CNJ shopping - suggestions?

["JaBear"]

HO Hobbyist

...the GP7 I've been told is terrible because it's Bachmann.

Let’s get this clear from the beginning, I do not do any of the following for Bachmann, work for them, paid to represent their products, have Bachmann shares, know someone who works for them!

 

15 years ago, when I used to fill in at the long gone LHS, I would have steered purchasers of locomotives away from Bachmann, apart from their “Spectrum Series”, to other manufacturers.

 

BUT that was 15 years ago, things have changed over at Bachmann. I have three Bachmann DCC equipped Sharknose, 2 A, 1 B, that have had hard usage running on the layout at shows, 8 hours a day, for up to three days. I should also add that apart from addressing and consisting, they are as they came out of the box.

 

Fellow Model Railroaders of a certain age have observed and favourably commented on them, and other “new” Bachman in action, but then are overheard still continuing to perpetrate the “Bachmann is Rubbish Myth”.

 

Word of mouth is good, but only if the word is well informed.

 

Cheers, the Bear.

 

[SPSOT fan]

A quick search on Walthers.com reveals that Atlas has made SD35s in CNJ paint. Walthers says they are sold out, but you may be able to find on a your LHS or trainshow or eBay.

I think you may need to costum paint if you want something else. However I’d say if you get a pair of CNJ SD35s and a Baldwin switcher you’ll have road and yard power. A GP7 would compliment them, but you may need to work with the Bachmann a bit, it’s hard to say, I’ve had poor experience with Bachman but other have not.

Good Luck

[emdmike]

I highly disagree with the Bachmann GP7 being terrible.  Lacking in detail yes, its more like the early Atlas/Kato yellow box era engines.  I had 3 of them, all ran very nice, smooth and quiet.  I did upgrade the decoders to TCS T1's to eliminate motor hum at slow speeds.  I put lots of miles on them at the local club.  If you buy one, test it before you leave the shop, some do run like crap, but most run quite well for the price.  Only other options is getting a model custom painted.  Not sure when CNJ got rid of thier Alco RS3's.    Good luck in your hunt    Mike

[HO Hobbyist]

Hi all,

I'm the guy who needed help shopping for Amtrak stuff. Well now I'm looking for some power for the Central Railroad of New Jersey.

My requirements are HO scale, DCC/sound, and something the CNJ had in 1971. (Therefore no EMD F units).

The only two locomotives I know of that are/will be available are the Bowser Baldwin DS 4-4-1000 and the Bachmann EMD GP7. The Baldwin is a switcher and the GP7 I've been told is terrible because it's Bachmann.

Thoughts and suggestions?

Edit: I am looking for a freight locomotive rather than a passenger one.