I have run this engine for extended periods of time on my home layout and at our NTrak shows. It's every bit as good a puller as my traction-tire equiped Kato's, right out of the box. The factory installed decoder was also much appreciated (my Mikado's are still DC due to the fear-inspiring decoder tutorials). The engine is beautifully detailed and has quieted down to Kato levels after a rather extended break in period. I don't know how other folks have fared, but I remain a very happy camper.
Ditto, although I never figured out the correct MT coupler conversion. Easily fixed by grinding out a coupler pocket. Right now it, and the Bachmann 2-8-0s, are the only steamers in regular service on my mainline.
I have to send mine back. It operated well when it operated. First time I ever had to send a locomotive back.
I love my Bachmann steamers - the 4-8-2 has been awesome. I really like the built-in decoder. Hopefully they'll do the same with the 2-8-0 and the 2-6-6-2. I think that Bachmann has done more to promote N scale steam than any other manufacturer. The Kato Mikado is nice, but converting to DCC is challenging to say the least. I have several of the Heavy Mountains and Connies and have been very pleased with all of them. I know Bachmann gets a lot of grief sometimes, but I'm a happy customer.
Kudos! A positive thread about the 4-8-2, more so a Bachmann product. I am still on the look out for a few more of their generic short passenger cars for my commuters. Mark
And the 4-8-2 Light Mountain isn't a slouch, especially when it comes to detailing. There are pretty easy fixes that increase its pulling power. I've been very happy with that loco too.
Don't forget the Mikado! I, too, am a fan of Bachmann. Back in the early '80s, someone published an article on repowering the 2-8-2 with a Sagami motor and flywheel (I can't recall the author or find the magazine). When I discovered that the repowered unit ran the same speed as my Trix FM H-44-10, I couldn't resist the temptation - I dropped the switcher into a Vandy tender and doubled my pulling power. To this day, it purrs and pulls towns into the next county. Like fireman Jose says (that's him on the footplate), "Don' need no steenkin' traction tires!" I'm with Jose. Scott
If the heavy Mountain had been offered with the SP tender, as it was in HO, I would have bought one. The size required for the decoder may have eliminated the SP model in N Scale. Ben
I also like the one I have ... takes time to break-in properly; but it runs great ... now I only have to figure out how to configure to look like a Great Northern P2 Class Mountain ...:tb-err:
B-MANN Well gents think about this: I bought an KATO GS -4 daylite a little while back,It kept throughing TT, tired of messing with it! So I took the body an tender off!! and mounted them on an Bachmann heavy mountain 4-8-4 Problem solved,no problems sence!! It is just as quite as the Kato was!! JIM
Do you mean the pilot or tender? I haven't done the pilot on mine yet, but I body mounted what I think is a 2004, (I found a loose coupler in my parts box), on the tender. I've just been talking on the McHenry coupler thread about the late, lamented MTL conversion kits of years past, they'd have sold by the carload if they'd done them for the 2-8-0. My heavy mountain ran so well I got a second and am considering a third, but a roster can't consist solely of 4-8-2's, I'd love to see Bachmann try their hand at a heavy pacific.
I hope someone out there that is a B&O fan can come up with some ideas on converting this to a T-3 or T-4 Mountain...
I was also impressed by mine, it's featured in the current episode of Reality Reduced (http://realityreduced.blip.tv/). I have two minor complaints, the factory tender coupler is a bit high on mine, I need to swap out for a Micro-Trains. I wish they made it easier to do that. Second, the blue wires. I mean, blue? Plus, mine drag on the rails so I need to pin them up somehow, not sure how to do that yet. The wires should have been black, and should have been a little shorter.
Please tell me about the 2-8-0 ! Wow - I sit here with blinders on, waiting for the re-engineering of the MP 2-6-0 and somehow missed the Bachmann 2-8-0. It's gorgeous! I've been considering getting rid of my brass 2-8-0s (old-fashioned single-side pickup doesn't like plastic frogs) and - other than not offering a Vanderbilt tender - the BM 2-8-0 sounds like the replacement unit. Pete or anyone with a BM 2-8-0, would you tell us how it operates for you? Smooth and quiet? Any stutter on turnouts? Easy conversions to MTL couplers front and rear? I gotta quit dozing off! Scott
....aka Rip Van Winkle.... Scott.. The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 is one of the best examples of N scale steam available. It and the Kato Mikado were the benchmarks before the recent influx of good steam. I have 4 personally and every one of them runs perfect. Some have had bad luck with them out of the box so it is a try before you buy loco, especially with the earlier runs. Bachmann's QC was spotty on the first batch. More recent runs have had better quality control. They pull well out of the box and will pull better with age. The one I have that has been run the most will pull 65 average cars without slip on a level folded dogbone. The train is almost chasing it's tail. They are geared very low, will crawl a tie at a time and run very smooth. They are DCC ready and have provisions for a hardwired decoder in the boiler.
Tony, thanks for the quick reply and photo - nice shot! Yes, this may be the loco I've been waiting for, even without an oil tender. Did you add MTL couplers? Did you use MTL 2004 and 1015? Since I have no full-service LHS in the area, I'm a little concerned about your quality control warning, but I'll figure out something. Thank you! Scott
Bachmann's warranty is very good. If it's not right, send it back, they will repair or send you a new one without any problems. Even if it takes two tries to get one right, they are still an excellent value and worth the effort. Find somebody you trust that will test run for you before you buy. If you are willing to take a chance and do a little work on your own, they can be had on Ebay in the $60 range. I have picked up quite a few that were supposedly DOA or had problems and could fix every one of them in less than 5 minutes. Usually a screw loose or the tender drawbar pick-up wires arranged wrong on the truck.
