of other pieces including moguls, at least the last time I was there about a month ago.  If anyone is really looking for LGB, you might want to contact them.

I guess I just got into G scale at the wrong time. Back when I was still into HO 10 years or so ago there were 3 hobby shops around me that all had lots of LGB stuff, but  they have all gone out of business now. Only hobby shops left around me carry mostly N, HO & O scale with very little LGB or anything G scale so for the most part I'm getting everything online Disapprove [V]

I have tried ordering a couple LGB car's from St Aubin but they havent had what I want instock and also havent replied to any of my E-mails. I wish more places updated there websites to show what they actually have instock with a picture so I dont have to resort to ebay, I think I might drive up to St Aubin's store in Woodstock IL on my day off next week to see what they have there

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 2 posts
Posted by Johnno on Monday, November 26, 2007 12:12 PM

Greetings from sunny Spain, Mr A, why are you knocking Playmoil?????? I have just received  a new r/c diesel from Germany via e-bay for use by visiting youngsters, we can run all year round here in southern Spain, (the rains in Spain falls mainly on my trains) so I fit it out with batteries for testing & off it go'es with headlamps brighly shining, then I think lets try it with a load & the nearest consist was coupled up, that poor little TOY loco pulled away up a 1.5% rise, Sorry grade, with no trouble at all pulling SIX logging disconects and THREE flatbed cars all loaded with real tree wood logs, now where did I put that spare sound unit.

Regards  Johnno

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:07 PM

Oh I was only joking, I loved the few playmobil figures my parrents bought me as a kid Wink [;)]

I have allways wanted to get the Western Passenger set, ever since I first laid eyes on it as a kid Blush [:I]

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:00 PM

I thought that since you like the style of the Big Hauler stuff I would post this for you, Mr. Ash. Hobby Lobby has a pretty good deal on this set.

http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?dep=25&cat=75&subcat=40&IsOnSale=0&IsFeatured=0&IsNew=0&ItemId=44554

They also have a printable online coupon that will give you 40% off of anything regular price. 159.99 is their regular price on that and 40% off makes it 96 bucks. Hard to go wrong there. That's worth buying an extra...or two.

It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:15 AM
 GearDrivenSteam wrote:

I thought that since you like the style of the Big Hauler stuff I would post this for you, Mr. Ash. Hobby Lobby has a pretty good deal on this set.

http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?dep=25&cat=75&subcat=40&IsOnSale=0&IsFeatured=0&IsNew=0&ItemId=44554

They also have a printable online coupon that will give you 40% off of anything regular price. 159.99 is their regular price on that and 40% off makes it 96 bucks. Hard to go wrong there. That's worth buying an extra...or two.

 Hehe yes I have seen those along with a couple other sets at my local hobby lobby, to bad it was a couple weeks after I had already bought the same set online for $150 DOH! I was at my local Hobby Lobby a couple weeks ago and they had sold out alot of there train sets (all the G sets were sold out). They had a 50% off everything not already onsale in the store sale after thanksgiving Shock [:O]

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:17 AM
Whoops.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Snoqualmie Valley
  • 515 posts
Posted by S&G Rute of the Silver River on Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:57 PM

Its ok Cristmases dump sales will be ariving shortly, and the chain stores will usually have some holiday themed stuff they don't want to hold till next year. Yaaaa parts Evil [}:)]

"I'm as alive and awake as the dead without it" Patrick, Snoqualmie WA. Member of North West Railway Museum Caffinallics Anomus (Me)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 15, 2007 9:28 AM
40% off is a fantastic deal.  I went to the website but could not find the coupon.  Is the coupon gone?
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: SW Chicago Suburbs
  • 788 posts
Posted by Mr_Ash on Saturday, December 15, 2007 10:15 PM

Im pretty sure the coupon thing was only during November, Im sure they will have another big sale after christmas. Also good to check back on there site from time to time to see if they have any other instore internet deals, They have tons of nifty stuff at those stores Wink [;)]

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy