Hi,
I was wondering the quality of bachmann plus locomotives. Does it compare to bachmann spectrum? Thanks for your help!
They are somewhere between the regular Bachmann and the Spectrum units. How close they are to either, I don’t know.
Robert is right with the “somewhere between” answer. I would say that based on performance and price they are closer to the least expensive Bachmann line than the much better quality of the Spectrum line. They have not been made in years so keep that in mind…don’t know if you are interested in buying one new or used or just wondered in general…but Bachmann quit using the “Plus” name a long time ago. In my opinion, the regular Bachmann products being made today are better than the toy train set stuff they used to make, and is even better than the “Plus” items. I would stick with the Spectrum quality personally, but I had a couple of those Bachmann Plus locomotives years ago and they were not all that bad for the money.
And if you can, stick with the Spectrum. I have five of them and don’t regret anyone of them.
Just an example…I’ve purchased three N scale DD40AX’s so far,two being Spectrum’s and the other a Bachmann Plus.While the Spectrums have all wheel drivers and pick-ups and are very decent runners,the “Plus” had only two powered axles on one truck and electrical pick-up on the other truck only and was a miserable loco,barely capable of moving itself.I thought Bachmann only made the DD’s under Spectrum so never asked the seller.I was surprised that nobody else had bid on it…guess the other guys knew…
Before about 2002, Plus engines were basically Bachmann’s standard shells on a Spectrum drive. The Plus line is gone, but almost all the engines (4-8-4s, B23…) have been put into Bachmann’s standard line, along with some of the more generic Spectrums (H16-44, GP35, GP30…). Most still use the same drive.[:D]
Hi,
I had a Bachmann plus GP35 that I was very happy with. I bought it new for $40 and it ran great! It could creep along at a very slow speed while easily pulling my 14 freight cars around 18" curves. It looked pretty good and it was as solid as a rock, I’ve dropped it on the floor a few times and it still ran great. The only problem I had with it was the electrical brushes on the wheels became loose after a couple years causing it to loose power on curves. That was easy to fix by simply using a toothpick to bend the brushes back into place. I sold this loco once I switched to N scale, but if I were still in HO I would definitely buy more of the plus line locos. Why did they go out production anyway?
I have two these. Both of them are 2-8-0’s in GN colors. They are very good engines, with minimal hassles and god running qualities. I don’t know if it applies to their diesels but thier steam engines don’t have flywheels so, they aren’t the most responsive engines out there, but they are practically bulletproof.
What scale?
The only B-mann PLUS with which I have any experience are the N scale F-units and the shorty passenger cars. While the shorty passenger cars are allright, the F-units were lemons. They were allright out-of-the-box, but as you ran them, they ran worse. Then the gears started to crack and that was the end.
B-perssonn has discontinued the N scale shorty passenger cars and the PLUS F-units. The F-units received an upgrade to SPECTRUM name, but I find them disappointing.
I like the SPECTRUM consolidated and USRA light mountain, although the 4-8-2 did require a shim under the bearing of the traction tyred driver to make sure that the driver in question made proper contact with the rails. The first issues of the N scale SPECTRUM USRA 2-6-6-2s were lemons. I understand that Bachmann has addressed most of the problems, but that they are still not the best pullers.
I also like the N scale SPECTRUM doodlebug. It will pull six RR HWs, on RR trucks, mind you, up a one-per-cent grade at thirty SMPH. I doubt that the prototype could have done that. All of this on ONE powered truck.
That is my expereince with Bachperssonn SPECTRUM and PLUS in N scale.
Personally they arent as detailed as the Spectrum I do have an GP35 painted up in Milwaukee Road (My first custom paint and semi detailed locomotive) I never ran it so I cant tell you how it runs Maybe I should do that tonight and give you a heads up.
I have a Bachmann Plus DD40X HO scale model from around 1990. Only the rear truck is powered with one of those vertical “pancake” motors. The best part of the entire model is the yellow flashing LED on top of the cab – it isn’t worth taking out of the box to see if it still runs.
Pancake motor? 'nough said. I’ll stick to bachmann spectrum I guess. Thank you all for your help too!
Actually you cant say that all of the Plus’s had pancake motors. My GP35 has believe it or not a can motor with dual flywheels. I believe the earlier versions of the plus came with pancake motors. But what i remember hearing was Bachmann retooled and made them into Can motors. And for you that say ahh some one retro fitted a can motor in and then sold it, it cam in the original wrappings never touched. So dont always base your desicion on some members comments on here. See if the seller will open the package and find out if it has a can motor or not and ask for a picture before you buy it, Thats my advice to you.
I have A Great Northern Bachmann Plus F7A and two F7Bs, as well as a matched A-B pair for PRR (in the black freight scheme). They are heavily weighted, have engineer and breakman figures, and run very quiet. I don’t regret purchasing any of them.
As far as I know all HO scale Bachmann Plus units always had eight (or twelve) wheel drive and can motors. I have a GP35, B23-7 and a H12-44.
All these units have been re-issued as standard Bachmann line units retaining the can motors.
I am completely happy with these - they aren’t up to the standard of top line Kato, but they didn’t cost that much. They are as good as Walthers Trainline and are better finished.
These are better than the standard Bachmann GP40 and GP50 for example and have correct road names and numbers (not a strong basic Bachmann point).
M636C
I have a pair of Bachmann Plus F7A’s I had custom painted back in the day for ConnDOT/NH… They ran OK for a short while, but within only a few times on the layout, both of them developed a high pitched squeel. Why? According to sources, they did not use oil impregnated bronze motor bearings, they used just plain bronze bearings. So after only a short amount of time on the motor, they start to squeel. I added oil, but after only a few minutes of running, they started squeeling again.
IMHO, stay away from Bachmann Plus (unless you like squeeling motors).
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven