Bachmann Spectrum Steamers?

[simon1966]

I have to admit, that after purchasing a really junky Bachmann steamer early on in my return to MRR, I have avoided Bachmann like the plague. There have been enough good posts about the Spectrum line of steamers that I am tempted to get one. However, I also get the impression that not all Bachmann Spectrum line is created equal and that some models are better than others? I am considering a 3 truck shay in HO. Is this a decent model? Any other Bachmann steamers deserving of attention?

Thanks

[Isambard]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

I have to admit, that after purchasing a really junky Bachmann steamer early on in my return to MRR, I have avoided Bachmann like the plague. There have been enough good posts about the Spectrum line of steamers that I am tempted to get one. However, I also get the impression that not all Bachmann Spectrum line is created equal and that some models are better than others? I am considering a 3 truck shay in HO. Is this a decent model? Any other Bachmann steamers deserving of attention?

Thanks

The Grizzly Northern operates two 2-8-0 Consolidations, three 2-10-0 Russian Decapods and a 3 truck Shay, all without major problems. They look good and run well. I'm tempted to pick up another 2-8-0 or 2-10-0 if the price is right.
[:)]

[SpaceMouse]

My son has a 2-8-0 Spectrum with Soundtrax that works quite well. I wouldn't hesitate to get another.

[howmus]

I have the Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2. I have to say it is a sweet loco. Looks great, will creep so slow you can barely see it move, runs smooth, and can pull a 20 car freight train up a 2% grade by itself. I also have a Spectrum USRA 4-8-2 that I haven't yet had on the tracks. I can say the detail on the loco is very good. I will buy more of the Spectrum line as they are so far the best compromise for detail, running ability and price that I know of. I will not buy another Athearn Steamer as the two I have are not the best and have been problematic. The PK2 stuff is beautiful, runs smooth, but are not good pullers. Stay away from the Standard line in Bachmann.

[Anonymous]

This 4-8-4 by Bachmann is quiet and the pickup is great. I highly recommend it and the 3 truck shays.




Oh, by the way don't mind the insect spray in the backgroud, had to resort to chemical warfare to fight off some wasps earlier.

[Anonymous]

I have a Spectrum three truck Shay. it's a friggin cadillac. We love it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

I have to admit, that after purchasing a really junky Bachmann steamer early on in my return to MRR, I have avoided Bachmann like the plague. There have been enough good posts about the Spectrum line of steamers that I am tempted to get one. However, I also get the impression that not all Bachmann Spectrum line is created equal and that some models are better than others? I am considering a 3 truck shay in HO. Is this a decent model? Any other Bachmann steamers deserving of attention?

Thanks

[cacole]

I have close to 20 Bachmann Spectrum steam engines, in both HO and G scale. Over all the years, I have had a problem with only one of them; a G-scale 2-8-0 Consolidation. I contacted Bachmann and they sent me a replacement part within a week.

Bachmann diesel engines are another story. I don't have any of them, and probably never will, so you'll have to rely on the other opinions posted here for the answer about diesels.

[Darth Santa Fe]

I've never had a Spectrum steam engine, but I do have one of the Standard line 4-8-4 Niagaras and it's a very good steam engine. It runs very smooth and looks good.

The Shay, from what I've heard is one of the smoothest and neatest looking steam engines on the market.[:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Definite upgrade.
Both of the Mountains are favorites.
I owned the heavy and there is a MR Oct 2003 review.
They carry a 12 month free repair/parts.
Beyond the 12 there is a limited warranty

[loathar]

If you decide on a NEW Bachman, make sure you send in the warrenty card! I didn't and now I'm out of luck on warrenty repair.[V]

[simon1966]

Thanks for the input folks. I think that a Shay might be in my future, subtle hints are now being dropped to the wife for an up-coming birthday. Anyone out there installed the Soundtraxx decoder designed for the shay?

[Anonymous]

The Spectrum three truck Shay received a MR review March 2001.

Didn't it receive the MR product of the year award later?

[Anonymous]

Simon,

The shays are great. I have three. I have installed the Soundtraxx LC decoder in one of them. The volume level is a little low even after buying the special speaker from Tony's and building a baffle in the coal bin. At fist this bugged me, now I have grown to like the volume level. The install required drilling a couple of holes and partial dis-assembly of the loco. Nothing too serious, but the decoder is not "drop in". The motor control could be better, but overall I am very satified with the decoder.

The locos look great and run very well. They creep very nicely as well....

I also own two of the spectrum consolidations. IMHO The best deal in HO steam.

[twhite]

The Shay is a little jewel--I like it a lot.
I have two USRA heavy mountains, both run like Swiss watches and pull very well.
The 2-8-0 is a sweet little crawler and a surprisingly good hauler.
The 2-6-6-2 will outpull the Proto2000 2-8-8-2 by a country mile and is an incredibly smooth runner.
If Spectrum comes out with a GS-4 in the near future, I'm going to fight to be first in line. Good locomotives. Great runners and fine pullers. No complaints from this end.
Tom [8D]

[Anonymous]

One of the locomotives I'd go crazy for is a 4-8-4 spectrum upgrade and if they did a C&O J3 like they did with the heavy mountain. *Faints*

[BRVRR]

I have one of the original line 4-8-4 Niagara's with a MRC steam sound decoder in it. Although the motor control leaves something to be desired, it runs well and pulls a ton. It has had its wheels run off over the last two years with very few problems. Mostly related to rough handling by the grandson.
He has a Southern Pacific 4-8-4 Dayilght. The drive train and chassis is a clone of the Niagara's. It has been running hard since Christmas on his home DC layout. No problems so far.
I recently bought a Spectrum 4-6-2, Pennsy K-4 for my grandson. I ordered a Soundtraxx LC decoder for it. In the meantime it has a TCS, T1 decoder installed. I runs smoothly and quietly. Only a little gear/drive train growl.
In my experience, the B-man makes a quality loco, particularly in the larger sizes and the Spectrum line.
Pictures on my website, link is in my signature.

[knewsom]

I have several Spectrum steamers. A 4-6-0 low boiler, a 2-8-0, a 4-8-2, a Sy Mikado 2-8-2 (Spectrum quality), and a Spectrum Shay. I have been extremely pleased with all of them and have not had any issues at all. All of them are fairly good pullers for their respective sizes. I would highly recommend them.

[Anonymous]

I've also installed the Soundtraxx decoder in mine. It's easy as falling down. I complained about the sound level at first, but, I have since grown to like it. I understand that prototypically, the shay is not too loud anyway.

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

Thanks for the input folks. I think that a Shay might be in my future, subtle hints are now being dropped to the wife for an up-coming birthday. Anyone out there installed the Soundtraxx decoder designed for the shay?

[simon1966]

Thanks for the input on the Soundtraxx. I just installed my first Soundtraxx decoder in an IHC steamer and it was actually a little too loud. My preference is to get the volume way down, the BLI's out of the box are far too loud IMO. Sounds like a Soundraxx decoder might be in order, especially as they are on sale at such good prices in various places right now. Thanks again.

[Tracklayer]

I have an N scale Spectrum 4-8-2 lite mountain that's never given me a bit of trouble.

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

I just ordered a three truck shay in HO today, since they're currently on sale at Trainworld for about $120.00. After coming home and checking the web, I found this thread. I am glad to hear of all the positive responses about the Spectrum models. I, too, am planning to add the Soundtraxx decoder to this unit. I've already ordered the one designed for the Shay. It should make a sweet running and sounding unit if it lives up to my expectations from what I've just read. Thanks to all for the positive responses. I hope Simon1966 gets one that lives up to the reputation they have earned here.

[simon1966]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jdavid93225

I just ordered a three truck shay in HO today, since they're currently on sale at Trainworld for about $120.00. After coming home and checking the web, I found this thread. I am glad to hear of all the positive responses about the Spectrum models. I, too, am planning to add the Soundtraxx decoder to this unit. I've already ordered the one designed for the Shay. It should make a sweet running and sounding unit if it lives up to my expectations from what I've just read. Thanks to all for the positive responses. I hope Simon1966 gets one that lives up to the reputation they have earned here.

The bug has bitten and a Shay is in my future! I hope you got the decoder on sale! They are half price at places like Litchfield station right now. I will report back in a few weeks when I get my unit and let you all know what I think.

[doctorwayne]

I had one of the old 2-8-0's, the one with the flat, transverse motor. It actually ran not too badly and was a respectable puller. It also survived a 5' drop from the end of track (and roadbed) on a previous layout. The clash with the concrete bent the pilot and broke a Kadee coupler, but it still ran fine. I have 5 of the Spectrum 2-8-0's and if my railroad needs more locos, (second level coming this winter) it'll be more of these. They're quiet, run well, and pull great. With the plastic superstructure, they're easy to modify and Bachmann will sell you any of the parts for them. (Like tender trucks to give your Athearn steamers more reliable pick-up. Or complete tenders to give a "family" appearance to locos from other manufacturers.) I also have a Bachmann light USRA 4-8-2, highly modified, and a couple of 4-6-0's awaiting conversion to the two NYC F-82's (#890 and 891) that ran out of St. Thomas Ont.
For my money, Bachmann locomotives are the best bang for the buck that you'll find in HO steam.

[Anonymous]

Simon, I did get mine on sale. I believe it was around $47 for the HO Shay decoder. Because the price for it was so good, I actually ordered the decoder before I ordered the locomotive!

[Rotorranch]

I LOVE my Shay! It's a sweet loco! It's my first Spectrum steamer. I do have a few of the older Consolidations, and I like em, but have had two outta three die on me. The motor melted down on one, and the drivers have come out of quarter on another. Hopefully Bachmann will repair both of the older ones.

I just put another of the Shay's in stock at my hobby shop. Hopefully, someone will come buy it and enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine!

Rotor

[simon1966]

My Shay arrived on Friday. I got it from Trainworld when I realized that their sale price of $119.00 was lower than many of the e-bay auctions that I had been following. My first impression is one of delight. The detail and the quality of the little engine is fantastic. I feel bad for having discounted Bachmann all these years. I am a classic example of a modeller that purchased some cheap entry level Bachmann early on and developed such a negative view from this experience that I never purchased another thing from them. Anyway, this little Shay has gone a long way to modifying that opinion, at least with respect to the Spectrum line.

I have only run it a little as I have not recieved the Soundtraxx decoder I ordered for it yet. With the big discount sale going on right now, they are on a short back order. It really is a joy to watch the mechanism thrashing away. The boys got a real kick out of the firebox glow. Thanks to all of you that contributed to this thread, it has really helped to open my eyes.

[Anonymous]

ive got a brace of 2-10-0 all with sound decoders in and they are superb. Can get a bit noisy with all 20 going at once in the yard though!