My girlfriend got me a new enginge for Christmas... She tried so hard to get it just right BUT.... It is a Bachman Spectrum F7 A&B unit (both powered). When I stuck it on the track yesterday.... This thing is LOUD... also it creaps around the track... She was very dissapointed with it's performance and already wants me to take it back. I hate to do that... she tried so hard, but It is not at all what I was looking for anyways... Anyone have experience with this loco? Will the noise run itself out, or did I end up with junk here? If it will smooth out... I'll probably keep it and run it for her... [ 26. December 2002, 14:44: Message edited by: guppyman ]
My only experience with N scale Bachmann Spectrum is with 3 8-40CW units. They also run way slower than anything else but, after a long break-in period, they quieted down significantly. Will yours? Don't know. Bachmann is certainly not to the level of Kato or Atlas, but it may smooth-out a little more. I would be inclined to let it break-in since your girlfriend was thoughtful enough to pick this out for you and has some value in that respect. Also, it may benefit from some gear grease unless it already has enough (my 8-40CWs were pretty loaded with grease already). Russ
I also bought a pair of these a while back. I can't see any difference in these and the Bachmann Plus' of the recent past. They are noisy. Will they quiet down with running? Probably. But not enough for most folks to fall in love with them. It's a shame because the detail of the bodies on these isn't half bad. This is very ironic because my wife went on ebay for the first time in her life and nailed a pair of Kato F-7's for me for Christmas. She won't tell me what she had to pay for them. I actually now plan to de-motor my Spectrums and use them as dummies to run with the Katos.
Thanks guys.... I talked to my g/f just a bit ago and we will be returning it this weekend. I will be getting either my first Atlas or Kato to replace it. Now to figure out which to get......
I bought three Bachman Spectrum diesel freight units a couple of years ago. An SD-40 and a couple of GP's. They ALL had the same problems. Ran loudly, tried to break them in by just running them for a long time. They all ran louder and louder, slower and slower. Two of them eventually siezed up on the track and the third was on its way there. I ended up taking them back for a refund. I can see one unit having a problem, but not all three at the same time. I'll never buy another Bachman again because of that. I've heard that their steamers are O.K., but I'm still leery. I'd take themm back and look at an Athearn. Similar price range, still a bit noisey, but they run and run and run. Mark in Utah
Even if you do feel the need to take the models back neither you or your girlfriend should feel badly because of it. No matter if you keep these or replace them with something else the fact that you both share this hobby together is wonderful and the sprit of the gift will always remain, your a lucky man.
For next Christmas, you might try giving her a list of engines, equipment, and model railroading goodies you would like to have; that a way what ever you get will still be a surprise. However, since the present is from your list, you will still be getting what you want. I have my wife give me a list of what she wants in many categories. I usually get some things from the list, but may add additional stuff if I see something I like.
Returned the engine Saturday... I was actually suprised at how easily they took it back and refunded my money, considering it had "No refunds" stamped all over the receipt. I went to another hobby shop and bought a Kato SD45. When I put it on the test track, my girlfriend was like... "Oh yeah... Get that one!" It is so nice.... I stuck it on my track at home.... so quiet... Pulled a bunch of cars with it with no complaints.... I set up it, followed by my LL GP 20 and the 2 GP38-2's and within one lap the Kato had caught up to the slowest GP-38... I'm loving this.... Finally got my first Kato!!!! While we were at the hobby shop, she ran into something in Louisville & Nashville paint.... She wants me to get it for her and set her up her own loop of track to run it. Looks like I may have her in the hobby before too long. Great weekend! She also got me an Atlas front runner and a new billboard while we were there.... She kept trying to add more and more stuff, but I turned it down due to a rapidly shrinking wallet. I am definatley going to marry this girl!!!!!
Guppyman, you have a real treasure there in that girl. Do everything possible to keep her. Marry her!!!
Anybody catch the ad in the new MR? B'man says that the new F7 locos have improved gears. I still can't get past the huge gap for the front coupler. Eric
I think it's way cool that you and your wife to be have a hobby you can share together. That will make for a long and wonderful life together, congrats. My wife isn't interested yet, but my grandson spends every minute by my side, it's great.
Do not totally give up on Bachmann products, they do have a few good ones. As for the F-units, I haven't heard of them "creeping" before....my own usually do warp 10 around the track-LOL Usually though, excess grease is the culprit with Bachmann. I have at least 2 of the older F-units from the early 80's and they still run. Russ
