http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&SPECIAL=0&ID=200411422
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&SPECIAL=0&ID=200411422
I’m not a big fan of anything Bachmann but a decoder equiped switcher for 30 bucks isn’t a bad deal.
In the end everything is a waste of money. I guess it comes down to that being the only version of a 70 ton industrial switcher available in HO. Fine tuning a poor running mechanism can be a very en.joyable part of. the hobby if it needs it.
That might be true if it was a poor running mechanism - I have two of them and they run great.
Again may I suggest that those of you who continue to judge new Bachmann products based on old experiances will miss a lot of good stuff.
Sheldon
At that price, that is a steal. They are fine locos.
David B
I also have one and its a very smooth runner.
Well, we’ll find out. I just bought one 
John
The LOCO is fine. The decoder it comes with isn’t worth the space it takes up, but at that price you aren’t going wrong if you replace it with a better decoder - that price for the loco plus a decent decoder is STILL less than they used to sell just the loco for.
–Randy
And since I am a DC pulse width operator, I rewired mine to by pass the built in decoder - but again it is a fine running loco and a great value.
Sheldon
The decoders are dual mode so they will work on both DCC and DC. That being said, they do not run that great with the decoder on DC mode, but for those who do not want to pop the hood they will work either way.
George,
If you are using a simple DC power pack, that is true - BUT, I use Aristo Craft Train Engineer wireless throttles and they have a pulse width modulated DC output.
Straight out of the box inexpensive dual mode decoders like those in the Bachmann 70 tonner would not even run - it just humed and vibrated.
But I knew that before I bought them.
I remove ALL dual mode decoders from EVERY brand of loco before running them on the Train Engineer.
And I post this info when the topic comes up so that others will be aware that dual mode decoders are not FULLY compatible with all forms of DC motor control that are out there in the hobby.
Sheldon
Thanks for the insite, I have the train engineer also.
Bachmann’s newest runs of their diesels and steam engines are very good quality. The new 70 Tonner has a much better designed chassis than the old Spectrum one, with a centrally mounted can motor driving both trucks instead of independent motorized trucks that are more prone to failure. Some owners of the new ones have reported very good running, while others have been a little more rough. Some owners of the rough runners have said they run much better after removing the stock DCC board. I have a DCC GP30, and it ran pretty smoothly to begin with. After removing the DCC board, it runs even better on my DC power.[:D]
Explanation, please?[:)]
I agree with Darth: both of your posts so-far are negative comments, but at least for the other one you offered an explanation. [%-)]
Wayne
I have a Bachmann EMD GP-38-2 that I bought new for $35 just because it was in D&H paint, DCC on board and it runs just fine. The decoder is very simple, but it is reliable. I may change it someday, but I’m in no hurry.
It is what it is, a $30 yard switcher, if you don’t expect too much then you won’t be disappointed. The decodes are worthless, I would much rather see them sell it as dcc ready less that piece of junk for $15 cheaper.
Woo, good find! I just ordered one to be my track cleaner hauling slave. Anybody know what the shipping is like from this outfit? They have a $10 minimum shipping charge and I bought about 10 things, I’m just worried they make their money charging $50 shipping…
Rob
Hi all,
After all this input, I decided to order one, too.
WHolesaletrains has THE BEST prices in town, but there database is never up to date. I call them to make sure the product they claim is “next day” is actually on the shelves…
They tend to back order stuff and send in in multiple boxes, as it comes in… with a shipping charge each time. The shipping is on the high side, but they don’t gouge you.
I call first and make sure my entire order comes in one box.
Kyle
WHile I don’t have this model, I DO have several Bachmann DCC OnBoard Locos and am very happy with them as runners. They fit in my budget, have the decoder already installed {I don’t know how to do that}, and work well with my DCC system, which happens to be the Bachmann EZ Command system right now.
wholesaletrains.com is also a good outfit to buy from. There min. shipping/handling chg used to be $8.99, maybe gone up. It can be a bit more than that depending on what all you order. It may be a bit more expensive, but their lower prices help make up for it, and that is why they charge for shipping and handling. They don’t use the US mail service at all, everything comes UPS or FedEx. Minimum Shipping for UPS 1 lb package is $5.11 cost to the shipper. SO $5 for shipping and $5 for handling is not bad.
{Of course if I have any trouble the are only 45 mins away from me and I can go there and complain LOUDLY in person IF I had to!} ANd I would spend the shipping chgs in gas driving there to pick something up. I can order a "next day shipped"item and one day and have it on my doorstep the next dayWITHOUT the cost of nextday, as I am so close. Of course they like it when I go in the store, as when I am in the store I tend to spend more! [swg]