Bachmann's DD40X - The Loco From HELL

[Agamemnon]

Right. It's cheaper than a good meal, apparently runs like a pregnant yak and has all the pull power of a handcar. Nevertheless, one of my goals for a new layout is being able to run this 8-axle hunk-o-junk. I was just wondering if anyone knows what the turn radius for it ought to be? Doesn't need to look pretty, just be able to run a modest bit of freight without derailing at the first turn.

[selector]

I am not familiar with the model (nor the prototype), so all I can suggest is that if the axles are spread out on a rigid frame, and not on paired on trucks, you will probably need radii in the 50-55 cm range as a minimum.  Could you post a picture, or provide a link that we can access....we who are not as versed on diesels?

[Darth Santa Fe]

My Bachmann DD40 can make it over an 18" radius without a problem. The only time it would ever derail for me is when the wheels slipped out of the axles, so I glued them back in. Haven't had a problem since.

[cacole]

I have one that could negotiate an 18 inch radius on an old club layout that has long been torn out and replaced.  It certainly looked out of place on that tight a radius, and the ends stuck out so far that it hit the scenery.

I certainly do not consider it worth the cost of a DCC decoder, so it is back in the box and may never be operated again.

.

 

[7j43k]

I've been reading on forums lately that Bachmann has been dramatically improving their diesels.  When/if they really get it all worked out, it'd be swell if they'd re-do the DD40X.  These are locomotives that are really interesting to me.  I'd like to have two or three HIGH QUALITY versions of the DD40X, say on the level of Atlas, P2K, or some of the latest Athearn.  I will certainly concede that these locomotives are pretty much one-road locomotives, but consider the rather large quantity of UP Challengers and Big Boys that are selling before you say "inadequate sales".

 

As far as the actual locomotive under discussion, best wishes on the project.

 

Ed

[SteamFreak]

Apparently they've repowered themwith dual motors and flywheels, but originally they only had one pancake motored power truck. I'm surprised they were able to move at all.

A-Line is offering undecorated versions with and decals to work around the original Bachmann paint job.

http://ppw-aline.com/DDA40X.htm

Nelson

 

[lvanhen]

1.  Yes, it will run on 18".  2.  Yes, the overhang is rediculus.  3.  I have one & my grandson loves it!!  Whatever toots your horn!

[TrainFreak409]

The original pancake motored HO scale DD40AX was a locomotive from Hell...However, I still have one because it was cheap. Four wheel drive...Weighed as much as a sheet of paper...But would go around my 18" radius EZ-Track loop.

The Spectrum version is much better. More weight, more pulling power, better detail...Overall better model. The Spectrum version requires at minimum 22" radius curves.

I have the N scale Bachmann Plus DD40AX...16 wheel drive, dual motor, weights a good bit. It's one of my favorite pieces. It's painted in Pennsylvania.

[Anonymous]

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

 

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

[Darth Santa Fe]

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

 

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking.

[jamnest]

Didn't Athern make a DD40 at one time?

[Anonymous]

Yep, though Athearn's DD40's prototype was never actually built in real life.  It's got a spartan cab similar to the DD35A, rather than the wide-nose comfort cab on the DDA40X.

The Athearn does have a very similar mechanism to that of the Spectrum all-wheel-drive DDA40X.  It came with a fat hood though, because when Athearn first came out with it, they didn't have a motor narrow enough to fit under a scale-width hood.

[METRO]

You know it would be one hell of a kitbashing job but could one make a DD40X from a pair of GP40s and some custom parts?

As for the operation of one, I'd think of it like a long passenger car, the more sweeping the curve, the better. I'd go with at least 30" radius to look more propper.

Cheers!
~METRO

[Pathfinder]

I am not familiar with the model (nor the prototype), so all I can suggest is that if the axles are spread out on a rigid frame, and not on paired on trucks, you will probably need radii in the 50-55 cm range as a minimum.  Could you post a picture, or provide a link that we can access....we who are not as versed on diesels?

Here is the Bachmann one (N scale from the coupler):



Here is the real one:




Close up of the truck:

[Agamemnon]

As for the operation of one, I'd think of it like a long passenger car, the more sweeping the curve, the better. I'd go with at least 30" radius to look more propper.

That was my initial target radius, but I only have 6 by 11 feet space, tops, and since I would like to have continuous running, I figure 22"-24" is the absolute maximum I can go for. I might just chop the thing up and use it as components for a diorama or something. I bet I could make a nifty Combine Razortrain from the chassis...

[Anonymous]

Yep, though Athearn's DD40's prototype was never actually built in real life.  It's got a spartan cab similar to the DD35A, rather than the wide-nose comfort cab on the DDA40X.

The Athearn does have a very similar mechanism to that of the Spectrum all-wheel-drive DDA40X.  It came with a fat hood though, because when Athearn first came out with it, they didn't have a motor narrow enough to fit under a scale-width hood.

I'm no expert on this, but I do own an Athearn version of this.  My understanding is they built the model while the DD40 was being toured around and being offered for pre sale.  Then as luck would have it, no one bought it.  So they put the model out as a "what would they have looked like" 

The motor is not behind the cab, it is between the narrow parts of the shell its just set toward the cab side so you can see through the center open area with nothing but a drive axle going across which is powering the rear truck.

The later Athearn model of this came with fly wheels as well, mine does not have them, but it still runs well with a Lenz BEMF decoder installed.  I also added ditch lights, a headlight in the rear, a brass horn and repainted and re-decal'ed it to a Pennsy scheme similiar to what it had initally.  It is quite the puller and looks good cruising our 30"+ radii. 

[Driline]

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

 

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking.

I'm really starting to get tired of posts like yours. If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd, then by gosh its a turd! Curt Mc didn't mention the spectrum line of Bachmann loco's, and if he had I would strongly disagree with him, but he didn't! He was talking about the regular crap line of locomotives.

 I too have a bachmann spectrum F40 and greatly enjoy it. It growls as you start to move and IMHO it sounds Great! I really like the strobe lights too. I only hope that when I install a DCC decoder that I can mimic the strobe effect as it works now in DC.

[BentnoseWillie]

I had two Spectrum C40-8s, one from the original run and one from the later "improved" run. Both ran great for a while, but after they had some miles on them they started making noise and loosening up. And repair parts? Forget it.

As for looks - they were about on a par with regular Bachmann - which puts them on a par with diesels from the seventies.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me...

[Driline]

I had two Spectrum C40-8s, one from the original run and one from the later "improved" run. Both ran great for a while, but after they had some miles on them they started making noise and loosening up. And repair parts? Forget it.

As for looks - they were about on a par with regular Bachmann - which puts them on a par with diesels from the seventies.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me...

Thanks for your honest opinion. If it wasn't for guys like you, I'd be buying crap MRC sound decoders instead of soundtraxx today! If 3 or more guys say they're having problems with a certain product then thats when I stay away from it.

Thats the reason I like these forums. Others can share both the good and bad of certain products and allow others not to make the same mistakes they did. I think when a product is praised it also allows others who may have been on the fence to purchase that item, and in that sense it helps the hobby. I purchased the NCE DCC system only because tstage gave it a great review here. So I say if its crap, say its crap, if its great then say its great. No sugar coating going on here

[selector]

Thanks, Pathfinder.  I have a much better idea now; that is one big loco, and the trucks very long.  So, was I far off on my guesstimate of about 55-60 cm?

[Darth Santa Fe]

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

 

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking.

I'm really starting to get tired of posts like yours. If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd, then by gosh its a turd! Curt Mc didn't mention the spectrum line of Bachmann loco's, and if he had I would strongly disagree with him, but he didn't! He was talking about the regular crap line of locomotives.

 I too have a bachmann spectrum F40 and greatly enjoy it. It growls as you start to move and IMHO it sounds Great! I really like the strobe lights too. I only hope that when I install a DCC decoder that I can mimic the strobe effect as it works now in DC.

Sorry about going out and saying what I did before. I didn't realize he was only talking about the standard line. I don't normally say things like that. I was just a little frustrated. Please accept my apology.

It's good to hear you like your F40, too. Even though I only have one Amtrak car to go with it, it's fun running it around with it's neat colors, shiny details and flashing strobes.

[fwright]

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

CurtMc has a history of posting negative generalizations such as this.  YMMV.  I am content to use standard Bachmann products when it serves my purpose (usually when closest to prototype).  I understand quality control is spotty, but the price is low too.

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W

[Driline]

Please...no apologies required on this forum. I was hoping for a little more spicy banter But I meant what I said. Honest reviews on products are always welcome by me, even if they do come across funny or crass.

[Dave Vollmer]

I have the N scale Bachmann Plus DD40AX...16 wheel drive, dual motor, weights a good bit. It's one of my favorite pieces. It's painted in Pennsylvania.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow...  That was scary. 

That makes me want to order up some Penn Central steam engine decals!

[Anonymous]

Yes I have used them and if you think they are as quiet as a kato you should consider having your hearing checked out

 

Less current???  No way sorry that is not correct

 

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

 

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

I'm really starting to get tired of posts like these. Have you ever tried one of Bachmann's brand new Spectrum diesels? My 8-40CW and F40PH easily run as smooth as my Kato, Proto and Atlas diesels, while drawing less current at the same time, and the F40 is, in fact, quieter than my Kato SD80. Even my IHC C-628 runs as smooth or smoother than the above brands, not joking.

[SteamFreak]

It's painted in Pennsylvania.

Looks like a sixteen wheel Hershey bar. It's making me hungry. :)

[Darth Santa Fe]

Yes I have used them and if you think they are as quiet as a kato you should consider having your hearing checked out

 

Less current???  No way sorry that is not correct

My F40 is actually quieter than my Kato. The Kato is one of my noisier high quality diesels, due to a noisy motor. But it has been getting a little quieter (it's still pretty quiet even with the noisier motor).

My Bachmann Spectrum diesels draw from 0.05 amps to maybe 0.09 amps. 0.1 to 0.15 with a load. The Kato draws an average of around 0.1 amps running free. The digital ammeter does not lie.

[Agamemnon]

Thanks, Pathfinder.  I have a much better idea now; that is one big loco, and the trucks very long.  So, was I far off on my guesstimate of about 55-60 cm?

No, I believe you're on the mark there. Though I'm at work right now, so I don't have the loco with me.

To my chagrin, mine is the earlier one-motor type, so I guess I'm going to forfeit my wish of running this giant. Upon some introspection, if I stick to Euro diesels*, I can get a lot more bang out of the same amount of track, because most of those go through 20" quite tolerably. Plus, to me, the German V 200 is what a heavy diesel loco ought to look like. (Like this: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:V200_116.jpg)

* No, I don't have any qualms about mixing eras or nations on the same layout. Life is too short to worry about things like that. I'd rather just run some trains.

[Darth Santa Fe]

If you still want to run your DD40, it's possible to re-power it with Athearn DD40 parts (trucks, motors, shafts...). I haven't done it with mine yet, but I've tested to see how well the Athearn parts would fit, and it really wouldn't take a whole lot of modification to make them fit. After that, you just need a little extra weight, some truck details, and you'll have yourself one fine DD40X!

[Anonymous]

All Bachmann diesels are as you say they are

 

The only way to get them to run smoothly is to drop them from on high.  For a while they will be moving smoothly and quietly

Curt,

 

You are 100% correct!!!!! They are the biggest piece of crap in this hobby.

They do make good targets with your .22 rifle though.

Botchmann has done more to hurt this hobby than all the rest combined.

cf7