Bachmann locomotives

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


D

davidone

Well-Known Member
Are new Bachmann locomotives with dcc/sound worth having? How is the detail? Do they run smooth and quiet. How do they rate to other mfgs.

I'm not looking for scale trains detail but a moderate amount would do. What should I pay for a new Bachmann locomotive that is comparable to other mfgs.

I have heard from friends and other modelers that they have gotten much better over the last decade or so. True! False!

Who has the newer Bachmann diesel locomotives, do you like them, as good as some people say? Or worse!

Dave
 
The company launched its Spectrum line about 26-30 years ago already (geez, where does the time go?!?). It was an attempt to win a more loyal and appreciative share of the market, and for the most part it worked. Not fully because some of that line had problems. But it was a lot better than the unreliable toys they marketed beforehand, and a lot since. Then, for a reason I haven't seen published or guessed, they closed that line about 2010 or so and some felt they just decided to market mostly Spectrum quality locomotives. It quickly became evident that most offerings were old Spectrum models.

The most appreciated and respected Spectrum steamers were the exquisite 2-8-0, their Heavy Mountain 4-8-2, and their H-4 2-6-6-2. These were highly detailed, they had solid engineering and materials in them, they were heavy enough to haul a decent load, and they lasted. I haven't heard anything positive about their diesels and electric motors from that line....but neither was I interested...I was strictly steam. I did read of a few beefs over some of the diesels, and the E-33 was not especially well regarded....or so my memory tells me.
 


I have a GP40 with factory dcc-no sound and the decoder was a piece of junk. Replaced the decoder with a
NCE decoder-no sound and now it is a nice running, decently detailed engine.

Also have a GP40 with factory dcc/sound. The engine runs fine but the sound is marginal. Don't usually run
sound so it is not a big deal. May replace the decoder someday . Otherwise it is nice running engine.

Have a 2-8-0 Consolidation dcc with sound. Sound is pretty decent and engine is nicely detailed. Runs nicely.

Also have a GP38-2 and GP-40 that were given to me; needed some work and installed NCE dcc
decoders-no sound. Nice running engines.

Other than the gifted engines, the others have been purchased in the last 4 years. Have no qualms with
Bachmann engines-decently detailed, quiet and smooth running, for the price.
 
I've got a GP40-2 that I bought about 20 years ago. Decent and smooth running motor. Like the other have said, not the best detail, but I'm not fully into that either. Did have a problem with drive shaft coming off the rear gear box, and then the front gear box broke (related?). I was able to cannibalize another loco for parts, though, I could have bought new as the parts appeared to be available.

This loco is SLOW, though, compared to my others. If I wasn't running RailPro as my opp system, I don't think I could MU it with any other loco I have.
 
KB02 said:
I've got a GP40-2 that I bought about 20 years ago. Decent and smooth running motor. Like the other have said, not the best detail, but I'm not fully into that either. Did have a problem with drive shaft coming off the rear gear box, and then the front gear box broke (related?). I was able to cannibalize another loco for parts, though, I could have bought new as the parts appeared to be available.

This loco is SLOW, though, compared to my others. If I wasn't running RailPro as my opp system, I don't think I could MU it with any other loco I have.
Click to expand...
Part of that seems to be the chokes they install on their decoders, supposedly to comply with RF interference statutes.
 
I have a couple of their small (2-6-0, 4-4-0) steamers with sound I am very happy with. They look good and run well. I have a (2-10-0) that stopped and started and I determined it to have a loose connection. After disassembling and soldering the loose wire it doesn't run at all. Servicing locomotives is my very least favorite part of the hobby.
 


I had a bunch of early ho Bachmann and most were horrible but there were some that I really liked and someone said he liked the 2-8-0 and it was a great engine. But now I'm asking about modern bachmann. Friends and others have been telling me how much Bachmann has improved. I would like to know more.
If you have some modern Bachmann please respond and tell me why.
 
I tried to find similar images of the Bachmann and prototype to compare. Look at where the red stripe is on the radiators and windows. Notice the relationship between the windows and top of the hood, shape of dynamic brake blister, etc. For $280, I'd pick Scale Trains or even Athearn with their goofy step wells.
bmann67026.jpg
bmhq720.jpg
 
I have a GP-30 and a 4-6-0 steam locomotive. The GP30 eventually found out that the internal plastic part where of poor-quality material and broke apart. l and had to order a new inside frame with motor to save it since I put a lot of external detail work into it, The price for the part were not that bad and now I have an extra motor to re motor something else. The 2-6-0 motor brushes wore out, so I ordered a new motor since again I put a lot of work into it and install DCC sound. It had to be saved it also. But in the end, I would not ever buy Bachmann again. For diesel I'm staying with Kato or Athearn and if I want to spend the money I'm going with Bowser. For steam there's plenty of good used brass on eBay if you can paint and re motor them and so on. So not much luck with Bachmann...!
 
I have a pair of Bachmann DCC equipped RS3s. One of them is non-operable because the decoder went bad, you can't buy a replacement from Bachmann, and there are zero aftermarket choices. I have a 44 tonner with DCC that runs well, and a 2-6-0 with DCC that runs well. Then, I have a 2-8-0 that runs absolutely terrific--in reverse only. I have a GP38-2 with DCC and sound that runs and sounds great.
 
kjd said:
I tried to find similar images of the Bachmann and prototype to compare. Look at where the red stripe is on the radiators and windows. Notice the relationship between the windows and top of the hood, shape of dynamic brake blister, etc. For $280, I'd pick Scale Trains or even Athearn with their goofy step wells. View attachment 216045View attachment 216046
Click to expand...
I see it now. No way am I buying one of those.
 
davidone said:
I had a bunch of early ho Bachmann and most were horrible but there were some that I really liked and someone said he liked the 2-8-0 and it was a great engine. But now I'm asking about modern bachmann. Friends and others have been telling me how much Bachmann has improved. I would like to know more.
If you have some modern Bachmann please respond and tell me why.
Click to expand...
tell you what; stay away from modern Bachmann. They are asking too much for too little in return; the SD40-2 for example, $280 for something that’s not very realistic. At that point you could afford an Athearn one on Yankee Dabbler.

If you already have them, it’s OK, they run alright. I just wouldn’t buy any new models unless it’s their new Hudsons
 
bnsf wrote:
"I have a pair of Bachmann DCC equipped RS3s. One of them is non-operable because the decoder went bad, you can't buy a replacement from Bachmann, and there are zero aftermarket choices."

Are these HO?
If so...
Take the non-operable one.
Take the shell off.
Take a good, clear, well-lighted pic of the existing decoder/light board.

Then I'll come back and tell you what decoder to put into it.
 


bnsf971 said:
I have a pair of Bachmann DCC equipped RS3s. One of them is non-operable because the decoder went bad, you can't buy a replacement from Bachmann, and there are zero aftermarket choices. I have a 44 tonner with DCC that runs well, and a 2-6-0 with DCC that runs well. Then, I have a 2-8-0 that runs absolutely terrific--in reverse only. I have a GP38-2 with DCC and sound that runs and sounds great.
Click to expand...
I have never bought a decoder specific to a locomotive. Is there not space or is there a different reason only a specific decoder will work?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top