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

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  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 8:01 AM

I just seen the listing.  There are 6 days left, plenty of time to contact the seller, and ask questions, IF the OP still wants to pursue it.

I see it is free shipping.

On a seach for Bachmann 4-6-0 all listings, there a few starting under $50., but shipping is $16.

Mike.

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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 7:46 AM

snjroy

i would make an offer at 45 and see what happens.

It's not a Best Offer listing. It is an auction with a Buy It Now feature. The starting bid is $50 and the Buy It Now is $65.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 7:13 AM

I looked at the ad in question. I have one at home. It is one of my smoothest runners, although it does not have great pullling abilities. They typically are not cheap on Ebay. The ad says no returns.... but the seller has good ratings. It's a mechanic's special. Can you fix steam locos?...You could make an offer, but you are still taking a chance. I've found good deals like that in the past, but also lost some of these gambles... i would make an offer at 45 and see what happens.

Simon

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  • From: Chamberlain, ME
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Posted by G Paine on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 11:08 PM

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

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 8:15 PM

Bachmann onboard decoders are not the best but they do run. Sounds like another issue or seller does not know how to run them.

He might be trying to run them on DC and the decoder is not set to run on DC, only DCC or a wire broke between the loco and tender.

If one of the two wires going to the loco are broke, no power to the motor.

You can see the loco mechanical diagrams at the Bachmann site last time I looked. Look in the Parts Page also.

I have the small driver and larger driver versions. Nice locos but I put Tsunami Micros in them with a speaker.

Edit.

Last I heard the decoder is a low end Lenz.

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/images/44913_Decoder_IS.pdf

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 BigDaddy on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 5:20 PM

I saw it on Ebay.  I picked up a MA & PA 2-4-0 DCC with box at Timonium for $75.  Actually, besides any collector value, the box is very important to get it through the USPS.  Yours did not have a box.

I bought a CMR turntable and the seller thought plastic grocery bags were adequate padding.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Wolf359 on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 5:15 PM

I was kind of thinking it was pricey as well, and this confirms it. I'm glad I decided to ask. Thank you everyone for your input. I'll keep looking. Just for the record it is another ebay engine, which is why I asked about it, as it isn't something I could look at in person.

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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 5:13 PM

You can check a box for Completed Auctions and see what things have sold for recently.  The most recent 2-6-0 had DCC and Sound and sold for $68 including shipping.  Next were 73,76,78 and 85 including shipping. 

The problem might be unrelated to DCC.  Seeing as you already are a unhappy camper, I suggest you don't look for more problems

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:46 PM

rrebell
You can sometimes pick up a 2-6-0 with sound and DCC for under $100 brand new in box, you decide.

I have a Spectrum 2-8-0 DCC with sound I picked up for $90., just for comparison to what the OP is looking at.

Mike.

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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:38 PM

You can sometimes pick up a 2-6-0 with sound and DCC for under $100 brand new in box, you decide.

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:38 PM

cuyama
 
mbinsewi
$65. for something that doesn't run, for me, is not worth the gamble 

+1 

+2

The question is, will it run on DC without the decoder?

Sixty five bucks for a used Bachmann DC 4-6-0 seems pricey.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:37 PM

I would spend $65.00 in a heartbeat for a 4-6-0 that did not run IF it was brass and in good cosmetic condition.

There is no way on Earth I would spend $65.00 on a plastic 4-6-0 that was inoperative.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by cuyama on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:34 PM

mbinsewi
$65. for something that doesn't run, for me, is not worth the gamble

+1

  • Member since
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:33 PM

Is this another Ebay thing? or can you get your hands on it and see why it doesn't respond?

$65. for something that doesn't run, for me, is not worth the gamble, unless it's from a local seller that will let me "mess" with it, and see what it's problem is.

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2014
  • 443 posts
Opportunity to buy 4-6-0, should I go for it? (Updated)
Posted by Wolf359 on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 3:13 PM

Moving on from the ebay fiasco in my last thread, I have the opportunity to buy an HO scale Bachmann 4-6-0 for $65.00. Cosmetically, it's in great condition. The problem is, the person who has it says the decoder won't respond, so the engine won't run as a result. I always pull the decoder and put in a dummy plug anyway, but I'm just wondering if this is a good buy. Is it worth the money? Or should I keep looking? I don't know how long it will be available, so any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

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