I have been browsing the Bachmann parts store browsing around looking at out-of-production models, and found some 4-6-0s beside the current Baldwin one. They seem similar though, and there is a low boiler version with 53" drivers and a high-boiler one with 62" inches. What is the relation between each of them, and if other variants exist?
I I have had both for about eight years or so. The only differences I could see were the drivers made the boiler height. Look at the diagram page or parts page. I did read a couple artlcles that mention this. Driver size.
One was DCC ready. I put a SoundTraxx Micro into it. One was DCC SoundTraxx on noard.
Rich
That was the old spectrum one. The “new” one is identical to the old, besides paint, and the fact that they actually removed some seperatly applied detail, and replaced it with molded on detail, and no prototype specific detail, cheapening the cost to manufacter yet keeping that high price tag.
And yes, it came in the 53" drivers (the one they rereleased) and an odd 62" version. It also had prototype specific detail, with solid/spoked front truck, single/double compressor, and the MA&PA had special details specific to only that model! (since the line was based off of MA&PA #27, #28)
See it in their old catalog (scroll to the spectrum line): https://resources.bachmanntrains.com/2008/2008_Bachmann.pdf
DCC sound versions at page 167-168, DCC ready versions at page 187.
Id buy the older run over the newer run due to it being cheaper and more detailed anyday!
Charles
Yes, it is really unfortunate that Bachmann went back to the “toy train” level quality with respect to the details, that is, molded on instead of separately applied pipes and other details. Other manufacturers also did this. Fortunately, the drives are way above toy train category. I’m looking for a Bachmann Pacific these days. I assume that, if I find one that is within my budget, I will be purchasing a “project” that will involve removing the molded details and actually re-detailing them…
Simon
I’ve got the DCC ready (NOT) version. Quite nice, very expensive for what it is and Bachmann’s idea about DCC ready is, shall we say kindly just weird.
TCS has some nice WOW installs forBachmann 4-4-0, 4-6-0 and 4-6-2 and others.
Rich
At least most of the original shells are available on bachmann parts. I can just hoard em I guess.
Yes. Grab it now.
I am giving all my HO and DCC stuff to a nephew for his ten year old son who is getting into HO trains. He is having a great time with his grandfather. I am too old. 80.
Rich
This maybe asking a little much, but does anyone know the road specific details for each road? I have a freelanced line and would like to pick and choose details.
I’m not positive, but I think the only thing that could be considered “road specific” would be the lettering on the tenders.
I bought two of the original undecorated ones…
…then made a few detail changes…
The boiler is from Bowser (formerly Varney), while the cab is from a Bachmann Consolidation.
I added a few details…
…then slapped on some paint and lettering…
The entire build can be seen HERE.
Wayne
Look through the pictures in the catalog, besides the MA&PA one, the only variations in road specific detail is the pilot, air compressors, tender truck frames, and spoked/solid lead wheels. (for the older run)
NOTE: if you find an undecorated 4-6-0 on ebay, itll have the various options for each. For ex, it’ll have one poilot already installed, and the other option pilot in a baggie in case you wanted to change it.
Take that listing for example. Although it looks like some extra detail baggies are missing, the alternate tender trucks and front pilot are there.
You can usually get a used spectrum DCC ready 4-6-0 for under $70 if you look closely and are patient.
Charles
Both the catalog pages Charles linked to, and the instructions on the Bachmann web site show the detail differences for each version.
The Ma & Pa loco is the only one that is highly correct, the others have details that make them better stand-ins, but they are not totally correct.
In the original Spectrum releases, there are among the different versions/paint schemes three different tenders, spoked or solid pilot wheels, two different cabs, different running boards and dual air pumps on the 63" driver versions (and it is 63" drivers) and two bell locations.
This catalog shows the orignal release:
https://resources.bachmanntrains.com/2004/2004_bachmann.pdf
And this shows the orignal parts breakdown:
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H823-IS001.PDF
I have two of the 63" driver version, which I have installed different tenders behind, sorry no pictures handy.
And there is nothing odd about the 63" driver version, a great many ten wheelers had 63" drivers.
Sheldon
Is this the same case with the 2-8-0?
Do you mean is the current 2-8-0 the same as the old Spectrum? Yes, but they did not change any details on the current 2-8-0, it is just like the Spectrum was, but in some different roadnames and without the fancy box.
The 2-8-0 never really had any road specific changes. There were a few versions pretty far back with Vanderbilt tenders, both oil and coal. There was also a UNION PACIFIC version with internal valve gear, other wise they all look the same, just painted different roadnames.
They are actually reasonable stand-ins for most of the road names that have been offered over the years.
The oldest Spectrum versions have incandesent lights, newer ones had LED’s. There are several versions of the circuit board, but they all work the same.
Think I have about 10 of them…
Sheldon
So they didn’t have any details changed to molded? Oh goody!
Most moulded-on details are easy enough to remove, and Cal-Scale (Bowser) and Precision Scale have just about any detail you could ever want.
Wayne
Really? I can’t find any trace of such a model existing.
Some of the detail on the 2-8-0 has always been molded on, but not changed when it moved to the regular line.
As for the other versions, they were in the early days, I’ll check my old catalogs.
Found it - item #83607 in this catalog on page 150. UNION PACIFIC 2-8-0 with a Vanderbilt tender and Stevenson internal valve gear.
https://resources.bachmanntrains.com/2006/2006_Bachmann.pdf
Sheldon
I bought one of the original 63" driver C&NW 4-6-0’s back when they were first introduced. About five years ago I started looking for more of them (I need two or three more) and have been unable to find them anywhere. It’s like they don’t even exist out there.
I contacted Bachmann and asked if they were going to reissue them, and they said they had no plans to do so.
Anyone know where I might find a couple? Any roadname…
The main difference with the old 2-8-0 and the new is the internals. Incandecent to LED lights, and the tender is DCC equipped and Sound ready (a place on the tender floor with speaker holes) whereas the older DCC ready/equipped 2-8-0s was not sound ready. There was a metal plate acting as a weight that covered the whole tender chassis.
Old:
New:
^the above might also pertain to the 4-6-0s but I didnt bother ever purchasing one from the new run to check.
The work around for me is simply to drill small holes in the coal load and have the speaker come out there. Works just as well. I’ve owned over 9 of these engines at some point or time, and love em. They used to be easily found for under $40 used on ebay. Now theyve rised in price.
But yea, oddly(thankfully) they kept all the detail parts the same. And neither had prototype specific detail besides the ones mentioned by Sheldon.
Many people have modified these versitile 2-8-0s, some replaced the headlight with pyle style ones and made it look SP like. Others add feed waterheaters. Others raise the headlight similar to BLI’s generic 2-8-0s (which I really like the look of).
Charles