Same as the Lifelike question... is Bachmann steam cheap for a reason or are all brands nearly equal??? hey Ive been outta trains for 20 yrs and currently have the N-scale/model train IQ of 1... thanks.
It's cheap...literally and figuratively. But where else can you get steam? I'm probably going to buy several models and try to repower and detail them, just because nobody ever sells steam. ------------------ Robert Ray The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad
The Spectrum line made by Bachmann seem to run quite well for the money. You could probably call them a "poor man's Kato". You can find some on eBay and not spend a week's wages (unless you buy too many). ------------------ Rett
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by upguy: You can find some on eBay... (unless you buy too many). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> oh Ive done that.. mainly Life like and Atlas, but the bachmann stuff is so cheap and as most say where else do you get good steam?
I've never had any good luck with anything from Bachmann, so if I see anything I've generally stayed away.
Bachmann is like the bird w/o wings in N Scale Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
I think you're being a little unfair here guys. I have some nice B-Spectrum C/CW-40-8's and B-Plus F-7/9's. They all run well and with my Atlas and Kato Loco's (NOT A JOKE). I think you've been rather harsh on the Life-Like stuff too. Yes, they are cheeper built, but it they can run well. I'd say I've had some bad luck with Bachmann, but we've all owned auto's that don't live up to our expectations, doesn't mean we never buy an auto from that company again does it? ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
The Spectrem series has caught my eye lately too. These engines are five pole skew wound motors with dual flywheels. This info alone would suggest that they would run decent. I think I will play with a few based on the low cost of these units. Does anyone know if DCC can be installed on these locos. I know with some of the older Bachmann locos the frame itself was used as part of the circut. Thius making it near impossible for DCC installation. Thanks Matt
By comparison, Bachmann is not top of the line, but I have several Bachmann items and I enjoy them just like every piece I have. If you see something you like, go for it. ------------------ Ship It On The FRISCO!
I am unfair to Bachmann, and OLD life Like becuaes they are too real, I hate seeing smoke come out of my models! Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
Matt, The 8-40's use a cast open chassis similar to the earlier plastic LL chassis. There is space for a decoder. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree! [This message has been edited by Gats (edited 15 May 2000).]
My Bachmann -8's make nice dummies or distributed units. With motors installed, they don't run worth a tin penny. Early in my n-scale experience, I wasted time and money by installing a DN140 decoder. Now that unit is retired to the junk pile. ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com
Well, this is a first for this site. I am just as confused now as I was when this thread started. We seem to have some very conflicting views on Bachman Spectrum in this thread. We know the Bachmann stuff will not run as well as Atlas or Kato. but will it run ok? and will it run ok with DCC? My first choice is always Atlas and Kato. But to help fill in the roster, it may be nice to have some less performing locos for a cheap price. Why would the motor burn up? Did it burn up pulling a ton of cars or just cruising around the layout? Thanks, Matt
OK I'll try to add my perspective on the subject of Bachmann. Cosmetics aside, the chief problem with the Bachmann locoomotives is the gearing. The motor and flywheels are fine (from what I can tell) Run the motors with the flywheels but disconnect the drive shaft to the gearing and the motor runs smooth and quiet. Connect the gear towers to the drive and thats where the problem coms in. The worm needs a thrust washer for one thing. Second if you live in a northern climate be warned that exposure to temperature differences will cause the axle gears to split and lose their friction fit on the axle halves. As a result the gear will turn and spin on the axle but no power is transmitted to the axles or wheels. The whole gear tower is substandard in terms of design and materials. The above is related to Bachmann diesels. Their steam power is unknown to me since I don't own any.
Motor burnt while crusing with no load. ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sd75mac: Motor burnt while crusing with no load. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That is terrible!! Why would Bachmann go though the trouble of putting in a 5 pole skew wound motor and dual flywheels and then match it up with crap (can I say that?) gears. Makes no sense to me. If they wanted to continue to cater to the cheap crowd, they could have stuck with the original garbage. Matt
HEY NOW GUYS I LOVED MY -8 SPECTRUM RIGHT UP UNTIL I GAVE IT AWAY. IT LOOKED GOOD JUST SITTING THERE.IT WAS PAINTED NORFOLK SOUTHERN SO IT LOOKED PROTOTYPICAL JUST SITTING THERE. AND WHEN I RAN IT, IT GROWLED AND JUMPED JUST LIKE THE REAL THING. BOY IM GLAD MY BNSF KATOS RUN SMOOTH. I HOPE I NEVER NEED PARTS FOR THEM THOUGH. ------------------ bnfan99
I'm with JohnC, I've never seen anything from Bachman that lasted more than a few runs around the track. Unfortunately, they are the only one's that make PCC trams. So we have about half dozen dead Bachman's sitting around for paper weights.
I have two Bachmann Spectrum C40-8W's, and they run OK, if a bit noisy, but my main moan is that they will not run with my Atlas/Kato units. I would like to repower them with C30-7 chassis, assuming I can find some. Welcome aboard, Alan - good thing you used your surname as well! ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
Alan, Why not read through my cleaning and tune-up instructions again and my might find they will run with your Kato and Atlas Loco's. Some things will not just run right until you put a little work into them. But that's ok with me, I love to tinker with the mechanisms, as long as it needs it. Remember: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT! ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
