You're pretty safe with Bachmann

[Anonymous]

I agree with Darth Santa Fe on the sturdiness of Bachmann engines. I'm also new to the hobby, but I love that nice detail and very heavy metal frame that Bachmann locos have.

[Anonymous]

If you get a good loco then you are in good shape. The problem with Bachmann is consistency. If you buy 2 identical engines, one may be great and one not good at all. The spectrum line seems to have a lot more consistency as far as quality, and its generally very good.

[icmr]

[#ditto]



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[Budliner]

well I have over 20 bachmanns and they do give you a year
now with proto 2000 in walthers hand thats not going to be the same
bachmann has fixed at least 7 locomotives for me and if you do send it back after the warantee they still fix it for under $40
thanks jenny at service
buchmann A+A++A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+

[Anonymous]

I'm not gonna tell you Bachmann is junk. I'm not gonna tell you it's the greatest thing ever. You be the judge. I personally don't like Bachmann (although it's been getting surprisingly good reviews latley)

[Anonymous]

Budliner makes a good point, even if you do get bad one, Bachmann backs thier products.

[lyctus]

I don't think you can beat Bachmann Spectrum, steam outline particularly, for detail/running quality/ease of conversion to DCC/value for money IMHO. It keeps my interest in the hobby alive as I can purchase affordable quality product within my hobby budget. They seem to run just fine for me, I have not had one that didn't run very well.

[hd8091]

Bachmann stands behind their products. I've had to send back about 4 engines and the service has been prompt and very professional. The quality control on the Spectrum line is spotty but they will always make it right for you. They have gone out of their wat a couple of times to accomidate me, like returing a special shell I wanted back. I've got about 25 of their engines so the dud rate is not bad, I n the batch that I sent back was an old 70 ton and a sidewinder )-6-0. The Spectrum line is the way to go.
Tom

[cacole]

Even in G scale, Bachmann Spectrum makes some very smooth running steam engines. That's the only brand I run outdoors because they are the only manufacturer that produces 1:20.3 scale locomotives to represent narrow gauge engines.

I have no Bachmann diesel engines at all in any scale, but other members of our HO scale club have several. Two are Spectrum and the others are standard line Bachmann. Two have had to be sent back to Bachmann and were promptly replaced.

One member of our club has a Bachmann Spectrum N-scale Consolidation and it is the best running N-scale engine that she owns. During our November open house it ran on an outdoor layout for two days almost continuously with no derailments or glitches.

I also own quite a bit of Bachmann rolling stock. Their cheap line is not very good and it in difficult to replace couplers and wheelsets, but the Bachmann Silver Series already has metal wheels and the couplers are easily replaced.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JPM335

Budliner makes a good point, even if you do get bad one, Bachmann backs thier products.

Can't say enough about them. They back their warranty and then some, they offer a wide range of steam, more then most others and they make a nice well priced product that most can afford.

Beat That!

Fergie

[GMTRacing]

I agree the Spectrum stuff is pretty good, but I do have an idiot question. How does one get the leading and trailing trucks to stay on the rails with the steamers. I've gone over the tracks several times and filed smooth any spots where the rail joins were less than perfect, but the pilot on my lt. Mtn. still pops off at odd times. Is thee a way to spring the leading and trailing trucks lightly to keep them under the engine? The other question on the loco is the orientation of the NMRA Dcc plug in the tender. When I get my Dcc system it is good to have the plug, but there seems to be no circuit diagram or numbering beneath the blanking plug and with the pins all symettrical how does one determine which pin is which? J.R.

[AntonioFP45]

EcaMaritinez,

It depends upon which Bachmann's you're referring to. I remember well that there were problems with some of the earlier Spectrum HO diesels. I saw a demo of a Spectrum GE unit. It growled as loudly as an Athearn Blue Box diesel.

Be aware that a number of early run Spectrums are still sitting on store shelves at hobby shops and internet discount hobby dealers brand new. They can also be found at train shows new-in-the-box. A friend of mine bought 3 Spectrum Amtrak F40s. They all growl, one needed major repairs, another one minor. He was a little frustrated but they're working well now. He wants another F40, but he's going to go with the new Kato unit. You get what you pay for.

I'm not knocking Bachmann, but in looking at them realistically, as far as diesels, they're comparable to Athearn's RTR locomotives.

[Virginian]

Springing or weighing steam engine pony or trailing trucks is trying to cure the symptom, not fix the problem. Check your trackwork. Put a straight edge along the top of the rails and check level from rail to rail as well. Dips and bumps are a no-no.

[jsoderq]

I'm confusewd here. With all these people having to send locos back for repair, how does that make them a good product? I have never had to send a Athearn loco back in almost 50 years (first one in 1957).

[Anonymous]

Nope, they ain't the only ones. http://antiques-internet.com/colorado/rgsrrhobbies/dynapage/IP36.htm

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Even in G scale, Bachmann Spectrum makes some very smooth running steam engines. That's the only brand I run outdoors because they are the only manufacturer that produces 1:20.3 scale locomotives to represent narrow gauge engines.

I have no Bachmann diesel engines at all in any scale, but other members of our HO scale club have several. Two are Spectrum and the others are standard line Bachmann. Two have had to be sent back to Bachmann and were promptly replaced.

One member of our club has a Bachmann Spectrum N-scale Consolidation and it is the best running N-scale engine that she owns. During our November open house it ran on an outdoor layout for two days almost continuously with no derailments or glitches.

I also own quite a bit of Bachmann rolling stock. Their cheap line is not very good and it in difficult to replace couplers and wheelsets, but the Bachmann Silver Series already has metal wheels and the couplers are easily replaced.

[steffd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jsoderq

I'm confusewd here. With all these people having to send locos back for repair, how does that make them a good product? I have never had to send a Athearn loco back in almost 50 years (first one in 1957).

I was thinking the very same thing. In 20+ years in this hobby, not once have I ever needed to send back a locomotive for repair “Knock on Wood”. I am assuming we are referring to the Spectrum series and not the lower end Train Set grade models. I do not have any experience with their steam locomotives although they do look very nice. However, I do own an early VIA rail Spectrum series F40PH which although a little noisy has operated without any problems, although most of my equipment was Atlas, Genesis, Kato, Proto 2000 / 1000 prior to converting to European models in 2003. In my view, even though Bachmann is a well established and reputable company who stands by their products which is commendable, I question their quality. Budliner has sent 7 units back for repair [:0], that's not something to brag about in terms of product reliability or company image… they too manufacture their products in China where quality assurance is often forsaken in the name of cost cutting and profit margin.[V]


Stephan

[emdgp92]

I've had pretty good luck with my Bachmann Spectrum F40s. Even after one took a trip to the floor, it still runs great. The only gripe I have with them is in the detailing--the grab irons are mounted so they're flat against the carbody. Shouldn't they be raised a bit?

[Anonymous]

Not sure about inconsistancy, at least in the cheaper models. I've bought three GP40s so far, all ran quieter than an Athearn BB, the best of them is as smooth as a Proto too. The others got to a similar stage after a few hours running to bed everything in. So far I've not had to send any diesel produced by their company back for repairs either!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emdgp92

I've had pretty good luck with my Bachmann Spectrum F40s. Even after one took a trip to the floor, it still runs great. The only gripe I have with them is in the detailing--the grab irons are mounted so they're flat against the carbody. Shouldn't they be raised a bit?

Additionally, heightwise the Spectrum F40s are slightly lower than the prototype by about six scale inches, but for most modelers that might not be a big deal. The write up in MRR a few years ago about the Spectrum F40 pointed that out.

If your grab irons are separate pieces and you can' t pull them out any futher check out either Details West or Details Associates. One of them makes decent looking grab irons for EMD diesels with prongs long enough that will allow the proper distance from the locomotive's carbody.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: With all these people having to send locos back for repair, how does that make them a good product?

It doesn't make them a good prouduct.

QUOTE: I am assuming we are referring to the Spectrum series and not the lower end Train Set grade models.

Nope. At least the othe Bachmann topic that's on here is about the "train-set" model. As for Spectrum my 2-8-0 has been the worst piece of sh** The wires you have to connect to the tender were broken right out of the box. Took it to the LHS. Wires got fixed. Still doesn't run. Took it directly to the repairman. Still doesn't run. Next week i'm sending it to Bachmann at a cost of $20 plus i have to pay to ship it to them.

QUOTE: even though Bachmann is a well established and reputable company who stands by their products which is commendable, I question their quality. Budliner has sent 7 units back for repair , that's not something to brag about in terms of product reliability or company image

I agree. All these people seem to want to buy regular Bachmann because their DCC and inexpensive. Well I'll stick with high quality (Athearn, Atlas, P2K) Just because a company will fix your "junky" engies doesn't mean you should buy them. My [2c]

[howmus]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

QUOTE: With all these people having to send locos back for repair, how does that make them a good product?

It doesn't make them a good prouduct.

QUOTE: I am assuming we are referring to the Spectrum series and not the lower end Train Set grade models.

Nope. At least the othe Bachmann topic that's on here is about the "train-set" model. As for Spectrum my 2-8-0 has been the worst piece of sh** The wires you have to connect to the tender were broken right out of the box. Took it to the LHS. Wires got fixed. Still doesn't run. Took it directly to the repairman. Still doesn't run. Next week i'm sending it to Bachmann at a cost of $20 plus i have to pay to ship it to them.

QUOTE: even though Bachmann is a well established and reputable company who stands by their products which is commendable, I question their quality. Budliner has sent 7 units back for repair , that's not something to brag about in terms of product reliability or company image

I agree. All these people seem to want to buy regular Bachmann because their DCC and inexpensive. Well I'll stick with high quality (Athearn, Atlas, P2K) Just because a company will fix your "junky" engies doesn't mean you should buy them. My [2c]

While I would say I am not an expert as I have only 7 "new" locos since I got back in hobby a couple of years ago, I do have to disagree with you. Of the 7, 2 are Athearn 2-8-2s. One never ran (had the broken gear thing) it is now in the parts box. The other can now pull 6 or 7 cars up at 2% grade after adding weight everywhere it would fit, and is the loco most likely to derail somewhere. Not a good experience. One is an MDC RTR 2-6-0. After putting in a decoder, this little baby can sometimes run 6 or 8 inches on freshly cleaned track on its own power, but is easy to push..... Two are Proto 2000 0-6-0 switchers. Very nice, and beautifully detailed, nice runners but not good pulling locos. 2 are Bachmann Spectrum. AWESOME! Run smooth do not derail, and can pull half the world up the grade. I have a 2-6-6-2 and a 4-8-2. The 2-6-6-2 pulls 20 cars up the grade with ease, the 4-8-2 has pulled about 12 cars up the grade (which is also on a curve), and I have no idea how many more she can lug up there. Zero problems and a great product. So I guess my money will be on more Bachmann Spectrum Steam.

BTW, the Standard line of Bachmann is not DCC ready and is a whole different ballgame. I would not buy anything in the Standard Line.

[Anonymous]

take a look at the regular DCC GP40 http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/dto/item160-60302.html -tell me i'm wrong.

[howmus]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

take a look at the regular DCC GP40 http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/dto/item160-60302.html -tell me i'm wrong.

Checked at the Bachmann site and you are indeed right. I don't check out the diseasals as I model 1925. Their Standard Steam though is not DCC ready nor equiped unless I missed some new development. Mea culpa![:(]

[Soo Line fan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jsoderq

I'm confusewd here. With all these people having to send locos back for repair, how does that make them a good product? I have never had to send a Athearn loco back in almost 50 years (first one in 1957).

I too am somewhat confused. If you have 20 locos and send in 7 that is close to a 33% failure rate! If you have 2 identical locos and one is great and the next is poor that is inconsistency. The Spectrums from what I hear are really great, but the others are problems. I have the J and the GS-4. The heavy frame was real nice. Too bad the driver hubs were nylon and the motor belonged in a slot car. I purchased the Bowser re-power kits and never considered sending them in and playing the mailbox shuffle. When a product breaks quickly, something is very wrong. Improper assemble is a possibility. Low quality materials are more likely. If it broke once, it will break again, unless the part is improved. Its too bad, the bodies are really nice, they simply have cheap mechanisms. I am wondering, do you guys know what is it that is failing with these locos?

Jim

[David_Telesha]

As a general rule of thumb stick only with Spectrum models but stay away from diesels.

I've never had an interest in any Bachmann diesels, but I have heard about many problems with them for some reason, and the same units can be obtained from other mfgrs with better detail, dimensions, and drives in my opinion.

HOWEVER, that said, my Bachmann Spectrum Acela and HHP-8 ELECTRICS are some of my favorite units.

The Acela set is well done - good detail and paint - the lighting is good and it runs VERY well - smooth, no trouble at all.

The HHP-8 is EXTRAORDINARY. It pulls better than some of my LL and Atlas engines. The detail is amazing, the lighting is great (a little blue, but great, especially the ditch lights), the MU hoses, coupler cut bars, and roof detail is amazing. Plus, they NAILED totally captured the look of the HHP8 - it looks right and the painting is great. And like I said it pulls like an champ and runs perfectly smooth...

I think they scored major points here - now if only they'd do some NH stuff and do it as accurately as they did the Amtrak items.

For engines I have on my layout Atlas Silver Series, Proto 2000, Proto 1000, Athearn RTR, and Bachmann Spectrum.

I consider them all top notch.

[steffd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by howmus

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

take a look at the regular DCC GP40 http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/dto/item160-60302.html -tell me i'm wrong.

Checked at the Bachmann site and you are indeed right. I don't check out the diseasals as I model 1925. Their Standard Steam though is not DCC ready nor equiped unless I missed some new development. Mea culpa![:(]

I’m actually surprised, as I too was not aware that Bachmann had DCC capabilities in their low-end models. I was actually referring back to my younger days with the cheap models from Bachmann, and the likes of Life Like, Tyco and Model Power with their tinny truck mounted motors that could barely pull themselves on the track never mind a fleet of cars. I included a pic to illustrate what I’m talking about, notice all the metal weights to compensate for a "Motor". I suppose even the junk needs to evolve at some point. Oddly enough with all this talk about Bachmann, it evoked a flashback. After a quick search, I found an old Bachmann F unit model from the early 80’s in one of my junk boxes which no longer runs due to some missing parts. The unit has a center drive motor, eight-wheel drive and pick up with worm gears to the trucks and a full solid metal chassis and resembles a high-end model by today’s standard; bellow the chassis indicates it was made in Hong Kong. I included a pic as well. Was there a high-end series produced by Bachmann back then prior to the introduction of the Spectrum line?

Stephan



Old Low-End Life like Model similar to Bachmann, Tyco and Model Power


Old Bachmann from the early 80's (High-end???)

[Anonymous]

I have two life-like engines with the driveline like the one in your first pic- whaddya mean they don't pull themselves down the track? with the rubber traction tires on the wheels that drive (one truck only) and filling it with weight Life-like made them strong pullers- my L-L F40PH (4 axle 1 truck drive) will out pull my Atlas U33C (6-axle all wheel drive) anyday. I plan on selling the F40PH sometime.

[steffd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

I have two life-like engines with the driveline like the one in your first pic- whaddya mean they don't pull themselves down the track? with the rubber traction tires on the wheels that drive (one truck only) and filling it with weight Life-like made them strong pullers- my L-L F40PH (4 axle 1 truck drive) will out pull my Atlas U33C (6-axle all wheel drive) anyday. I plan on selling the F40PH sometime.

Well perhaps the newer ones run well but this one which also happens to be an Amtrack F40PH and the other few I had in my tweens were absolute garbage. I have yet to see a unit like this start from a full stop and gradually increase in speed smoothly pulling a full load of cars. In my experience most ran like slot cars. You needed to almost crank you throttle to maximum to gain sufficient force and momentum to pull a train which at that point ended up traveling at a scale speed faster than a small airplane and generated the sound of a dentist tool buzzing around the layout. The other pain in the a -- were those frequent stalls since the pick ups were only on the rear trucks and the weight was not very well distributed on those plastic chassis. However, if they operate well for you than great, although I would like to see which one would prevail if both your Life Like and Atlas U33C (6-axle all wheel drive) engine were both powered and pulling in opposite directions [:D]. Either way, I no longer own or buy any of the "Domestic" brands anymore although Bachmann now owns Liliput but it too is now made in China...[V]

Stephan

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by steffd

Well perhaps the newer ones run well but this one which also happens to be an Amtrack F40PH and the other few I had in my tweens were absolute garbage.

I have a standard Life LIke F40PH purchased two years ago and it has been one of my most dependable locomotives. It is very quiet and has excellent low speed capabilities. If every inexpensive loco I purchased was as good as that Life Like, I would probably buy nothing else.

Of the locomotive brands I’ve owned I would rank them like this:

Operational characteristics:
1) Kato
2) P2K
3-4) tie between my standard Life Like and my Bachmann Spectrum.
5) Bachmann standard (my first Bachmann standard loco went in the garbage within 30 days and I have not tried another)

Detailing:
1) Kato
2) Bachmann Spectrum
3) P2K
4) Life Like standard product
5) Bachmann Standard product (Unbelievably crappy. The flanges where the frame was connected to the plastic body were very visible)

[Sunset Limited]

I have to disagree here, I have two GS-4 'Paper weights'. The last running GS-4 was a Bachmann 'Plus' that ended up with split driver gears. I had this locomotive for 6 years with no problems until I ran it in December. I even e-mailed Bachmann, but it's been a couple of weeks already without a reply. I have always kept this locomotive in good care and left in room temperature. Only ran it with 6 Rivarossi passenger cars. Now my Daylight is going to a Steam to Diesel transistion. [(-D] Besides brass, it's too bad Bachmann only makes the GS-4. [:(] Note to BLI !!!!!