Renamed: What Basic Decoders Fit the Bachmann 2-6-0 Mogul?

[Pruitt]

Trainman440

Must you buy from bachmanns site?

Not at all! I just use their site to look at current production.

Their prices are ridiculously overpriced, often selling at MSRP.

I agree. Only someone wet behind the ears would pay MSRP from any manufacturer (brass excluded). Even BLI's own hobby shop, Factory Direct Trains, sells their plastic locos at a discount from MSRP.

For all my bachmann needs, I buy from Trainworld. 

Trainworld has those GB&W 2-6-0s listed DCC ready for only $69!
https://www.trainworld.com/shop-by-brand/bachmann/bachmann-51709-alco-2-6-0-steam-locomotive-canadian-national-6013-dcc-ready-bachmann-51709.html

That's a real possibility. Even if it turns out to not be suitable (I'm a real nit-picker on running qualities), it's not a big hit financially.

Thanks for the detailed info on the 4-6-0's. It's really too bad about what they did to those locos. Either someone was on something when they canceled and downgraded them, or the Spectrum versions were just not profitable at all.

[Trainman440]

Pruitt

Unfortunately, none of the Bachmann you listed are currently listed on their website in HO except the 4-6-0, and it's not the Spectrum line. Your list is pretty much all out of production models, right?

I bought one the large-drivered Spectrum versions of the 4-6-0 when they came out and have been very pleased. I wish I'd bought two or three more. I added a TCS Wowsound kit and it runs great! I've been trying to find one used (CNW livery especially), but they're apparently very rare.

Must you buy from bachmanns site? Their prices are ridiculously overpriced, often selling at MSRP. For all my bachmann needs, I buy from Trainworld. 

Trainworld has those GB&W 2-6-0s listed DCC ready for only $69!
https://www.trainworld.com/shop-by-brand/bachmann/bachmann-51709-alco-2-6-0-steam-locomotive-canadian-national-6013-dcc-ready-bachmann-51709.html

Personally I buy all my bachmann stuff used on ebay...2-8-0s for $50, 4-6-0s for $70, etc. the deals are insane due to Bachmann producing these models in mass quantities, so supply is VERY high. 

Pruitt

I've heard Bachmann's current 4-6-0 is a cheapened version of the older Spectrum model. 

Yes, and here's what bachmann did, in detail.

The original Bachmann spectrum 4-6-0s had all seperately applied piping. It had prototype specific details, with variations in driver size, tender type, cab type, dual/single air pump, two tender truck styles, and spoked/solid leading truck. The MA&PA version (which these models were based off of) also had further prototype specific details, including the running boards extending to the pilot, a horizontal handrail on the smokebox front, and those two knobs mounted near the smoke stack. 

The standard line version removed all variations in the model, making all models come with the 52" drivers, small tender, steel cab, single pump, solid leading truck wheels, archbar tender trucks, and extended running boards. It also significantly simplified the detail, opting to change certain details from seperately applied to molded on (such as the injectors, sand pipe, etc), or remove certain details entirely (such as the pipe thats mounted under the running board). At the same time, Bachmann decided to jack up the price of the model. 

Therefore, if people want a 4-6-0, I ALWAYS recommend for them to find an old spectrum 4-6-0 instead of buying their current offerings. 

Here's photos of the current run:

And the original spectrum run:

As you can see, the difference in detail is night and day. This is one of the few cases where a manfuacturer ACTIVELY DOWNGRADED a model, and I actively protesting against this move. I respectfully disagree with rrebell's comment that the current offering 4-6-0 has "high level of detail", but maybe my standards are a bit too high haha...

Hope this helps,

Charles

[rrebell]

snjroy

I also recommend the Bachmann 2-6-0, with new tooling. Prototype could pull freight or passenger. The model is very affordable, with good sound. Buy two to double head when needed. You won't regret it.

Simon

 

I have a Bachmann 4-6-0 Pulling poiwer of these is not the greatest but they do run nicely and are what made me switch over to DCC. Almost all my stuff is super detailed and even though these are not, they have enough that you don't notice because of the black color. I have the sound value and it is good enough not to want to spend twice as much for like a WOW sound which I also have in a diesel I own.

[Pruitt]

Well, I've certainly crossed the 2-6-2 off the list of possibilities. Thanks guys!

Trainman440

Bachmann spectrum saddle tank 0-6-0t

Bachmann side tank 0-6-0t

Bachmann 2-6-0 (Greenbay & western prototype)

Bachmann spectrum 2-8-0 (ICRR fantasy prototype)

Bachmann spectrum 4-6-0 (MA&PA prototype)

Bachmann spectrum 4-4-0 modernized (unknown), and 4-4-0 Richmond (MA&PA prototype)

Thanks Charles.

Unfortunately, none of the Bachmann you listed are currently listed on their website in HO except the 4-6-0, and it's not the Spectrum line. Your list is pretty much all out of production models, right?

I bought one the large-drivered Spectrum versions of the 4-6-0 when they came out and have been very pleased. I wish I'd bought two or three more. I added a TCS Wowsound kit and it runs great! I've been trying to find one used (CNW livery especially), but they're apparently very rare.

I've heard Bachmann's current 4-6-0 is a cheapened version of the older Spectrum model. 

snjroy

I also recommend the Bachmann 2-6-0, with new tooling. Prototype could pull freight or passenger. The model is very affordable, with good sound. Buy two to double head when needed. You won't regret it.

Again, this is not a current production model, is it?

[snjroy]

I also recommend the Bachmann 2-6-0, with new tooling. Prototype could pull freight or passenger. The model is very affordable, with good sound. Buy two to double head when needed. You won't regret it.

Simon

[Trainman440]

High quality RTR small steam:

Proto 2000 USRA 0-6-0s and 0-8-0s

Bachmann spectrum saddle tank 0-6-0t

Bachmann side tank 0-6-0t

Bachmann 2-6-0 (Greenbay & western prototype)

Bachmann spectrum 2-8-0 (ICRR fantasy prototype)

Bachmann spectrum 4-6-0 (MA&PA prototype)

Bachmann spectrum 4-4-0 modernized (unknown), and 4-4-0 Richmond (MA&PA prototype)

BLI 2-8-0 (PRR H10s fantasy prototype)

Rivarossi Hornby 0-6-0t S100 

These are just some...if you explore brass there is 50 more options!

Charles

 

[Pruitt]

Thanks guys,

I'm looking for smaller decent quality steam. I don't need additional switchers - I have a couple of 0-8-0's and and a couple of 0-6-0's already. I don't want anything as big as another Mikado or such. A Pacific or Prairie or small Consolidation would be fine. 

[Lakeshore Sub]

Hi Mark.

The 2-6-2's are just the older 0-6-0 with a front and back truck added so they are definitely not Spectrum quality.   They have the 3 domes like the 0-6-0 switch engine so there really don't represent  what would be a normal Prairie type.   I haven't owned one of these locomotives in some time so I don't know how well the more modern versions run but mine ran ok 15 years ago.   Are you looking to represent a prototype or looking for a smaller engine?   I would highly recommend the Alco 2-6-0 that Bachman makes for a small switch engine.

Scott Sonntag

 

 

[Trainman440]

By 2-6-2 you mean the "USRA" 0-6-0s with the mini leading and trailing trucks?

The shell has no upgrades since when the model was first released in 1990. The tender which was taken from their Reading I1sa models. 

The chassis is a split metal chassis with a mabuchi FF130 3 pole can motor and a small brass worm (older ones had a large worm which doubled as a flywheel), driving a plastic idler gear which drives the axle gear. Axles are now metal, and thin copper wipers pick up power from the wheels which are now insulated from the axles. 

I still believe they use the same incandescent bulbs and the smoke unit which is famous for melting the plastic smoke stack...I would recommend removing the smoke unit right after purchasing.  

In summary, while not accurate at all, and being a VERY crude model based loosely off of the USRA 0-6-0, the drive is surprisingly competent and should run fine. Dont expect to add any DCC or sound though, since its a trainset level engine and all the electronics are inside the engine, without additional space for modification. 

Edit: apparently some of the DCC on board ones came with LEDs and a smoke unit switch. 

Hope this helped.

Charles

[Pruitt]

Are they decent runners?

The detail leaves a bit to be desired, I know, but beyond that I don't know anything about them.

Do they run like the older Spectrum models did, or

Do they hearken back to the 1980's Bachmann locos with the infamous pancake motors?

My wife wants to buy me one for my birthday, and I'm trying to get a feel for how they perform. Looks can be improved easily (weathering alone goes a LONG way!), but a poor to mediocre performer is a lot more difficult to fix.

Note I'm not talking about pulling power, but more slow speed operation for local switching.

[edit] Changed topic title to decoder question for 2-6-0