- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
mikebo wrote:My spectrum consolidation (with DCC and Tsunami) will pull 12 hoppers with metal wheels each weighing 3.5 oz up a 7 ft grade that starts as 2% and ends with a short stretch of 4%. It will easily pull 22 (maybe more, I didn't try any more) on level track. Mike
My spectrum consolidation (with DCC and Tsunami) will pull 12 hoppers with metal wheels each weighing 3.5 oz up a 7 ft grade that starts as 2% and ends with a short stretch of 4%. It will easily pull 22 (maybe more, I didn't try any more) on level track.
Mike
My layout has similiar grades as Mike and I been runing different engines around at different speeds. My 2-8-0 is DC and it will pull 13-40 ft boxcars weighted to 3.5 oz around without a problem. However if you stop or slow it down on a grade it wouldn't do anything but slip.
As to a level track my layout doesn't have any so I can't give a number.
I picked up a used one at a recent train show and love it. A little cleaning and away it went, it pulls everything I needed it for without any problem (10 cars on flat track), runs very smooth and looks great.
I have no idea how many hours this has been run, but I would expect it to last me a good long time.
I have a pair of the Spectum Baldwin 2-8-0 engines. Both have Soundtraxx DCC/Sound in the tender and they operate great - very smooth.
As far as pulling: I have a 2.7% grade that is over 20' long, ending with 180 degrees of curve. My 2-8-0's will each pull about 7-8 NMRA weighted freight cars(metal wheels) up that grade.
Someone mentioned that their Bachmann/Spectrum 2-8-0 will not pull anything up a grade - Maybe the older Reading prototype 2-8-0 with the wide 'Wooten' firebox? I have seem lots of the Spectrum Baldwin 2-8-0's on layouts - All run very smooth and seem to pull like mine.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
cacole wrote: secondhandmodeler wrote:The one I have came with the dcc installed already. I don't use dcc, but I figured I may want to in the future. Maybe mine is newer than the non pullers.The HO scale model's pulling ability is directly related to the engine's weight, and has nothing to do with what type of decoder is or is not in the tender. I don't think there's any difference at all in the locomotive's construction between the original and current releases other than perhaps being made by a different factory in China.
secondhandmodeler wrote:The one I have came with the dcc installed already. I don't use dcc, but I figured I may want to in the future. Maybe mine is newer than the non pullers.
The HO scale model's pulling ability is directly related to the engine's weight, and has nothing to do with what type of decoder is or is not in the tender. I don't think there's any difference at all in the locomotive's construction between the original and current releases other than perhaps being made by a different factory in China.
New Haven I-5 wrote:cacole, would it be okay to put a weight in the tender?Or would the decoder interfear?
Why would you want to? You would want additional weight over the driving wheels which are in the engine, not the tender!
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I take it we're talking HO. the one I have doesn't pull at all. Not bad on straight level track, but doesn't like ANY grade. Probably 3 or 4 cars up a 2% grade. So far, no motor problems, but I did notice that NWSL has a gear set listed for this engine...Maybe they know something.
My Spec. Climax pulls better than the 2-8-0 Jerry
The DSX is a sound ONLY decoder, which means you must also have a motor control decoder to go with it. That's trying to cram too much into the tender. I'm sure SoundTraxx makes their regular motor and sound decoder for a K-28.
Give Bruce Petrarca at Litchfield Station or Tony's Train Exchange a call. You can also check the SoundTraxx web site to see what they have for a K-28.
Better still, you can buy one with a SoundTraxx Tsunami already installed, which is one of the best decoders for the Consolidation. Micro-Mark is selling them with Tsunami sound for $147.50. http://www.micromark.com
There's already a weight and constant lighting circiut board in the coal tender, which barely leaves room for a decoder. The Vanderbilt tender has less room than the square one.
I have three Bachmann Spectrum HO scale 2-8-0 Consolidations and two of them in G-scale. How long will a motor last? I haven't heard of any of them failing, so it's hard to answer that question. How much can one pull? Specifications for the prototype by the USRA was that it be able to pull 30 loaded cars at 30 MPH on straight and level track. And we're talking WWI era rolling stock, which was mostly40 foot boxcars. How much will the model pull? Maybe 10 cars on level track without wheel slip; less on an incline. Gearing failures? I haven't heard of any on these forums, but that doesn't necessary nean that they can't fail.
Overall, the Bachmann Spectrum model is a very good, reliable model.
Ok, I have heard this is a good engine. I would appreciate it if anyone could tell me how long the motor lasts, how many cars it can pull on level, 1%,2%,& 3%, & if the gears blow easily or anything like a Athern Steam Locomotive would act!
Luke