I just received a new edition to my locomotive inventory, a Bachman Spectrum Heavy Mountain 4-8-2.[:p] I think it looks fantastic. I got the C&O road name. Love the detail. I had a chance to run it on my 10-1/2’ x 5’ layout and found that it runs extremely well on 22’ radius curves. It runs much better than the 2-8-0 Bachman Spectrum that I have and has been talked about.
My next step is to install a NEC decoder so I can run it on my DCC system and get the full potential out of it!
I’d like to know if anyone else purchased one and to hear their views on it…
Hi Bill: I haven’t gotton a 4-8-2 but I did get a 2-10-2 a week ago. If your 4-8-2 runs like my 2-10-2 it’s great. I think Bachman has got this steam locomotive building down pat. I also have 3 2-8-0s and they are pretty good also.
Bill54 I got 2 Spectrum Hvy Mnts and they run really well. I’m with Paul, I reckon Bachmann have got the steamers down pat. I’ve got 4 K4 Pacifics and I luv 'em too.
I got undecorated and some Champ decals, and don’t tell anyone, but I’ve decaled up my 4-8-2’s for PRR. I just can’t afford the BLI M1a real McCoys so I am prepared to fudge the details a 'lil bit ! The good thing , here in Perth W.Australia, who’s gunna know ?
Go Bachmann.
I have the C&O version of the 4-8-2, and I love it. It really flies around the layout, so I don’t know why Mike’s 4-8-2 “crawls”. I installed an NCE D13SRP in the tender and it is a very reliable decoder.
Mine has a ton of speed and it is so smooth. I wished they all worked as good as this 4-8-2.
I don’t know if mike is means he can get his to just crawl at a slow pace or that it’s just a slow loco.
My Bachman 2-8-0 is slow and no where near as smooth as the 4-8-2. It has a factory 28 step speed decoder in it. I haven’t checked if the factory decoder is preset to limit the top speed of the loco or it is just plain slow. Even the diesels I have are slow compared to the 4-8-2. Anyway it seems to be the best loco I have at present time.
my C&O 4-8-2 runs like a swiss watch, it can both crawl and fly, though the (plastic) gear between drivers and wormwheel did get smashed when the loco ran over a gap once. Unfortunately, no guarantee (cheapo ebay deal ) and no spare gears for sale, only the complete driver-cylinder-valve gear- side rods - set, for about $50 the friendly lady from Bachmann USA sent it.
So if anyone wants a driver-cylinder-valve gear ensemble with faulty gear, just drop a line and we’ll work something out.
question: what do you all use the C&O 4-8-2 for? I’ll be using it only for freight (no plans to buy a C&O passenger consist) but I’ve never seen a picture of one actually pulling freight, only passenger service… hmn…
If it’s anything like your Heavy 4-8-2, the Light 4-8-2 takes the cake as well. It was one of my best steamers until I broke the tender/engine wires (my own fault). It’s currently in it’s box. I’m gonna send it out to be shipped one of these days… Anyways, I agree guys, Spectrum has steam locomotives down.
The Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2 is the best Bachmann I own. (also got a Russian 2-10-0 with a burnt out motor, and the Harriman 2-8-0 that does that dance down the rails) Yup she’s smooth, but can’t really pull much. Not a tonnage hog. It’ll move 32 reefers around my bed room before slipping it’s drivers. Too bad models can’t use sand! [(-D]
I have an Undec one that I installed the MRC DCC and Sound into. Turned out better than I thought and still runs so well. It’s the only steamer that I have on my line, but it’s a super runner. At my price point, it’s a tough little steamer and I’m very proud of how it runs.
brown truck brought my nw heavy mountain yesterday. wanted the c&o but tw was sold out. wow, what a runner. I’m now between layouts, only have a test track, but from what I see I might use it for switching when nobody’s looking. I’ll be hauling both freight and passenger. Thanks for sharing!
I bought the Norfolk Western Heavy Mountain last tuesday actually. I’m going to be turning it into a freelance modernized version of Canadian Pacific #2900 and using it for excusion runs on my line. I love it, first it’s a beautifully detailed model, and second, it’s a steamer that runs as well as my best diesels.
Thanks also to everyone who gave me advice over the past couple weeks about which model to buy.
) and no spare gears for sale, only the complete driver-cylinder-valve gear- side rods - set, for about $50 the friendly lady from Bachmann USA sent it.