Just wondered if these are any good? I know some of you guys will never buy Bachmann stuff but some people might like it!!
http://www.internettrains.com/bacspecacdua.html
Ken.
This line is from the Bachmann-Spectrum line. This line has much better quality than the older locomotive models that people are familiar with. These locomotives contain a wound can motor with dual fly wheels and have a good amount of weight to them as well.
Just a little marketing history (I think this is how it goes). Bachmann had a bad reputation at one point with its locomotive performance and motor quality. In an effort to disassociate the poor locomotive quality image, Bachmann launched the “Bachmann-Spectrum” line/brand in an effort to turn things around and so far it seems that it has been a success. When you buy a “Bachmann-Spectrum” brand locomotive, you can be assured that it will have a good amount of pulling power and overall performance quality.
This set is definitely worth buying, but shop around for some good deals.
I have wanted an acela express for some time now. It is nice looking. I saw it run at a show once it ran really well.
The Acela prototypes are just now coming back on line, after a couple of months off for brake repairs. They found small cracks in most ot the brake disks, and pulled the entire fleet for safety reasons.
Any chance of an N-scale version from anyone ?
A member of our local HO scale club has a Bachmann Acela with a decoder installed. They run smoothly, but are very touchy about changes in track elevation. Their weakest link is that the plastic drawbar they use to connect the sections together is very easily broken and hard to replace; and the drawbars are of different length between the end units and the intermediates.
Thanks for the replies, I kinda like the look of the streamlined trains. The prototype is 8 cars and 2 loco’s? sounds good to me. Any cheap on-line dealers out there?
Found a deal at discount trains on-line. What decoder would I use if I got the set?
Ken.
I don’t recall what decoder I put into the Bachmann Acela, but seem to recall that it was an NCE decoder made specifically for that model. Check Tony’s Train Exchange, Loy’s Toys, or Litchfield Station to see what decoder is recommended.
http://www.tonystrains.com
http://www.loystoys.com
http://www.litchfieldstation.com
MisterBeasley, arent you happy they are returning the beloved city of boston!!!
The Acela is a good runner, but definatly needs 22" or better curves. anything less and it’ll derail, even 22" is pushing it, as I’ve seen them redial at higher speeds (70+ scale MPH) on it as well, but it can negotiate them at moderate (30-40 scale MPH) speeds.
There is a starter set that has the 2 Loco’s (1 powered, 1 dummy) and 3 of the cars, Bussiness, Coach and Dining IIRC, additional cars can be bought to bring it up to the 8 standard. the cars do tilt in curves, just like the real thing and are also lighted.
It’s an exceptionally good set, the drawbars are not a problem, as the set is designed to be semi-permenant. that’s to say, they expect you to put it on the track and not seperate the cars. if you do happen to break a draw bar, they are easy to remove and Bachmann will send you replacement ones if you need them.
As it model’s a Prtotype really well, it does not like the old snap ttrack type grade transitions (you know the ones, where the sectional track joints kinks a little), they prefer a smooth gradual increase (intial of about .2% and building up to a full grade from that). Although some have had moderate success by cutting the plow down a bit so they can handle a slightly steeper grade start (up to about .4% or .5%).
I have one of these sets, and it’s just amazing. I’ve never had any problems with the drawbars. But as someone else suggested, it’s put them together, and leave them alone. It runs very smoothly and pretty quietly. Tony’s Trains has a couple suggestiong on their website as far as decoders go.
I’ve never had a derailment, and I sometimes run at high speeds on my 22" curves. I can’t comment on the inclines yet, however I have heard that you need to start out small and build from that.
As for N scale, I believe that one is coming out this fall (maybe winter). The only difference is that the engine isn’t in one of the loco’s. It’s in the cafe car. Not sure how that’s going to work out with Pushing AND pulling the train along. We’ll have to see when it comes out.
Kevin
Thankyou for the info everybody. I’ll have to see if ones in the budget!!
Ken.