Anyone have a Bachmann HO 0-6-0 DCC engine, and if so, how are they?
I would like to get a newish model that is a little better than run-of-the-mill productions.
The Walthers is really nice, but it does not have a sloped tender, which is a deal-breaker, unless there is an easy and convenient way to swap tenders. (It looks like the tender is integral to the operation in the Walthers.)
Thanks in advance.
If your not in a hurry you might watch eBay for a MDC/Roundhouse 0-6-0. I bought a new MDC 0-6-0 Kit back in 1951 and it still runs better than a Bachmann that I bought about 10 years ago.
In 2013 I found a new in the box MDC Kit on eBay and sold my Bachmann. The old 0-6-0 cost $6.85 back in 1951, the 2013 0-6-0 cost $50 plus S&H.
The early MDC 0-6-0s were cast metal and much heaver than the Bachmann resulting in much better pulling power.
Both of my MDC 0-6-0s run great even using the original open frame motor, the both have Digitrax decoders.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
Thank you!
Regarding the connection between the loco and tender, is that how they originally connected, or did you modify them?
That’s a “Mel Modification” using double-row, rounded header socket strips. It’s a great way to make inexpensive homemade connections. You can also purchase multi-pin connectors (e.g. Miniatronics) but they are more expensive.
Tom
That’s a Mel DCC wiring job, I use the NMRA 8 pin connctors on all my locomotives.
This is the DCC connector on a Cab Forward.
This is an alternate Vandy tender for my 0-6-0s.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
I dont use DCC, but I have an MDC 0-6-0 also, from the '80s. I swapped in wheels and axles from Mantua for plated drivers, but the rest is MDC.
One of my favorite features of the MDCs is the double reduction gear built into the idler. That gives a nice slow switching speed. Plus, it lays the motor flat along the frame, not angled down. Thus you could add a can motor, but this open frame one runs well with no reason to replace it.
Mel’s example testifies as to how long it’s gonna last! Dan
I might add as you can see from my picture the MDC 0-6-0 doesn’t have the high detail of now day locomotives but they run much better and have more drawbar than newer products. To me operations are more important than details.
My original 1951 0-6-0 still runs better than any new locomotive and it even took the big drop to the concrete floor in the 90s. The drop took its toll on it, broke one of the front steps off. Back then MDC was still in full swing and they sent me a new frame at 0 cost, great outfit!
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
The Walthers is a better model. Just swap the tender. You can add wipers to the tender wheels - Athearn offers trucks with full wheel pickup if you don’t want to add wipers yourself.
Simon
I have a Bachmann 0-6-0T tank engine, no tender. It might be the same mechanism. I use it in my carfloat terminal, a small space. The engine does not have sound, so I run a parallel sound decoder inside a nearby building.
The sound is fine for me, and the little engine runs well.
Really? I was under the impression that the Walthers tender was integral to the operation of the loco.
Not sure what you mean by integral. Power is partly picked up by the tender wheels. And the tender carries the decoder if running DCC. You can just reinstall these in another tender. The motor is under the boiler. Are you running in DCC?
Simon
This topic got me in the mood to pull my MDC out of storage for a little spin. Of course, it ran great. I’ve added some brass piping to each side of it for a little added detail.
Dan
The new Bachmann 0-6-0 with WOW sound is due beginning of next year, would wait for that one.
No, not running DCC. Maybe I should splurge for the Walthers and connect a sloped tender from a different manufacturer.
In my opinion, Bachmanns 0-6-0s are very cheap and considered train set quality. (The $100 run, not the upcoming WOW run) If you are ok with that then it will be fine for you. A better option might be to look at a proto 2000 0-6-0 as mentioned, or you could look at some other wheel arrangements. Bachmanns 4-6-0 model is very solid. If you really want a Switcher, IHC made an 0-8-0 which I have seen, run, and worked on for a friend. It is a bit light on detail but it runs fairly well with a $20 decoder and weight installed. I guess it depends on how set you are on an 0-6-0. If you are willing to get a different wheel arrangement, there are tons of great options. BLI locos are beautiful but have decoder problems. Bachmanns spectrum are great, and some of their budget line locos are good too. Enter the 4-6-0. All in how badly you want that 0-6-0.
Hello All,
Yes, I have the Bachmann HO DCC USRA 0-6-0 with smoke unit- -a feature I don’t use.
The first version I had was with the Vanderbilt tender, by choice.
I bought it on eBay for $35.00.
I sent the original unit to Bachmann for service- -twice!
When I sent it in for the first time there was a $45.00 out-of-warranty fee.
The second time, because I had already sent in the unit for service there was no fee other than shipping costs to Bachmann.
The first time they cleaned the unit and recommended using their EZ Lube Conductive Contact Lube. No mention of the bent running gear.
After getting it back I ran the loco and the side rods failed. It was actually the guide pin into one of the pistons that was bent.
The second time to Bachmann for service I was informed that the particular paint scheme/tender configuration was not available.
A new replacement/upgrade was sent in the Smokey Mountain green and silver livery with the short-haul tender, MSRP $155.00.
I bought a replacement shell for the D&RGW ($23.00) livery and swapped the Vanderbilt tender- -which I kept.
The new, upgraded replacement runs great but it took time effort, and money to finally get a reliable unit.
Hope this helps.
Thanks all for the replies. I am keeping my eyes open for either a Walthers Proto 2000 or an MDC/Roundhouse.
Just curious, how were the 0-6-0s that Athearn produced in the early 1960s? I don’t think they were in production very long.
No they weren’t, and my recollection is that they proved not to be durable enough - perhaps the valve gear was too “tight” and strained the motors or gearing. The power train is mostly what made the Athearn 4-6-2 from about the same time a short-lived item in the catalog as well. There is some info on the 0-6-0 here, including statements that Athearn had put USRA details on a non-USRA boiler, yet sold it as a USRA switcher:
0-6-0 Switcher (tripod.com)
https://tycotrain.tripod.com/athearnlocomotives/id207.html
One alternative is the old metal Mantua/Tyco 0-6-0 which comes with a slope back tender. It is generic in the sense that it has features from a variety of railroads’ steam locomotives but it not a replica of any one prototype. It may be that full valve gear was an after market part that Mantua sold rather cheaply. Those metal Mantua switchers are good pullers and if you work a bit during assembly can be made to run quietly, which was one of the challenges with the Roundhouse Southern Pacific 0-6-0.
By the way just to clarify some earlier postings, when a tender is integral to a steam locomotive model that means that the power pickup is split between the wheels on the locomotive and the wheels on the tender. Hence in addition to the usual drawbar, there is a wire or other
I have a Proto 0-6-0, which was my first sound engine. I got it when they first came out. The engine is DCC, no smoke. It has always run just fine. For a small engine, its pulling power is adequate. The decoder and speaker are in the tender.
It was some time ago, but as I recall they made road-specific tenders for these engines. I have a square-back one, but some were slope-back.
I just want to clarify that the topic of this discussion is the Bachmann 0-6-0 with tender of the regular (non-Spectrum) line. I have two of their Spectrum 0-6-0Ts, and they are beautiful little locomotives. Despite their light weight, double-headed they can pull seven hoppers plus a caboose up a 4% incline.