your thoughts, do they run smooth?
dave
I love mine! Runs smooth as silk and I hope to get a few more down the road. I want to get balloon stacks for some of them when I do. I think someone said they were available. It came with a wood load for the tender that you can swap out with the coal load.
When I am working on the layout I have it chugging around at 25MPH. I just have to remember it’s coming by every six minutes or so.[:O]
Mine runs nice. I removed the low end on board Lenz decoder and installed a Micro Tsunami for better slow speed operation.
Wish there was a way to put the air pump on the drivers side like the late 1880’s locos.
I changed the headlight to an oil lamp type.
Rich
Which one are you asking about? I have the Maryland & Pennsylvania. While I haven’t run it alot, it does run nicely.
Enjoy
Paul
I like the DC pennsy version. Looks great in the picture.
That would be the old time version - non Spectrum. Mine is Spectrum.
I have heard that Bachmann is coming out with a re-engineered DCC version of the old timers sometime later this year.
Enjoy
Paul
Yes. The motor will be in the boiler and Tsunami and speaker in the tender. No more tender drive.
Rich
My Bachmann Spectrum HO 4-4-0 runs fine, but I had to adjust some on its operation. I have a DC layout. The Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 takes awhile to “load up” as I increase the throttle. The headlight will come on and then several seconds later the locomotive will start to move. If I remember that characteristic, I am fine. Initially, though, it was easy to move the throttle up without waiting, which would then result in a jump start by the locomotive. It is a function of the DCC items in there, and if I am patient it runs fine.
I have two brass Maryland & Pennsylvania 4-4-0s (from importer Alco models) that are on the display shelf, and the Bachmann Spectrum is the one in use for passenger service on the layout… so that should be an indication that its operation is well within acceptable boundaries.
Bill
I have a Spectrum Baldwin Modern 4-4-0 and an Alco 2-6-0 both DCC W/S.
They both run and sound great imo.
Bob
If you run the DCC on board or DCC with sound on a DC layout, the microprocessor in the decoder needs five volts to become operational. Not really load up. A couple more volts to begin moving. Nature of the beast under DC control.
Rich
Thanks guys, think I will wait for the updated versions coming out.
There’s an old saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” Somtimes in this hobby if you see somthing you really like it is better to go ahead and buy it unless advance orders are being taken or the manufacturer has announced it’s intentions. It can be a long time before a another run is produced.
Just my 
worth
Bob
Ask in the Bachmann HO forum. There is a rep there. He watches the forums everyday.
I see the rep at times at train shows.
Rich
Bachmann has stated on their web site about a retooled and upgraded 4-4-0 with DCC and sound Coming this year.
The last I saw there is the older tender drive American 4-4-0 is going to be re-tooled into a 4-4-0 with motor in the boiler, Tsunami and speaker in the tender. Circa 1875. It will be a sound value line. Stripped down Tsunami.
The present 4-4-0 with Tsunami sound has been the Spectrum Baldwin Modern 4-4-0. Circa 1901. This loco also came with stripped down Tsunami but was not called sound value.
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_276_652&products_id=5023
Two different type HO 4-4-0’s. I just looked at their on line catalog.
Rich
Yeah, if you’re going to be using the loco on a DC layout, as I do, it’s worthwhile to remove the decoder or, on a DDC-ready loco bypass or remove the circuit board completely. You’ll get much better performance.
Wayne
If you are not into soldering, just remove the decoder and install the DC adapter but what a waste of money if you have the sound and do not plan to go with DCC.
Rich
You’re right, Rich, but is that loco not available without sound?
Wayne
Right now The Favorite Spot as a few Baldwin 4-4-0, DCC on board non sound.
The Bachmann site shows the Modern 4-4-0 with on board non sound and sound when Bachmann had them in stock. Not available right now. Mine came with the DC adapter a few years ago.
The non sound have been a cheap low end Lenz decoder. Many replace with a quality non sound decoder.
The re-tooled American 4-4-0 will be DCC ready and DCC with sound according to the Bachmann site.
Bachmann does change canoes in the middle of the stream so we shall see when the locos become available.
Don’t confuse the Baldwin 4-4-0 with the American 4-4-0. Some have. They just say Bachmann 4-4-0.
I watch the Bachmann forums regularly. Anyone interested in Bachmann locos should do the same.
Rich
Hang on…listing at $630??? that’s insane.