Bachmann spectrum’s locomotives? They look pretty good in detail, Nothing crazy but pretty good. I’ve seen a pair of Dash 8’s running at a local train show and they run pretty smoothly. Whats your opinion?
I have no experience with the HO models or diesels but the On30 and Large Scale ones I have run excellent - and Bachmann is very good about honoring their guarantee.
Bachmann seems to make pretty good models. Especially their steam locomotives. My friend bought standard bachmanns with DCC, a GP50 NS, a Chessie GP38 and a FT7 ATSF. They ran greart for a while but then the motors started whining, He took them back to the hobby shop and they replaced them on the spot. Has’nt had a problem with these since.
I’ve got a Spec Dash 8-40CW DC. Runs great! Looks pretty good for a $50 loco. I don’t know why these things get such a bad rap. I’ve yet to get a lemon from Bachmann.(own 5)
I have three Spectrums, a mountain, a doodlebug and a Climax. They all run good and look nice if you don’t look too close. I like my brass better for pure looks, but my Spectrums sure do run better.
Im really begining to consider buying a few. The AT&SF version looks beautiful. Full with detail. I found a great deal on these too. Bachmann wants $160.00 for them with DCC, Trainworld.com has them for $70.00! Sounds pretty darn good to me. Just might be adding some superfleet motive power to my layouts fleet. SOmething different than the yellow and blue!
I owned two, the Berk and the Mountain. Both were resold on Ebay when poor pulling against a 15 car train on a 3% grade.
I have witnessed the Hobby Shop’s Spectrum 2-8-0 mike handle 8 cars up a 4% during a one time ops around a 4 by 8 layout.
They are nice engines; not as good as I would like them to be in the pulling department.
One of my favorite runners is a Bachmann Santa Fe…We have 4 and never have a problem with any of them. They don’t deserve the bad rap they get these days.
Yes, Im not really sure why they get such bad rap on them. Their not bad at all. Im maybe wondering if its just because Its bachmann and bachmann was never really recieved in the model railroading world as something of great quality and detail. They may not have all the real nice features as some of the other manufactures do but their still nice pieces. (may I mention at a great price.)
Just my 2 cents on bachman. I bought the 2 pack diesel dcc set for christmas last year. It has a gp-40 and an f-7. Both run very good and very smooth and both pull very good. I then bought a 4-6-2 light mountain spectrum on ebay real cheap and brand new. It was dcc ready and other than the tender being light and derailing often it runs like a champ and pulls very well. A little work on the tender will fix derail problems. If u buy bachman buy spectrum especially in steamers. straight bachman steamers are said to have problems. Have fun.
I bought the standard Bachmann 2-6-2 Prairie from Hobby Lobby. I had a 40% off coupon to use. I think it came to Fifty bucks. I brought it home, put it on the track and ran it. After a couple dozen laps around the layout, I returned it. It didn’t run like I wanted it to. I found a 2-8-0 Spectrum at discountrails.com for 75$. It has been a great little engine. It runs ten times better than the basic steamer I had bought earlier. I would buy another Spectrum in a heartbeat. I must admit that I have no experience with the more expensive manufacturers though.
Spectrum: Great. Regular Bachman: don’t waste your money.
Spectrum: Great. Regular Bachmann: I haven’t wasted my money. I own two identical GP-38’s that run extremely smooth no matter the speed or load, not the most superdetailed locos, but I think I gave $30 for each of them? I can’t complain.
-beegle55
Lets compare model train companies to cars for a second ok.
Overland = Mercedes’
Tower 55 = BMWs
Kato = Lexus’
Athearn Genesis’ = Acuras
P2k = Toyotas
Athearn RTR = Hondas
Bachmann = Kias
Tyco = Hyundias
Now there are some Kias out there that may run great but I know that I never want to own one of these cars. They have always had a bad reputation of running like garbage and looking like crap. Just not good looking designs either. The newer ones might be nicer and run a little bit better but they are not my first choice for a car. If that was all I could ever afford well i would buy and drive it of course. So if Bachmann engines were all I could afford, well I would buy them and be happy with them. The cars that I do want is the Mercedes and BMWs of course. Bachmann locos do not exist on my layout and probably never ever will unless they produce a good quality SD70ACe engine which we all know will not happen. LOL
So, what kind of car do you drive?
I got two SD45’s with DCC onboard on sale. While there are limits to what and how you can program them, they look pretty good and run fine. I’ve run them alone and mu’ed the pair with no problems. The are reasonable pullers and quiet.
So, I’d say don’t hesitate to get some.
Tilden
Well in real life I drive and Audi and a Cadillac, so let me make some references as to what my experiences with locos are:
Athearn - Audi: Might make some noise every now and then, but very very reliable and they are great pullers.
P2K - Cadillac: Nicely detailed, runs smooth as silk and has alot of power, but isn’t a Maserati.
-beegle55
I own an Audi and I would compare it to a Trix-Audi. Not Athearn, that would be Athearn-Chevy. Never had a problem with my Audi and I have had issues with my Athearn. I do respect everyone’s opinion and have owned many Chevys. I just think better of the Audi than to compare with a company that on previous posts(FEF) does not seem to get reviews on the steam engines. Comparing Euro motors to model locos is kinda strange so Trix-Audi both German, both high qulality. Well my Audi was built in Germany I know not all are. [2c]
Well the vehicle I own and drive is MY DREAM CAR and its a 2001 BMW 740iL Metalic Blue w/ blue interior and it has 84,000 miles on it. I have owned it for 1 1/2 years now and love it! I would compare it to the new Tower 55 engines I received this past week. It runs perfect and looks great.
YOU DIDN’T REALLY HAVE TO DO THIS!!!