Bachman standard line engine

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am looking to build my son a Polar Express set for his Birthday. He loves the book and movie and since we already have alot of HO equipment and track I wanted to get him one in that scale. He is 5 right now and really into trains and I want to keep him interested in the trains by getting him the ones he likes. Now I found the engine that was used in the movie, it is a Pere Marquette 2-8-4. I found the model here

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1952

Do any of you know much about this loco? I am used to the Spectrum line and have 2 of the 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives and one Heavy Mountain. All great locos. I dont know much about the standard line tho. Will this be worth the money? I dont want cheap but I dont feel right about spending $500 for a BLI for my 5 yr old who really does not know the difference between $5 and $500. Thanks

Massey

2

This is part of the new standard line offerings with DCC. You should have no problems with it. Just a bit less detail then the Spectrum but will run very good. Also has lifetime warranty.

Bob

3

It should also be noted that these can usually be found for les than $100, and yes, while they are not at the same detail level as the Spectrum series they are still nice looking locos, especially when the price is figured in.

Mark

4

Massey,

I have five of them, they run good and look good. They are a little light, so to pull heavier trains I have added weight to them.

Actually I am also converting mine into Mikados.

Anyway, if you are just going to pull a few cars for your son, they will be fine right out of the box.

As Mark said, shop around, the going price is just a shade over $100.

Sheldon

5

I have several Bachmann standard line DCC OnBoard locos. They are great runners, and I am very happy with them.

I don’t know about this particular loco, but I can’t imagine it to be different.

I have looked at three places for that eact loco, though, and they all show them as out of stock. you may have to pick a different Berk to start off with:

here are two places with listings for hte 2-8-4 Berk {and kanawas}:

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/HOProducts2.asp?Scale=HO&Item=BAC284BRK

and:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/category-s/1724.htm

where you can find out what is available or in stock.

GOod luck and Merry Christmas!

6

Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it. I have been out of the trains for too long and I want back!!! I live in a little double wide right now that barely fits my family let alone some trains. Even with all that I did find room to give my son a loop of track and that will sometimes be used for “testing” some of my locos.

Massey

7

I live in a single wide and have managed to squeeze out a 3.5 foot by 5.1 foot HO layout. Then we have the 42’ by 42" layout under the table top tree!

So there is HOPE!

8

Over the years i have had problems with space for trains. I started taking a room and put trains all around the wall on a shelf layout about 5-6 ft off the floor. I have used 1x4’s or 1x6’s for both HO or G scale. Have to duckunder comimg in the door but that’s OK. Currently have a 20ft x 20ft run around the walls of the basement family room. 22in curves. I can sit in my easychair and watch TV and run trains.

Bob

9

I want to do this around the ceiling but the wife will not have it. I can make it look good but she still says no :frowning: I did get the green light for the kids room :slight_smile:

Massey