Bachmann 4-6-0

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Has anyone acquired or seen one of the new re-issued Bachmann 4-6-0 steam engines?

When last released a few years ago in the Spectrum line of Bachmann steam engines I thought it was the most detailed of thier North American steam engines.

I see that the released model is no longer a Spectrum model, it is now a Standard line engine with the boiler details being moleded on rather than individual applications. I hope that is the only difference between the two versions. I would hate to see Bachmann release a toy grade release in place of the excellent Spectrum model which was the first version.

2

Until sometime today, there was a thread on the Bachmann Forum about that loco, but the thread, for some reason, was removed. The loco is basically the same as the original version, but has cast-on details and a three pole motor.

I have two of the original ones, but modernised them somewhat:

Wayne

3

By your account, they just did. So they may as well keep going down the slide.

I just wandered into the train room and gawked at my “old” Bachmann 4-6-0. Yup, a real cutie.

Sorry to see it go.

Ed

4

Looking at the Bachmann website, they appear to have phased out the Spectrum line. Fewer steam locomotives and most that are still listed for Spectrum are soldout.

Paul

5

Which is a real pity.

I wish they phased out the standard line and stayed with the spectrum line

6

The Bach-Man does clear discussions if they cross the line. Sometimes, a kid or usually an old timer, goes too far. Seen it happen a number of times. The discussion was looking ok but I was away for a couple days.

No doubt, Bachmann will move more to Standard to cut cost. Their cost, not our cost probably.

The Bach-Man did say three pole motor like the 2-8-0.

Rich

7

doctorwayne

Your pictures only emphasis the higher level of detail that was on the first version in comparison to the new re-issued version.

8

Yes, it would seem that the golden age of plastic/die cast high detail steam locos has come and gone.

Strictly on the issue of detail, Most of the Bachmann Spectrum offerings over the last 15 years, and the Proto offerings stand out above all the others.

And the others are going down hill too. Broadway - generic 2-8-2’s, 4-6-2’s and 2-8-0’s with cast on boiler detail. Most Broadway locos never reached the fine detail level of a Spectrum model anyway.

Athearn’s offerings, while nice, are too few to even count.

MTH considers toy like oversized cast on detail important to make the models “handling friendly”, and leaves off details that might get broken easily.

So what is Bachmann to do in a market that is facing higher prices and seems to have reached its limit for fine scale detail? They are doing what all the rest are already doing - giving up fine detail for sound and other electronic features.

One of the best models Bachmann ever made was the USRA Heavy 4-8-2. It was offered with a long list of proto specfic detail changes for different roadnames, ran well, looks great - BUT - they are “fragile” to some. The pickup wipers don’t like derailments, they have lots of applied plastic details on a die cast metal boiler, and, with the possible exception of the C&O version, they just are not “famous” enough or “flashy” enough for the current market.

Which is great for me, I have large fleet of them, dollar cost average price less than $100 each.

With the passing of Lee Riley, and the current market trends, you may not see too many more great Spectrum models…

But then again, considering how they always got bashed on these forums, maybe Bachmann is doing the smart thing by returning to more “entry level” or “budget priced” models.

Yes, my view is biased by several facts:

I have no interest in DCC or sound - so BLI and MTH are not on my radar.</

9

Yeah, the original Bachmann Ten-Wheelers had a good amount of freestanding details. Here’s one of mine before I modified it:

…and here’s one before painting:

The boiler is from a Varney Ten-Wheeler with its cab removed, while the new cab and lifting injectors are from a Bachmann Consolidation. Details are from Cal-Scale and PSC, along with some scratchbuilt stuff.

I also modified the tender, shortening it somewhat and then cutting it lengthwise with a handsaw to make it narrower - as new, it was wider than the cab:

With added weight (all three air tanks are lead-filled brass tubing, and there’s more lead in the smokebox and under the cab) these are pretty-decent pullers.

I still have the original boilers and cabs laying around here somewhere.

Wayne

10

Wayne,

I really love your modernized version, what a great project.

Maybe one day if I get the time, I will follow your lead on this. The ATLANTIC CENTRAL could really use a couple modern Ten Wheelers - and brass B&O B-18’s are rare and expensive…

And now it seems unlikely any manfacturer will fill that void any time soon.

Sheldon

11

Thanks for your kind words, Sheldon.
I’m not overly concerned about manufacturers simplifying their production methods, as long as the locomotives run well. Many modellers seem to want more details but then complain that the locos are “too fragile”. I’ve seen a couple which are, but I think the majority of problems are due to improper handling. I try to make the details rugged enough to withstand careful handling (brass parts soldered together and other details either with mounting pins epoxied into holes in the body or held in place with wire “clamps” and “pipe hangers”. My locos don’t get handled all that often, but even the modified ones are easy to disassemble for maintenance.
Perhaps the sparser factory-applied details will encourage more loco detailing and kitbashing projects.

Wayne

12

What I don’t get is the price tag ($299 on B’mann site). Why would I spend so much money for toy-quality detail? I’m glad I bought one a few years back. I would much prefer less details (that I can add) than molded on details. If I was looking for one, I would probably look for used spectrum, a brass or an MDC. The B’mann 2-6-0 is a lot more appealing and sold at a much more reasonable price.

Simon

13

I agree. We can only hope that “modeling” is not a lost hobby. I too avoid un-necessary handling - they are looking at and running…

A busy life helping others and working hard has kept me from doing as much modeling as I would like - but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

And I have lots of projects - some underway, some still in boxes.

Sheldon

14

Bachmann’s retail prices are more inflated than the other brands - street prices are all that matters.

Bachmann is still better priced than the others.

Toy quality detail? - maybe so - just like a Broadway Limited USRA Mikado for $349.99 - same degree of molded on and generic details for all roadnames.

Sheldon

15

I wanted a Bachmann Texas & Pacific steamer–until I saw the recent 4-6-0 photos. I wouldn’t buy that engine at any price.

Regarding BLI’s offerings, there are some I tried in the past but cannot be happy with due to the lack of correct details, but at the same time there are others that are really nicely done.

The BLI PRR H10s 2-8-0 is really well done, and when I think back to past offerings of PRR 2-8-0’s like the Bowser ones, this one is a no-brainer. I’m not even a Pennsy fan and generally do not like Belpaire boilers, but the H10s is a neat little engine and a lot of fun to play with.

John

16

As usual the level of detail on this engine is better than most of the brass steam engines I have seen.

One of the best detailed engines I have ever seen, your craftsmanship is superb.

I was very lucky to have picked up a few extra of the Spektrum 4-6-0’s and put them away for use at

17

Thanks for your gracious remarks, Don.

While this old Akane’s not a Ten Wheeler, it does have 10 drivers:

I re-worked it to match a CNR prototype for a friend:

Wayne

18

I have a couple of old Akane steamers, they will run till the end of time with a bit of care. They were not the best detailed.

On the other hand, the CN locomotive, after your added details and parts conversion is one of the most detailed steam locomotives I have seen (again).

Your work is so detailed that if viewing a photograph it would be hard to tell if it was a model or the real thing.

19

As I remember the Bachmann MSRP’s were always on the high side. The actual street prices usually were heavily discounted.
Back in the day of the eary Spectrum releases there was one E-Bay vendor who specialized in the Bachmann line who had great prices. If you were lucky you got some great deals on auction items, while I did get some great deals I also remember watching some auction items were the bidding had taken a turn to a show down between bidders and someitems sold really high on occassion.

20

There were two versions of the Bachmann 4-6-0 in the Spectrum line.

There was a 52" driver set, it appeared to be an older version. Plus there was the high driver version with the 63" drivers. It certainly appears to be a more modern style.