On sale at Micormark for $129.00(MSRP-$349.00). Found out about it from their sales auto e-mail which many of you also got, I'm sure. It's unlettered, and though my road(Frisco) never ran it that I'm aware of, nevertheless was curious what you all thought of it. I note that in the ad and also on the Walthers website it states it's "DCC ready" without saying anything about an NMRA plug, hence I suspect it doesn't have one. My usual questions about locos applies: detailing, pulling power, reliability. From other threads, I know that Bachmann Spectrums as a rule are better than IHC, prob. not as good as BLI, or ? not Proto 2000 either.
Thanks,
Jim
There is a 'plug' in the tender. It is a very nice runner, but I have not tested it's pulling power. I installed a decoder for a friend, so really have not 'run' it on a layout...just a test track.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I have one with the Vandy Tender. It pulls better than my Proto 2K 2-8-8-2, but it has a tendency to "rock left-right" at grade changes. (This was when it was approaching it's pulling limit of about 25 40' atlas reefers up a 4% grade. Overall I think you'll be very satisfied. Detailing is good, and overall it runs well at a slow speed.
I'm debating picking up a second one myself so I can run a consist with it. It's highly tempting.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I ordered one yesterday. I'm trying to get one of each of the different types of engines. I thought that it looked great. I will use at as a low speed freight loco.
Magnus
davidmbedard wrote: Bit of a warning here........the wheels will be very tight in gauge (possibly binding at unforgiving turnouts) and cant be fixed (again fixing will cause a bind in the valve gear). This has been well documented around the net and a probable cause to the 'sale'.
Bit of a warning here........the wheels will be very tight in gauge (possibly binding at unforgiving turnouts) and cant be fixed (again fixing will cause a bind in the valve gear). This has been well documented around the net and a probable cause to the 'sale'.
Really? I never had a problem on my Walthers code 83 #6's :bigears:
David,
Tony's Train Exchange got an early batch that had the problem you cite. Either Bachmann addressed the problem or I(and obviously others) got lucky because I've not had the problem cited by TTE. Did have problem with front truck that was easy fix with a bit of weight.
If someone were to purchase NOS with problem I would imagine a call to Bachmann might yield a positive outcome. Bit of a hassle but better than getting permanently stuck with a non runner.
Jon
I bought one in the C&O road name about 1 year ago and have had no problems
It has good low speed performance
I just ordered another from LitchfieldStation with a Tsunami Decoder with sound
and I am looking dorward to hear it run.
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
I have three of them and about the only thing I have noticed is they are a little fragile, esp. the front ends. Be careful when handling as Bachmann does not make them anymore and to honor the warrenty they will replace with another engine at the same price point. I did have to send one back and had to get a 2-10-2 instead. Luckily I found another undec one on E-bay for $100; new in the box to replace the one I had sent in. I guess you could say I have had four total. They all have run well for me and pull well.
Tom
jrbernier wrote: There is a 'plug' in the tender. It is a very nice runner, but I have not tested it's pulling power. I installed a decoder for a friend, so really have not 'run' it on a layout...just a test track. Jim
Jim, which decoder for just motor and lighting (no sound) would you recommend for this loco? (I just received my unit from Micro-Mark)
DOG
DigitalGriffin wrote:The Lenz Silver Series is quite nice. It's silent, very small (good for the Vandy Tender) and has BEMF.
Will that work with the Digitrax SE Builder system? If so, would you happen to have a part number for that decoder? Thanks
Mastiffdog wrote: DigitalGriffin wrote:The Lenz Silver Series is quite nice. It's silent, very small (good for the Vandy Tender) and has BEMF.Will that work with the Digitrax SE Builder system? If so, would you happen to have a part number for that decoder? Thanks
http://www.lenz.com/products/decoders/index.htm
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2007/022207.htm
Silver direct is the easiest of them It uses the NMRA 8 pin plug straight on the circuit board. No need to worry about stuffing in wires.
It should be a straight forward replacement. And yes it's gaurenteed to work with Digitrax SE. It has the DCC board stamp of approval. It is also a dual mode decoder. So you can run it on a DC layout if you want. (There has been mixed success with dual mode decoders on DC layouts)
To be honest almost ANY decoder will work well with your system. There are plenty out there that are cheaper. But I like the quality and features of the silver series.
Hi all,
I am considering buying a Spectrum 4-4-0 American. However, I want to backdate it to the 1880's - 1900's era. Does anyone have experience in modifying Bachmann Spectrum locos in this way? Would I be better off looking for a brass model of an early era 4-4-0 on e-Bay? Micro-Mark's prices are very attractive, however.
Thanks, Michael EM
Hi Michael and welcome to the forum! You would be much better off to start a new thread with this question as it has nothing to do with the Bachmann 2-6-6-2. Many people who might be able to help you will not see your question hidden here. Unfortunately I don't have the answer for you........ but, I can tell you that the 4-4-0 American is a great little loco that runs like a charm. If you are good at modifications, it shouldn't be too hard to do.
Again Welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy the place as much as the rest of us do!
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
It's just a little sweetheart IMO. Nice-looking, smooth, quite powerful for its size (it will outpull my Proto 2-8-8-2 without even looking back), and a real charmer. I've had no problems with tight gauge on any of my Sinohara turnouts (#5, #6). Frankly, I think that Spectrum came up with a real winner in this loco. Mine's an 'undec', I haven't decided whether to go with C&O "On loan" to my MR, or perhaps decal it as a 'second-hand' loco bought during WWII. But either way, it gets a lot of use on the Yuba River Sub, both as a coal hauler and a helper.
Glad I bought it.
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!
twhite wrote: It's just a little sweetheart IMO. Nice-looking, smooth, quite powerful for its size (it will outpull my Proto 2-8-8-2 without even looking back), and a real charmer. I've had no problems with tight gauge on any of my Sinohara turnouts (#5, #6). Frankly, I think that Spectrum came up with a real winner in this loco. Mine's an 'undec', I haven't decided whether to go with C&O "On loan" to my MR, or perhaps decal it as a 'second-hand' loco bought during WWII. But either way, it gets a lot of use on the Yuba River Sub, both as a coal hauler and a helper. Glad I bought it. Tom
Why, you letter it for the Grande, of course - class L-78, number it either 3360 (the vacant series that was occupied by the D&SL 2-6-6-0s in 1947) or 3380 (never used, but the next open block - the D&SL engines ended at 3375, and the Grande liked to start classes on a zero).
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
MidlandPacific wrote: twhite wrote: It's just a little sweetheart IMO. Nice-looking, smooth, quite powerful for its size (it will outpull my Proto 2-8-8-2 without even looking back), and a real charmer. I've had no problems with tight gauge on any of my Sinohara turnouts (#5, #6). Frankly, I think that Spectrum came up with a real winner in this loco. Mine's an 'undec', I haven't decided whether to go with C&O "On loan" to my MR, or perhaps decal it as a 'second-hand' loco bought during WWII. But either way, it gets a lot of use on the Yuba River Sub, both as a coal hauler and a helper. Glad I bought it. Tom Why, you letter it for the Grande, of course - class L-78, number it either 3360 (the vacant series that was occupied by the D&SL 2-6-6-0s in 1947) or 3380 (never used, but the next open block - the D&SL engines ended at 3375, and the Grande liked to start classes on a zero).
Midland--
Oh, I've decided that it's going to be a Grande, all right, and a 3380 (I've got an ex D&SL 2-6-6-0) , but I'm just undecided right now whether to use the 'flying' herald or back-date it to the tri-color with the railroad name spelled out on the side of the tender. I'm more prone to using the older lettering with my locos, but for right now, I'm just kind of mulling things over--and watching it pulling those coal trains and wondering why it works so much better than my Proto USRA 2-8-8-2, when it only cost about half as much, LOL!
Tom,
My advice would be to decorate it with the flying Grande logo - that was introduced in 1941, and seems to have been standard for the power they bought secondhand during the war - I haven't found any foreign power (Water Buffaloes, 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s) pictures with the older logos, much as I like them.
Wow! When I received the direct email from Micro Mark, I ordered one right away. It will be a perfect loco for my military train. {Note to self....Try to figure out how to get teeny tiny numbers onto the number boards on this puppy....} I got mine on Friday, 5/4.
However, I took apart the tender to see how the "DCC ready" really looked and I can not believe how SMALL the plug area is for the decoder. Is it supposed to be THAT small of an area? I know that decoders have gotten pretty tiny, but the "plug" that is in the decoder socket right now is smaller than my thumb nail!!
Then I went out to Lenz and Digitrax sites and realized that decoders HAVE gotten pretty darn tiny. I will be testing this guy on Thursday at the clubhouse. Hope it runs like several of the forum members have noted in earlier parts of this thread.
Is the painted/undecorated Spectrum HO 2-6-6-2 currently listed on Micro-Mark's website ($129 no sound) based on a specific railroad's version or is it a generic USRA 2-6-6-2, also what era - 1920's, 30's or '40's?
Isambard
Grizzly Northern history, Tales from the Grizzly and news on line at isambard5935.blogspot.com
MidlandPacific wrote: Tom, My advice would be to decorate it with the flying Grande logo - that was introduced in 1941, and seems to have been standard for the power they bought secondhand during the war - I haven't found any foreign power (Water Buffaloes, 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s) pictures with the older logos, much as I like them.
I know, and believe me, I really appreciate the correct historical advice, but--sigh--I'm really more of a fan of the tri-color herald. Just got to think this thing out, LOL! Actually, if I were really correct, I'd peel off the front-hung pumps, put them on the fireman's side, get a new boiler front and slap a rectangular Rio Grande number plate on, and find some big, hunking compound slide-valve cylinders for the front engine, then do a filing number on the rear cylinders--oh boy, I don't want to go there, LOL! I just turned one of the Spectrum USRA Heavy 4-8-2's into a 'reasonable' facsimile of an SP/EP&SW MT-2--pre "Skyline Casing", and though that's only boiler work so far, it's dawned on me that I'd have to replace the valve gear to make it "Authentic". I'm not going there, either.
That 2-6-6-2 It's such a cute little guy the way it is--and I really don't want to attack it with a rebuild. I'll just think about the Rio Grande lettering. Maybe I'll just leave it with the Salt Lake Shops having stripped the C&O lettering, but having forgotten to repaint it before sending it out onto mine runs. Hey, it happened!
Isambard wrote: Is the painted/undecorated Spectrum HO 2-6-6-2 currently listed on Micro-Mark's website ($129 no sound) based on a specific railroad's version or is it a generic USRA 2-6-6-2, also what era - 1920's, 30's or '40's?
Isambard: To my knowlege, the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is based on the USRA WW1 C&O/NKP/W&LE 2-6-6-2 design, which was common among those three railroads. It pretty much depends on whether the model has the twin pumps on the boiler front (C&O) or the single pump on the right hand side (facing the front). It's definitely NOT a Rio Grande, GN, NP or Western Pacific prototype, since the cylinders are simple, not Compound, and the 2-6-6-2's for those railroads mostly pre-dated the USRA design. But it's a little charmer of a loco, and very much worth running if you have mine or coal traffic on your MR.
It would work on any layout from the 1920's to the early 1950's. These locos were fairly long-lived because of their versatility.
twhite wrote: Isambard wrote: Is the painted/undecorated Spectrum HO 2-6-6-2 currently listed on Micro-Mark's website ($129 no sound) based on a specific railroad's version or is it a generic USRA 2-6-6-2, also what era - 1920's, 30's or '40's? Isambard: To my knowlege, the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is based on the USRA WW1 C&O/NKP/W&LE 2-6-6-2 design, which was common among those three railroads. It pretty much depends on whether the model has the twin pumps on the boiler front (C&O) or the single pump on the right hand side (facing the front). It's definitely NOT a Rio Grande, GN, NP or Western Pacific prototype, since the cylinders are simple, not Compound, and the 2-6-6-2's for those railroads mostly pre-dated the USRA design. But it's a little charmer of a loco, and very much worth running if you have mine or coal traffic on your MR. It would work on any layout from the 1920's to the early 1950's. These locos were fairly long-lived because of their versatility. Tom
Tom: The photos on the Micro-Mark site show the loco with pumps on both sides of the smoke box front. The front set of cylinders look considerably larger than the rear, so it looks like a compound to me. Both sets have cylinder valves.
twhite wrote: MidlandPacific wrote: Tom, My advice would be to decorate it with the flying Grande logo - that was introduced in 1941, and seems to have been standard for the power they bought secondhand during the war - I haven't found any foreign power (Water Buffaloes, 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s) pictures with the older logos, much as I like them. Midland--I know, and believe me, I really appreciate the correct historical advice, but--sigh--I'm really more of a fan of the tri-color herald. Just got to think this thing out, LOL! Actually, if I were really correct, I'd peel off the front-hung pumps, put them on the fireman's side, get a new boiler front and slap a rectangular Rio Grande number plate on, and find some big, hunking compound slide-valve cylinders for the front engine, then do a filing number on the rear cylinders--oh boy, I don't want to go there, LOL! I just turned one of the Spectrum USRA Heavy 4-8-2's into a 'reasonable' facsimile of an SP/EP&SW MT-2--pre "Skyline Casing", and though that's only boiler work so far, it's dawned on me that I'd have to replace the valve gear to make it "Authentic". I'm not going there, either. That 2-6-6-2 It's such a cute little guy the way it is--and I really don't want to attack it with a rebuild. I'll just think about the Rio Grande lettering. Maybe I'll just leave it with the Salt Lake Shops having stripped the C&O lettering, but having forgotten to repaint it before sending it out onto mine runs. Hey, it happened!Tom
One of my favorite pictures in Morris Cafky's book on the Midland is of a Class 115 2-8-0 at Wild Horse, taken just after it had been renumbered to avoid confusion with the CS&CCD locomotives that the Midland was using during the big WWI traffic crunch. The picture's sepia-toned, but the locomotive was pretty heavily weathered. To renumber it, the shop forces painted a black square on the tender and stencilled the number "62" on the center of the square - it looks sort of like a very poor decaling job!
I gather you're referring to the Grande 3300s, no? The dimensions on the USRA 2-6-6-2s are on the large side for those engines, but they're fairly close to the N&W Z-1s, since those were one of the inputs to the USRA design. Unfortunately, there's never been an affordable 3300 in brass - someone, I think Division Point, did them in the Nineties, but they're astronomically expensive.
twhite wrote: It pretty much depends on whether the model has the twin pumps on the boiler front (C&O)
It pretty much depends on whether the model has the twin pumps on the boiler front (C&O)
The "Flying Pumps" mounted on the front is a sure sign of a C&O. The low mounted headlight is another common sign of a C&O train. They became a signature trademark of their steam train's design.
However to be a true C&O the tender has to be a Vanderbuilt with a round horizontal tank like structure behind the coal.
So what we have here is a hybrid. LUCKILY, Bachman still sells the C&O Vandy tender seprately both lettered and unlettered if you so desire. HOWEVER, the decoder fit is "tight" in these type tenders. The circuit board is mounted UNDER the coal load and the rounded corners of the water tender, leave little room for a decoder.
I think the smallest decoder out there with BEMF, and silent running is the Lenz Silver series (hence why I like to recommend them). But I'm sure there's one or two from digitrax that will fit just fine. I have managed to shove a Tsunami in mine, but it required me to remove the circuit board from the top of the bunker. (There's a single screw that holds it in place)
With their small drivers, 2-6-6-2's were good for freight and ore/coal service. The 2-6-6-2's were phased out after WWII in favor of Berks 2-8-4, USRA Heavy 4-8-2, Texas T-1 2-10-4, and H7 (2-8-8-2 simple articulated...a miserable disaster) and the strongest bad boy of them all, the H8 2-6-6-6 producing 7000HP at speed.
For more information please see www.cohs.org. They have a year ordered roster of the train class and numbers.
Isambard wrote: twhite wrote: Isambard wrote: Is the painted/undecorated Spectrum HO 2-6-6-2 currently listed on Micro-Mark's website ($129 no sound) based on a specific railroad's version or is it a generic USRA 2-6-6-2, also what era - 1920's, 30's or '40's? Isambard: To my knowlege, the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is based on the USRA WW1 C&O/NKP/W&LE 2-6-6-2 design, which was common among those three railroads. It pretty much depends on whether the model has the twin pumps on the boiler front (C&O) or the single pump on the right hand side (facing the front). It's definitely NOT a Rio Grande, GN, NP or Western Pacific prototype, since the cylinders are simple, not Compound, and the 2-6-6-2's for those railroads mostly pre-dated the USRA design. But it's a little charmer of a loco, and very much worth running if you have mine or coal traffic on your MR. It would work on any layout from the 1920's to the early 1950's. These locos were fairly long-lived because of their versatility. Tom Tom: The photos on the Micro-Mark site show the loco with pumps on both sides of the smoke box front. The front set of cylinders look considerably larger than the rear, so it looks like a compound to me. Both sets have cylinder valves.
I think I've found the answer, by comparing the photos on the Micro-Mark site with those in MR's Cyclopedia- Vol 1 Steam Locomotives, edited by Linn Wescott. The Spectrum 2-6-6-2 appears to be based on the ten Class H6 1949 models produced for C&O by Baldwin - compound, with rectangular tenders.
One of these will be entering Grizzly Northern service soon - overtaking the road's USRA 2-10-2 Santa Fe type in tractive effort, length and weight - looks as if there'll be a need to beef up the rail weight and strengthen bridges and trestles to handle the big guy!
Isambard wrote: Isambard wrote: twhite wrote: Isambard wrote: Is the painted/undecorated Spectrum HO 2-6-6-2 currently listed on Micro-Mark's website ($129 no sound) based on a specific railroad's version or is it a generic USRA 2-6-6-2, also what era - 1920's, 30's or '40's? Isambard: To my knowlege, the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is based on the USRA WW1 C&O/NKP/W&LE 2-6-6-2 design, which was common among those three railroads. It pretty much depends on whether the model has the twin pumps on the boiler front (C&O) or the single pump on the right hand side (facing the front). It's definitely NOT a Rio Grande, GN, NP or Western Pacific prototype, since the cylinders are simple, not Compound, and the 2-6-6-2's for those railroads mostly pre-dated the USRA design. But it's a little charmer of a loco, and very much worth running if you have mine or coal traffic on your MR. It would work on any layout from the 1920's to the early 1950's. These locos were fairly long-lived because of their versatility. Tom Tom: The photos on the Micro-Mark site show the loco with pumps on both sides of the smoke box front. The front set of cylinders look considerably larger than the rear, so it looks like a compound to me. Both sets have cylinder valves.I think I've found the answer, by comparing the photos on the Micro-Mark site with those in MR's Cyclopedia- Vol 1 Steam Locomotives, edited by Linn Wescott. The Spectrum 2-6-6-2 appears to be based on the ten Class H6 1949 models produced for C&O by Baldwin - compound, with rectangular tenders.One of these will be entering Grizzly Northern service soon - overtaking the road's USRA 2-10-2 Santa Fe type in tractive effort, length and weight - looks as if there'll be a need to beef up the rail weight and strengthen bridges and trestles to handle the big guy!
Isambard--
Actually, the C&O and N&W used these 2-6-6-2's on mine branch trackage a lot--where curves prohibited a large-wheel based non-articulated. And they were used to 'light' trackage, so if you prefer not to, you don't have to 'beef' up your rail weight. Those little gals were incredibly versatile locos.
Have fun with it--I think you'll REALLY like its running and pulling characteristics. I know I do!
Any links or PIC of the 2-6-6-2?
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust