bachmann silver series freight

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

What are your opinions of Bachmann silver series freight stock? Please limit your opinions to this type rolling stock only.

Thanks

2

I have no problems with it other than that it’s pretty well limited to 40 and 50 foot cars. The details are good but not spectacular. Usually the only thing I do to them is change the couplers out with Kadee #5’s and do a bit of weathering. The price is good for what I’m getting. Compare them side by side with the Bachmann standard line (cheaper train set quality) cars and you’ll see the difference.The Silver series cars come in a lot of train sets but those usually cost quite a bit more.

3

I have a 6 pack of hoppers. They are as good as any other hoppers I have, except the Kadee ones (but the 6 pack cost what 1 Kadee did), and they came with metal wheels. I did change the couplers because I only use Kadees.

–Randy

4

The colors on some seem to be a little off. not too bad if you’re looking for a faded paint job.

5

For what you can buy them for they are excellent, change the couplers as stated above and “maybe” the wheelsets. Granted they are not in the same league as a Kadee or Intermountain car but then they are also a heck of a lot cheaper.

I bought several sets, (6 packs), of their hoppers, unfortunately they turned out to be too new for my era but they are nice looking cars.

Again, would have been nice if the “build dates” had been stated from the manufacturer but I’m not worried as they sell well so I won’t have any trouble getting my money back to buy others.

Mark

6

They’re a good, fairly inexpensive source of reasonably detailed freight cars. I have roughly 20 of them on my layout, and have no issues – even using the original (EZ Mate?) couplers on almost all of them.

7

Bang for the buck, a good buy, and if you are new to weathering, it is a good car to start with as you are not out $20-$30. I have a mix of their cars and they do seem a little light compared to some Athearns/Atlas cars I have but I have not weighed them to see if they are not up to NMRA snuff or not but also on the same note I have not had any issues running them.

8

I agree a lot with what has been said.

I enjoy my Bachmann SIlver series Freight cars. Reasonably priced and within my budget, i have several. SO far even the Bachmann couplers hold out for me, though I am starting to change cars to KaDees. I even have one, two {or three} on the way if “Santa” has followed my list and my e-tailer emailed links carefully.

{But I also am a fan of Bachmann’s DCC OnBoard and Spectrum locos}.

9

Thanks all. Being that I model in the 40-50`s the 34 & 40 foot cars are just right for me. With Peach Creek, Trainworld & MB Klein offering steep discounts on them they are indeed very affordable. as well as plentiful.

10

I agree with whats been said, I’ve got a long string of N&W coal hoppers from ML Klein. At $7.99 ea, I can afford a long string, at $20-30 ea. I could’nt. Plentiful ?,well, stock on some is getting low. There are a few tank cars that Kleins out of .