Tom,
My advice would be to decorate it with the flying Grande logo - that was introduced in 1941, and seems to have been standard for the power they bought secondhand during the war - I haven't found any foreign power (Water Buffaloes, 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s) pictures with the older logos, much as I like them.
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
MidlandPacific wrote: twhite wrote: It's just a little sweetheart IMO. Nice-looking, smooth, quite powerful for its size (it will outpull my Proto 2-8-8-2 without even looking back), and a real charmer. I've had no problems with tight gauge on any of my Sinohara turnouts (#5, #6). Frankly, I think that Spectrum came up with a real winner in this loco. Mine's an 'undec', I haven't decided whether to go with C&O "On loan" to my MR, or perhaps decal it as a 'second-hand' loco bought during WWII. But either way, it gets a lot of use on the Yuba River Sub, both as a coal hauler and a helper. Glad I bought it. Tom Why, you letter it for the Grande, of course - class L-78, number it either 3360 (the vacant series that was occupied by the D&SL 2-6-6-0s in 1947) or 3380 (never used, but the next open block - the D&SL engines ended at 3375, and the Grande liked to start classes on a zero).
twhite wrote: It's just a little sweetheart IMO. Nice-looking, smooth, quite powerful for its size (it will outpull my Proto 2-8-8-2 without even looking back), and a real charmer. I've had no problems with tight gauge on any of my Sinohara turnouts (#5, #6). Frankly, I think that Spectrum came up with a real winner in this loco. Mine's an 'undec', I haven't decided whether to go with C&O "On loan" to my MR, or perhaps decal it as a 'second-hand' loco bought during WWII. But either way, it gets a lot of use on the Yuba River Sub, both as a coal hauler and a helper. Glad I bought it. Tom
It's just a little sweetheart IMO. Nice-looking, smooth, quite powerful for its size (it will outpull my Proto 2-8-8-2 without even looking back), and a real charmer. I've had no problems with tight gauge on any of my Sinohara turnouts (#5, #6). Frankly, I think that Spectrum came up with a real winner in this loco. Mine's an 'undec', I haven't decided whether to go with C&O "On loan" to my MR, or perhaps decal it as a 'second-hand' loco bought during WWII. But either way, it gets a lot of use on the Yuba River Sub, both as a coal hauler and a helper.
Glad I bought it.
Tom
Why, you letter it for the Grande, of course - class L-78, number it either 3360 (the vacant series that was occupied by the D&SL 2-6-6-0s in 1947) or 3380 (never used, but the next open block - the D&SL engines ended at 3375, and the Grande liked to start classes on a zero).
Midland--
Oh, I've decided that it's going to be a Grande, all right, and a 3380 (I've got an ex D&SL 2-6-6-0) , but I'm just undecided right now whether to use the 'flying' herald or back-date it to the tri-color with the railroad name spelled out on the side of the tender. I'm more prone to using the older lettering with my locos, but for right now, I'm just kind of mulling things over--and watching it pulling those coal trains and wondering why it works so much better than my Proto USRA 2-8-8-2, when it only cost about half as much, LOL!
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Hi Michael and welcome to the forum! You would be much better off to start a new thread with this question as it has nothing to do with the Bachmann 2-6-6-2. Many people who might be able to help you will not see your question hidden here. Unfortunately I don't have the answer for you........ but, I can tell you that the 4-4-0 American is a great little loco that runs like a charm. If you are good at modifications, it shouldn't be too hard to do.
Again Welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy the place as much as the rest of us do!
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hi all,
I am considering buying a Spectrum 4-4-0 American. However, I want to backdate it to the 1880's - 1900's era. Does anyone have experience in modifying Bachmann Spectrum locos in this way? Would I be better off looking for a brass model of an early era 4-4-0 on e-Bay? Micro-Mark's prices are very attractive, however.
Thanks, Michael EM
Mastiffdog wrote: DigitalGriffin wrote:The Lenz Silver Series is quite nice. It's silent, very small (good for the Vandy Tender) and has BEMF.Will that work with the Digitrax SE Builder system? If so, would you happen to have a part number for that decoder? Thanks
DigitalGriffin wrote:The Lenz Silver Series is quite nice. It's silent, very small (good for the Vandy Tender) and has BEMF.
Will that work with the Digitrax SE Builder system? If so, would you happen to have a part number for that decoder? Thanks
http://www.lenz.com/products/decoders/index.htm
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2007/022207.htm
Silver direct is the easiest of them It uses the NMRA 8 pin plug straight on the circuit board. No need to worry about stuffing in wires.
It should be a straight forward replacement. And yes it's gaurenteed to work with Digitrax SE. It has the DCC board stamp of approval. It is also a dual mode decoder. So you can run it on a DC layout if you want. (There has been mixed success with dual mode decoders on DC layouts)
To be honest almost ANY decoder will work well with your system. There are plenty out there that are cheaper. But I like the quality and features of the silver series.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
jrbernier wrote: There is a 'plug' in the tender. It is a very nice runner, but I have not tested it's pulling power. I installed a decoder for a friend, so really have not 'run' it on a layout...just a test track. Jim
There is a 'plug' in the tender. It is a very nice runner, but I have not tested it's pulling power. I installed a decoder for a friend, so really have not 'run' it on a layout...just a test track.
Jim
Jim, which decoder for just motor and lighting (no sound) would you recommend for this loco? (I just received my unit from Micro-Mark)
Thanks,
DOG
I have three of them and about the only thing I have noticed is they are a little fragile, esp. the front ends. Be careful when handling as Bachmann does not make them anymore and to honor the warrenty they will replace with another engine at the same price point. I did have to send one back and had to get a 2-10-2 instead. Luckily I found another undec one on E-bay for $100; new in the box to replace the one I had sent in. I guess you could say I have had four total. They all have run well for me and pull well.
I bought one in the C&O road name about 1 year ago and have had no problems
It has good low speed performance
I just ordered another from LitchfieldStation with a Tsunami Decoder with sound
and I am looking dorward to hear it run.
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
David,
Tony's Train Exchange got an early batch that had the problem you cite. Either Bachmann addressed the problem or I(and obviously others) got lucky because I've not had the problem cited by TTE. Did have problem with front truck that was easy fix with a bit of weight.
If someone were to purchase NOS with problem I would imagine a call to Bachmann might yield a positive outcome. Bit of a hassle but better than getting permanently stuck with a non runner.
Jon
davidmbedard wrote: Bit of a warning here........the wheels will be very tight in gauge (possibly binding at unforgiving turnouts) and cant be fixed (again fixing will cause a bind in the valve gear). This has been well documented around the net and a probable cause to the 'sale'.
Bit of a warning here........the wheels will be very tight in gauge (possibly binding at unforgiving turnouts) and cant be fixed (again fixing will cause a bind in the valve gear). This has been well documented around the net and a probable cause to the 'sale'.
Really? I never had a problem on my Walthers code 83 #6's :bigears:
I ordered one yesterday. I'm trying to get one of each of the different types of engines. I thought that it looked great. I will use at as a low speed freight loco.
Magnus
I have one with the Vandy Tender. It pulls better than my Proto 2K 2-8-8-2, but it has a tendency to "rock left-right" at grade changes. (This was when it was approaching it's pulling limit of about 25 40' atlas reefers up a 4% grade. Overall I think you'll be very satisfied. Detailing is good, and overall it runs well at a slow speed.
I'm debating picking up a second one myself so I can run a consist with it. It's highly tempting.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
On sale at Micormark for $129.00(MSRP-$349.00). Found out about it from their sales auto e-mail which many of you also got, I'm sure. It's unlettered, and though my road(Frisco) never ran it that I'm aware of, nevertheless was curious what you all thought of it. I note that in the ad and also on the Walthers website it states it's "DCC ready" without saying anything about an NMRA plug, hence I suspect it doesn't have one. My usual questions about locos applies: detailing, pulling power, reliability. From other threads, I know that Bachmann Spectrums as a rule are better than IHC, prob. not as good as BLI, or ? not Proto 2000 either.