Hi. I'm looking for a switchengine for my 1950's B&O layout. I have had problems finding one with DCC but then I found this;
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-84502
A 2-8-0 from Bachmann.
Fist of all, how good are they.
Second, would it be suitable as a switchengine?
Thanks, Lillen
From the ones I seen those are great looking and smooth running 2-8-0s.
Second, would it be suitable as a switch engine?
Yes..A 2-8-0 could and would be used in yard service.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I have one of the Spectrum 2-8-0s without sound and DCC, and it is my very best steam engine. The detail is excellent, and it runs as smoothly and even quieter than a Kato diesel.
Here's a review I did on it a while ago.http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/831231/ShowPost.aspxI can't really comment on the sound of the one you're looking at, but I do know that Bachmann uses the Tsunami sound system in their engines, and I've heard nothing but good things about the Tsunamis.
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Lillien,
The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 are very nice locomotives and used for passenger service. I believe someone told me that the 2-8-0s were called into switching service, when pressed for switchers. (Probably undering WWI or II.)
The B&O had an 0-8-0 #57, which is preserved at the museum in Baltimore. You might want to also look into a Proto 2000 undecorated 0-8-0 and decal it yourself. I picked up two DC Proto 2000 0-8-0 for $90 and $80. (MSRP is $250) One of them I had a Digitrax DH163L0 decoder installed into it. It's beautifully detailed and it reeeeeeally crawls!
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The Spectrum 2-8-0 is a nice, smooth-running loco. I like mine very much. And yes, they can be used as switchers with no problem-- during the steam era, the Rio Grande used 2-8-0's as switcher locos all the time. So did other railroads. It was a very versatile wheel arrangement.
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Go for the Walthers/Proto 2000 0-8-0. It one of the best running locos you'll ever own.
Only 235.95 with DCC/Sound at TONY'S
http://www.tonystrains.com/locomotive/lifelike.htm
msowsun wrote: Go for the Walthers/Proto 2000 0-8-0. It one of the best running locos you'll ever own. Only 235.95 with DCC/Sound at TONY'S http://www.tonystrains.com/locomotive/lifelike.htm
Maybe he needs a duel service engine?
The Spectrum 2-8-0 is a beautiful and great running locomotive...I too wondered about it being a switcher, because I wanted to use mine as a switcher/local freight engine. At the same time, it can be used for small passenger trains.
I would say you could use this locomotive for switching, freight and passenger service.
I have 3 of them equipped with the Tsunami decoder. They have great slow speed performance and seem to do great over switches. The new release with the sound decoders have a lighter weight in the tender and that may cause some problems. I had to add weight to mine unti it ran reliably.
It should make a very good switch engine.
Ditto on the performance and looks of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. They're fantastic all-around models, and I use them as the benchmark against all other new steam releases.
The model itself is based off of an IC prototype, but made generic enough that MANY modelers have been able to convert them to engines specific to other roads. As for the IC's engines, they converted a LOT of them (25+) into 0-8-0s during WWII, mostly by adding a footboard pilot and removing the lead truck (they did eventially change the drivers to 52" on most, but not all of them)
So yes, you CAN use this engine as a switcher, either as a downgraded 2-8-0 or as a rebuilt Consolidation into an 0-8-0.
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
Lillen,
Just my again........
You might want to check out discounthobbywarehouse.net as to availability and price. Shop around you can definitely beat Walthers. I've never dealt with aforementioned mail order house-maybe others on forum could chime in as to whether it's a good source.
Jon
Thanks for all the replys.
So I guess the general agreement is that it's a good buy. I have found the DCC no sound variant for 122 dollars and the one with sound for 183 dollars. I think I will get one of them and use a switcher. I'm gonna have a lot of industry so I need something to lug it around the yard.
Any other sugestions? The Proto seems to be sold out.
Lillen
Do anyone know what DCC ready means on this? Doeas it means it have a 8 pin plug or what?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/348-23402
With the IHC 2-10-2, it means it has a plug. (quick and easy)
If you want a good price on a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 w/DDC and Sound, check out Micro-Mark at $142.50
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=40281
Have anyone shopped from there(Micro Mark)?
Good or bad?
Also what decoder would be suitable for IHC 2-10-2?
I've shopped Micro-Mark quite often for weathering materials and various tools, but never any rolling stock. I've found their prices and service excellent.
According to the Western Pacific Railroad Historical Society the WP used some 2-8-0's on the Feather River Run.
the goat
Lillen wrote: Have anyone shopped from there(Micro Mark)?Good or bad? Also what decoder would be suitable for IHC 2-10-2?
I've shopped with MicroMark and they are an excellent company. Great customer service. In your original post you said Bachmann but didn't say Spectrum. I had a pre-Spectrum 2-8-0 and it was a problem piece like most of the pre-Spectrum line, which I would put just one notch above junk. The pilot wheels wouldn't stay on the track no matter how I adjusted them. I ended up removing them and had an 0-8-0 which is a switcher configuration.
The Spectrum line is a major leap forward for Bachmann in terms of quality. I own two of the 2-8-0s, also called Consolidations. I got one before Bachmann came out with factory sound and just purchased a second with sound from MicroMark. Both run great. Eventually I will put sound in the older one.
I think I will order two with sound from Mikro-mark. Thanks for the links to them. Is it hard to remove the front wheels?
If that 2-8-0 comes with full-width footboards (not a 'cowcatcher' pilot) it can be used as-is for switching service. If it doesn't, it should be modified with full-width footboards, both locomotive and tender..
IIRC, the B&O did use some 2-8-0's in switching service. They also had some ex-2-8-0's, with pilot trucks removed and frames shortened, specifically for switching.
Hope this helps.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Thats great. Even though I'm not nuts for it being exact I do want it to be if possible.
As I asked before, do anyone know what decoer that would fit into the IHC 2-10-2? I'm thinking of getting one.
Having looked around some more I was wondering if the 2-10-2 would be able to be passed of as a switcher or am I way out now?
Lillen wrote: Having looked around some more I was wondering if the 2-10-2 would be able to be passed of as a switcher or am I way out now? Lillen
It would be a stretch
Lillen wrote: Having looked around some more I was wondering if the 2-10-2 would be able to be passed of as a switcher or am I way out now?Lillen
The Norfolk and Western fitted 2-8-8-2's with footboards and used them in yard service...
The New York Central used behemoth 0-8-8-0s in their hump yards.
tstage wrote: The New York Central used behemoth 0-8-8-0s in their hump yards.Tom
Ohh, ohhh, ooohhh!!
fargo wrote:No a 2-10-2 was used as a heavy hauler, they could pull like crazy. The 2-8-0 is a much better choice for a swicther. Them and the 2-8-2's were used for everything a jack of all trades.
Hi, I actually looked this up. I was sitting on my porcelain throne and available was my spotting guid for steam engines(You never know what turns up). It turned out that the B&O actually did use the 2-10-2 as a switchengine!
They did modify them and made them into 0-10-0's but they did use them. Guess my bizzare dream was not as stupid as I first thought it would be. Do anyone of you know if it's hard to take the wheels od a bachmann 2-10-2?
Lillen wrote: ... I was sitting on my porcelain throne and ...(You never know what turns up). ...Lillen
... I was sitting on my porcelain throne and ...(You never know what turns up). ...
Whew! You got that right.
There were quite a few roads that had 0-10-0 yard switchers. The IC did them one better, by running 0-10-2 and 2-10-0 yard engines, mostly at hump yards.