Ive seen several on ebay, out of the two, which is the better? Or is there another manufacturer that is better? (non brass) Whats your opinion on the two? Thankyou, ben
Im not sure. I have heard the Bachmann’s are pretty good, but don’t know much about the Lionel.
The newer Bachmann are much better than the Lionel or old Bachmann about the same age.
bnsf97,
If you want a paper weight then get the Lionel. ( I have one that I bought through an estate sale, when I ran it at home, it ran around the track only twice then It died on me). These locomotives come with a side motor (which Is like a slot car motor) that is attached to a split frame. (they can’t even pull more that 3 passenger cars on a flat surface). The Bachmann Plus is better and does not have that flat motor. (Pulls alot more). I own one of these also and I’m happy with it. It does’nt have those fine extra details you will see on a BLI or a LL-P2K- Steam. What I’ve been reading on this forum is that Bachmann is coming out with a new updated version with more extra details and hopefully better pulling capacity.
The Lionel and Bachmann HO scale GS4 models are the same model. Lionel contracted with Kader Industries for the model. Kader owns Bachmann. When the Lionel contract ended, Kader put the GS4 in Bachmann’s line up, initially with no changes, except the printing on the box. Later came the Plus version (which is the same as the current Standard version), with a much improved driver train, but basically the same shell. Bachmann has announced a Spectrum version, but it has been delayed several times.
Currently available choices:
Standard (former Plus) Bachmann: smooth, but not very powerful.
Bachmann or Lionel shell on a Bowser chassis: requires some skill, and patience, very powerful, can be made to be very smooth.
Older Bachmann or Lionel: looks good on the shelf or other static display.
Bachmann GS4 models have a problem with the gears splitting and wheels coming off. These parts are nylon, so it’s impossible to glue them. If I were you, I’d wait for the Bachmann Spectrum to be released – that’s what I’m doing.
Lord don’t bring Bachmann up. You’ll ge trashed like I did.
Weak my friend, W(as in worse), E(as in err), A(as in ailing), & K(as in ?kurrupt?!). They still make good action(I own one).
Test It before purchace
so basically just wait for Bach Spec? Does anyone have a release date? Thanks, Ben
There is an on-going thread on the ‘Ask the Bach-man’ section of the Bachmann website, which people are trying to keep going in order for Bachmann to sit up and listen to the people who buy their products - WE WANT A SPECTRUM GS-4!
As to a release date - who knows - the next big loco to be released by specturm is going to be a USRA 2-10-2 near the end of the year (?) so the GS-4 - you’d be wating at least another 10 months, unless we can press gang them!
The latest Bachmann GS-4 model is pretty goofd for the price you pay - I’ve got one it work fine and seems to pull 12 athearn streamliners on the flat with ease.
No reason (well apart from money) to get a cheap Bachmann GS-4 from trainworld, then sideline it on your layout when the Spectrum one arrives.
Regards,
Stephen.