i tried doing a search but came up with nothing, was wondering what anyone thought of the Bachmann 2-6-0 Alco or Baldwin moguls either DC or DCC w/sound. How do they run, any gear problems and did they hold up after lots of use. Have been toying with the idea of adding one to my roster. Thanks
Bruce
Check the Bach,mann HO forum.
I just did a Google search for bachmann ho sound value. Came up with some results.
I have been hearing positive reviews in different forums.
Rich
I have a sound value 2-6-0 nyc. It dcc , runs very well and it come with 3 different whistle you can choose from.
The HO ALCO 2-6-0 locomotive is one of the reliable locomotives manufactured by Bachmann, but then it is still a Bachmann. Should you add one to your roster --give it a try.
Today there are a few differences between the information in the Bachmann HO 2-6-0 Sound Value Equipped PDF file found on the SoundTraxx Bachmann Industries webpage and the factory installed decoder. Also, there is little documentation available specifically written for the Sound Value decoder. The Sound Value decoder while made by SoundTraxx for Bachmann is not a SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder. Not even a reduced features (stripped down) one.
Take a look at 4-6-0
I just looked at Bachmann Trains Online Store.
The Bachmann HO Spectrum Baldwin 4-6-0 popular with Bachmann fans is being released but in the Bachmann standard line with 52" drivers. Both Sound Value decoder and DCC Ready versions.
Standard line not Spectrum means less separately applied details and more molded on "stuff. "
Great loco, no issues, i think mine is close to 4 years old.
never heard of any gear issues with these
Mine is OK. I have the DCC Soundvalue version and the sound turning on automatically when powering up the layout is really annoying. Mine had what was likely some flash on a gear when I bought it. It would lurch once per revolution of the drivers, significantly so at really low speeds. I never seemed to find the time to send it to Bachmann or open it up and look into it and one night got frustrated and sent it out on the main line (continuous run) at a good high speed in an effort to wear through the suspected flash in the gears. It actually worked. Runs quite smoothly now. Still with no way to program the sound to stay off when powering up the layout, my suggestion would be to buy the DC version and add your own sound decoder if you want one.
I also have the Sound Value version UP which runs fine. Should have got DCC ready version as I also dislike the sound coming on with layout power. I have two 2-8-0s but had to go through 4-5 to get two that run right, so I’m a cautious buyer. But I’ll do what’s needed to add a UP loco type not otherwise available.
I bought the Alco 2-6-0 in NYC markings, mainly because the small NYC markings made it easy for me to change it to my own road name. The loco I got is a little gem that runs smoothly at low speeds. It is a tiny loco so don’t expect it to pull huge trains. Mine will pull about 7 NMRA weighted freight cars up my 2.62% grade helixes. Sound is just fine for me. I’m so impressed with the Alco 2-6-0 that I’m now waiting (please?) for Bachmann to issue Sound Value versions of their 2-8-0 Consolidation and 2-10-0 Russian Decopod. In the meantime, I purchased a Sound Value Alco S-4 switcher in ATSF Zebra stripes. I’m just as happy with this purchase. The S-4 exhibits great crawling speed smoothness and the sound is pretty good, too.
I know lots of modelers will claim the Sound Value sound quality is nothing special. However, as both a pro musician and an acoustical engineer, I find that the Sound Value sound quality is more than adequate for my needs. If I want better sound, I’ll go stand in front of my stereo or, better yet, in front of my 16 piece big band!
Thanks everyone for the info, I think i’ll suggest to my family to get me a dc version for fathers day instead of the stuff I don’t want that I get every yr.
[(-D]
Good luck to you. Every time I try that I seem to get…clothes.[(-D]
I have one. Mechanically it seems fine, but I operate a DC system. I think that the locomotive would be “happier” on DCC. As with some other recent Bachmann offerings, in DC operation the engine seems to “load” for a bit with the headlight coming on and a pause before movement starts. It can be okay if one remembers to use a very gentle throttle, but it is not very effective for switching. Frankly, I tired rather quickly of the sound (where I couldn’t reduce the sound volume) and the locomotive returned to the box to make room on the layout for others. For this operator of a DC system, I would prefer that there be a mechanism to turn off the “extras” and be able to operate the model as just straighforward DC. A nice-running model for the price, but maybe not for old-school operators.
Bill