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Bachmann Spectrum HO scale K4s
I purchased the early prewar version with ornate wheels and tender. I had no problem with attaching the tender although it is not the easiest connection and once connected is not easy to remove. Mine had DCC and sound. It runs well and the sound is excelent. It is a big improvement over the ealier version
Unfortunately, this wiring problem seems to be an ongoing ‘drawback’ with a number of Bachmann locos. Is such length of wiring neccessary?
I hate to say it, but I have had issues with Bachmann locomotives in the past, anything from little pulling capacity to poor tracking or, as in this case, something that should have been addressed before it went out to the public. I have ceased buying Bachmann locomotives because of these issues.
I have what must be one of the earlier K4 Pacifics with the pre-war slatted catcher & it is not the smoothest runner I have had, but it is a good lookinng engine. I have not used it very much, but plan to in the near future.
Do you have a 4-6-2 Pacific K-1 class available?
As for the dragging wires and frequent derailments I have had the same problems in their earlier small locos, however they are fine overall and priced reasonably.
I have owned 2 of these engines, both with sound. I’m not sure when the “new version” came out, so I don’t know if my first one was one of the earlies, but I just received the second one in May of 2009. I have not had the trouble with the long wires that some have mentioned on either engine. I like the sound. My grand kids run this engine, and they are big fans of it too.
I have an early version K4 and have had no problems to this date.
the wishbone drawbar, although difficult to install reduces the gap between the engine and tender
it may be possible to reduce the impact of the stiff connecting wires by forcing them apart so some wires are layed on either side of the drawbar
I have a SY 2-8-2 that was treated in this way, the wires are effectively curved in the horizontal rather than the vertical plane, so they flex on curves but do not lift the tender
These 4-6-2 locos seem to be almost universally known as ‘Pacifics’, except in the USA. Why is this?
I have the older versions. No mention of a sound system, so I wont get these.
I bought a K4 Pacific 4-6-2 about a year ago without sound, It was very difficult to install the drawbar to the tender. It runs well and does not have any tracking or derailment problems.
The price from a discount online train store was very attractive.
The old ones were very bad. I had one that acutally hopped down the track. Bachmann repaired it. It ran ok once and started hopping again. I gave up on it.
I also have an old Bowser metal PRR K4 4-6-2 that I bought used. It runs well too but doesn’t look as nice.
I purchased one K4 in 2006 and it ran rather well. Nevertheless, it has some tracking problems. The leading truck is too light on the rails, so it tends to jump. Also the engine is somewhat light, so it does not pull very well.
Recently I purchased a modernized K4. I found the drawbar harder to assemble (on first sight, it seems to be the same system as in the other one, but the latest locomotive is harder to put together). This is a big issue for me because I’m always taking it to different layouts, so I have to disassemble and reassemble it frequently. Also the drivers might be out of quarter, because it binds a little. Finally, some details were not applied properly. That was rather disappointing, but I guess I got what I paid for.
I have just received, what must be a very early K-4 from an estate. It did not run; lights worked but motor did not. Wiring looked good, voltage was getting to the motor. The attempt to remove the motor (you can’t get at it because of the split weights) showed the design to be almost non-repairable. Disassembly of the locomotive to remove the motor required removing the draft gear; something you shouldn’t have to do unless the draft gear is damaged. With the motor out, I found the brushes to be badly worn with one damaged. The locomotive did not otherwise appear to have much wear. Those of you speaking of tender wires would love this: There is no electrical pick-up in the tender.
Great review. I wonder why Bachman didn’t use stranded wire. Have you tried replacing it? What road names are available? Cost?
I have had the same problem as James. Like Edward , I parted the wires and this helped reduce the problem. More weight is needed in the tender to stop it coming off tight curves in reverse. I also had tracking problems. My DCC version doesn’t have a shut-down sound system and it is either on or off .
I have one of the early units. It came in the door running smooth as silk but over time it developed a once per driver rev bind, perhaps a quartering issue. I have had the same problem develop with two Bachmann Consolidations. The three engines are presently unusable. I am not sure I could buy another Bachmann unit until I can be sure the same problem will not develop again.
If it takes a half hour to hook it up, and the plug in drags, they can keep it. IHC K4s still work for me.
I like any engine I purchase from the manufacturer to work correctly the first time it’s placed on the track. It seems that reliability, engineering and thoughtfulness of the customer should start at the engineering level not to mention what should happen in the QC department. Customers don’t really want to have to fiddle with the small stuff. I’m sorry to hear comments about the Bachmann Pacifics. They make excellent products and perhaps this one slipped through. QC QC QC!