Hi all. I am looking at an Ho scale Bachmann great northern 4-4-0 with dcc. How is bachmans quality nowadays? I've always treated Bachmann like an overpriced "toy" company more than a serious contender in the model railroad world, but I was impressed with the models apparent level of detail. Any thoughts?
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
I have a Bachmann Peter Witt trolley, a Mikado steam engine and a GG-1 electric. I really like all these engines. Other than the junk couplers, they're fine. I did have to play CV games to eliminate the jackrabbit starts.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The Baldwin 4-4-0's been around for a few years now, and has gotten some very good reviews. I have a couple of their Spectrum steam engines with the same cogged belt drive, and they're very smooth and quiet runners.
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I believe this is the Modern American Richmond model. Apart from brass, you won't find better in my opinion. A solid and smooth runner. Depending on the model, the decoder might be its main weakness. An easy fix, if even necessary.
Simin
Bachmann has made several variations through the years. The one branded as Spectrum that came out in 2007 is great. They are a bit weak in the drawbar pull but that can be expected for such a tiny locomotive.
Here is a review https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/reviews/staff-reviews/bachmann-ho-scale-4-4-0/
This one? It is a Spectrum.
https://www.walthers.com/modern-baldwin-4-4-0-w-dcc-spectrum-r-great-northern-121-green-black-graphitev
JDawg Hi all. I am looking at an Ho scale Bachmann great northern 4-4-0 with dcc. How is bachmans quality nowadays? I've always treated Bachmann like an overpriced "toy" company more than a serious contender in the model railroad world, but I was impressed with the models apparent level of detail. Any thoughts?
That was true about Bachmann 40 years ago.
Not any more, not for the last 20 years for the most part.
The model you are interested in is very good.
Understand this - Bachmann still makes entry level products for the model train market. So while the running/build quality of everything they make is very good today, the detail or accuracy varies because not all their products are aimed at more serious modelers.
I have nearly 40 Bachmann locomotives, mostly steam, mostly Spectrum series, made over the last 20-25 years. All are excellent, and great values.
Sheldon
I model in N scale and have the Bachmann GE 44 and 70 ton center cabs as well as the new EMD DDA40X. All are excellent is all respects. Visually the detail is much better on the DDA40X with much finer handrails the same can be said the two GE units. All three run as smoothly and quietly as any Atlas or Kato engine with creep rates so slow you can watch it tor 5 minutes as it covers one foot. Bachmann quality has really improved over years.
Thanks everyone! Glad to have all the great input.
I would have to agree with Texas Zephyr100%. My Bachmann Spectrums run smooth as silk like a Creepy Crawler. They run better than my newer Atlas's do.
TF
My BS 4-4-0 has way more run time than anything else I own. It pulls six cars around the layout for hours on end while I work on the layout. I just have to remember it comes by every six minutes.
The wiring harness dragged on the track and shorted out, I had to replace it and heard this was a common problem. I tacked the sleeve to the tender pin with AC when I put the new harness in and it has never had another problem.
I wish I knew how many hours it has logged, it is a lot.
There she is on the left. A favourite for sure.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I tied the wires and the drawbar together with a small piece of wire. Problem solved.
Simon
IMO, Bachmann remains the only good option for steam (in all scales) that isn't going to cost you north of $250 US. And, while they have the market on ON30 essentially cornered, I've never had any cause for complaint regarding any of their engines in this scale - in fact, I've been toying with getting that 2-6-2 trench locomotive for a few months now.
It is true that Bachmann has made huge progress in product quality over the last 20 years and their current product line is a great value when compared to other brands. HOWEVER, quality control over the last few years seems to be slipping a bit. I own two Baldwin S4 and one 2-6-0 Mogul Sound Value locos and all run extremely well. I also own a DCC equipped 2-8-0 Consolidation that is my most recent purchase. I am currently in possession of the second example of this loco as the first ran so poorly I had to send it back. The replacement ran better but nowhere near as well as the 2-6-0 steamer or S4 diesels. I read that most of the problem was the rather poor decoder installed in the DCC Equipped line so I changed it out for a sound decoder. I was able to massage this loco into acceptable shape but I still prefer running the Mogul. After all the hype over the original Spectrum version, this DCC Equipped 2-8-0 has been a major disappointment.
Hornblower
hornblower It is true that Bachmann has made huge progress in product quality over the last 20 years and their current product line is a great value when compared to other brands. HOWEVER, quality control over the last few years seems to be slipping a bit. I own two Baldwin S4 and one 2-6-0 Mogul Sound Value locos and all run extremely well. I also own a DCC equipped 2-8-0 Consolidation that is my most recent purchase. I am currently in possession of the second example of this loco as the first ran so poorly I had to send it back. The replacement ran better but nowhere near as well as the 2-6-0 steamer or S4 diesels. I read that most of the problem was the rather poor decoder installed in the DCC Equipped line so I changed it out for a sound decoder. I was able to massage this loco into acceptable shape but I still prefer running the Mogul. After all the hype over the original Spectrum version, this DCC Equipped 2-8-0 has been a major disappointment.
Well, every company these days seems to have some QC issues now and then.
But that recent production 2-8-0, is the exact same design as those old Spectrum versions - mechanically identical........
I have great admiration for Bachmann's integrity in honoring its warranty commitments. Many years ago (like in the early 1990s) I built the Atlas Gulf Summit Lines N scale layout that allows 4 train operation as the PSS&M Railroad. I bought 4 basic Bachmann train sets after Christmas from KB Toys at a bargain clearance after Christmas price-- Pennsy and C & O F9 paint jobs on the locomotives with three freight cars and basic power packs-- to commence operating. Over the years, a couple of those Bachmann F9s have failed and were replaced by Bachmann at no charge under their warranty. I have since upgraded those train set quality F9s with Atlas/Kato F3, F7, GP-7, GP-9, SD-9, U-25, Baldwin Trainmaster, and a GG-1 and have since expanded my operating layout from my original version of the Gulf Summit Lines (demolished in the course of my relocation to a new home) to the 4 X 8 Philipsburg and Milestown Division of the East Penn Railroad (based on the Atlas Long Haul Line trackplan) and my most recent 15 x 15 L shape around the wall Sue City Division of the North Penn and New England. Nonetheless, I recently tested my old Bachmanns on my test track and set them off to hauling freight cars on the North Penn and New England and was pleased that despite their age they are still operational. So I really have nothing but good things to say about Bachmann. They have treated me well.