Hello to all, I was trying to find some info about Bachmann FT units (DCC equipped), but no luck. So, can somebody share few words about them?
I have Spectrum GE 44-tonner, and have also seen non-Spectrum 70-tonner. So, can you compare FT with those Bachmann diesels?
I am aware that Spectrum is more detailed, but want to know how is technical stuff on new non-Spec. models (electromotor, flywheel, pickup, slow speed running, etc).
Thanks!
Thommo,
The Bachmann FT comes with a can motor and 28 speed-step capability. It should be a decent locomotive.
With that said, Thommo, if you really want exceptional low-speed response at a reasonable price, you might want to look into the Stewart FTs:
For a little more money, you can have one terrific locomotive. They absolutely crawl! And decoder installation is a breeze.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks, Tom. I am trying to find some early B&O diesel as I plan an interchange of some kind on my fictious PRR branch. Proto 1000 B&O F3 are also in contention!
Can I buy Stewart FT-A only?Do you have some links to look on Stewart prices?
Thommo wrote: Thanks, Tom. I am trying to find some early B&O diesel as I plan an interchange of some kind on my fictious PRR branch. Proto 1000 B&O F3 are also in contention! Can I buy Stewart FT-A only?Do you have some links to look on Stewart prices?
Well here's a link to the Bowser/Stewart site:
http://www.bowser-trains.com/Stewart/Stewart%20FT.htm
The prices shown are the list prices, if you're patient you can usually find what you want at a decent price at a flea market or online.
Stewart FT's generally come in A-B sets with the A powered and the B a dummy, but it's pretty easy to get a powered chassis if you want both powered. The real FT's were designed to be run as A-B sets with a drawbar between them, or as an A-A set. Originally, there wasn't even a door you could close between the A and B units!!
If you look at the model pics, you can see there's an overhang that allows couplers at only one end of the units, although ATSF and/or GM worked out a way to jerry-rig a coupler at the other end. EMD later came out with the FTSB (FT Short Booster) which allowed them to create A-B-A sets. You can do something similar if you really want to run an A by itself, but it's easier to just run the A-B set as it comes. (GM's F2 and later F units could have couplers at both ends.)
One problem with the FT was that you had to either run two (A-B or A-A) or four (A-B+B-A) but you couldn't run three together. Since it turned out that the horsepower of three units was 'just right' for a lot of applications, after WW2 a lot of railroads that had FT's bought F2's or early F3's to put create A-B-A sets.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
jeffrey-wimberly wrote:As far as the Bachmann FT's go, stay away from them. I have four of those things and they're all crap. All they're good for is to rip the decoder out and use it in a better loco. I've put three into some Athearn BB locos that I have, an F7, a GP50 and a PA2. They all three run well on DCC. The FT's are in a junk box in my closet.
What is it with Bachmann? Do they have a hit and miss QC? I seen the GP30/35 combo run for hours during the week of the county fair.My GE70 Tonner is a smooth runner(after lubicating the gears-bone dry from the factory).I seen the newer N&W J and it to ran during 3 of 5 the open houses.
I just don't understand..Really.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
_________________________________________________________________
I see some members here don't have the best feelings about the Bachmann FT.
I bought an A & B unit and haven't had any problems with them. True, they don't have the best details and the decoder lacks some features you get with basic Digitrax or NCE decoders. However, I have had good luck with all but two Bachamnn loco's.
I don't know just how slow a crawl is but the ones I have creep along just fine. The DCC system I have is a NCE Power Pro R. Maybe that has something to do with the fine tune of the speed. I don't know?
In my opinion, Bachmann's standard line with DCC on board is a good deal for the money.
Bill
I have to disagree...I have an A-B-A set with DCC that has never had a problem...they run flawless and will pull MASSIVE amounts of cars at the club layout up any grade....I actually had them running for about five hours straight at a show and the never quit....I will say that Bachmann has inconsistancies from engine to engine....I just got lucky...
A true friend will not bail you out of jail...he will be sitting next to you saying "that was friggin awesome dude!" Tim...Modeling the NYC...is there any other?
fireman216 wrote: jeffrey-wimberly wrote:As far as the Bachmann FT's go, stay away from them. I have four of those things and they're all crap. All they're good for is to rip the decoder out and use it in a better loco. I've put three into some Athearn BB locos that I have, an F7, a GP50 and a PA2. They all three run well on DCC. The FT's are in a junk box in my closet. I have to disagree...I have an A-B-A set with DCC that has never had a problem...they run flawless and will pull MASSIVE amounts of cars at the club layout up any grade....I actually had them running for about five hours straight at a show and the never quit....I will say that Bachmann has inconsistancies from engine to engine....I just got lucky...
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: fireman216 wrote: jeffrey-wimberly wrote:As far as the Bachmann FT's go, stay away from them. I have four of those things and they're all crap. All they're good for is to rip the decoder out and use it in a better loco. I've put three into some Athearn BB locos that I have, an F7, a GP50 and a PA2. They all three run well on DCC. The FT's are in a junk box in my closet. I have to disagree...I have an A-B-A set with DCC that has never had a problem...they run flawless and will pull MASSIVE amounts of cars at the club layout up any grade....I actually had them running for about five hours straight at a show and the never quit....I will say that Bachmann has inconsistancies from engine to engine....I just got lucky... I must have gotten a bunch of duds.
Jeffrey, if you don't want them, you can send them my way!
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
Rotorranch wrote:Jeffrey, if you don't want them, you can send them my way! Rotor
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: Rotorranch wrote: Jeffrey, if you don't want them, you can send them my way! RotorPM me your mailing address and I'll send them to you the first chance I get, most likely arouynd the end of the month.
Rotorranch wrote: Jeffrey, if you don't want them, you can send them my way! Rotor
PM sent, Jeffrey!
Hey, opened the topic to see are the Bachmann FT's any good, and now they are sold for 1 PM!
Is this 1 "Pakistani Mark"?!
Thanks for help, guys! Even though I am not more smart on FT's than before!
Rotor, good luck with the engines!
Thommo, you don't want these four that I have. They are pure-dee junk!
Rotorranch: I returned your PM and included a photo of what you're getting. They all run, but not well.
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: Thommo, you don't want these four that I have. They are pure-dee junk!Rotorranch: I returned your PM and included a photo of what you're getting. They all run, but not well.
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
Jeffrey...thanks again. Maybe I can tweek them into runners!
Thommo...thanks for the words of encouragement.
New Haven I-5 wrote: jeffrey-wimberly wrote: Thommo, you don't want these four that I have. They are pure-dee junk!Rotorranch: I returned your PM and included a photo of what you're getting. They all run, but not well. Jeff, do you have any more "pure-dee junk" I can have?
What would you like to take a crack at?
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: New Haven I-5 wrote: jeffrey-wimberly wrote: Thommo, you don't want these four that I have. They are pure-dee junk!Rotorranch: I returned your PM and included a photo of what you're getting. They all run, but not well. Jeff, do you have any more "pure-dee junk" I can have?New Haven: Looking through the depths of the junk box I find that I have another Bachmann FT that's in very rough shape, a Model Power Hustler switcher (haven't used it in years and don't know if it runs or not), a Proto 2000 GP30 that has some pickup issues. It runs but not well. It has no light board and the intake vents and windows are gone. I also have an assortment of Athearn rolling stock. Two John Deere flat cars, four thirty foot two bay hoppers, a three dome John Deere tank car and a Roundhouse thirty foot old time flat car. What would you like to take a crack at?
Aww, I want the GP30. I have 2, so I might be able to figure out whats wrong. I'm also getting a P2K GP30 shell from someone. So I could use the chassis from that one, and use the shell for parts.
BTW what roadname is it?
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Packer wrote: Aww, I want the GP30. I have 2, so I might be able to figure out whats wrong. I'm also getting a P2K GP30 shell from someone. So I could use the chassis from that one, and use the shell for parts.BTW what roadname is it?
New Haven I-5 wrote: P2K GP30. Is it free? Do I have to pay shipping?
New Haven I-5 wrote: Packer wrote: Aww, I want the GP30. I have 2, so I might be able to figure out whats wrong. I'm also getting a P2K GP30 shell from someone. So I could use the chassis from that one, and use the shell for parts.BTW what roadname is it? I get first Pick. How does the FT run?
But do you have 2 examples that are pretty much new to compare it against to fix it, and a plan of action?
Packer wrote: BTW what roadname is it?
The FT doesn't run.
I already have a tub of alchol sitting in the garage. Hopefully I can get the over coat off, plus this could be something I could use when I get the hang of using an airbrush.
I have a paypal, so I could pay for shipping ASAP.
Don't surprise me...
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Packer wrote:I already have a tub of alchol sitting in the garage. Hopefully I can get the over coat off, plus this could be something I could use when I get the hang of using an airbrush.I have a paypal, so I could pay for shipping ASAP.
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: New Haven I-5 wrote: P2K GP30. Is it free? Do I have to pay shipping?I would prefer that you paid shipping, otherwise it'll be sent uninsured and the cheapiest possible postage. It weighs one pound (sixteen ounces) by itself, not including packaging, which I still have to scrounge up.
I'm in it mostly for the frame, chassis and motor; since I'm getting a GP30 shell from someone, but no chassis to go with it.
How are we supposed to settle who gets it anyways? (BTW, since you're giving it away to NH 1-5, I'll throw in a couple of bucks to sweeten the pot)