Plea for Bachmann to rerun 2-8-0

rogergperkins Jan 17, 2016

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  1. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

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    I have two of these locomotives from the early Spectrum introduction. They are both B&O and item number 81154. I hired dcc with sound installed in both of them. They are two of my most favorite steam locomotives.
    I especially like them because of their smooth performance.
    From a modeling perspective, they are not exact replicates of the 2-8-0s that B&O ran on the Springfield Division which ran from Beardstown via Flora to Shawneetown, IL, however they are close enough for my purposes.
    Oddly, the dcc version that was introduced somewhat latter did not seem to live up to my expectations based on these earlier ones. Hopefully, the intervening experience would bring forth an excellent n-scale model.
     
  2. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    The 2-8-0 is a great loco, too bad it is not even offered anymore. I would love to have a sound version
     
  3. ogre427

    ogre427 TrainBoard Member

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    I doubt Bachmann is going to rerun these locomotives while they are still in stock at retailers. There are at least four different consolidations still listed at one of the large Internet retailers that we are not allowed to mention on this forum.
     
  4. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

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    If, as ogre427 posted, there are still 2-8-0s in retailers' hands, the installation of dcc and sound seems rather straight forward especially with smaller decoders available now than when I have mine done.
     
  5. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

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    I have purchased two of these from online sources. The most recent one needs to be evaluated for dcc and sound now that I reinstalled the original tender.
    Unfortunately, the first one I purchased from an online dealer, would not run from day one on arrival. But that is another story which is apart of why I think Bachmann has an excellent customer relations and warranty policy.
     
  6. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

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    I am expecting with Bachmann HO 2-8-2 now on the market, that a n-scale version could be under consideration or in preparation. Again size for dcc for n-scale appears to be less of a challenge.
     
  7. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

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    This is not a good video, but it does provide a sample of the locomotive with dcc and sound installed.
     
  8. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    It would be great if Micro-Trains, Intermountain, Fox Valley Models or Kato would put out a 2-8-0.

    My N scale 2-8-0's gave up the ghost with broken gears. I'd rather see something new from a different provider.
     
  9. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am curious as to whether those were the originals with the Wooten firebox, or the later newer versions put out by Bachamnn.
     
    BarstowRick likes this.
  10. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Great timing for this thread! I was just looking at my Bachmann 2-8-0's and extra tenders. I got six of them (locomotives). Three are DCC equipped; one is labeled "DCC Ready" and two are apparently older Spectrum models from the initial 2001 release. Of the extra tenders I have one that is labeled "DCC Ready". So my questions are as follows:

    1. What is the difference in the tenders between "DCC Ready" and the original Spectrum tenders with no mention of DCC? I want to use these tenders in place of the original ones and add DCC and sound to the tenders.

    2. I want to convert the locomotives to DCC but mount the DCC board in the tender. Do I need to isolate the motor or is it already isolated?

    3. Is the ESU Lok sound decoder the preferred decoder to use?

    4. What is the preferred speaker?
     
  11. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    This was a problem on a lot of Bachmann early products. The PCC, Brill streetcars, the F7 (in all its configurations, Spectrum, Bachmann Plus, etc.). Haven't heard of this problem in the steamers that were produced since the 2001 Connie (or the newer diesels).
     
  12. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sorry....cant help myself...;)

    But I closed my eyes while playing the video. Then it dawned on me....sounds like an old Pinto with a rod knocking....blown head gasket.... idling....just before it blows up....:LOL::p
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2016
  13. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    I think that either tender will work on a first run loco as there are no wires between the loco and tender . As long as the drawbar contacts are touching the post you should be OK .
    The motor is already isolated . I did a dcc install on a first run and there are wires for both motor brushes . I also did a complete gut job on a DCC installed loco / tender to put a better decoder in the tender .
    I'll probably go with an Econami when I do the sound install , but a Lok sound or a TSU 750 should also fit .
    I used a 1/2" round Digitrax speaker and enclosure on the 2-10-2 I did . It sounds OK , but I've heard better ......
     
  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Does it really matter? The end result seems to always be the same.
     
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  15. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    All the early Bmann steam and diesel had cracked gears as the cause of their failure. If this was one of the new versions of the 2-8-0 then it would appear that the problem is back and there are going to be more failures. The gas electric released in 1998 was the last one to have the gear problem I thought. The 2-8-0 current edition was released in 2001 marking the newer designed mechanisms which should have resolved the gear issue. If not then the issue is still there and all of the newer releases since then are ticking time bombs just waiting for ten years or so to roll around to fail.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2016
  16. Maletrain

    Maletrain TrainBoard Member

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    I have 3 of these and intend to put sound decoders in them, hopefully with better back-emf capability than the original Lenz decoder used by Bachmann.

    So, I am intersted in recommendations for sound decoders and compatible speakers for this tender, which is much like the tenders on a lot of Bachmann and other manufacturers tenders for similar sized locos.

    Steve
     
  17. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I got 2 from 2001 and now 15+ years later there are no cracked gears. Maybe it would help if when describing the Bachmann 2-8-0's to differentiate between the newer Spectrum models (2001 and later) and the older model. I have not heard of any of the newer Spectrum models (2001 and later) with the cracked gear problem. For those with the older (pre 2001) models whose gears have cracked NWSL had, at one time, replacement gears for sale.
     
  18. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Mine is a first run loco....runs great
     
  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a friend who owns two 2-8-0's in HO and they are down and out for the count. My two in N scale are sitting on the workbench.

    I don't care what generation they came from the reputation earned by the infamous toy manufacturer is holding to be as true today as it was in many of my yesterdays. It's been said by others that they will tear themselves apart just running around your layout. That can't be good news.

    Waiting for the other shoe to fall for those of you who are still able to operate yours. Sigh!
     
  20. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry to hear of your problems. My stable of Bachmann steam, all of which is post 2001, performs reliably. No I don't expect them to run for an infinity. But then I don't expect my car or the dishwasher to do that either. Heck, I don't expect that I will will be here much longer either. As far as the comment, "...they will tear themselves apart just running around your layout" that can be said of any locomotive be it Atlas, Kato or even LifeLike. We have witnessed the rebirth of the old 60's companies with new tooling, new designs and far better engines. LifeLike, Model Power and yes, Bachmann have upped their game. So it is not the same old, same old anymore.

    By the way, who were these others who said, "they will tear themselves apart just running around your layout"? I don't recall reading that anywhere. Just curious.
     

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