Bachmann S4 - Any pics?

jamesdewarinireland Aug 13, 2013

  1. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    those things look gorgeous, does it come without DCC? if it does I'm sold.(although I'm already sold though)
     
  2. ALCO539

    ALCO539 TrainBoard Member

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    It's only made with a DCC controller, but it is dual mode and runs very well on DC analog. Most of the new Bachmann locomotives are now being equiped with DCC. I have both DCC and DC block control wired to my layout, but mainly run DC analog. What can I say, I'm just "old school" from the 70's.
     
  3. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bruce, would you pls elaborate....I'm not sure I get the floor wax technique:question:
     
  4. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Future floor wax...now marketed by Johnson and Johnson...has been used as THE 'go to' clear gloss finish for plastic modelling, especially as a glosscoat befor decaling...every award winning plastic aircraft modeller dips the clear canopies in Future, let's dry, and then glues it into place...the Future actually makes the canopy more clear...you can read fine newspeint through a curved clear canopy after applying te Future...remember, Future is an acrylic...can be sprayed through an airbrush, and is the glossy-est clear finish you can imagine...if these windows can be pried loose from the cab, clean them, dip them in future, let them dry (you'll have to figure a way to let them dry standing on end, then paint the edges black before re-inserting...suddenly the thickness of the plastic glass will disappear.
    ~Bruce
     
  5. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ok thanks Bruce. I know about the floor wax, just didn't get what it has to do with painting the edges black.. Still not sure I do. Suspect a bit of experimentation is in order.
    Regards, Otto
     
  6. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    works for me then!
     
  7. johnh

    johnh TrainBoard Member

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    Received my SP today and it looks great. It is whisper quiet, definitely a very smooth runner. The couplers will have to be changed, the handrails are bigger than the Arnold (reminiscent of the Trix FM 12-44 of yore), and the cab glass is a little thick. In all actuality, the glass is more recessed in the frame on other models (therefore thinner). Bachmann could easily correct if they choose to do so. All in all, a very nicely done lokie. You will not find a smoother, quieter switcher at any price point.
     
  8. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    Very encouraging. I wonder if the Arnold handrails could be adapted to this loco? Z905's the way to go!
    Is there a way to reduce thickness of glass inserts, then restore clarity? Maybe Future floor was, as mentioned?
    Might have to order one, was waiting on Atlas. have to replace Cats on car, tho:(
    Joe D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 17, 2013
  9. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    Can anyone post a pic of SP cab end? Went to FF site, the Bmann # doesn't jive. Thinking of altering paint for D&H.
    Joe D
     
  10. johnh

    johnh TrainBoard Member

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    DSCF2066.JPG DSCF2065.JPG DSCF2064.JPG DSCF2063.JPG DSCF2062.JPG DSCF2061.JPG

     
  11. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    OK, cab end just like D&H! Color of stripes may be off, but weathering will help. Did an Arnold S2 in D&H. Can't find files. Hopefully, Atlas will do S2 in LIRR paint.
    Thanks John.
    Joe D
     
  12. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    I wonder if the Arnold cab will fit? Those older scheme D&H decals are rare. Think I got mine from Lou D.
     
  13. Spookshow

    Spookshow TrainBoard Member

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    I honestly don't think the handrails themselves are any fatter than anyone else's. Doing a side-by-side comparison with Atlas and Kato locos, the diameters looks pretty much the same to me. What's making them look bloated in close-up photos is the thickly applied accent paint. Compare the raw black handrails to the portions that have been painted yellow -

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Here's the S-4 compared to an Atlas GP40. The same thing happens with Atlas's handrail paint -

    [​IMG]

    It seems like a non-issue to me. From two feet away you don't even notice.

    Cheers,
    -Mark
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 17, 2013
  14. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    is the stack made of plastic? and is it molded into the long hood, or is it a seperately applied piece?
    ~Bruce
     
  15. Spookshow

    Spookshow TrainBoard Member

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    The base of the stack is part of the hood casting. The round top is a separate press-fit piece.

    -Mark
     
  16. LOU D

    LOU D TrainBoard Member

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    Joe,those ones you got from me were old Northeast decals.Highball Graphics makes them now..
     
  17. Spookshow

    Spookshow TrainBoard Member

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    BTW, I think part of what makes the windows look so weird is that they are blocked out by a black plastic shroud that fits inside the cab (this to prevent light from the headlight LED shining out the windows). And yes, the window inserts are glued in place (ugh).

    Here's the mech -

    [​IMG]

    -Mark
     
  18. LOU D

    LOU D TrainBoard Member

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    You know,I look at these pics,I think it looks great..Truthfully,you know the ONE thing that would greatly improve the looks? The windows on the real one are two different sizes,the back is bigger.Those aluminum window frames are just sloppy,pop out the windows,and throw them in alcohol to strip off that crappy silver paint,should straighten it right out..
     
  19. Spookshow

    Spookshow TrainBoard Member

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    Actually, there aren't any aluminum window frames. That's just an optical illusion created by the way light reflects off the edges of the windows. As previously suggested, painting the edges black might help with that. Of course that would require de-gluing the inserts (re-ugh).

    Also, the back window actually is larger than the forward one. As for the correctness of the relative dimensions, I'll let the rivet counters fight that one out :)

    [​IMG]

    How 'bout that builders plate? Time to fire up the electron microscope...

    -Mark
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 17, 2013
  20. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I will wait for the performance testing reports before I make the decision to leap. Over all I like what I see with the exception of that coupler and hopefully a MT 1015 will handle that for me. And the Western Maryland version looks like the easiest start point for an NP unit patched for BN. Already has the yellow handrail ends and the basic black with minimal lettering removal and addition of safety stripes at each end. Also noticed a nice touch with the hinge on the headlight cover and the rivet details seem crisp with the paint job.
     

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