new respect for bachmann

[Soo Line fan]

loathar

Guess I've been away longer than I thought! 2 years ago this post would have started a flame war that would have been locked by page 2! 

Ya, those were the good old days, sometimes I think people knew what time  Eric left on Friday . Then all you know what would happen. 

Come mid morning on Monday, half the topics had locks on them

[Geared Steam]

Bachmann makes the best geared steam. 

[csxns]

Looking at the photos of the new Bachmann ES44AC and SD 70's heritage NS i am thinking different about Bachmann's and if they look that good i will get me some of them.

[loathar]

This is good news. I've been looking at a 2-6-0 but remember how bad my 35 year old 0-6-0 was.
Guess I've been away longer than I thought! 2 years ago this post would have started a flame war that would have been locked by page 2! 
I bought a couple of GP's recently and I thought the quality and detail was really good for cost. 

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

As many of you know I am a big Bachmann fan and have a large fleet of their locos, especially Spectrum steam and newer Regular line steam like the Berkshire.

Yes, there have been a few locos with problems, but I have always suggested that NONE of these products should be judged by the brand name - every company makes some winners, some 2nd place pieces, and some dogs. The Spectrum N&W J is not their best work - the Heavy Mountain, EM-1, 2-8-0, 2-6-6-2 and others are as nice as any brand out there - especially at the price.

So for all of you just discovering what you have been missing, you may want to read this:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/181314.aspx?sort=ASC&pi314=1

It will show how you can make your Bachmann locos even better, and give you some insights into the modeling potential they offer.

And, I have even more Spectrum/Bachmann tender swap and kit bash projects to share - hopefully soon.

My Bachmann fleet includes: 

9 - USRA 4-8-2 Heavy (various versions and kit bashes)

4 - USRA 2-6-6-2 (and the C&O H4 version)

8 - 2-8-0

2 - 4-6-0

5 - 2-8-4 Berkshire (converted into freelanced heavy Mikados)

3 - USRA 2-10-2

And there are plans for more.

Some of the best products and best values in this hobby - IMHO.

Sheldon 

[CAZEPHYR]

Bachmann model trains continue to get better over the years and the EM1 is nice and runs well.  If they would leave off the molded on handrails in certain places, they would be much better since I can drill a hole and install that detail, but removing the detail requires repainting. 

 

Many of my friends that drive Fords would never buy a Chevy and my Chevy friends would not buy a Ford.

Who knows what is the best since many modelers will not purchase the other brands. I have three Bachmann models since I wanted those for testing.  I have some real lemons over the years built by different importers including brass and die cast metal. 

 

 If you have a great model and you like it, ignore the posts and enjoy the hobby.   That is the real reason we engage in a hobby to provide enjoyment, at least that is what I want out of the hobby.

CZ

[bogp40]

For quite some time I pretty much would stay away from most of Bachman products, found issues w/ the "plus" line and a couple GP30 Spectrum never would run reliably. I did notice the Spectrum line in steamers offered a very smooth running loco and only need minor details to improve.

Bachman has come "light years" in the overall quality and running of their line. I am rather impressed even w/ that GP38, however. they really outdid themselves w/ the B&O EM-1. I have been waiting for an affordable version for many years. Got one (#7600) last year and can't be any happier.  Very detailed and quite an excellent runner. For the purists, there are only a few minor prototypical details that may need to be added.

The drawbar pull is fantastic, pulls 40+ loaded hoppers up a 2 1/2%.  Will start on that grade w/ 25 hoppers w/ no slip. I have run this consist at our shows for hours w/o the slightest trouble. They have me sold, especially the Spectrum line

Details are rather fragile however and extreme care is needed when handling. The mini plugs may be the only weak part, I don;t believe they will stand up to repeated plug and unplugging. For this reason I need to build a storage case to keep them coupled.

[don7]

I got back into the hobby about seven years ago.

Like so many others had a layout for a number of years and as a teenager got into other hobbies.

I had kept a box of many of my old locomotives, Model Die Casting and Mantua kit builts and a number of Athearn and Roundhouse rolling stock as well as a number of my old Shinohara turnouts that I had never used.

When a friend of mine found out I was building a model railroad layout they bought me a locomotive as a gift that Christmas.

When I opened the package and saw this black box with gold lettering, I then opened the box and inside nestling in a block of charcoal grey foam sat this great looking HO steam engine, a 2-8-0, the engine was unlettered.

I was very impressed with what I was, then I saw the warrante card, and I realized this engine was a BACHMANN.

I had some of the HO Bachmann steam locomotives from years ago and they were as I remembered, trouble to say the least,cheap toy quality that if you were lucky would last the week.

At that moment I was trying to hide my disappointment.

Well, I am relieved to say that locomotive was an excellent running engine and is still running today. It became the first of a number of purchases of Bachmann Spectrum HO steam engines.

I even bought a set of their On3 Steam engines to run around the Christmas tree.

Bachmann certainly has come a long way in comparison to the toy quality of the past.

[CSX_road_slug]

I got a few of their GP9's in the B&O blue "gothic" scheme. [Karl- you saw them at my last op session.]  I added grab irons to the ends, trimmed off part of the side 'skirts', and swapped out the factory decoders with NCE D13SR's.  They run great and I'm quite happy with them.

 

[kbkchooch]

richhotrain

galaxy

I have heard their service dept. is fantastic, but have had no need to use it yet!

It used to be, but now they just replace them, often with something different than what you want repaired, unless the model you want repaired is still in production.

Rich

Even with that said, when the motor failed in one of my Spectrum 2-8-0's 2 years ago, they would not guarantee I would get the same engine back.   Mine was a factory Western Maryland unit, but I had changed the pilot to the correct "rock knocker" type, along with a few other details. Long story short, after much debate with the poor person who answered the phone (Peggy?), I elected to buy a new motor for 10 bucks rather than risk the loss of a 6 month old custom decorated shell.

My other consolidations run well, along with my pair of 2-10-0s.  My "sound value" S2 runs well, and sounds ok. But cant hold a candle to my Atlas s2's pulling power.  My Spectrum F40's both growl like Athearns. The Spectrum passenger cars, while pretty, have a horrible coupler system. You either have to refit them with Kadee body mounted couplers with long shanks, or do what I do here .

All in all, they've had some hits, and some misses, but they also seem to be getting better. Not good enough to make me start swapping out Atlas, Kato and Proto members of the fleet, but better.

 

[richhotrain]

galaxy

I have heard their service dept. is fantastic, but have had no need to use it yet!

It used to be, but now they just replace them, often with something different than what you want repaired, unless the model you want repaired is still in production.

Rich

[Train Modeler]

I love my Bachmann berkshire, it's one of the best steamers I have.  Bought it about 2 years ago.  When I bought it, I thought it might not be very good since it was a lot cheaper than a Proto for example.    I won't buy another Rivarossi, but will buy more Bachmanns.

Richard

[tstage]

The Bachmanns are a good value.  I really like their Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidated.  It's a sweet little runner. 

Unfortunately, for me, Bachmann doesn't offer much in the NYC scheme that's reasonably accurate - except maybe their Niagara.  I'm not talking rivet-counting details.  Bachmann's offerings are generally more generic and based on prototypes that are different than what the NYC was building so I don't own any.

Even so, they offer some nice locomotives at a good price that meets the needs of a number of modelers.  And that's a good thing.

Tom

[HObbyguy]

"JaBear"

I would suggest that that the only thing that criticism of Bachmann now proves is how long a model railroader has been in the hobby. 

I bought my first loco early this year after many years away from model railroading, a Spectrum 2-6-6-2 with sound, and played with it BEFORE committing to building another layout.  My impression of Bachmann from years back was very poor, but I took a chance because all the reviews that I found were good and the price was reasonable.  The loco ran so well, greatly exceeding my expectations, and I jumped back in with enthusiasm.

Since I was so happy with the 2-6-6-2 I bought a Bachmann sound-value FA2 and FB2 to try running a DCC consist and again was very surprised by performance for the money.  Since then I added a 2-8-0, an EM-1 with a sound module, and just got a second 2-8-0 this week so I can double-head a matched pair (for just $120 I couldn't resist.)  All have run great out of the box and I've not had any problems with them.

Maybe not the best out there but a very nice selection of steamers, the detail is good enough for me, and price can't be beat especially if you shop around a bit.  I can't justify to myself spending a bunch more for a competitor's product unless they have a particular loco that I want.

Coming from a "sort of" newbie I would highly recommend Bachmann especially for steamers.

[galaxy]

I have 14 locos, all but one of them is a Bachmann DCC OnBoard loco. I love them!

I have both regular and Spectrum, both diesels and steam, and they all run swell. They pull well, are nice and quiet {One does have a low growl to it at startup}, and I think a good value for the money.

I have heard their service dept. is fantastic, but have had no need to use it yet!

Three more, no wait, 13 more cheers for Bachmann! One for each of my Bachmann locos!

[richhotrain]

I continue to mourn the loss of my beloved Thumper, a Spectrum 4-8-2.

Born with severe disabilities, all of Bachmann's horses and all of Bachmann's men couldn't put Thumper back together again.

Rich

[MisterBeasley]

How could you not like this?

Or this?

I've got the 0-6-0T tank engine, the Peter Witt trolley and a 2-6-0.  I'm very happy with all of them.  The tank engine and trolley came undecorated, another "modeler-friendly" thing that Bachmann is doing.  That little tank engine can pull a surprising number of cars, too.

[EMD.Don]

I grabbed an HO Bachmann DCC Sound Value EMD F7A and B a while back...the price I got them for made them a complete no brainer. I LOVE THEM! Smooth, reliable, strong, and the sound really is quite good when one considers the price. I'd recommend them to any and all. Their new Norfolk Southern Heritage Units are on my list of wants. On the other hand, my Son had...key word there was had...a Bachmann Spectrum N Scale Dash 8-40C and it was a dog! Loud, clunky, rough, and weak (just like it's real GE cousin......just kidding). Great detail though, crisp, fine, and sharp. It was DCC ready and comparable in price to Atlas and some Kato N Scale models...but just wasn't even close to being comparable in terms of operational capabilities.

I hope Bachmann keeps going with this trend of supplying the modeler with good products at affordable prices. 

Happy modeling!

Don.

["JaBear"]

I would suggest that that the only thing that criticism of Bachmann now proves is how long a model railroader has been in the hobby. 

 A newcomer to the hobby should be reasonably safe in buying a new Bachmann loco, Spectrum or otherwise. This is not to say that one should not read the reviews before buying a particular product and should also be aware that there can be slip ups in Quality Control.

Newbies, DO BE AWARE of  the less than scrupulous 2nd hand traders who try to take advantage and pass off older Botchman as being as good as the new product lines. I am sorry to say that that sort do exist and accordingly I have made myself less than popular in certain circles.

gmpullman

If I ever meet the person at Bachmann who gave the go-ahead to produce the B&O EM-1 I'll give 'em a big hug, or at least buy them a

Ed, as I presume that you are in the States and therefore have a better chance of meeting that person than I, would you mind giving them one for me as well, please ???? 

Cheers, the Bear.

[mobilman44]

Hi,

Glad to hear your Bachmann is a winner.   I have had a number of their steamers, especially the 2-8-0 which has been around for a good 35 years or so.  I currently have two.

For the money, their steamers are an especially good deal.  No, they are not the best and their detail is generally not road specific, but they do put out a decent steamer - and they usually stand behind them.

As an added note, a model steamer is a very complicated mechanism and prone to problems.  So to have one that is a good runner and puller and stays on the track is pretty special.

 

[gmpullman]

If I ever meet the person at Bachmann who gave the go-ahead to produce the B&O EM-1 I'll give 'em a big hug, or at least buy them a .

Before the Bachmann model you had a choice of poor brass (Akane) or expensive brass (Key, Challenger, $3500!)

I'd rate these engines as the best value ever. I have two and got them at a sale price, to boot! I could only dream of ever owning one before the Bachmanns were available. At their price level they are fantastic!

Their Nice little Alco S-2 switcher is great as well. Also found on sale for under a hundred bucks, DCC and sound, too!

Take care, ED

[Catt]

Kader owns Bachmann and has for years and is probly one of the main reasons Bachmann quality keeps getting better.,

[cointrain]

Bachmann has gone from a company that I would not touch for a number of years, back to a company that makes some amazing locomotives!

My Favorite is the Spectrum 2-8-0's. They will run forever! Except for when they hit the floor... Even so, the thing still runs. Only problem is some detail came off. 

Their sound is pretty good especially in the smaller locomotives. I am not the biggest fan of soundtraxx as I think it sounds generic and computery.

Hopefully bachmann keeps up the great work!

Adam

[rrinker]

 I don't think they are the ones cutting. Kader cut out OTHERS to reserve plant capacity for Bachman. Others had issues finind an alternative manufacturer, but Bachmann was always good.

          --Randy

 

[Burlington Northern #24]

sounds good, as for the rumor. There's no way Bachmann would drop their steam loco's, at least not in N scale. THey make alot of steamers in N, I know a member here Atlantic central has tons of Bachmanns which make up the bulk of his steam fleet. 

[ChessieMTNSUB]

I picked up one of their GP38's that was DCC equipped and was quite surprised by the quality.  Now it is not super detailed as everything else I run is, but it is a solid performer that looks good and that I can take to the club w/o having to worry about damaging it.  I also picked up their DCC system for my work bench to test engines out.  Both I picked up pretty cheap, and you can get some great prices.  So if your not a stickler for details you could build up a sizable fleet for not much loot.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

farrellaa

I also have a couple of their old locos and none of them run anymore?

I too have some of the old Bachmann locos, both steam and diesel. The steamer, a metal 0-6-0 was bought new in the 70's by one of my relatives. When it eventually died he rebuilt it putting in a can motor, nickel silver wheels and brass gears. I inherited it when he passed on. It runs like silk. Most of the old Bachmann diesels I have are the old Plus line GP40's. They been repowered with Bachmann GP38-2 drives. Couldn't use the new GP40 drives in them as they wouldn't fit. They now run much better than they did when they were new. I even added details to some of them. They are all DCC.

[fluff]

I have just now switched from N to HO. been a few years since I have bought any HO stuff. I knew Bachmann had improved, didn't realize how nice they are now. its running on temporary laid atlas 83 with no roadbed around the walls on pieced together pink foamboard. no tracking problems on crappy laid track.     

[selector]

I sold my first foray into Bachmann products on eBay about six months after giving it a solid go, including having my fix-it guy try to....well....you know.  It was the J Class.

I heard good things about the metal Heavy Mountains, also in the Spectrum Series, and if they're good enough for Sheldon, they're good enough for me.  I'm happy to say it is as good as any BLI I have.

-Crandell

[farrellaa]

I have at least 7 or 8 of their steam locos, several with sound, and think they are some of the best running/sounding locos for the money. I also have a few BLI steam and diesels (all sound) and know there is a little difference, but a big difference in price. I hope Bachmann continues to develop and improve the sound equipped locos, both steam and diesel. I am gradually replacing all my non sound locos with sound equipped ones. I also have a couple of their old locos and none of them run anymore?

    -Bob