I have a Bachmann Spectrum USRA 2-8-8-2, and cannot recall when it was released. Can someone tell me when this model was first available?
Mine is lettered as Union Pacific 3671.
Don Strack
I don’t think that Spectrum ever produced a 2-8-8-2.
Do you mean 2-8-8-4? 2-6-6-2?
3671? Do you mean Life Like (Proto)?
Rich
Don’t think Spectrum ever made a 2-8-8-2. The only “mass market” one I’m very aware of is the proto/heritage/walthers version. If that’s the one you mean, then it was produced for quite some years in a few production runs with varying dcc availability, etc. I’m not sure if those various ‘eras’ involved fundamental changes to the model, or just the dcc. So I’m not sure why you’re asking but IF your loco is the proto, the answer regrettably is “depends…”
Bachmann made a 2-6-6-2, but to my knowledge the only non-brass 2-8-8-2 offerings in HO come from Rivarossi (years ago now), PCM/BLI Paragon, and the pre-Walthers ownership Life Like Proto 2000 Heritage Steam series.
-Crandell
Can’t say who built the model or when, but the prototype was a N&W Y3 sold to UP in June, 1945. Y3 was the basic USRA 2-8-8-2, and the UP variant should have number boards.
If you’re modeling UP you have a rather narrow time window. The Y3s were scrapped in 1948.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with one H10 class sixteen drivered box motor)
Well, that explains why my searches are not producing any information. I threw away the box and can’t find the paperwork. I’m looking to sell it locally, and was looking for a fair price. Thanks.
If it is, in fact, a 2-8-8-2, Union Pacific #3671, it is a Proto Heritage steamer manufactured by Life Like.
Is it N scale or HO scale?
Rich
Odds are what you have is one of the Life-Like / Proto 2-8-8-2s. Walthers made them after they bought Life-Like. I think they’ve been out of production for a while.
#3671 was DC, not DCC with sound.
Rich
It would be worth twice as much with the box…
It may be worth more with the box, but not twice as much.
Rich
I’m not looking for its value as a collector’s item. I understand the value of keeping the box, especially if the factory air has not yet been released. I simply choose to put my models on the layout and dispose of the boxes. I no longer have a layout, and am downsizing. I’d rather not just throw it all away, therefore my interest in selling locally at a fair price.
My model says, “Life-Like Heritage, Made in Austria” on the bottom of the tender. I think I bought it in 2004, but it could have been earlier by a couple years, which explains my question as to when it was first produced. Or maybe I purchased it after the good review in Model Railroading magazine in early 2005.
Dc only, no box… hard to say a fair value. DC only seems to go for $130-160 on ebay, but i couldn’t even find one w/o a box, and most of those also claim to be run very little… my gut is you’re on the right track with a local sale: someone who can see that it runs, looks good, etc. I’d say if someone offers $100, grab it.
That’s my intention, exactly. $100; a nice round number. I also have several Life-Like GP7s, GP9s and GP20s as UP units. Also purchased in the same 2000-2005 time period. DC only; no box. They will be $50 each. I’ll keep a couple and convert them to DCC, but the rest will have to find new homes - locally, starting at the Ogden train show in three weeks.
Don,
I have the same engine and it is a Proto2000, DC. I added a decoder to mine and love it; great running and looking loco. I have 2 more with sound/DCC.
Good luck with the sale.
-Bob
Don hasn’t indicated whether that steamer is HO scale or N scale, but he said that he bought it in 2004, so it has to be HO scale. The original MSRP was $375. Even without the box, I would make an educated guess that he could get $150 for that loco on eBay.
Rich
Don,
I’m not a collector, I too buy trains to run on the layout. But a delicate well detailed model such as this is best transported in the box - when that need arises - makes it a little easier to know who made it too.
I don’t buy much used stuff, but without a box, I would be looking for a real bargain.
But I will pass, I already have several of those…
Sheldon
I got one years ago, it ran great for several years then started slowing down, eventually stopping altogether. I’ve heard there was a batch of the early Life-Like made ones that had a poor solder connection in the engine that caused problems. I’ve had it sitting in storage for many years - apparently it’s a bear to open up, as you have to try to pry one of the domes off to get to a screw to disconnect the boiler from the chassis. I guess it’s pretty difficult to do without destroying the dome.