Seeking thoughts on the Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2

SteamDonkey74 Feb 28, 2013

  1. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have read Spookshow's review of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2. I am curious as to what other people think of it in terms of running characteristics also (though I do appreciate the thoroughness of your review, Mark, Bachmann QC variability has me checking a wider sample). I have my own settings I apply to stock Bachmann decoders to get them to run better on my set-up, but I'd like to know how well it says on the track, how well it runs for people, what its pulling power is like.

    I am also looking at adaptability to other roads, such as making a reasonable facsimile of either an SP or GN 2-10-2 out of it. If anyone has any suggestions on that, please pass them along. I may also decide that it's a TATR (home road) locomotive.

    Thanks in advance for your help,
    Adam
     
  2. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    A decent running loco I only wish they had come out with the heavier version though. Mine is now set aside for a possible conversion to either the Q or the GN. Anything GN requires a Belpaire for most locos with a few exceptions like the P-2 and S-2. To that end I either fabricate my Belpaires out of stock styrene or a casting as I did with the 4-4-2 conversion. GN had both standard and vandy tenders on thiers so a little research would be in order for the correct road number based on which tender one uses. The 2-10-4 is also rolling around in my mind and I already have trailing trucks to adapt the mechanism and some of the other parts such as a feedwater heater. Doing either one will mean moving or adding some appliances. Changing out the tenders is not a big deal using another Bmann tender for a replacement. Doing the SP though would appear to be the least trouble and they appear to have had both the Vandy and standard tenders applied.
     
  3. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have the big GN steam loco book, so I thought I would flip through there for inspiration. Most GN conversions include the Belpaire issue. I have been searching for photos of SP locomotives online. I may just say it's my fictional Tillamook and Astoria line.

    When you say you wish they had a heavier version, do you mean that its pulling power suffers or that you wish they'd done the Heavy Santa Fe prototype instead of the Light Santa Fe?
     
  4. Norway2112

    Norway2112 TrainBoard Member

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    The spectrum 2-10-2 is a small engine and the drivers are way to small for it to fill in for an SP F-class. If you really wanted an SP 2-10-2 the better starting point would be the ConCor version or kitbash a Kato Mikado. There is a guy who posts on her eunder the name "Superturbine" who is currently working on producing brass frames to adapt a Kato Mikado into a 2-10-2.
     
  5. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Adam,
    the Bachmann light USRA 2-10-2 is a fine model, and it pulls relatively well for its size. As a starting point for other 2-10-2's (or 2-10-4), it is very limited because of its driver size...it represents a 57" drivered loco, and would be appropriate for an "early" Santa Fe type like ATSF 900 classes. IMHO, it's too small to represent later, more modern 2-10-2's which typically came within an inch of 63", like SP F classes etc. In summary, a very nice model of a specific prototype. I own four of them and love them all.
    Regards, Otto K.
     
  6. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    No I just would have liked to have had the heavy 2-10-2 which would have been a bit bigger boiler. The light version sort of limits my options to the class of 2-10-2s Q-2 class that the GN rebuilt from the P-1 Mountains. Both classes had 63 inch drivers and the driver size of the Bmann is not big enough for them but I may end up compromising. However for now it sits since maybe Bmann will follow up with a heavier version with larger drivers and if not I can live with them.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2013
  7. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    With the driver size issue, I am thinking this will make a fine Tillamook and Astoria Terminal Railway "coudabin" locomotive. I have been thinking of getting one of these for a while and I may just pull the trigger on an undec. My daughter Lucy (also here on TB now) might have fun helping me do a little customization to it. Maybe we'll give it a Vanderbilt Tender, for example.

    So what I am hearing is that while they have some Bachmann QC issues at times that none of them are hard to overcome (Spookshow mentions giving a screw or two a couple of tightenings) and that these are decent models overall.
     
  8. TrainsNTractors

    TrainsNTractors TrainBoard Member

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    Do you really want a 2-10-2 or just a good running steam engine? For the money I think the Bachmann Heavy Mountain is a better loco. Runs great and pulls better than the 2-10-2.
     
  9. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dan,

    Part of this whole thing is the gee-golly factor. Lucy saw one of these in a video and I think she just liked that it had so many driver wheels. I will present the 4-8-2 as another option.

    Adam
     
  10. mr.dean

    mr.dean TrainBoard Member

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    I have a Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 and I have to say that so far I love it. It seems to just fine. Nice details. Mine is DCC and IMHO you will need to adjust the CVs a little. I have run it a good bit on my local club's layout, which is predominately flat. I haven't tried pulling more than 20 cars with her but she handles that pretty well. The center driver has no flange, so it allows the engine to handle much sharper corners than it would if it did. I have not had any derailment issues at all. I would have liked to have seen traction tires on it just because... or maybe an added bit of weight from the manufacturer. Otherwise I don't think you will be disappointed overall.
     
  11. mg_thomastx

    mg_thomastx TrainBoard Member

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    I have picked up 2 of the Spectrum 2-10-2's and really enjoy them. They perform much better than the ConCor 2-10-2 I have and team up nicely with the Heavy Mountains. I still run DC and was pleasantly surprised the 2-10-2 would double head ok with the heavy mountain. The things all ready have 2 sets of traction tires on them you want a third set? I pretty much gone over to an alll USRA roster thanks to Bachmann and Kato.

    Mark


     
  12. kmcsjr

    kmcsjr TrainBoard Member

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    I like all of my Bachmann steam, I have one of most of them, so I will only speak to the QC variability. I have had bad locos, from Bmann, but EVERY time, they have made good on a repair. This can't be said for every manufacturer. Just my 2 cents.
     
  13. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had a different idea about Bachmann customer service earlier today because I have been trying to get return authorization through their site for weeks to send back my On30 2-6-6-2 that had self-destructing side-rods recently, but just today I bugged them again and a real person (Laura) got back to me and gave me the info I need to send it in.

    It sounds like these, like most spectrum products, are a good bet. Bachmann has come a long way on a lot of this stuff.

    Adam
     
  14. Mike Madonna

    Mike Madonna TrainBoard Member

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    I second that.....
     
  15. mr.dean

    mr.dean TrainBoard Member

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    Mark... my bad. I must have been thinking about the 2-6-6-2 I just got from them. That one has no traction tires... the 2-10-2 does on the 2nd and 4th drivers! I guess senility is setting in!
     
  16. x600

    x600 TrainBoard Member

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    Adam, Don't give it any more thought and get Lucy the engine!
    After seeing them carrying out stuff at Monroe, they should both get at least a Challenger!
     
  17. mg_thomastx

    mg_thomastx TrainBoard Member

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    I picked up a copy of the H-4 2-6-6-2 too a couple months a go. Ended up trying some bullfrog snot on it and some of the light mountains I have which really helped with the traction.

    Bachmann really has come a long ways with their steam engine quality and design. Twenty years ago I had sworn I would never buy another Bachmann steamer after buying their 1st version
    of the J but that has definitely changed now.

    Mark
     
  18. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Can anyone tell me what length the loco-and-tender "wheelbase" is, the distance from the front pilot wheel to the last tender wheel? I am sizing a custom turntable. I was figuring on 70-80 feet, but I want to be sure I have it covered.
     
  19. ZEEFANATIC

    ZEEFANATIC TrainBoard Member

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    Just happen to have mine out for a spin. Measures 6 3/8" or 85' from front of pilot wheel to back of rear tender wheel.

    Wayne
     
  20. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for the dimension, Wayne! I can see I am going to have to up-size my turntable slightly to accommodate it. :)

    Adam
     

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