Hey all -- Got a bug in my ear to maybe pick up some small Fairbanks-Morse power. I haven't seen much talk about the Bachmann/Spectrum H-16-44s recently. I know the Atlas units are out there, but Bachmanns are half the price. Any opinions on how these units are, either in Spectrum or Bachmann blue-box form? Is converting to DCC a nightmare? (I tried to convert a Spectrum four-axle GE once and gave up.)
Thanks
Aaron
I have a spectrum undecorated, and it does not run as well as a spectrum steam locomotive. About on par with my 70 tonner from Bachmann.
I have had mine for about 10 years I think.
Atlas might be a better choice, but I do not have one of those.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Aaron,
I would save your pennies and buy the Atlas H16-44. I purchased the non-sound version back in 2016 and it continues to be a very smooth runner. The red-green classification/marker lights are a neat feature, too. My only complaint along those lines is that they were the incorrect color scheme for my prototype (NYC).
I solved that issue by installing a 6-function motor-only decoder and replaced the red-green LEDs with red-white LEDs. I then remapped the classification/marker lights so that I control them independently using F1-F4 on my throttle.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The Bachmann Spectrum one is their split frame design (like a giant N scale loco), with little room for a decoder. Forget sound without chassis modification, I think. Plus it uses their "hang the loco fromt he trucks" with the truck mounting pooints way up high near the top of the frame - making for a generally wobbly loco.
The Atlas is worth every extra penny. They are doing a new run which in the Gold version should be Loksounf v5 decoders. Sounds liek they will still have the silly red/green markers - just because red/green LEDs are more common. There are other color combinations available, plus with Loksound they can actually set it up to cycle through red/green/white/off and have the same choices as the prototype (but green would be so rarely used on a freight loco). Who knows, maybe the new ones will actually have that, and they are just using the same ad copy on their web site that they used for the older runs. They do after all still include Loksound v4 operating instructions with v5 equipped locos.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Also worth considering is the upcoming Rapido Trains version. It will definitely be considerably more expensive but you do get what you pay for. It is also of a different phase compared with the Atlas model, if I remember correctly.
The Bachmann H-16-44 has rather clunky looking ends, and the separate radiator grills were a questionable idea. Randy already mentioned that adding DCC to the split frame design is a little trickier. But certainly the price was an attraction; I bought a couple for forty dollars each some years ago when they were the only option.
John
IMHO, the Bachmann H16-44 is a pretty horrible model. It uses actual window screen for the radiator section, for pete's sake. On my one example, the nickle plating flaked off the wheels while it was still in the box. It ran poorly, rocked alarmingly, and looked bad doing it.The old Bowser cast metal version on an Athearn drive is superior, and that doesn't even have windows on the ends of the cab.
The Rapido will be a great model with all the variations for each railroad. Of course, it won't be cheap, but that's the hobby for you.The Atlas model is a different H16-44, being the Lowey-designed carbody vs. the Trainmaster-style body. It's very nice but generic. They run great, tho'.