I just finally got this locomotive. I also have the P2K and Rivarossi versions. They could have put this beauty in their Spectrum line and I am not sure why they didn’t. I decided to get the Pere Marquette Berk as I already have the P2K Nickel Plate and C&O models. The Bachmann model is DCC equipped and programmed for channel 3. It started right out of the box very smoothly with no initial jump. I only have a relatively small linear switching layout here at home so I can’t tell what it’s top speed is but I would guess its geared for low speed and pulling power. The only negative here is that the motor has a noticeable hum.
Looks wise I have to say it is very close to the P2K locos in detail and paint although to me the Pere Marquette on the sides of the tender look a little over sized as Bachmsnn has done on other locos. A lot of the details on the loco are separately applied and according to the exploded drawing are railroad specific. The tender has a working backup light and numeous other details. No chains though on the trucks to the body as the P2K model comes with. Also missing is the platform connecting the tender to the cab.
In conclusion since this model is almost $200 cheaper than the P2K with DCC I believe it is a real bargain and will satisfy most steam enthusiasts.
Before anyone jumps in I am not expert enough to comment on the accuracy of the details on this model and frankly I don’t care. To 99% of the people who will buy this model it looks fine and to the other 1% you can use the money saved over the P2K model to add any detail you find inaccurate or missing.
The tooling on this one appears to be have been based on the Pere Marquette’s N1s, as opposed to the other models released over the years which were based on the Nickel Plate’s various Berkshires.
The two obvious things which stand out to me on first view are the graphite paint on the smoke box and fire box, and the incorrect style used on the number on the model numbered 1218 (I think that someone at Bachmann took the somewhat impressionistic painting on the front of Art Million’s “Pere Marquette Power” literally when deciding to use that style). Both are pretty easily corrected if they concern you.
The large lettering on the tender was a post-WWII thing on the PM, along with the “flying number boards”. It’s also the size of lettering the Steam Railroading Institute uses when operating PM Berkshire #1225 lately. Most HO models in the past were released with the smaller lettering the PM’s Berkshire orders of 1937 and 1941 had when they were delivered.
Detail-wise this model is squarely between the Rivarossi model and the Proto Heritage model. Operationally, I consider it superior to the Rivarossi, and about equal to the Proto.
At the risk of starting another “wish list” thread, I’d love to see either Bachmann or P2K make a W&LE version of the AMC Berkshires. Much as I like the NKP and PM engines, I think the Wheeling engines had the edge in looks, on account of their inboard bearing pony truck wheels, and Boxpok coupled wheels.
Dunno about Larry, but I think the Wheeling Berks ARE pretty pug-ugly. While they were BASED on the AMC Berks, they somehow screwed up the almost perfect proportions of those engines, especially at the front end. When the NKP added the flying numberboards and Mars light to them they didn’t do the engines any favors either. To me, the PERFECT Berkshires are the NKP’s with flying numberboards and without Mars lights.
That said, I know of a LOT of NKP and W&LE modelers who would absolutely LOVE to get their hands on an affordable S-4. Heck, I’d even buy one!
Oh…one other thing. The new Bachmann Berkshires ARE the NKP prototypes. I’ve done side by side comparisons between them, the Proto version, and an older United brass NKP Berk, and all three could be clones. Bachmann did deliberately change a few small details (cab roof vents, sandbox filler hatches, tender brake gear), probably to avoid any HINT of piracy, but all of those changes are very minor.
Overall, the engines are VERY good, and VERY affordable substitutes to brass or Proto. The tenders come with holes in the floor and mounting lugs for a speaker, so you can either add your own sound system or wait for Bachmann to come out with these things with preinstalled sound. The engine does pull about the same as the P2K engines without traction tires, which isn’t very good. But most modelers don’t have the room to pull more than 20 cars on the flat, so I don’t see that as being a big problem either.
There are some features of the Bachmann Berk that I like BETTER than the Protos. All four trucks (lead, trail, and tender pair) are engineered MUCH better than the Protos. The engines are also easier to disassemble.
I especially see these engines as being useful for modelers who need large fleets of 2-8-4s. If you need one or two Berks, I’d say to go with P2K. If you have a long mainline, lots of scheduled trains, and need more than six or eight Berks (or 35, like a friend of mine!) then go Bachmann. I just hope they come out with a traction tire equipped version!
(BTW: I own eight P2K Berks and two Bachmanns (and one brass). If I was starting from scratch, I’d go all Bachmann)
For what ever reason Bachmann has decided not to make this engine one of their Spectrum line. The DCC version is priced about one third lower than the Proto version.
MR gave the Bachmann 2-8-4 a pretty good overall review, IMO. I understand that it’s capable of pulling 45 cars on straight/level track, which sounds pretty good to me (I have heard that the P2K’s still have a tractive effort problem even with the newer addition of traction tires). I also understand that the Bachmann loco is very close to the upper range of the original Berk’s speed limit. So for those that use 2-8-4’s on their model railroads, the sum total sounds like a good running, good hauling loco for a very reasonable price.
It’s a nice-looking loco, and if I had need for one–which on my MR I really don’t–I’d probably go for one or two, myself.
