Don’t be so hard on Bachmann, they will last forever. I was given a Bachmann GP-40 that was made in the late 70s or early 80s and it still runs today. Its only problem is the guy who had it before me never took care of it, so the shell is scratched up and some handrails are missing and the motor is a little noisy, but it is a solid locomotive. I also have a Bachmann Spectrum URSA Heavy Mountain and I am very impressed with it. Ialso run two Bachmann Plus F9s without any problems. For me Bachmann is “good enough”.
Back in 1988 Spectrum was the first company to offer really high quality RTR engines, their Pennsy 4-6-2 and GP-30 were far above anything (other than brass) then available. Others have caught up (or passed) them but Spectrum was the one that made many of the RTR quality products we have now happen.