I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these engines? I know this is not going to be a kato, but are there any real big issues with these engines?
I just answered it on Atlas but I will repost here for you. If you are talking the Spectrum, it's not a Kato, it's better. They pull better than a Mikado and have much better detail. If it is the older cardboard box version, although good for it's time, it's nowhere near the Spectrum version. Bachmann's QC isn't quite as good as Kato but when you get a good one, they are very good. The early production runs have more than their fair share of QC issues, more recent runs have been pretty much trouble free. As with all Steam, test run before you buy if possible unless you are comfortable tinkering. I have 4 of these, all will pull 40 plus cars without a struggle. One with a probably 10 hours of runtime has pulled 68 until I ran out of track on the test loop. They get better with age. They are geared nice and slow and run very smooth. The primary QC issue to look for is the drawbar wiper wires displaced on the tender truck, an easy fix. It can happen in rough handling and is the cause of a lot of used loco's complaining of bad pickup.
As Tony said, The spectrum version is an awesome steamer. I run several, and they are the best pullers I have. Very nice detail, very smooth and strong running. The early standard version (non spectrum) is not bad, but, definatly dated, and can not compete in these days.. The spectrum version, also like said will rival the Kato Mike. I run the Kato too, and to be honest, I love the Kato Mike, AND the Spectrum consolidation equally (even tho also like said, the spectrum will out pull the Kato hands down.)
Ditto everything what Skipgear and others say about this terrific loco. I bought my first one untested one evening on the way home from work. Just because I refused to believe that Bachmann would make such a good model, and on the word of my LHS owner. When I got it home, it didn't come off my layout for months. I ran it virtually everyday and grew to a deep love. Then later I purchased about 10 more for $69.95 plus additional special discounts from a local LHS, and now they commonly go for this price at woo woo woo Kleins, MicroMark, and other mail order places. They are worth much more in both detail, proportion and performance. They are quiet, smooth, and powerful, and can pull a full grown Mack truck through a mud ditch. After I ran them awhile, I did a complete attempted unbiased comparison between my favorite all time loco, the ConCor Kato Hudson and this Spectrum Steamer. Overall the Spectrum outdid any and all of my 20 Hudsons in every category. If you want to see something terrific, check the headlight, which is mounted on its plate, and seperated from the boiler, as opposed to the molded in headlights on everything else, and second that little gold dot has lettering on it!!! It is like writing on the head of a pin. The valve gear action is worth writing home about, and to top it off, it is protected by one of the better warranty and repair programs in our hobby. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman But what got me is the the
I purchased a Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation on-line in 2005 but don't remember if it was a standard or a spectrum. The original box is long gone. It had a DCC decoder added to it but has never been run :ru-embarrassed:. Is there any way to tell (other than running it) if it's a spectrum. See ya Switchman
The original (non-Spectrum) is a model of a Reading engine. It is a large robust appearing engine with a very large firebox designed to burn anthracite (hard coal) and over-sized boiler. The Spectrum is a model of a USRA engine. It has a normal looking bituminous (soft coal) firebox and smaller boiler, similar to the Kato Mike or MP Pacific. Other than that, you would have to run it. The Spectrum runs immediately, slowly, and smoothly, whereas the original has to be prodded, poked, sworn at, then runs much faster...if at all! If not, just put it back in the roundhouse or ready track where it will sit and "look pretty".
I have at least three, maybe four. The Spectrums are fine. If it wobbles, there is an easy fix. If something more serious, Bachmann has a good repair policy and if under warranty will generally replace the engine rather than repair it. I am happy with the engine and would not hesitate to purchase more of them. The traction tires are a big plus and so is the pickup in the tender. They do, however, require a several hour break in period for good running. Before each placement on your road, make sure the traction tires have not slipped the wheel. If so, it is easy to reattach.
Huge differences between the standard and the spectrum consolidations. The biggest difference via "eyes" is the detail. The standard is no where near the detail as the spectrum. But, the quickest and easiest to tell if you have no way to see both to compare detail is the shape of the cabin windows. The standard cabin window is arched at the top. The spectrum window is not (rectangular).
I was thinking on a vandy tender for it and was wondering what the best option is. Are there any "better" than Bachman? Hopefully I won't have to go brass...
MRL, here are two photo comparisons of the Spectrum 2-8-0 and the original Bachmann 2-8-0. In the upper photo the Spectrum is on the left and the original is on the right. In the lower photo the Spectrum is in front and the original is nearer the camera. Also, the original has pizza cutter flanges, but the Spectrum has smaller flanges.
For those of you who have the Spectrum 2-8-0, can you tell me how long (in inches or mm, whichever is handy) the tender is? Do you know if this tender the same as the medium USRA tender from Bachmann? (It looks like it from the photos). I'd like to get a couple of these and number/letter them for the NKP, which kept a few around for local jobs into the 50's. Thanks! John C.
The Spectrum tender is 2.34" from the front of the coal deck above the drawbar to the rear of the rear cross member above the coupler. This measurement does not include the drawbar or the coupler. Also, this measurement is for the B&M model shown in the photo. Tender length for other models may be different.
Most people wrote off Bachmann before the 2-8-0 came out. I must say that when I first heard of its performance I didn't believe it. Then a guy brought one to our Christmas set up. Our club set up in an HO club. They had just moved into their new quarters and their layout wasn't ready. So we set up our modules. Everyone watched in awe as that little 2-8-0 pulled 40 cars plus one of those shorty Bachmann passenger cars with the lights. The thing rolls like a sled. That settled it, everyone in the club ordered one and we made some converts from the HO guys too. Now Bachmann has different tenders and I'm tempted to get one of those shorty short ones.
Well I ordered mine this afternoon!!! Looking for a vandy tender for it. UP 423 is what the steam engine will become, vandy tender and all. This rests in Gering NE. I will try to take some shots of the engine. There is a fence around and it makes picture taking more difficult.:tb-mad:
Looked on the Bmann site and $37 for a tender. it has 3 axle trucks instead of the 2. The tender looks like a SP tender... I will try to get pictures of the tender in a few days and maybe someone can help me.
