Hey guys & gals, Over the years I have had poor experience with Bachmann and I have said so here on this forum. Well, last week I thought I would try one of their newer offerings so I bought a BACHMANN HO FT-A Unit with on-board DCC. It ran so well on my Digitrax system that I also went right back and bought the matching “B” Unit! Slow speed operation is about as good as it gets. Pulling power is better than any of my steam units. And both units seem well matched. I reversed the “B” unit using my PR-3 just to be more prototypical. I must say I really like these little gems! The only improvement I can suggest is that they could put in a little brighter headlight, but I’m sure I can remedy that with a new LED. Oh, and there is no road #, I will need to add two decals for that. Good job Bachmann!
Don’t know where you have been but Bachmann Spectrum is quite good. Even the standar line has improved somewhat. Some rivet counters will disagree.
There are better ones made by other manufactures but Bachmann has come a long way.
There are replacement decoder for the Bachmann diesels which makes them run even better than the stock decoders. It is sold by NCE, BACH-DSL. About $19.95 at some on line DCC shops.
Decoder features include:
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4 light functions with EFX special effects and LED drive
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Includes 2 Golden White LEDs
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Silent Running
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Sized to replace Bachmann decoder in their low cost diesels
Link to the Bachmann site below.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php
If you ever get a Spectrum steamer, they come with the SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder.
By the way, some Bachmann locos have somewhat dim lights because the series resistor for the LED’s has a larger value than what many use. Do not know about the locos with bulbs though.
Rich
“Don’t know where you have been but Bachmann Spectrum is quite good. Even the standar line has improved somewhat. Some rivet counters will disagree.”
As I mentioned - My last remarks about Bachmann were less than complimentary. Actually I was complaining about the quality of the Spectrum steam series with DCC. I still do not have a working Spectrum 2-6-2 even though it has been back to Bachmann three times! It is junk!
Nuff Said!
I was just at the Bachmann site. I do not see a SPECTRUM 2-6-2, at least in HO scale. Bachmann is putting DCC on board the standard line but are not Spectrum quality.
I do know the Spectrum Connie is in the Standard line, now. It has the high performance three pole motor. Rivet counters will argue that.
Rich
Rich
I have a Bachmann Spectrum N scale 44-tonner with DCC on board and I have been very impressed with its operation. I know there are better decoders out there, but this one has been fine for my purposes. I fiddled with the speed setting a bit to get the low speed running that I wanted. The detailing is also quite good for RTR in N scale. Yes, there’s always room for improvement, but I think Bachmann did a good job on these.