i was reading a thread on the chepo bachmann locos. and i had a bad, very bad experince with one. so i would like to know how the bachmann spetrium locos compair to kato and atlas. im looking more at the steam engines cuz i am modeling the transision era in the mid-west. thanks
Have a 4-8-2 & 4 of the 2-8-0's & IMHO they are the ducks nuts! Just bought the 4-8-2 & straight out of the box it ran like a dream,thats why I buy 4 of the 2-8-0's,they run so sweet & a single 2-8-0 will pull as much if not more than a LL 2-8-8-2!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a couple older spectrum deisels that have been retired to scenery - that is all they are good for. I also have a Mountain and two Connies that run like a swiss watch. I have converted all my spectrum steam to DCC and they perform well. I did notice that I lost a little pulling power because of weight removal in the boiler (decoder replaces weight) - but that is minor.
My experience with the Bachpersonn SPECTRUM are: 2-8-0, 4-8-2, doodlebug and F-units. The 2-8-0 is an excellent locomotive, probably the best of the four. Do try before you buy as there were some problems with some of the first runs. It does appear the B-mann has addressed those problems in subsequent runs, but it is still a good idea to try first. They pull well and will creep very nicely.-all this with no flywheel. They require extensive break-in, but your efforts will be rewarded. The 4-8-2 is good, but there were some pulling power problems in the first run. I do hope that Bachmann has addressed those in subsequent runs. The fix is simple, though. The doodlebug is good, as well. It requires extensive break-in, but it will pull six RR HWs up a one percent grade--on RR trucks. The prototype would not have done that. All this and only one truck powered. The prototypes of these things were good for two trailing passenger cars-- tops. The F-7s rate a C-plus. They are not in a league with the other SPECTRUM offerings with which I have experience. They are better than the PLUS, but they are still not what they should be. Rumour is that B-mann is going to revamp the mechanism yet, ONE MORE TIME!!!!! I bought E-R sharks when they came out. B-personn is going to offer these as SPECTRUM, now that E-R is out of business. Assuming that B-mann does not change anything, these are also excellent locomotives. In fact, B-mann is supposed to be basing the yet-again-revamped F-unit drive on these. If B-mann does get these F-units out in time, it could be a real score for them as there is a demand for constantly-in-production, inexpensive F-units out there, something that N scale lacks and that the other scales have. Despite the fact that most of hte F-units have been rotting in scrap piles for years, it is still an 'entry level' locomotive for many in this hobby. MP is trying to tap this market with its 'train-set' FP-7, but that may not go far enough. An inexpensive 'entry-level' locomotive that a modeller would want to continue to use when he moves up to the 'better power' is available in HO (Athearn, B-mann), but not N. It would be a real coup if B-mann could pull this one off.
I've got two Dash 8-40CW's and one Dash 8-40C which all run great (like a kato but slower) and look presentable, not as good as the best but a lot better than the old $20 bachmanns.
It seems like Bachmann really excels with steam locomotives but is very poor with diesels, though some comments are positive such as Fluid Dynamics expresses with regards to the newer diesel models. I have never run any of the new Spectrum locos, however the SD45's I have seen are not what I would be willing to spend my limited funds on to see if the improvement is just, & I believe they are improved over the past efforts. There are just better choices in the market to spend my money on over a risky investment. Mike
I have four Spectrum steamers, three 2-8-0 and one 4-8-2. They are running not too bad, but not really well either. My hope is now that a longer break-in might fix some problems. I assume that part of the break-in effect is that tight holes for the rods are getting wider, or with other words wear out. The 2-6-6-2 is on order with my local (= German) dealer, I hope it will run better. Christoph
The spectrum 8-40c and cw I posted about above were the first style spectrums, not the newer ones. I bought them for an average of about $18 each.
See my Post on recent steam operations on the YHR. The only Steam loco, I had no trouble with was the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. I only own two of these and they performed flawlessly, were even my Kato mikes were tripping over themsleves. Of all my steam roster the Spectrum connies were the only class that never had a retirement.
The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0's and 4-8-2's are outstanding steam loco's. Stay cool and run steam.......
I have been running 2 of the Bachman Spectrum Plymouth (3 axil industrial engines) for a few days now. I don't know what to compare them to but I am happy with the performance.
Hey Grey One, how well does it run at slow speed? I got one of the Tomix switchers and I'm disappointed with its lack of low speed range...
William. I haven't pushed them enough yet. I'll try tonight. I only have Kato #6 turnouts at this point.
As you can see from these posts, Bachmann performance is spotty. I have a Spectrum 2-8-0, and it runs well. I also have a Spectrum F unit set, and they stink. I sent them back once, and the replacement set stunk worse than the first. My garbage disposal is quieter.
Spectrum steam? Yes, it's much better than Bachmann bottom shelf stuff. Still, you must be very careful in choosing them. Make sure you test it. When I first started shopping the 2-8-0s, I found roughly 75% of them to be completely inadequate. Poor contact, stutter, wobble, etc. However, when you found a good one, it's good. Very strong, very sure. Still, the four I have are more wobbly than any other. The mountains were pretty similar in the way they ran. Many were inferior as far as smoothness goes. And the pulling power (on most) was far below the 2-8-0. (until you shim or rotate the traction tire wheel housing) The one mountain that I found originally to be acceptable, after much breaking in, (and fixing the TT) is now a very fine loco. Much smoother than the 2-8-0. All in all, I like the Spectrum steamers, but they take a LOT of shopping, tweaking and TLC to get them to be what I would consider "fine". In my opinion, for reliability and smooth as silk running, you can't beat the Kato Mikado. You have to install the detail parts yourself. (which is a PITA) Also, if you want to pull more than 20 cars on a flat layout, or 10 on a 2% graded layout, you'll need to install their traction tire retro-fit. (no biggie) Take into account these are just my opinions. Which almost everyone else is going to disagree with.
Actually, I agree with you, as usual. The Kato Mikado shows IT CAN BE DONE. The swap-out for the traction tyre is easy, the add on details a mess, but the end product is a fine steamer.
Dave, I have to say, I'd have paid an extra $20 to have someone else do those details. Then again, now I get bragging rights. "I survived the Mikado!"
Al: After assembling the detail parts on 9 Kato Mikado's, it does become easy. The first thing to do is to place the loco in a white lipped box and assemble the parts in the box. In that manner, you won't loose any parts. Stay cool and run steam....
Regarding the Plymouth 6 axil diesels: The Grey and Grandure always runs them in tandom, (1 red and 1 yellow). This seems to very nicely overcome the "Sticky Issues". Run one at a time on a loop of Kato track there is no problem. Run as they are intended in a switching role well, ya, "ya cannot go agin the laws of physics laddy" Stills my Atlas GP38 is a swiss watch by comparison. _shrug_. The Grey and Grandure will use the Plymouths in tandom. Who knows, maybe they will mod them into a cow and calf uint. [ 07. January 2005, 03:29: Message edited by: Grey One ]
