Hello, I am new to the forum. It has been more than a few years since I played around with my trains (Marklin z scale). Wanting to go with a larger scale, I saw a few starter sets at my local hobby store today that were Bachmann brand. Can you tell me if Bachmann is a good brand? What other manufacturers would you recommend in the scale n through O that make quality and realistic looking models? I realize my question is not specific enough. At this point I don't know where I want to start, but I do know I want good quality and a system I can build on.
First off Welcome aboard Marty. Now recommended Brands per scale. N Scale/HO Scale; I would say can't go wrong with either Kato or Atlas. No matter Sets, Track, Locomotives, or rollingstock. O Scale I can't say never modeled it, but someone will be along shortly who has. But a side not; I would stay away from sets too much of what you don't need to grow in the hobby, and not enough of what you do need/want. That's my two bits hope it helps, and never fear there will be some more opinions here. Njoy the ride
O Scale recommendations would be MTH, Atlas and some Lionel. And, unless you know what you are buying I agree with Mark, stay away from Bachmann.
Thanks for the replies. To clarify, can you tell me why I should stay away from Bachmann until I know what it is I want? I'll be checking out the MTH, Kato and Atlas websites. This renewed interest in model trains is going to drive my wife nuts. laugh:
For N scale, it's hard to beat Atlas and Kato, but there are other good locomotives out there. I would say that LL's PAs, C-Liners, and SW 9/1200s are good. I would also say that Bachmann's Spectrum GE 44-tonner is very good. I have heard good things about other models in Bachmann's Spectrum line, but have little direct experience. I am consistently pleased with Atlas and Kato. I am also quite fond of my Athearn Challenger and my Athearn FP45. In HO, there's a much broader field of offerings.
Stay with the Bachmann Spectrum Line if you consider a Bachmann product, most of the Spectrum line is steam engines. The quality is hit or miss, the good thing is they have a lifetime replacement warranty. If your going with diesel, by all means, as stated above, stick with Atlas or Proto 2000.
In HO and N, don't pass up Athearn either. They make solid basic and high quality RTR stuff. As was suggested, Bachmann's spectrum line is very good, and they do make some sets in the spectrum line, but their regular sets should be avoided.
You were a Z scaler before..you should see what they have out in z scale now! Check out AZL and Microtrains. Lots of modern US engines and cars to choose from in several road names. If you liked Z then, you will love it now!
Exactly why I will stay away from ALL Bachmann, Spectrum too. I lost hundreds to POS Bachmann, so called, "Spectrum" locomotives.
Sorry for your luck, with the lifetime warranty and a $20 bill, no worries.. For me, modeling what I do, they were the first company that brought me an affordable, excellent running HO scale Shay loco, even if I have to replace the line shaft gears with NWSL ones. its better than the "POS" MDC's that were offered for decades. Thank you very much baffled::mtongue:
Every Bachmann I ever owned has made a trip to their repair shop which proved as useless as buying the thing in the first place. Just because they give you lifetime warranty doesn't make their quality any better, before or after repair service. Add that 20 bucks spent on the warranty to the original locomotives cost, and you could have bought an Atlas, Athearn, or Kato. A move that would have given you 10x the quality and 1/100th the aggrivation. And I'm no novice when it comes to working with locomotive mechanics. I can hard wire a decoder in 20 minutes. I can turn an old shelf queen into the Ultimate Saddle Tank. But no matter what I try on a Bachmann, I've found only one solution that satisfies me. Gut the thing and hook it up to a Kato (see attached). Sorry to sound so die hard, but virtually every other manufacturer in N scale can give us quality, and at a price not to far from what Bachmann lists. Especially today, if I'm paying $100 bucks for a diesel, it needs to just work. I dont want to have to cross my fingers and pray my model is one of the "hit"s. I dont want to have to fork up even more cash to send it in if it's not. I've always herd Bachmanns quality in HO is 5x what it is in N, so I'm not exactly dissagreing here. I'm happy to hear their latest in N scale, the 44 toner, is doing well. I've wanted a 44t for Years now. Unfortunately, it had to be Bachmann. I dont see anyone else producing this any time soon, so as it goes, I'll eventually break down and buy one. But I wont drop a penny until I know with out a doubt that the very model I take home is a good runner. Bottom line is if you good quality with no hassle or worry, skip Bachmann (at least in N scale).
Bachmann's On30 offerings also seem to be generally well-regarded, though I have no direct experience... yet. It's hard for manufacturers to really "get" more than about two scales at a time. There are so many game-changers when you jump scales that mechanisms often end up being very different. Atlas seems to "get" N, HO, and O, and I would say they are pretty much an exception. Now, if you ever wanted to go back into Z, pretty much EVERYTHING made in Z seems to be high quality. The Z folks here can point you the right way.
Agreed, in N scale. I have no history with Bachmann in N-scale, only in HO, and with 4 locos; 2 Shays 1 4-6-0 2 GE 44 tonners Presently one Shay split the gears, I replaced them with the NWSL metal gears (not easy mind you) After this repair I swear it runs better than it ever has. I'm still happy because again, I have a great running Shays. The 4-6-0 has had no issues, but it doesn't have the hours on it like the shays do. The (2) 44 tonners, I removed the shells, hardwired the decoders, and installed MDC Climax and Boxcab shells on the chassis, to date no problems.
Bachmann take hits many times as to quality. However, in HO I don't think any one makes better looking or operating steam engines - o.k. Proto is also good. I am very impressed with the performance of their H 16-44, having 4 of same. As for rolling stock, their Silver line of freight cars also gets my vote. Even tho' they have the "slippery ridges" for hand grabs, they have weight and track well on my less than well laid scale track.
I have heard horror stories about the quality of Bachmann Spectrum models on both this forum and a couple of others that I belong to. But in personal experience, I seem to have been lucky, I suppose. I have 4 HO Spectrum models (two USRA Heavy 4-8-2's, a 2-6-6-2 and a 2-8-0) and I have had no trouble at all. They seem to be well-detailed, smooth running and very decent haulers (something I demand of my locos, since I model a mountain railroad). So, I would say that I might seem to be one of the 'lucky' ones. I do run straight DC, so I am probably out of the 'loop' with whatever problems DCC uses have with them. But so far, I'm very satisfied with them. Tom
That's too bad Mark. I've had good luck with Bman spectrum. Barstow Rick can attest the little 2-8-0 steamer ran great. I also put a Vandy tender on one! Runs good so do the other three I have. Some older stuff is so so,but it is way older and 1970 tech. not the good kato-atlas type of motors, gears, pick-ups, etc.....
Not only can I testify to the Bachmann 2-8-0 but I'm in the market to buy one off of Tom/TJS909. Bachmann, is making a change for the better. Just remember...you want to be very careful with the older stuff and I would suggest you always test track a locomotive before you buy it. Just remember as good as Bachmann is today, they still aren't at the top of the line in quality and endurance. The jury is still out and may be for a while.
I think the newer ones, that you pay a premium for, are better than anything made in the past. Just to make a minimum order to get free shipping once, I got a Bachmann trolley car. It appears the wheels must be egg shaped - the way it lurches and bounces down the track. And it sounds like a coffee grinder.
Well I cannot address the past, but I have 2 different bachmann spectrum ON30 locos and both are dead right now and need lots of improvement to different problems that are a portion of the design. Both have minutes of use, not hours. But, no one else offers a decent looking ON30 Shay or Climax that I can afford, maybe in the years ahead a decent resource for ON30 Locos will arrive. Until then, it is buy the bachmann and fix it right before use. So, they are the best because they are the only ones essentially. Do an internet search for a Shay or Climax in ON30. Easier to find S scale! Link me if you have good resources for ON30 Mining and logging locos!! Please! Jack
