Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation

[Anonymous]

I'm just starting to design a new layout [:D]( I'm also new to the hobby) and my
loco's are Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidations and I'm wondering if someone
out there can tell me how many cars they can comfortably haul????? I have
found out that this engine was reviewed in the June 1998 MR mag., but that
was before I got into the hobby so I don't have that issue ( I know you can order
back issues from them but did I tell you that I'm also cheap???[^][^])
Anyway if someone can give me the heads up on this it sure would help me
out. Thanks ahead of time for the help.[:)][:)][:)][:)]
Harv

[Eriediamond]

Harv, I too own a Spectrum 2-8-0 and really love it as does Bubba. Anyway to answer your question, my hauls 15-18 cars with no problems on my club layout. Now the maximum it could pull depends on too many "ifs" to give you a precise answer. Track conditions, curves, grades, friction in the car truck bearings, type of wheels on your trucks, car weight, lighted cars(those wipers produce friction) all contribute to the performance of your locos. Sorry, I can't give you a more accurate answer. By the way, I have not really tried to see how many cars mine will pull.

[cacole]

A lot depends on how tight a radius you plan to use and the degree of incline on hills. You should try, if you have the room, to go with nothing smaller than about 20 inch radius, even though a lot of models claim that they can negotiate an 18 inch radius. Inclines should be kept to 2 percent or less if possible. Under those conditions, the Consolidation should be able to pull about 10 to 15 cars, provided they have free-rolling wheels.

[Anonymous]

MR reviewed this model in June of 98. They claim that this 13.4 oz loco
could pull up to 45 FREE ROLLING CARS.

IMO they would have to have intermountain ball bearing wheelsets
to haul that many.

I don't ever recall anybody complaining about this unit.

Send me your postal address and cheap Chuck will mail you
a copy.

Chuck Walsh
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

There are two 2-8-0's of the type you mentioned at my LHS on the owner's layout. 18 inch radius curves on a 4x8 at 4% of grade. We can comfortably run 8 cars as a "Local" servicing the three towns during a operating session using a total of 14 cars give or take.

I plan to find a 2-8-0 myself and it will be a nice engine for the job. I believe this is the engine that got the plastic steam back to the glory days again.

Good Luck!

[AggroJones]

I never put more than 20 cars on it. But this is through 22" and 24" radius curves and with pretty free-rolling cars with metal wheels. I fear the belt may get stripped if I add more.

[Eriediamond]

Aggro, I wouldn't worry about the belt too much. The loco will slip its wheels long before that belt reaches it's breaking point. How ever I will add that barring accidents, the harder a loco works the shorter it's longevity no matter what type drive it is. I am one that likes an ampmeter amd voltage meter in my power pack to moniter things and I also check my locos for heat build up during extended periods of running.