I wanted to report on the new Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation. At the GATS Show in Louisville Kentucky, my club ran the wheels off of at least 4 of the engines. They ran all weekend, with little or no problems. The key thing was to run the engine at various speeds while letting it break itself in. Converting to DCC was no problem, one of the club members did 2 engines, using LENZ DCC units, in about a 1/2 hour total for both engines. Now if MICRO TRAINS would produce a front coupler conversion for the Consol, like they did for the KATO mikado, we would be all set. You can put a front coupler on the Consol, but it requires a little cutting and fitting. I think that Bachmann has a winner here. Now we'll see if Bachmann will keep the ball rolling, and give KATO a run for their money.
Thanks Mark, sound great! Even though I model the modern era, I would like one of those to run on my railroad. (I could find an excuse) Let us hope more steam locomotives are produced, they are needed!
Challenger Hobbie's site is recommending dropping Bachmann an email telling them how pleased you are with the consolidation - apparently there is concern that some of the negative comments the 2-8-0 received initially may impact the future of steam releases in N from the B-mann. web page No affiliation with Challenger or Bachmann - courtesy post only
Well im leaning towards modleing the modern erra myself but,, My plans for haveing a couple steamers around is the excuse that some local historical society has restored the steamers and offer a train ride on a steam powered locos Of course Im still in the planning stages all I have set up right now is a 4X6 foot sheet of ply wood and a 24 in. X 36 in. oval . Next finacial wind fall calls for finding the styrafoam sheets or layers, for the ply wood is partical board. [ 04 February 2002, 21:04: Message edited by: Wolv_Cub ]
It's amazing how FEW complimentary letters a manufacturer actually gets from the buying public. When a customer is happy with a product, he keeps it to himself, but when he is unhappy ... he tells it to the WHOLE WORLD! Please, those of you who are happy with the Bachmann Consolidation .... TELL THEM, and in GREAT BIG LETTERS!!! We N-Scalers need many more excellent Steamers!
I also model the modern era but when those 2-8-0's came into the shop I tested one out and just HAD to have it. I now have a steam powered dinner train for my still yet to be named railroad layout.
This is just the news I've been waiting to hear !! I need two consols on my layout, so tomarrow, I'm orderin' two !! John [ 05 February 2002, 04:51: Message edited by: JCater ]
