Just noticed in my early morning scan of the a few online dealers that at least one has these locomotives in stock. I am still undecided about whether I will add one to the roster. I model B&O and that could be reason were I a rivet-counter to not purchase one. If it runs as well as other B'mann steam locomotives I currently own, such as the 2-8-4s, I could find a work around reason.
Have about 40 minutes of running time on the program track. Looks fantastic, runs great, a little jerky at low speeds, but I expect that to even out with run time and some lube. Absolute first order of business is to dump the default whistle, cv115 input 1 for a much better whistle. So far a big fan, this will be a huge seller. I did notice the middle drive wheel seem to have a little side to side play, but nothing horrible. It gives the train a look that a wheels out of round. I noticed a similar tendency on the kenowha release as well. This will help: http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OE...rkshire_sv.pdf
How about pulling capacity? The most I have seen this locomotive pull in any video has been three passenger cars. I sure hope it can do more than that.
He's a video I came across with the k4 pulling 8 heavyweight micro trains cars. Doesn't seem to be having an issue.
Its a really nice engine. I think you'll thoroughly enjoy it. Just change that whistle right away! ha
Wow... that certainly blows my brass and Minitrix K4s out of the water. Looks like Bachmann's got a real winner here.
My K4 arrived today. This thing is a winner! It has an operating front coupler so double heading is very doable. Smooth as silk and looks great. One note of caution though. This thing has some type of momentum built into it. Not sure if it is the decoder or mechanical but the thing kept moving after power was shutoff. Went about two sections of Unitrack. So if you want to test it on some sections of Kato straight Unitrack you better do it on the floor. This may very well replace the Kato Mikado as the gold standard of N Scale steam.
Yah, its been reported on the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Line Historical Society email list that a member received his today as well and he is singing its praises!!! Great to hear... hopefully it will finally prove just how valuable to N-scalers these steamers are, backing up the demand for such these many, many years. Wonder if Great Northern, another Belpaire firebox user, had anything similar?
Yeah, I was only able to do a short examination and running but I didn't see or hear anything I didn't like. (Okay the couplers are too big.)Hard to believe there are 18 pages of debate over on the Railwire and none of those guys had one in their hands. But that is the Railwire for you, where everyone is an expert know it all.
It appeared that the pilot pivoted with the pony truck in the first video. I hope that's an optical illusion of the video. Otherwise, she looks like an excellent product.
I just ordered one... first sound-equipped loco in N for me. ~$230... I can live with that. Gonna have to finally get a DCC/Sound controller, though, if only to change the whistle.
Probably with a bit of tweaking one could get a reasonable version of a H6 or H7 which were the more modernized versions on the GN. And a fair to middling stand in for the SP&S version.
I am still waiting for my favorite online hobby shop to list them as available. From these videos, I am pleased with what I see.
