HO Scale Bachmann Spectrum or Roundhouse

[sparkyjay31]

I'm just getting into the hobby, along with my 5 year old boy.  We inherited lots of track and equipment.  Actually about a mile and a half to scale!  We're looking to get into the steam era of 1890 - 1920.  That being said DCC and sound equipped 4-4-0, 0-6-0, and 2-6-0 are all needed.  We've found that both Bachmann Spectrum and Roundhouse seem to be the norm.  I understand that I'd have to add sound to the Bachmann, unless I get lucky on Ebay and find a Tsunami already installed.  But what I need to know is which Manufacturer is the better of the two?  I'd guess at light loads of 3-4 pieces of rolling stock with little grade changes.  My LHS has not been much of a help so now I need to turn to the experts.  Probably should have started here!

[wjstix]

Well they're both good manufacturers. You might want to post this on the Model Railroader forum too, this forum is mainly for toy trains (Lionel, American Flyer, MTH etc.) vs. two-rail HO  scale model trains.

[Anonymous]

I have Bachmann Spectrum series 2-8-0, 4-6-0 and 3-truck Shay for my HO layout. I am installing Tsunami sound for all of them using the TSU-1000 and 1" speaker for the 2-8-0 and 4-6-0 and the micro-Tsunami for the Shay. I would say that the Bachmann Spectrum series are fairly good quality and far better than IHC or Roundhouse. Don't waste your money on the Bachmann standard series as these are low quality and you'll be disappointed. If you can afford the MTH 4-6-2 with Proto-Sound 2 you will not be disappointed since it doesn't get any better than this.

Coal Load