Hi guys! Question for you maybe someone can help me with? I have been wanting to purchase a Bachmann N&W 4-8-4 J steamer for quite some time now in n scale. My question would be is the older version of the steam engine any good compared to the latest or newest release? I have a chance to buy the older version and am wondering if they are problem childs or do they run fairly well? I was considering just buying the newest version that Bachmann released to be safe since they seem to run well but I can get the older version for half the price..... Do any of you have thoughts on the older version? Is the older J steamer version worth purchasing or should I just go buy the latest version? Any input as to your experiences with the older version of this steam engine is appreciated. Thanks! Wayne
Get the new one, the old one looks like a toy in comparison. The new ones run much better too. I've owned the 1st Bachmann version, a Sunset brass version, and now I have two of the new Bachmann versions - the new one is better by far than both the old one and the brass one. Mark
The thing I would encourage you to do is perform a search here on TrainBoard or anyother website. There are a number of threads that talk about this very subject. Like you I have questions and will do my homework first by looking back into previous threads to see what's been said. Your homework, would teach you the answer is NO! It's a piece of junk. You'd be better off with the newest run. But then I never liked doing homework as a kid and I resent the WELL out of it today. I personally think kids have to much homework and the teachers aren't doing their job at school. Yes, I know another topic for another thread on another website. Anyway, take a look below this posting or the last posting here and you will find reference's to other threads. This will help you to get a bird's eye view of how others feel about the first runs. Junk...my friend....junk. STAY AWAY from the old stuff and go out and purchase a new one. Serious, real serious.
Thanks guys for all your input! You just confirmed what I had already thought. Sometimes a deal on something isnt necessarily a deal. I had one of the older Bachmann 4-8-4 Northerns which had a lot of issues and needless to say it went back to Bachmann's service department and I got the new version of it in return. I am very pleased with the new version and it performs very well. Likewise I will purchase the new version of the Bachmann N&W J steamer also to alleviate any issues I may have with the older one. Thanks again guys for all the input,help and advice! It is very much appreciated! Wayne
Bachmann (China) 4-8-4 Class J For the price, it depends if you want a 1980's shelf queen or a 2006 runner. Not sure if Bachmann QC gets better over time?
