I was given a newish Bachmann DDA40X and is runs very smooth and quiet. DCC has very good motor control but I have sharp curves on my layout so it looks wierd and the over hang hits some of my scenery, so it stays on the shelf.
Gale
I have the new Bachmann DDA40X. The shell is the same one they created for the standard line in the 80's, but it honestly looks pretty good with the updated paint quality and separate grab irons. If you're good with detailing, the pilots can be filled in to body mount the couplers, but it will need a realistic radius to compensate. The one I have is a great runner.
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Thanks for the comments thus far (more are welcome).
In particular, I had not come across the Athearn Genesis version. It looks great, for sure. I'd jump on that, but for $300 DC, and I might want to add LokSounds, more $. I saw the BB and orange/white box (curious, which is older?) and they look below the detail threshold I would accept. Is there a pre-Genesis version (yellow box) that has improved detail over the older ones, close to the Genesis? I found that true with a recent yellow box Veranda purchase. That might be perfect, especially a DC version with good paint and detail, assuming that would command a lesser price than the Genesis.
On the Bachmann's, only the latest (post Spectrum) might do, if the detail is acceptable but for the pilot. I would do something about the front, for sure, which would not get used for pulling so a better looking coupler / pilot arrangement would be an improvement planned. I need to study more whether the rest of the detail / paint is acceptable for me. I accept many P2K locos for conversion and could live with good but a step lower than Genesis if the difference was about $110 vs. $300+ for the project start.
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_288_291&products_id=1904
I see the Genesis has dual Tsunamis. Would that mean I need to add 2 LokSounds if I wanted to splurge and replace them? And would the newer Bachmann require 2 decoders? Does anyone know the stall current for these? The LokSound Select 6Aux is rated for 1.1A "steady state motor current".
Thanks for helping me sort this out. No right answer, but the older ones are not for me. Oh, and what is the likelihood the (2011) Genesis will be released again?
Interesting Sunday research. As I re-read this, I think I'm where I will have to mull the $300 DC Genesis, at that's a strong preference. But that would have to wait, as Santa already has the RTR Veranda in the closet.
Thanks for your help.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Don't know about the newer Athearns but my old bb unit is 12" long.To me that says large radius curves.(self imposed rule for me anyway) My N scale minimum is 18" and Z scale is (currently) 11.5".As to the large hole on my DD the front couper will be body mounted with the pilot closed around it and a snow mounted.The rear coupler will remain truck mounted till I can the raduis is large enough to allow the coupler to be body mounted.
No contest. Athearn Genesis DD is a fine scale model. The Bachmann has a huge ugly looking slot in the pilot which looks toylike to me. But if that doesn't bother you and you have tight curves, that may decide for you. Personally I wouldln't spend 200+ dollars and not get a DD which isn't a good copy of the real thing - and the pilot is really noticiable,
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I would see what the min radius is for the Athearn one, as I believe it needed a pretty huge one, the slotted couplers are so the Bachmann one can get around tighter curves and fit on more model railroads, same for the old Athearn DD40(which never really exhisted, just on EMD blue prints). There are also many brass models of this massive engine, and they to require huge curves to run on. Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I don't own a DD40AX of any maker whatsoever. My diesel fleet is blue box Athearn and P2K. The older Athearns are dependable and with some tuning, good runners. Just hardwiring power from the trucks to the motor helps a lot. Disassembling the gear drive towers on the power trucks and cleaning them carefully to remove any tiny bits of plastic flash will quiet them down. Detailing is adequate. And you can easily superdetail them to your heart's content. P2K are a lot like Athearn (some parts will interchange) and as a rule have nicer somewhat detailing. The only Bachmann diesel I own is the older model of 44 tonner, the one with separate drive motors for each power truck. I do have a fair number of Bachmann steamers. Bachmann started out as a toy train house long ago, but moved up in quality with the release of the 2-8-0 Consolidation plastic steamer in the "Spectrum" boxes more than 20 years ago. In fact, they pretty much started the whole well detailed plastic steamer market. I think Bachmann upgraded the quality of their diesels at the same time but I don't own any so I cannot say for sure.
As for the truck mounted couplers, you can replace them with body mount Kadees. Should work just fine on 26 inch curves. Body mount couplers will handle sharp curves so long as the rolling stock is the same length. Same length cars swing their couplers to the side them same amount. Only when you couple a long car to a short car does derailment become a problem. The DD40AX is a long piece of rolling stock. If you make a point of always coupling a long car behind the engine, it will help keep things on the rails. If there is still some open space around the body mount coupler boxes, a piece of styrene sheet, with gaps for the coupler boxes, can be glued to the backside of the pilot
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I'm somewhat interested in adding a DD40AX to my fleet. My preference would be a nicely detailed & painted, good running DC model which I would convert to my preferred decoder and custom speaker(s) installation.
Checking out EBay, I see mainly Athearn & Bachmann. The older Athearns (I see 2-3 different vintage boxes) suggest I may want something newer. The Bachmanns seem to have improved in detail & paint since the Spectrum so I'm leaning that way. The newer Bachmanns may come only with DCC but I would just swap to my preferred (LokSound) decoder.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/EMD_DD40AX/EMD_DD40AX.html
But, the newer Bachmann I would otherwise opt for has one glaring issue for me; i.e., hugely wide coupler swing slots in the pilots. From the TCS photos, it appears that is because of the truck mounted couplers. Is there anything to be done about that, at least on the more visible front (I have 26" curves)?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/UnionPacific6922.jpg
Plus, any other comments on options, running and detail qualities for the various options would be welcome. Thanks as always.