I got a Santa Fe GP40 with my EZ C unit when I bought it and did not know much about the loco. Come to find out that Santa Fe only had one of them and it was never numbered 3502. I got looking and Santa Fe's 3502 was a GP38. Well at the FTW. show last weekend I bought a Bachmann GP38 number 3502! The difference in quality between the units is like night and day. The standard line DCC on board unit is way better than the one that came with the EZ C!. The loco is better detailed and a lot quieter. At the same show I bought an AHM C-Liner in Santa Fe War Bonnet colors. As far as I know they never had one of those either. Cost me $3 but I had one as a kid so what the hey. With all the flap about prototypical why manufacturer do things like that. I would guess Santa Fe is so popular that they could paint a Ford Pinto that way and it might sell.
RMax
Rmax,
I have expireanced the same. My Engine included in the set was a Sante Fe F unit and a Santa Fe GP unit (yes, my set included two). My seperate purchase GP DCC on board is much smoother, set engines have that "gear noise".
Bluegill,
I thought they were exactly the same but now I have to rethink when purchasing them. I have seen people selling the ones that came with the EZ C system. It may explain the wild variations in prices for Bachmann DCC units. I have seen steam locos for around $100 to $150 with DCC on board. Now I will most likely want to see in person exactly what I will be buying due to the quality differences.
I think what it is is Bachmann packages the lesser quality regular locos with the EZ C, and the Spectrum model ARE more "refined" models.
So, the EZC setup may have the "cheaper model in it" and the model you bought may have been the newer upgraded spetrum line. Often what Bachmann apparently has done is to turn a SPectrum line loco into a regular line after the initial Spectrum line runs.
They have worked hard over the years to upgrade their models and "refine" them {add more appropriate detailing, etc.} so they are more competitive.
THE EZ C "sets" ARE relatively cheap, so its just a matter of economics...like anything else..sometimes the "packaged product" is of lesser value that the individual parts. TAke cheaper tools packaged for CHristmas sets...not as good as the year-round sets or individual units.
Just my thoughts and opinions built/information gathered over the years.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Galaxy that is a good point and you may be right. I got looking at the loco and it does resemble a Spectrum more than the regulars I have seen in the past. For the price it is nice.