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Opportunity to buy 4-6-0, should I go for it? (Updated)

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Posted by Wolf359 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1:46 PM

Trainman440

Great news, enjoy!

Charles

 

Thank you! I definitely will!Big Smile

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Posted by Trainman440 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1:21 PM

Great news, enjoy!

Charles

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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

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Posted by Wolf359 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 12:35 PM

Big SmileGood news everyone! I finished my project sooner than I thought I would, (I was so bored that I spent the last three days cleaning the wheels of every operable piece of rolling stock I own), so decided to just test the loco without doing anything to it first, and it ran on the first try! It could use a little oil I think, but it still runs pretty smooth. 

Trainman440

 

Usually, these engines have the following issue, going from most common, to least common:

1. Seller forgot decoder number(You wouldn't believe how many times a decoder reset "fixes" an engine!)

 

That was a very good guess Charles. I run DC only, so that must have been the reason the seller couldn't get it to run in DCC mode. Overall, it's looking like this was a very good buy. Thank you everyone, for your valuable opinions and input.

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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 3:48 PM

Mine came with the small tender. I stripped the electronics and put in a Tsunami Micro with a 1k resistor for the LED headlight. A speaker firing up through small holes drilled in the coal load.

Thin white glue painted on the coal load with coal dust painted on keeping the holes clear.

Been some years. The idea came from a fellow and his site is gone.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by Wolf359 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:45 PM

It's the version with the small, 52" drivers.

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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:42 PM

Do not remember if you said, large driver or small driver version? I have both.

Been some years.

The small driver has small tender DCC non sound and large driver, larger tender with factory onboard sound.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:26 PM

Yes

Mike.

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Posted by Wolf359 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 1:50 PM

Update: My Bachmann 4-6-0 arrived safely yesterday. It was well packed and arrived in excellent condition with no broken or missing parts as far as I can tell.Big Smile I have also confirmed that it is indeed a Spectrum model after finding the logo on the underside of the tender.Yeah I haven't done anything with it yet, as I need to print the diagrams. I also want to finish another in-progress project before I dive into this one. But, I'll post an update when I get to it.

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Posted by Wolf359 on Friday, March 27, 2020 4:05 PM

BRAKIE

Guys, I once bought a Atlas Classic C&O RS-1 that did not run.. I found the problem was a wire to the wheel pickup came unsoldered. A easy fix and it ran like new.  I still have it. Oh the price?  As is, no return, $40.00 free shipping.

 

 

That sort of thing is something else that made me go for this loco. You can sometimes get very good deals on fixer-uppers and locos that supposedly don't run. I bought a 4-4-2 made by GHC that had a "for parts or restore" tag on it for $20.00 at a local hobby shop. After a full overhaul and the replacement of a wire to the tender, it was up and running and now runs like a champ. It weighs more than a pound, and pulls like an ox.

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Posted by Wolf359 on Friday, March 27, 2020 3:48 PM

Trainman440

OP, if you have issues with the engine, feel free to PM me, I got quite a bit of experience working with these...I had 3 once a time ago. 

Good luck!

Charles

 

Thank you Charles, for your kind offer of help should it become necessary. I will definitely keep that in mind if I need it. As long as I can get the PM feature to work that is.Smile, Wink & Grin

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Posted by Trainman440 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 6:06 PM

Haha if you wanna flex, I bought a brand new Bachmann 2-8-0 that "didn't run" for $40, turns out the tender wheels(which picked up power) were flipped, so it shorted the engine. Just flipped the wheels and it ran perfectly. Sold it for $90. 

OP, if you have issues with the engine, feel free to PM me, I got quite a bit of experience working with these...I had 3 once a time ago. 

Good luck!

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, March 26, 2020 2:07 PM

Guys, I once bought a Atlas Classic C&O RS-1 that did not run.. I found the problem was a wire to the wheel pickup came unsoldered. A easy fix and it ran like new.  I still have it. Oh the price?  As is, no return, $40.00 free shipping.

 

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

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Posted by Wolf359 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:06 PM

I figured I'm bored out of my mind and they're hard to find in any condition for anything under $100+, so I decided to roll the dice and go for it. I've also aquired better and new tools since the last time I had to flush out an electrical gremlin, so hopefully all will go smoothly. I intend to put a DC dummy plug in anyway, so I'm not really concerned if the DCC decoder works or not, as I run plain old DC analog. Also, upon further reasearch and input, I am now quite sure that it's a Spectrum. With a few alterations, it should be a fairly good match for a Colorado Midland class 102 4-6-0. Here's a link to a photo of CM engine 33: https://digital.denverlibrary.org/digital/collection/p15330coll22/id/51085/rec/1

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, March 26, 2020 11:31 AM

OK, so good luck.  Hopefully you can figure it out, and it don't turn into "I got ripped off!" thread.  Smile, Wink & Grin

Let us know if it is a Spectrum.

Mike.

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Posted by Wolf359 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:56 AM

Trainman440

Update: someone bought the engine for $65. 

 

I wonder who bought it?Whistling

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 6:14 PM

The font was slightly different too. Take a look at the number 7.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Trainman440 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 6:10 PM

My apologies, I meant the two horizontal cylinders mounted in front of the sand dome and behind the smoke stack. 

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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 6:03 PM

OK, I didn't look at the Ebay close enough.  You are correct and I was wrong.

Behind the stack are the sand dome and the steam dome.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Trainman440 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 5:57 PM

Update: someone bought the engine for $65. 

BigDaddy

Then it is odd that there are 2 on Ebay and one in my basement that look exactly like that with the same #27.  

Ebay listing:

If you compare these two images, you'll find the following:

1. Lettering on cab is smaller on the Ebay engine. 

2. Lettering on tender on the Bachmann original is flatter, and correct

3. Bachmanns have the two cylinders on the boiler, behind the smoke stack, and in front of the sand dome. (what are these?)

4. Bachmanns has two metal pieces that attach the boiler walkways to the pilot.

5. Bachmann has "27" on the sand dome. 

6. Bachmanns has an additional horizonal handrail on the front of the boiler. 

Bachmanns:

These additional details is what Bachmann added to make the engine prototype specific. 

Hope this helps!

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 4:59 PM

Trainman440
The $65 model is a spectrum, although it is the default undecorated engine, with added decals.

Then it is odd that there are 2 on Ebay and one in my basement that look exactly like that with the same #27.  I'd take a picture, but I just spent the afternoon packing up trains for my move and it's in the bottom of the box.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

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Posted by doctorwayne on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 4:48 PM

I have two of the Spectrum 4-6-0s, but thought them to be a bit too "dated" for my late '30s-era layout. 

I "modernised" them a bit with boilers from Varney's "Casey Jones"/"Old Lady", and cabs from Bachmann's Consolidations, to give them more of a "family" look with most of my other steamers.
I also modified the running gear a bit, changing the stock slide valve chests into piston valve types with some styrene.

The mechanisms run nicely, and pull even better with the heavier boilers and some additional weight...

I can't find them, but I think that I gave the original cabs and boilers to someone else, as I had no use for them.

Wayne

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Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 2:32 PM

Sorry, I misread the ad, I thought there was a make offer option.

I also own a Bachmann 2-6-0. Also a very good runner and I would recommend it. But it's a different loco from a prototype perspective... I had to have both!

And the 4-6-0 is clearly a Spectrum. Do they still make them? I think the new ones only have the molded detail, not the separately applied stuff like the Spectrum line.

I would also consider buying it if a fellow forum members was not looking at it Wink.

Simon

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Posted by Wolf359 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 1:34 PM

Trainman440

 

 
Wolf359

I believe it's standard line engine. I looked all over the page and couldn't find any mention of it being a Spectrum.

 

 

Bachmann standard:

Bachmann Spectrum:

Model in question:

note that the standard line has molded on piping, whereas the spectrum lines all have separate piping. The $65 model is a spectrum, although it is the default undecorated engine, with added decals. 

Charles

 

I did not realize that. Thank you for educating me on that, I'll have to factor that into my decision making. I guess it also depends on what else I can find. The decals don't matter to me though, as I was planning to re-letter and re-number it anyway.

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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 1:34 PM

I forgot to add that both mine are Spectrum.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by Trainman440 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 1:14 PM

Wolf359

I believe it's standard line engine. I looked all over the page and couldn't find any mention of it being a Spectrum.

Bachmann standard:

Bachmann Spectrum:

Model in question:

note that the standard line has molded on piping, whereas the spectrum lines all have separate piping. The $65 model is a spectrum, although it is the default undecorated engine, with added decals. 

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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Posted by Wolf359 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:54 PM

snjroy

It's a mechanic's special. Can you fix steam locos?

I can usually repair most locomotives, but I'll be the first to admit that hunting down electrical gremlins is not one of my strengths. That's another reason why I was wondering if this was worth persuing.

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Posted by Wolf359 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:46 PM

G Paine

 

 
Wolf359
HO scale Bachmann 4-6-0

 

Is it Bachmann Spectrum or Bachmann standard line? That is a big deciding factor. If standard, walk away and don't look back; if Spectrun read what other folks here have to say

 

I believe it's standard line engine. I looked all over the page and couldn't find any mention of it being a Spectrum.

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Posted by Trainman440 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:38 PM

I would buy it in a heartbeat if it weren't for the fact that clearly, the enigne came undecorated, and the owner decaled the engine for MA&PA #27. It has none of the prototype specific details Bachmann had for the #27 model, and the lettering looks wonky. 

You cannot compare this Bachmann Spectrum to their 2-6-0 engines. The 2-6-0 has very little detail and isn't based on a prototype. The 4-6-0 has loads of seperately applied pipping, and is based on MA&PA #27 and #28. 

Usually, these engines have the following issue, going from most common, to least common:

1. Seller forgot decoder number(You wouldn't believe how many times a decoder reset "fixes" an engine!)

2. faulty decoder(it happens)

3. Wire connection between engine and tender is faulty

4. Bachmann 4-6-0s use a belt drive, sometimes the gear splits. (rare)

5. Elecrical short inside engine split frame chassis. (never seen a 4-6-0 with this, but a possibility)

6. bad motor. (never seen a 4-6-0 with this, but a possibility)

Now obviously, Im not responsible if the engine is indeed beyond a decoder problem, but there's a good chance removing the decoder will fix the issue. 

Cheers!

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 10:56 AM

If the OP is interested I just added a few more details to my message. I have watched the Bachmann site, forums for some years as I have Bachmann locos.

Many replace the Bachmann decoders. I have.

The Parts page shows the PC board with the DC adapter plugged in.

The decoder would be a large black shrink wrapped device plugged into the eight pin socket. I trashed mine.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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