Just to give those that just purchased the new Bachmann 2-8-0 a little warning - I just received my 2-8-0 and it runs and looks every bit as good as the reviews but while breaking it in, the side rods (which hang low) got caught on the switch mechanism to an Atlas electric switch (Actually the little "nub" that you flip to manually switch it). It did the same thing on all my Atlas switches. I solved the problem by filing down the nubs. The siderods look really delicate so take the advice and check for clearance (Especially at station platforms and switches) before you do any damage to your new loco. Russ Hoffman Valley RR
I also want to add that these loco's DO NOT have flywheels, and will stop on a dime when they loose connection with the rails. I have 3 which I tried running without the tender (after DCC conversion) and they run very poorly. Once the tender is connected they run good again, but one of mine sometimes stalls while changing direction. (probably due to the drawbar connection) These locos could definetly benefit from a flywheel equipt motor.
I agree with that. They've made a great stride in the right direction though and hope to see some more affordable steam. If they had put a flywheel in it might have taken away that little bit of room that the decoder fits in so nicely. I think more people were concerned with converting them to DCC than anything else. Russ Hoffman Valley RR
