Bachmann's DD40X - The Loco From HELL

[1shado1]

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.

 

When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X???

 

Jeff

[Anonymous]

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.

This is one of the coolest, if not THE coolest, things I've seen today. Good work!

[Darth Santa Fe]

When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X???

Early 90s. For HO, they used the original shell mounted on a 2-motored, 4-flywheeled, 16-wheel drive, split frame mechanism, but the shell was improved with better paint and separate grab irons, and the fuel tank was part of the frame instead of part of the shell.

I don't know much about the N versions, but I do know there was a Plus version and a Spectrum version.

[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

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

LOL

[SteamFreak]

When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X???

Early 90s. For HO, they used the original shell mounted on a 2-motored, 4-flywheeled, 16-wheel drive, split frame mechanism, but the shell was improved with better paint and separate grab irons, and the fuel tank was part of the frame instead of part of the shell.

Here's the Spectrum chassis.

[Agamemnon]

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!

Absolutely not worth the trouble. Even getting the pieces shipped to Finland from the US would be too costly to be worth the effort. Besides, I checked the shell and it turns out it's more damaged than I first thought, the railings are beyond repair and there are a few prominent cracks. Might as well take it out of my misery.

[Anonymous]

I own the Athearn version and it ran for about 40 seconds on 18" radius until I saw the futility of trying to run such large locos on tiny trackage. It has sat on the shelf for the last....20 years and there it will stay. I did decal and paint the thing with CSX markings in a effort to soothe my disappointment with that peice of turd. It looks even worse and begs to be put out of it's misery.

I did see the real unit roll by at top speed with the Ultra Plush Boss train in tow and what a show it was.

I edited the rest of this post because I see nothing good.

[1shado1]

When did Bachmann ever make a Spectrum version of the DDA40X???

Early 90s. For HO, they used the original shell mounted on a 2-motored, 4-flywheeled, 16-wheel drive, split frame mechanism, but the shell was improved with better paint and separate grab irons, and the fuel tank was part of the frame instead of part of the shell.

I don't know much about the N versions, but I do know there was a Plus version and a Spectrum version.

 

Sorry.  I should have been more specific.  I was referring to n scale.  I remember owning a Plus version in the early '90s.  But I'd almost swear they never made a Spectrum version in n scale.  Or maybe my memory is faulty...

 

Jeff

[river_eagle]

yes, bachmann issued a spectrum version of the dd40 in n scale. the main spotting feature of the spectrum, besides the black box, is that the fuel tank is painted grey, instead of being the black like the frame. diff. road #s, and if I remember correctly the railing were installed on the spectrum as well
When bachmannn dropped the plus line, some models were bumped up to the spectrum line, some down to the standard line and others discontinued. only one year as spectrum before discontinued.

[1shado1]

yes, bachmann issued a spectrum version of the dd40 in n scale. the main spotting feature of the spectrum, besides the black box, is that the fuel tank is painted grey, instead of being the black like the frame. diff. road #s, and if I remember correctly the railing were installed on the spectrum as well When bachmannn dropped the plus line, some models were bumped up to the spectrum line, some down to the standard line and others discontinued. only one year as spectrum before discontinued.

So I WAS wrong. Only available for one year? Damn, I woulda got a couple if I had known! Wonder how I missed 'em...

Jeff

[eastcoast]

You know, I have fond memories of when that model was first introduced. I loved it, never bought it, just loved it. Unfortunately, I am not a U P fan. But I do run LARGE locomotive power on the ECR. My radii are no sharper than 26" to accomodate the 85' length passenger equipment. You may not really want to run larger loco on smaller layout !!!!! But hey, that is half the fun. Play on, play on. 

[mustanggt]

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

 

   Uh, no. They're QC sorta stinks, and so do most of they're diesels, but IMHO they have NOT hurt the hobby- maybe frustrated some people, that's about it..... What's you're basis for this statement?              

   Personally, I like Bachmann's Electrics, Steamers, and Amfleet cars. I havn't had a problem yet......

Dave

[M636C]

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

 

No, I think Bachmann are their own worst enemy. It costs no more to paint one of their locomotive shells in an exactly correct colour scheme than their imaginary schemes. Just putting the correct numbers on the NS and N&W GP50s would help, I mean, the plain black is correct! While they aren't top line locomotives, where else can you get road specific units like high hood GP 50s without going to brass? The eight wheel drive works and is reasonably quiet, certainly no worse than Athearn BB.

Their body shells aren't too bad - who else made a BQ23-7, and that was correctly painted and numbered!

M636C

[emdgp92]

....and now I have a strange desire to paint a DD40AX in PC black, complete with worms. Could you imagine one of those, or even one in Amtrak colors on the NEC?

[Darth Santa Fe]

....and now I have a strange desire to paint a DD40AX in PC black, complete with worms. Could you imagine one of those, or even one in Amtrak colors on the NEC?

I think I once saw an auction for a custom built and painted SD90B. I believe it was made from 2 SD90MACs, and then painted in BNSF Heritage colors. It actually looked pretty good.

If you painted a DD40 in Amtrak colors, what phase would you do it in? (I'd probably do Phase II or III colors)

[emdgp92]

Phase II or III would look pretty sweet :D