You're pretty safe with Bachmann

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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

[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.

[Anonymous]

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

[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)

[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+

[icmr]

[#ditto]



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[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.

[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.