I have 2 Bachmann GP38-2 and a GP40 that as the workhorses on the SIW along with 2 GE 70 tonners that work OK as a consist
But for some reason I have had no luck with the sound value locomotives and now have 2 sitting on the shelf. Thinking of sending them both to Bachmann for repairs even if I have to pay the $35 service charge each as they are out of warrenty.
Joe Staten Island West
Bachmann N gauge steam locos or least the newer designed ones have metal boilers which I would rather have than a more detailed plastic one. Guess I am from the old school in that plastic shell diesels are OK but steam should be metal. In HO steam MTH have metal boilers where as the competion like BLI and Athearn are sometime plastic.
southernglideThinking about getting a GP 7 or GP 9
Southern Glide I happen to have a B&O GP 7 with DCC on Board by Bachmann. Over all it is a good engine, easy on the eye and quite. Problem I have with it is the decoder. Pulls OK on level track, but if it hits a small grade say .05 % it slows way down then on the other side it becomes a rocket ship. As of now I blame the decoder, think a Digitrax low end would fix it.
Still a good engine and I would buy another one for the right price.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Jim,
The shells on the Athearn RS-3s are very nice but their performance is hit and miss. I have two of them and both were so-so in that respect. Very disappointing.
The Atlas RS-3s are terrific - both operationally and detail-wise - and worth the extra expense. I recently picked up a sound & non-sound version off eBay for 30-35% off MSRP.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
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cowman .... I have two of their more recent releases, RS-3 with DCC and a ,,,, Richard
.... I have two of their more recent releases, RS-3 with DCC and a ,,,,
Richard
Do you have any of the Atlas Classic or Athearn RTR RS-3's? If so, how does the Bachmann compare to them, as far as details?
Thanks, Jim
Locomotives of LION:
Most of these locomotives are painted in the Brown and Orange of my previous layout (the Eregion Railroad), they do not get much service on my new Subway Layout. The pax cars are painted and lettered for the LIRR.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Thanks for all the advice. Since this is my 1st layout in uhpteen years, I'll try to paint it to match what i'm modelling. Cheap is good for right now, I know I'm going to mess up somewhere, but I like the fact of repair parts. Always liked to fix things
What the op does not tell us is what roadname he might be interested in or how much fine detail is important to him.
The Atlas GP is a great loco, but availablity can be mixed. And, the Atlas is well detailed, but not as well detailed as the Proto2000 or the Genesis models.
So, Bachmann, their GP7/9 is an all new product just a few years ago. A local club here bought a bunch of them, run great, no issues. Yes the detailing is generic, but it is very good generic, especially considering the price.
And, the Bachmann models are much more available..........
My first choice for 1st generation diesels is always Proto2000, especially the older production ones always turning up at train shows or on ebay........still new in the box.
I like the fact that a large percentage of my diesel fleet actually have the same drive under them.....
Sheldon
While Bachmann diesels have improved over the past decade or so, I still prefer Atlas & Stewart/Bowser. For the GP7, I'd go with Atlas...
Bachman has improved their chassis and paint jobs over the older offerings but Atlas are definitely several levels higher in quality all the way around. In general, you get what you pay for.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Amoung my varied stable of Locos there are a number of Bachmanns
-several GP-30s
-several SD40-Ts
-consolidation, (I am suprised at it's pulling power)
-Prairie
-GS4
-2 x 44 tonners (not much power here, but what do you expect)
-They are all good units that I am pleased with. I would not hesitate in buying more from this Mfg. I further agree with the fact that it is very comforting to know that they are interested enough in their customers that they have a parts catalogue and will sell parts when needed and have a great repair facility as well and honor their warranties. (not that they are needed much, IMO)
Thanks Bachmann and keep up the great products and great service.
Johnboy out..................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation, a three truck Shay, and a 44 ton switcher. They all run well and look decent.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I own 2 Bachmann a DCC/Sound Alco S-4 and a DCC On Board GE70 Tonner and both has given me flawless service.
I'm very tempted to buy a DCC/Sound Southern GP7 and RS-3.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Rich casually mentioned something in his post (above) that is worth considering - you can do better than Bachmann, but Bachmann has a genuine parts list and catalog and sells parts. That used to be universal among the manufacturers when I was a beginner, but is getting increasingly rare. I take comfort in knowing that if something goes wrong (and is quite possibly my fault that at least I have a fair chance at being able to replace and repair. Some of the more proprietary lines being sold today - and I name no names -- you don't have a prayer of buying parts from them.
So that should at least be a factor to consider.
And by the way when I was a beginner, Bachmann was basically just Plasticville structures, and LifeLike was a fairly marginal line of scenic materials. Both of them then became known for low end trainset quality stuff, although the Bachmann tooling per se and some of their paint jobs were usually a step above trainset. They both came a long way (LifeLike and their Proto2000 line being acquired by Walthers of course). To even consider buying their trains would have been nearly unthinkable back when for anyone but a raw beginner.
Dave Nelson
Bachmann has come a long ways. They are decent.
I have some HO steamers and small diesels.
The non sound DCC onboard have been low end Lenz decoders the last I knew. Maybe that has changed. Some like the decoders. Some don't and replace the decoder.
The onboard sound are stripped down decoders made by SoundTraxx. Ok with some, not ok with others. They are usually called, Sound Value locos. A pretty good way to get sound at lower cost. As I said, a few don't like that series and put in a full sound decdoder. You can Google the issue for more info.
Both versions discussed a lot in different forums.
Below is a link to the Bachmann site with forums, loco diagrams, CV list. Parts list. Replacement info. Company reps in the forums.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=sfmivvptb2bq3pf413cibgvnr7&
Online store but sure you know better prices online.
Google, bachmann ho gp7 review. Do the same for the gp9. There is a lot of info.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Bachmann used to be considered a cheap trainset product. In recent years they have improved their products considerably. I have two of their more recent releases, RS-3 with DCC and a 2-6-0 with their sound value package. I have not run them a lot, but they have performed well for me.
Good luck,
Hi, was wondering if Bachman makes good locos. I see alot of people prefer Atlas or others but I know Bachman has been around for a while. Thinking about getting a GP 7 or GP 9.