Rick, others, Even though this unit is not top of the line and i looked at one yesterday at a local greenburgs show i do think it is worth getting.:thumbs_up: The shell is crisp and it looks really good. Yes i would like a non-swivel pilot and a smaller beacon but for a street price of around $80 for a DCC locomotive i think it is a no-brainer. I looked at the OMI version and while it looks great i couldn't justify the $600 plus cost. With a little detailing and some light weathering i'll be a happy camper. I ordered 2 of them and now that i have seen them i will order the other 2 numbers also. I give Bachmann a B- on this unit. I do not see Atlas or Kato making this unit any time soon, i wish they would, so i have to deal with what is out there. Now if Athearn decides to make the turbines as they did in HO i'll be in trouble. Wishful thinking next----How about somebody making the number 80 3 unit turbine, i told you it is a wish. Rick, my thoughts on Bachmann are the same as yours but with the 44T and now the DD40AX, i do really think they are trying to get better, not perfect by any means but better. Dave, A UP and SF fan Dave
I could see kato making these. They have been known for doing odd and one off locos. And they have 6 axle car body locos so it would be just a matter of adapting what they currently have.
Have the older, two motor version. To me, it looks better than this one! Body looks to be quite well done. The rest lacks a lot. At least 3 things stand out: 1. Looks like it rides a bit too high on the trucks. 2. Trucks do not look good, way too square! 3. Pilots are way too plain. For whatever reason, they just don't look right. Personal opinions only, based on what I've seen. One question though: How does this unit compare to previous runs, as far as overall size, dimensions etc.....?
The trucks and frame would be a major effort for Kato. Even the shell wouldn't just be a "adaptation" of a SD40 shell. There is a lot of differences. More than splicing two SD40s together.
Here is a pic from the Bachamnn forum(before they added the LED beacon): The new shell is clearly much better than the old one.
Well here is what N-Scale Encyclopedia had to say about the "older" versions of this loco.... http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/dd40ax.html Sooo... has B'mann just "upgraded" this loco once again? :tb-err::tb-confused::tb-sad:
That's the sort of comparison I was looking for. You can see how oversize the old shell was, it looks like you could almost fit the new one inside it. A big improvement for Bachmann, I hope they don't stop with the DDA40X.
Well... if y'all may want to buy one these "Barfmann" versions anyway, go for it. But I finally got a close up look at one and have since cancelled my order. The only real improvement seems to be in the mechanism. But the shell only looks like they merely 'tweaked' the detailing, i.e., made it sharper(?) looking. Even more noticeable the truck sides look as if they were 'flattened' out. This is the third time Bachmann has "improved" this model... as far as I'm concerned, that means they've finally struck out. :thumbs_down: Why can't we get someone else (Atlas, IMR, Kato... even Overland Models Inc.) to produce an accurate model of this great locomotive? :tb-err:
Overland Models did, two seperate runs in fact; however, I can't justify spending $500-$600 on a single locomotive, no matter how nice.
what is the plaque thing for on the rear of loco? http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1263/Profile.jpg
Well with as many complaints as I'm hearing it would seem that there would be a basis for someone making a resin shell, and making cast brass truck sideframes. Think about it, someone could make a "spot on" shell (even the DD35/B's variants) and could make a ton of money since there's so many who want a good model. It'd be affordable too. That'd be sweet if Kaslo Shops pursued this, or Mark4Design. Grant, Mark, someone please throw these people a bone here so I don't have to read complaints anymore.
My sentiments EXACTLY! This is why I say, approach Bmann, red over yellow. Caution is the word here and leaverite is the option most preferred by us technicees. I'm tired of messing with Bmann. You never know for sure what you are getting and it isn't until you get it home and start running it that you find out how much of a sucker you are or I. Famous Chinese Proverb says, "Let the buyer beware".baffled:
"That'd be sweet if Kaslo Shops pursued this, or Mark4Design. Grant, Mark, someone please throw these people a bone here so I don't have to read complaints anymore." You think an undecorated shell that cost more then the whole locomotive will stop complaints? Jason
Well, you could have an awesome model that when done, could be sold for like $200 if it was detailed and painted if it was built from a kit. Especially if it was a SAR kit. Remember how awesome those F45's were? Do ya? I think you do, 'cause even though they were about $80 (plus the drive would cost a bit too) it was totally worth it. Way better than the Athearns IMO. If people are willing to fork over hundreds of dollars for just about any model these days, I think people would bite. Imagine the different shells that could be produced. If those things are so cheap, then just take the drive and put on a terrificly made shell that would be way better than the B-mann one. If you don't want an awesome model, then stop complaining. Better than buying a brass one I'll tell you that. Someone should ask one of those guys if it's feasible or not. I think there's a potential here.
So yes I do think that wcfn100. I think most of us here feel like we got slapped in the face by B-mann's vision of "updated." People want a prototypical, great looking engine. Let's see what was the price of one of these? Like $65 or something? So about a $90 kit with etched details and great shells details + $65 for the drive, you get about $155+. I'd say that's a fair sacrifice for a prototypical model that could win shows and sell on the bay for over $200 when done. IDK, just saying.
