emdgp92 wrote:....and now I have a strange desire to paint a DD40AX in PC black, complete with worms. Could you imagine one of those, or even one in Amtrak colors on the NEC?
I think I once saw an auction for a custom built and painted SD90B. I believe it was made from 2 SD90MACs, and then painted in BNSF Heritage colors. It actually looked pretty good.
If you painted a DD40 in Amtrak colors, what phase would you do it in? (I'd probably do Phase II or III colors)
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cf7 wrote: CurtMc wrote: All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high. For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly Curt, You are 100% correct!!!!! They are the biggest piece of crap in this hobby. They do make good targets with your .22 rifle though. Botchmann has done more to hurt this hobby than all the rest combined. cf7
CurtMc wrote: All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high. For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly
All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are
The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high. For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly
Curt,
You are 100% correct!!!!! They are the biggest piece of crap in this hobby.
They do make good targets with your .22 rifle though.
Botchmann has done more to hurt this hobby than all the rest combined.
cf7
No, I think Bachmann are their own worst enemy. It costs no more to paint one of their locomotive shells in an exactly correct colour scheme than their imaginary schemes. Just putting the correct numbers on the NS and N&W GP50s would help, I mean, the plain black is correct! While they aren't top line locomotives, where else can you get road specific units like high hood GP 50s without going to brass? The eight wheel drive works and is reasonably quiet, certainly no worse than Athearn BB.
Their body shells aren't too bad - who else made a BQ23-7, and that was correctly painted and numbered!
M636C
"Botchmann has done more to hurt this hobby than all the rest combined."
Uh, no. They're QC sorta stinks, and so do most of they're diesels, but IMHO they have NOT hurt the hobby- maybe frustrated some people, that's about it..... What's you're basis for this statement?
Personally, I like Bachmann's Electrics, Steamers, and Amfleet cars. I havn't had a problem yet......
Dave
river_eagle wrote:yes, bachmann issued a spectrum version of the dd40 in n scale. the main spotting feature of the spectrum, besides the black box, is that the fuel tank is painted grey, instead of being the black like the frame. diff. road #s, and if I remember correctly the railing were installed on the spectrum as well When bachmannn dropped the plus line, some models were bumped up to the spectrum line, some down to the standard line and others discontinued. only one year as spectrum before discontinued.
So I WAS wrong. Only available for one year? Damn, I woulda got a couple if I had known! Wonder how I missed 'em...
Jeff
Darth Santa Fe wrote: 1shado1 wrote:When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X??? Early 90s. For HO, they used the original shell mounted on a 2-motored, 4-flywheeled, 16-wheel drive, split frame mechanism, but the shell was improved with better paint and separate grab irons, and the fuel tank was part of the frame instead of part of the shell. I don't know much about the N versions, but I do know there was a Plus version and a Spectrum version.
1shado1 wrote:When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X???
Early 90s. For HO, they used the original shell mounted on a 2-motored, 4-flywheeled, 16-wheel drive, split frame mechanism, but the shell was improved with better paint and separate grab irons, and the fuel tank was part of the frame instead of part of the shell.
I don't know much about the N versions, but I do know there was a Plus version and a Spectrum version.
Sorry. I should have been more specific. I was referring to n scale. I remember owning a Plus version in the early '90s. But I'd almost swear they never made a Spectrum version in n scale. Or maybe my memory is faulty...
I own the Athearn version and it ran for about 40 seconds on 18" radius until I saw the futility of trying to run such large locos on tiny trackage. It has sat on the shelf for the last....20 years and there it will stay. I did decal and paint the thing with CSX markings in a effort to soothe my disappointment with that peice of turd. It looks even worse and begs to be put out of it's misery.
I did see the real unit roll by at top speed with the Ultra Plush Boss train in tow and what a show it was.
I edited the rest of this post because I see nothing good.
Darth Santa Fe wrote:If you still want to run your DD40, it's possible to re-power it with Athearn DD40 parts (trucks, motors, shafts...). I haven't done it with mine yet, but I've tested to see how well the Athearn parts would fit, and it really wouldn't take a whole lot of modification to make them fit. After that, you just need a little extra weight, some truck details, and you'll have yourself one fine DD40X!
Darth Santa Fe wrote: 1shado1 wrote:When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X??? Early 90s. For HO, they used the original shell mounted on a 2-motored, 4-flywheeled, 16-wheel drive, split frame mechanism, but the shell was improved with better paint and separate grab irons, and the fuel tank was part of the frame instead of part of the shell.
Here's the Spectrum chassis.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
LOL
TrainFreak409 wrote:The original pancake motored HO scale DD40AX was a locomotive from Hell...However, I still have one because it was cheap. Four wheel drive...Weighed as much as a sheet of paper...But would go around my 18" radius EZ-Track loop. The Spectrum version is much better. More weight, more pulling power, better detail...Overall better model. The Spectrum version requires at minimum 22" radius curves. I have the N scale Bachmann Plus DD40AX...16 wheel drive, dual motor, weights a good bit. It's one of my favorite pieces. It's painted in Pennsylvania.
The original pancake motored HO scale DD40AX was a locomotive from Hell...However, I still have one because it was cheap. Four wheel drive...Weighed as much as a sheet of paper...But would go around my 18" radius EZ-Track loop.
The Spectrum version is much better. More weight, more pulling power, better detail...Overall better model. The Spectrum version requires at minimum 22" radius curves.
I have the N scale Bachmann Plus DD40AX...16 wheel drive, dual motor, weights a good bit. It's one of my favorite pieces. It's painted in Pennsylvania.
TrainFreak409 wrote: The Spectrum version is much better. More weight, more pulling power, better detail...Overall better model. The Spectrum version requires at minimum 22" radius curves.
When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X???
selector wrote:Thanks, Pathfinder. I have a much better idea now; that is one big loco, and the trucks very long. So, was I far off on my guesstimate of about 55-60 cm?
No, I believe you're on the mark there. Though I'm at work right now, so I don't have the loco with me.
To my chagrin, mine is the earlier one-motor type, so I guess I'm going to forfeit my wish of running this giant. Upon some introspection, if I stick to Euro diesels*, I can get a lot more bang out of the same amount of track, because most of those go through 20" quite tolerably. Plus, to me, the German V 200 is what a heavy diesel loco ought to look like. (Like this: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:V200_116.jpg)
* No, I don't have any qualms about mixing eras or nations on the same layout. Life is too short to worry about things like that. I'd rather just run some trains.
CurtMc wrote:Yes I have used them and if you think they are as quiet as a kato you should consider having your hearing checked out Less current??? No way sorry that is not correct
Less current??? No way sorry that is not correct
My F40 is actually quieter than my Kato. The Kato is one of my noisier high quality diesels, due to a noisy motor. But it has been getting a little quieter (it's still pretty quiet even with the noisier motor).
My Bachmann Spectrum diesels draw from 0.05 amps to maybe 0.09 amps. 0.1 to 0.15 with a load. The Kato draws an average of around 0.1 amps running free. The digital ammeter does not lie.
TrainFreak409 wrote: It's painted in Pennsylvania.
It's painted in Pennsylvania.
Yes I have used them and if you think they are as quiet as a kato you should consider having your hearing checked out
Darth Santa Fe wrote: CurtMc wrote: All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high. For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking.
I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking.
TrainFreak409 wrote: I have the N scale Bachmann Plus DD40AX...16 wheel drive, dual motor, weights a good bit. It's one of my favorite pieces. It's painted in Pennsylvania.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow... That was scary.
That makes me want to order up some Penn Central steam engine decals!
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Please...no apologies required on this forum. I was hoping for a little more spicy banter But I meant what I said. Honest reviews on products are always welcome by me, even if they do come across funny or crass.
CurtMc has a history of posting negative generalizations such as this. YMMV. I am content to use standard Bachmann products when it serves my purpose (usually when closest to prototype). I understand quality control is spotty, but the price is low too.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
Driline wrote: Darth Santa Fe wrote: CurtMc wrote: All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high. For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking. I'm really starting to get tired of posts like yours. If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd, then by gosh its a turd! Curt Mc didn't mention the spectrum line of Bachmann loco's, and if he had I would strongly disagree with him, but he didn't! He was talking about the regular crap line of locomotives. I too have a bachmann spectrum F40 and greatly enjoy it. It growls as you start to move and IMHO it sounds Great! I really like the strobe lights too. I only hope that when I install a DCC decoder that I can mimic the strobe effect as it works now in DC.
I'm really starting to get tired of posts like yours. If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd, then by gosh its a turd! Curt Mc didn't mention the spectrum line of Bachmann loco's, and if he had I would strongly disagree with him, but he didn't! He was talking about the regular crap line of locomotives.
I too have a bachmann spectrum F40 and greatly enjoy it. It growls as you start to move and IMHO it sounds Great! I really like the strobe lights too. I only hope that when I install a DCC decoder that I can mimic the strobe effect as it works now in DC.
Sorry about going out and saying what I did before. I didn't realize he was only talking about the standard line. I don't normally say things like that. I was just a little frustrated. Please accept my apology.
It's good to hear you like your F40, too. Even though I only have one Amtrak car to go with it, it's fun running it around with it's neat colors, shiny details and flashing strobes.
BentnoseWillie wrote: I had two Spectrum C40-8s, one from the original run and one from the later "improved" run. Both ran great for a while, but after they had some miles on them they started making noise and loosening up. And repair parts? Forget it. As for looks - they were about on a par with regular Bachmann - which puts them on a par with diesels from the seventies. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me...
I had two Spectrum C40-8s, one from the original run and one from the later "improved" run. Both ran great for a while, but after they had some miles on them they started making noise and loosening up. And repair parts? Forget it.
As for looks - they were about on a par with regular Bachmann - which puts them on a par with diesels from the seventies.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me...
Thanks for your honest opinion. If it wasn't for guys like you, I'd be buying crap MRC sound decoders instead of soundtraxx today! If 3 or more guys say they're having problems with a certain product then thats when I stay away from it.
Thats the reason I like these forums. Others can share both the good and bad of certain products and allow others not to make the same mistakes they did. I think when a product is praised it also allows others who may have been on the fence to purchase that item, and in that sense it helps the hobby. I purchased the NCE DCC system only because tstage gave it a great review here. So I say if its crap, say its crap, if its great then say its great. No sugar coating going on here