Can anyone tell me about the Spectrum line from Bachmann?
Is this their “premier” line? Is it a step up from the standard Bachmann line?
Thanks
JRP
Yes, Spectrum is the higher quality line of Bachmann products. I have several Bachmann Spectrum steam engines and they all have good detail and run well for the price.
The newer Spectrum steam engines pre-equipped with sound decoders are using the SoundTraxx Tsunami, which is one of the best.
All of my G-scale steam engines are Bachmann Spectrum.
Yes this is a step up from the Standard line. This is also their ‘‘premier’’ line. But, some standard products like the SP Daylight/ War Baby/ ATSF 4-8-4 & new Bershire are close to being a Spectrum Product. The Spectrum line’s motors are considerd ‘‘better’’ than the Standard Lines motor. Hope this helps you!
Luke
Yes, Bachmann Spectrum is supposed to be their premier line. However, some models suffer from QC problems. In N scale, the new N&W J & the Consolidation are their best models. Other mosels can have problems. It’s generally recommended to try before you buy just to be sure everything works.
THe Spectrum line is a step up from the Standard line in finish & details. Some of the same motors are used for the upgraded Standard line. Many of the upgraded cars are marketed as their “silver” series. New Nscale cars are supposed to be equipped with knucke couplers. However, there are still plenty of older cars with Rapidos out there. Old cars seem to hang on longer in the trainsets Bachmann produces.
I have one, it runs well, and the Silver Series rolling stock seems nice as well. Not that I know anything, just my .02
I have the Spectrum HO Richmond 4-4-0 and it is a very nice loco. More detail than the Roundhouse HO 4-4-0s. The tender is ready for sound so I removed the power only decoder and installed a SoundTraxx decoder and 1 inch OD speaker.
Rich
I have four of the On30 locos and one of the Large Scale one. The On30 ones all run excellent although the Climax’s shaft broke. I sent it back to Bachmann and they replaced the locomotive. The Large Scale one is acting up but it’s still under warranty. I called Bachmann and they said to send it in. Bachmann is very good about honoring their guarantees.
Regarding Spectrum:
Please be aware that there are in HO two different lines of Spectrum historically - 1) the steam line, and 2) the diesel line. The steam engines had a reputation for very nice detailed and running engines, even if they didn’t match very many specific prototypes (which is difficult to do because of the highly variable types out there). The diesel line was not nearly as good and received very mixed and mediocre reviews calling out numerous flaws in the dimensions and quality. Bachmann has revised and improved the Spectrum line over the years to improve such engines as the SD45 and the F40PH, but depending on your standards, even the most recent version may or may not be good to you. I saw the last upgrade to the F40PH for example and it received see thru grills and roof fans, but the pilot still wasn’t good enough for me. (I still preferred the less expensive Walthers F40PH and later KATO offered their HQ version).
So yes, Spectrum is Bachmans premium line but they aren’t up to Atlas, KATO, Proto 2000 or even the newer Athearn RTR standard of accuracy. Many people do like them so its a “your mileage may vary” sort of thing.
Yes, some Spectrum models can be nice, but still not up to newer P2K and certainly not up to Kato and Stewart for example. I collected a lot of Spectrum diesel locos and a handful of Spectrum steamers.
But you can pick up a Spectrum diesel for between $20 and $28. I wouldn’t pay much more…
you will see dash 8s everywhere on ebay over a period of a few weeks
The diesels are noisy compared to other makes which cost more. The 4 SD45s I have “snap” side to side as the torgue changes from forward to reverse. And I have had two Mountain steamers straight from the factory with bent/mangled driver pickups that had to be corrected immediately…including one Mountain Light that was crap out of the box and still doesn’t run because of a quartering problem…good thing I got my money back.
In summary, picking up a few of them can be a bargain, but expect a few duds. Or shop carefully on Ebay and pick up a Kato or Stewart diesel at twice the price but still 50% of retail and never be disappointed.
Spectrum diesels range from $50 to $70 retail at trainworld.com, about the cheapest price…don’t pay that. Shop around on Ebay because they aren’t worth that.
But I have a Spectrum 70 ton 3 truck shay that is sweet! Yet P2k Heritage steamers are superior…not to mention Bowsers and Broadway Limited Imports.
Bachmann Spectrum Steamers are certainly comparable to the Proto Heritage steamers, better than the first Proto steamers, as good as the current Proto Steamers and
are CONSIDERABLY less in price.
There are a some duds out there but Bachmann stands behind there products and a replacement is easily obtained.
I can’t comment on the Spectrum diesels, since my HO layout is 95% steam. However, the several Spectrum steamers I have (Baldwin 2-8-0, USRA Heavy 4-8-2 and USRA 2-6-6-2) have proven to be very smooth running, nicely detailed and very capable locomotives. I particularly like their hauling qualities–the USRA 2-6-6-2 is a much better hauler than my P2K USRA 2-8-8-2, in fact I use them often in tandem just to improve the Proto’s power. And I think their prices are much more reasonable than P2K. As I said, they are CERTAINLY better haulers.
I’ve no complaints at all.