Does anyone have the new Bachmann GP38-2? I just ordered one for $35.00 NIB in D&H and I was wondering to expect.
I bought one off of e-bay just recently, also in D&H. I only ran it for a few minutes on my sons oval. Seem to run good, although I really don’t have much experiance with any different products. My son has an oval set with a GP-40 dressed out in Alaska RR that came with the passenger cars. I put both on the track together, and it seemed like the GP-40 ran faster. Not sure if that is due to ne “break in period”. GP-40 is also a Bachmann. As far as the detail on it, it looks really good IMHO. Again though, very new to this. I paid 32.00 including S/H. Hope this helps.
If it is on par with any of their other ‘new’ diesels, it will be a dissapointment.
David B
I also gave one a try and was very happy with it. Non DCC ran very quiet and smooth. I can see you might run into one with drive shaft noise as they have not change it any. They have been available for a few bucks less than 35.00 on sale not bad.
Bob
I don’t have the GP38, but I do have the GP30 and FT-A (same drive and motor). Both of them are excellent runners. I think you’ll be happy with your new 38.[:D]
Thanks for the replies and info, I will let you know how it turns out. I have had Bachmann units in the past and they were not the best but I couldn’t resist a D&H unit. I am sure by others experiences with the newer models I will like it.
I have a number of them probably six or eight maybe. Have only run a couple so far. I bought my first one some years ago-- not sure what you’re calling “new” – is there a newer version than say about 2000-ish? I put a Digitrax DCC decoder in it and its been a smooth runner for years. I bought some more recently (over the summer) from ebay and they came with DCC decoders built-in. They run okay, not great, not bad. But the motor curve is different from the older one I have. I attritbuted it to the difference in decoders. Now you’ve gotten me curious though- I’ll have to try out another one and see if its the same or different from either of the first two.
I’ve got one in D&H. For a Bachmann it runs quite well, better than some earlier Bachmann I’ve had. Never tested it on DC, put a Digitrax decoder in it the day I got it. Fuel tank looks a little weird, doesn’t follow the usual EMD contour.
Agree. IMO, many of the details are a little sloppy-- from the paint job to excess flash and mould lines on the parts to parts that look just a little “too thick” to be right.
But on the other hand, those issues are correctable and the ones I’ve used are pretty good runners. The one other comment I’ll make is the newer one that I’ve tried buzzes a little. Not sure why- maybe a DCC decoder thing.
Bachmann’s been making an upgraded GP40 for years now, so I’m guessing that’s what you’ve got. The GP38-2 just came out not too long ago.
Its possible the first one was supposed to be a GP30-- that’s what the hobby shop guy sold it to me as. It was a long time later that I noticed the box says GP38, but I don’t think it says GP38-2. The newer ones I bought recently definitely do say GP38-2 and as near as I can tell they look identical. I haven’t put them side-by-side to nitpick each detail however, but they do look the same.
I received my 38-2 today and it runs great. I was very surprised because I had some issues with the older Spectrum’s but this runs much better. The details are a little chucky, the paint isn’t the greatest but with a little weathering I am sure it will be a keeper.
Congrats,
I have a Bachmann GP38-2 D&H and it runs as smooth and quiet as any Atlas I own (which is about two dozen.) Its DC. I think their DCC products tend to be noisier, maybe a buzz created by the decoder I think. Paint and detail is acceptable. I noticed the blue color is a bit more purplish than D&H models offered by Atlas and P2K. That may stand out a bit if they are sitting next to each other.
I run a few in both dc & dcc, I have had real good with them & the SD40-2S. Just my two cents worth
I have the 38-2 in csx and have the sd40-2 both run very smooth. Im happy with the engines i did have to add some weight to the sd40-2.