So I'm looking at expanding my motive power on a budget and I see that Bachman has 8 wheel drive diesels starting at $25 or about $40 for a dcc equipped version. Also noted some leftover Proto FA's on sale for $40 or so. So I have a few questions about these.
1 How's the power pickup, is it 8 wheel too?
2 How's the low speed performance? Are they smooth enough for switching? Is the mechanism balky?
3 Assuming I'm going to install DH123 decoders is there an advantage to getting the dcc versions (ie 8 pin plug)?
4 Any reccomendations on different decoders that may better compliment these locos?
I realize that at this price point I'm not gonna get lots of detail or tremendous pulling power and I'm ok with that. My longest sidings and yard tracks limit me to 10 car trains and currently the P in PC stands for plywood so detail is a ways off. For the record I currently hav 3 Atlas Classic locos that work better than expected but I'm finding the handrails easy to damage.
Modeling the Cleveland and Pittsburgh during the PennCentral era starting on the Cleveland lakefront and ending in Mingo junction
The Bachmann spectrums are good runners and decent quality.
The standard bachmanns are hit or miss. I have a 70 ton cheapo version switcher and it whines worse than a spoiled kid. With any of them though you'll have to break them in for about an hour. They do quiet down in that time.
Springfield PA
The Proto FA would be my choice, very smooth runners and maybe too detailed - all the handrails and grabs are individual pieces so you have to watch where you pick it up so as to not break any. I have an AB powered set, very nice. Absolutely a better locomotive than the basic Bachmann. And don;t bother with the Bachmann with DCC already installed, for the price difference between DCC and non-DCC, you can buy a far superior decoder than the one Bachmann uses.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hamltnblue The Bachmann spectrums are good runners and decent quality. The standard bachmanns are hit or miss. I have a 70 ton cheapo version switcher and it whines worse than a spoiled kid. With any of them though you'll have to break them in for about an hour. They do quiet down in that time.
Agree completely. My Spectrum runs great. Most of my standards are pretty good. All the Bachs use the same motor which is actually pretty good. All my Bachs have 8 wheel pickup. (even the 12 wheelers) I have 1 DCC onboard GP30 that gives me problems. It has better shell detail than my others, but it didn't come with flywheels so it doesn't run that smooth. Decoder fried after about 3 hours. I would recommend the Spectrums or a standard with fly wheels and add your own decoder.
This place has pretty good deals on Bachs.http://stores.shop.ebay.com/THE-FAVORITE-SPOT__W0QQ_armrsZ1
The Spectrum line is the better quality and running abilities. Try to stay away from the regular Bachmann locos. I mainly have steamers and have found they either run real good or not very good at all. Generaly light on the feet. I weighted all my K4s locos to pull more than 4 HW cars on the hill. If you can find any of the old blue box Athearns they are prety indestuctable with metal hand rails.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I've seen the Spectrums but at that price point I'd just stick with the Atlas units. Do the standard Bach F7 have flywheels? IIRC the Sharknose does but is currently only DCC equipped. The P2K FAs are good so no worries there. I know the decoders that come in the Bachmann standard loco's aren't great (limited programming options) which is why I plan to go to DH123s. So far seems pretty hit or miss. For the record the Atlas units I have are more than I need from a power standpoint, my u23b will pull almost all my rolling stock (40 cars) around my layout, I have plenty of tape a weights for ballasting a light loco.
On those cheap Bachmann diesels I have a few and have run them for 4 years. One decoder went bad out of 6 and I sent it back after running it for 3 years, Bachmann fixed it. Can't beat their warranty even for the cheap units. The only programming you can do with them is the lights can be programmed to dim using a function button, and on and off. The other thing you can program even with the cheapy's is acceleration and deceleration (CV3/CV4) for slow motion yard use and CV19 multi unit address for consist, That's about all you can do with them with the exception of 2 and 4 digit address, you can do that too. That's about it! OH !!!!!!! flywheels included, even can motors are included!
My bachmanns speed match perfectly with my bluelines, Athearn and Atlas engines perfectly. (At speed step Zero)
Just remember, "You get what you pay for."
Also, just about anything is better than a botchmon.......
pc
Not always true. The Spectrums are pretty good. I swear by my shay.
bachmann got a bad reputation during the few years that they had problems. If you haven't tried one in awhile check them out. Once again I'm talking about their spectrum series. The rest is lower grade.
The Spectrums run pretty good even with 3 pole motors.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
richg1998 The Spectrums run pretty good even with 3 pole motors. Rich
Wrong, they are 5 pole: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=291
Not all are five pole. The below link is from the Bachmann site. A rep of the Bachmann company says the Spectrum 2-8-0 is 3 pole. Earlier in the year there was mention of Bachmann switching to efficient 3 pole motors. Bachmann for sure, will not mention this fact in advertising.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6869.0.html
richg1998 Not all are five pole. The below link is from the Bachmann site. A rep of the Bachmann company says the Spectrum 2-8-0 is 3 pole. Earlier in the year there was mention of Bachmann switching to efficient 3 pole motors. Bachmann for sure, will not mention this fact in advertising. http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6869.0.html Rich
Excuse Me, but the OP was referring to diesel!