Seems to me like every bachman steamer I’ve bought has issues with breaking. I’ve had pistons fall off the holder thing, starting and stopping, and not enough traction.
Does anyone agree on my opinion?
I’m quite pleased with my Bachmann Berkshires.
If they’re cheap ones I wouldn’t find it surprising at all. I have a couple of 0-6-0’s that were made in the 80’s that both have cracked axle gears and parts falling off. They appear to be identical to an old Bachmann 0-6-0 that was bought back in the early 70’s that still runs and has no issues. I also have a 4-6-0 Hall Type loco that has severe traction issues. Put one car on behind it and it hust sits there spinning it’s wheels. Looks nice on the shelf.
Oh yeah, about the 0-6-0’s I’ve got a Smoky mountian express that runs like new. Its this little bugger I hate: 
And this SD40-2 here wont run unless I stack a couple of pennys to the back because it has NO traction whatsoever
I have Spectrum
4-4-0 dcc sound
4-6-0 dcc soun
0-6-0T dcc
70 ton dcc sound
44 ton dcc
44 ton with dcc sound
Plymouth switcher
All run just fine
Rich
Are those spectrum? They’re beautiful.
Ah, yes… The loco you are showing is Bachmann Standard which is low quality train set stuff. Please do not confuse these with Bachmann Spectrum which is excellent quality and good pullers for their weight. I have pretty much standardized on the Bachmann Spectrum locos for my layout because I have had very little problems with them (I have about 8 of them that are Spectrum out of I think 11 total locos). Only one of the locos, a Russian Decapod has ever given me any issues, and that was an internal short from some contacts inside the loco. The decapod has been sidelined until I can get around to getting a new wiring harness for it from Bachmann.
The best 0-6-0 that I have (only one) is a very sweet runner and it is a Proto 2000. Only pulls about 14 or so cars on the level and can’t manage a 1% grade with more than 4 or 5 cars, but the prototype didn’t pull that many up grades either… Runs just fine for my level yard where it makes up trains.
When you say, “Bachman(n) steam loco’s: Worst Thing Ever?” I would have to say, Standard, maybe not the worst, but near there. Spectrum, NO WAY! They are excellent locos!!!
No, the 2-8-4 (edit - this “4-8-2” typo caused some confusion - sorry) is in the regular line, and it is very ,very nice.
Some of the OLDER regular line locos are simply train set grade and very low in detail and pulling power.
Judging the rest of the product line based on them is not fair or good for your modeling.
I have nearly 40 Bachmann Spectrum locos - very happy with them all.
Sheldon
Funny, the 4-8-2 I have is from the Spectrum Line… It is sweeeeeeeeeeeet! Love it!
I’ve got several Spectrum 2-8-0’s and 4-8-2’s. They all run extremely well.
Tom Watkins
Do you know if the regular line Niagara is any good? I really like the reddish headlight on it, and the detailing, plus its only $100 new, see thats reasonable to me. But its not a spectrum so I’m skeptical.
The low end of Bachmann steam was not known for top-grade running quality at all, especially some of the earlier runs with the ‘pancake’ motor. I’m wondering if your 0-6-0 is one of those.
On the other hand, I’ve had very good performance from my Bachmann Spectrum locos. They’re well-detailed, quiet and smooth and very good haulers for their size. Of course, they’re a little ‘pricier’ than the regular Bachmann, but the difference in price is well worth the quality, at least IMO.
Tom
Spectrums are fine, the trainset stuff you have is not.
I only have one, but it runs just fine.
howmus - look close at the catalog listing, its in the blue section, not the Spectrum listing. In the on line listings the Spectrum models say Spectrum, the regular line has the blue and red B logo.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1954
Spectrum locos look like this on the online catalog:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1693
But, it is just as nice as any Spectrum for the most part. A sign that Bachmann is really interested in improving their products.
Sheldon
Jake, The Niagara has been upgraded recently, but I have no first hand experiance with it. Its way too big and too road specific for me since I don’t model NYC.
But if the upgrades to it are anything like the Berkshire, it may well be very nice. BUT, no sound model offered.
Sheldon
The Bachmann Mountains (4-8-2s) are Spectrums, while the Berkshires (2-8-4s) are not. My Bachmann 4-8-2 (I call it a Mohawk) runs and pulls great:
I also have a Berkshire that I’m modifying for a friend and it seems to be a good runner, too, even though it’s part of Bachmann’s regular line. I also have 7 Spectrum Consolidations, 2 Ten Wheelers, and a 2-6-6-2 and all are good runners and solid performers. If I needed more locos, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy more Bachmann Spectrums.
Wayne
I have had 4 Bachmann Steamers, used slop back I got off E-Bay ran great after I added some weight. Then it cracked the center gear. I had 2 GS-4, they where not spectrum and could not add DCC with out a lot of work. They got me hooked on steam and ran great. I added some weight and got them up to 21 cars or so. Sold them when I went DCC, and I will add I got only $10.00 less than I paid for them.
I all so had a Niagara, same series as the GS-4. Nothing wrong with the engine, but could get the tender to track. Took it back to my LHS in trade for my first BLI.
Dollar for dollar, the best steam engines I have owned!
Sorry I don’t remember the series they where, all remember is the boxes had stripes and where mainly white in color.
Cuda Ken
Sorry, My typing mistake - I have both Bachmann locos - Spectrum 4-8-2’s and the 2-8-4’s Got my wheel arrangements confused when typing - but had them clear in my head.
I have eight of the Spectrum USRA Heavy Mountain, yes 4-8-2 - love them.
I also have two of the regular line 2-8-4 Bershires - BUT I have converted them to freelanced Heavy Mikado’s similar to the DT&I 800 class.
Sorry for the confussion - my applogies.
In any event they are both great locos.
Sheldon
Bachmann’s newer DCC Onboard stuff has spectrum quality drives, just less details on the shells to keep the price point down. They have a dual mode DCC decoder already in them, this includes the Berkshires, and the newest issues of the GS4 and ATSF steamers. The Bachmann Plus NYC power is also decent runners. How well they pull is up for debate. If you have grades and long heavy trains, you wont be happy. They do not have traction tires, which to most modelers is a good thing, but as such they are slippery and usualy need extra weight added to pull on grades. If you want steam that pulls, look for the Bowser kit engines, older Mantua and Penn Line as they were all diecast metal and will pull the house down. I just finished up a Bowser PRR M1a 4-8-2 Mountain class. I had it as a rolling chassis without the motor and my BLI/PCM I1sa Decapod couldnt pull it, my Bachmann NKP Berkshire couldnt even budget it. The M1a alone weights 2 pounds without the motor or tender.