I was wondering on how the quality of the steam engines were? I have been noticing that bachmann is really the only one that makes steam. I do have 2 kato 2-8-2 but want more of a varity. I like the 2-8-0 the 2-6-2 2-6-0 that bachmann offers. And othersI am forgeting lol. These will be ran on my home layout only People at the club would yell at me for buying bachman. I am just wondering on experience on how the quality is and how well they run. I wanted to buy the santa fe one to pull my 8 hevie weight passenger cans. Let me know thank you all. kenny.
Bachmann is doing a lot better now, that is, within the past 10 years, since they got serious with HOBBY quality products. The Spectrum line was the real key to the resurgence of Bachmann as a serious player in the model railroad hobby. They have since implemented the Spectrum quality into the other 'standard' Bachmann line. The quality of the product is not quite as good as Kato (IMHO), but even Kato hasn't been perfect with their steamers. The steamers are a difficult product to make and are frought with potential problems that require great quality control. I'm an owner of about 30 Bachmann steamers... most of them are Spectrum 2-8-0, 4-8-2 light & 4-8-2 heavy. I have problems with some of them... yet most are pretty good runners after some break-in time. The biggest problem has to do with the valve-gear and rods not being quite aligned correctly (a bit loose, sloppy motion). Others may be concerned with the motor (mostly 3 pole skewed IIRC), but, I haven't really seen a problem with that motor (maybe 5 pole would make them better???). The amount of detail added by Bachmann is really great... they certainly didn't skimp too much there... though I think the modeler will have to adjust for changes their particular road may have versus the one that Bachmann chose to create (even USRA models differ from road to road after being 'shopped').
Any new steam by Bachmann is excellent as well as the 44 and 70 ton diesels and the GP7, even the recent runs of the 2-6-2/0-6-0 are greatly improved over the old junk we used to associate with Bachmann. If that is your club's attitude toward Bachmann and Bachmann owners I'd seriously look for a new club or tell them to get out more, Bachmann over the last few years has become a manufacturer whose new release announcements are among the most eagerly awaited.
Since the release of the newer 2-8-0 Bmann has shown a steady improvement in the details and running quality of it's steam and the newer diesels. That said there is still some stuff out there that needs to be reworked. The many times redesigned 4-8-4 mechanism for a start along with a wore out Shell. They reworked the original N&W J which was a fine model in the older version and made it better with yet a new mechanism design and tender pick-up. One of those mechanisms is under the recently finished GN S1 that I did after the standard 4-8-4 mechanism fell apart. Unfortunately the split axle design of the standard 4-8-4 is the biggest issue to what could be a fine loco. Once the wheels start to come loose from the plastic it becomes a parts box queen. The new heavy mountain has the potential to be the new chassis for the 4-8-4s once they fire out how to retro a 4 wheel trailing truck and extend the firebox some possibly. The heavy mountain has the pulling power and weight to handle those passenger cars and I would reccomend it over the iffy 4-8-4. You may get one that will perform great or will develope the issue with the drivers later.
Bachmann and excellent are not synonymous. Not yet! However, they have improved significantly. Still the adage, "Let the buyer beware" applies here. Caution: There is a bunch of old stuff still hanging around in internet and LHS's. You need to give the equipment a visual check and test track it before you buy it. Also, know the LHS you are purchasing from and make sure you know the return policy. A fellow model rail got skunked here recently when he purchased what he thought was a brand new HO "B" J4 from a well advertised internet resource. They wouldn't take it back and "B" couldn't fix it. Heck, they can't even send him a make-up unit to his correct address. So... be very careful about what you purchase and who from. You need to know I'm happy with my Bachmann steamers but most have required some work, of some type, before I could run them.
Pretty much ditto everyone else here. The latest Bachmann products have definitely grabbed my attention... Your club mates would benefit from exchanging those vested subjective opinions for some up to date objective views.
Double ditto. The Spectrum 2-8-0 (Consolidation) is right up there with the best steamers, if not the best. The problem on occasion with this and other N steam is quality control. Do not hesitate to contact the seller or Bachmann if you get a "lemon". The favorite handy-dandy reference: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/locos.html
Thanks all for the support. I didn't think bachmann was as bad as erveryone thinks. ant its not not club itself saying in bad just two ppl out of it. Other than that everyones very nice there and they deal both ho and n guage. What dose every one think of there 2-6-2 and the 0-6-0 new ones will be needing switching engines. My father had a 0-6-0 and the weels kept coming off the axels all the time. thanks kenny
Well with Bmann its hit or miss. I have three Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locos and I have no issues with them what's so ever. However I had some of they're diesel locos and I had nothing but coffee grinders. Now the newer diesels are built better.
Just as a side comment, if you're looking for more variety in steam locomotives, Model Power also makes 4 different ones, 2-8-2, 4-6-2, 2-6-0, and 4-4-0. I know there was a lot of warranted criticism of their stuff 7-8 years ago (+/-), but I think their more recent production received better reviews. http://www.modelpower.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=50 Ed
Tell you the truth I never really cared for model power. I have a bunch on ho cars form them had nothing but trouble with them I changed the trucks totally on them and it seamed to help. But I don't know about there n scale stuff. maybe its better. thanks kenny
Unfortunately I need to dampen the spirits here... I bought a 4-8-4 and a 0-6-0 from bachmann a few years ago, and as time passed, they kind of became nightmare for me. none of them run any longer, in fact I have dismantled the 0-6-0 to use the motor and the gears to make some scratchbuilt mechanisms, and I am hoping to find a project to use the 4-8-4 parts too - utter disappointment... I took an oath not to buy any bachmann loco ever... said that, I have been reading about the improvements bachmann has made over the years and noticed that more and more people are talking about their new runs to be way above expectation. After I noticed those feedback for a long time in different communities, I decided to give bachmann a chance one last time - but not with steamers. I have ordered an SD-45 recently (new run) and waiting for it to arrive... i'm really anxious to place it on the track and run it as soon as I get hold of it. But, this is the very last chance - if this doesn't work, I don't think I will ever get the courage back to try another bachmann again!
Nimo, I hope you have good luck with the SD45.......I have 4 of them and after fiddling with the gauge on the wheels, I've been pleased with them. But I have to second Westfalen.........the 4-8-4 and 0-6-0 are 2 Bachmann designs than have been around since the 70's . The newer ones have improvements, but the basic design hasn't changed in 30 years. The 2 models you mention are not Spectrum line locos, which are the "good" ones. Also, virtually all the model trains are coming out of one factory right now...and the company that owns the factory owns Bachmann........which might explain why Bachmann is improving by leaps and bounds and expanding their lineup, while everyone else is struggling with late deliveries. It only makes sense to give your own company a heads up over other companies who are using your factory.
The 2-6-2 or 2-6-0 or 0-6-0 all share the same mechanism which has been vastly improved. The negative side? The same old shell and only the front tender truck has pick-up, which is at least some improvement over the pick-up of the former versions and thus better running. Unfortunately the 4-8-4 is still a lemon. It has a good motor and great weight and when they run they can pull a ton. Unfortunately they still have the split axle design which after awhile, or sometimes sooner, tend to have the drivers come loose and spin freely throwing the entire system in a bind. In fact one of mine actually bound so bad and suddenly that it kinked the drive rod. The J version is a totally different mechanism design and the newest version of the J has made even more improvements. How do you know if you are looking at the new version? The pilot has a swing out coupler and wiring between the tender and loco. The older J did not have tender pick-up. Thus the J has slowly become my mechanism of choice for a 4-8-4. All the better Bmann steam now has tender pick-up of some form.
I looked at a diagram and I did nitice that the axels are on piece now. I probley get one and try it I can always put a new motor in it if I have to I mainly going to use them for some switching so they should last a while. kenny.
Thanks guys... it's a very interesting information for me that the company that owns bachmann also makes locos for other companies. That does explain why they improved so much so soon... any idea which other brands they make products for? Well, given all the feedback I am seeing, I am definitely hopeful that the sd45 is going to change my mind and put bachmann back in my radar again. I would have been sold on bachmann totally by now, if I wouldn't have noticed the negative feedback on some of their latest runs in the online shop that usually buy from (woo woo woo). These included 70 toner, spectrum 2-8-0, 2-6-6-2 and some more that I can't recall now. Another thing I noticed that many people mentioned that they had to return their bachmann loco once or twice before they got the one that runs properly. This tells me, that bachmann might have improved, but they are still inconsistent. it seems to me that buying a bachmann is like buying a box of chocolates... you never know what you gonna get next... and that's probably the reason why I am still not so sure even after seeing such great feedback. Anyway, the sd45 is on its way, and I seriously hope it turns out to be a pleasant experience. bachmann has one of the most exquisite line of steamers and I just don't want to miss on those... fingers crossed...
One thing I keep in mind when reading such reviews, particularly when the proportion of reviews and opinions is so heavily tilted the other way, is that there are some people who will never be satisfied.
