I have a Bachmann Spectrum USRA 2-8-8-2, and cannot recall when it was released. Can someone tell me when this model was first available?
Mine is lettered as Union Pacific 3671.
Don Strack
I don't think that Spectrum ever produced a 2-8-8-2.
Do you mean 2-8-8-4? 2-6-6-2?
3671? Do you mean Life Like (Proto)?
Rich
Alton Junction
Bachmann made a 2-6-6-2, but to my knowledge the only non-brass 2-8-8-2 offerings in HO come from Rivarossi (years ago now), PCM/BLI Paragon, and the pre-Walthers ownership Life Like Proto 2000 Heritage Steam series.
-Crandell
Can't say who built the model or when, but the prototype was a N&W Y3 sold to UP in June, 1945. Y3 was the basic USRA 2-8-8-2, and the UP variant should have number boards.
If you're modeling UP you have a rather narrow time window. The Y3s were scrapped in 1948.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with one H10 class sixteen drivered box motor)
richhotrain I don't think that Spectrum ever produced a 2-8-8-2. Do you mean 2-8-8-4? 2-6-6-2? 3671? Do you mean Life Like (Proto)?
Well, that explains why my searches are not producing any information. I threw away the box and can't find the paperwork. I'm looking to sell it locally, and was looking for a fair price. Thanks.
Don Strack richhotrain I don't think that Spectrum ever produced a 2-8-8-2. Do you mean 2-8-8-4? 2-6-6-2? 3671? Do you mean Life Like (Proto)? Well, that explains why my searches are not producing any information. I threw away the box and can't find the paperwork. I'm looking to sell it locally, and was looking for a fair price. Thanks.
Is it N scale or HO scale?
Odds are what you have is one of the Life-Like / Proto 2-8-8-2s. Walthers made them after they bought Life-Like. I think they've been out of production for a while.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-60201
#3671 was DC, not DCC with sound.
It would be worth twice as much with the box..........
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Don Strack richhotrain I don't think that Spectrum ever produced a 2-8-8-2. Do you mean 2-8-8-4? 2-6-6-2? 3671? Do you mean Life Like (Proto)? Well, that explains why my searches are not producing any information. I threw away the box and can't find the paperwork. I'm looking to sell it locally, and was looking for a fair price. Thanks. It would be worth twice as much with the box..........
I'm not looking for its value as a collector's item. I understand the value of keeping the box, especially if the factory air has not yet been released. I simply choose to put my models on the layout and dispose of the boxes. I no longer have a layout, and am downsizing. I'd rather not just throw it all away, therefore my interest in selling locally at a fair price.
My model says, "Life-Like Heritage, Made in Austria" on the bottom of the tender. I think I bought it in 2004, but it could have been earlier by a couple years, which explains my question as to when it was first produced. Or maybe I purchased it after the good review in Model Railroading magazine in early 2005.
KRISTIAN CHRONISTERDc only, no box... hard to say a fair value. DC only seems to go for $130-160 on ebay, but i couldn't even find one w/o a box, and most of those also claim to be run very little... my gut is you're on the right track with a local sale: someone who can see that it runs, looks good, etc. I'd say if someone offers $100, grab it.
That's my intention, exactly. $100; a nice round number. I also have several Life-Like GP7s, GP9s and GP20s as UP units. Also purchased in the same 2000-2005 time period. DC only; no box. They will be $50 each. I'll keep a couple and convert them to DCC, but the rest will have to find new homes - locally, starting at the Ogden train show in three weeks.
Don,
I have the same engine and it is a Proto2000, DC. I added a decoder to mine and love it; great running and looking loco. I have 2 more with sound/DCC.
Good luck with the sale.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Don hasn't indicated whether that steamer is HO scale or N scale, but he said that he bought it in 2004, so it has to be HO scale. The original MSRP was $375. Even without the box, I would make an educated guess that he could get $150 for that loco on eBay.
I'm not a collector, I too buy trains to run on the layout. But a delicate well detailed model such as this is best transported in the box - when that need arises - makes it a little easier to know who made it too.
I don't buy much used stuff, but without a box, I would be looking for a real bargain.
But I will pass, I already have several of those.....
Sheldon
I got one years ago, it ran great for several years then started slowing down, eventually stopping altogether. I've heard there was a batch of the early Life-Like made ones that had a poor solder connection in the engine that caused problems. I've had it sitting in storage for many years - apparently it's a bear to open up, as you have to try to pry one of the domes off to get to a screw to disconnect the boiler from the chassis. I guess it's pretty difficult to do without destroying the dome.