The detail leaves a bit to be desired, I know, but beyond that I don’t know anything about them.
Do they run like the older Spectrum models did, or
Do they hearken back to the 1980’s Bachmann locos with the infamous pancake motors?
My wife wants to buy me one for my birthday, and I’m trying to get a feel for how they perform. Looks can be improved easily (weathering alone goes a LONG way!), but a poor to mediocre performer is a lot more difficult to fix.
Note I’m not talking about pulling power, but more slow speed operation for local switching.
[edit] Changed topic title to decoder question for 2-6-0
By 2-6-2 you mean the “USRA” 0-6-0s with the mini leading and trailing trucks?
The shell has no upgrades since when the model was first released in 1990. The tender which was taken from their Reading I1sa models.
The chassis is a split metal chassis with a mabuchi FF130 3 pole can motor and a small brass worm (older ones had a large worm which doubled as a flywheel), driving a plastic idler gear which drives the axle gear. Axles are now metal, and thin copper wipers pick up power from the wheels which are now insulated from the axles.
I still believe they use the same incandescent bulbs and the smoke unit which is famous for melting the plastic smoke stack…I would recommend removing the smoke unit right after purchasing.
In summary, while not accurate at all, and being a VERY crude model based loosely off of the USRA 0-6-0, the drive is surprisingly competent and should run fine. Dont expect to add any DCC or sound though, since its a trainset level engine and all the electronics are inside the engine, without additional space for modification.
Edit: apparently some of the DCC on board ones came with LEDs and a smoke unit switch.
The 2-6-2’s are just the older 0-6-0 with a front and back truck added so they are definitely not Spectrum quality. They have the 3 domes like the 0-6-0 switch engine so there really don’t represent what would be a normal Prairie type. I haven’t owned one of these locomotives in some time so I don’t know how well the more modern versions run but mine ran ok 15 years ago. Are you looking to represent a prototype or looking for a smaller engine? I would highly recommend the Alco 2-6-0 that Bachman makes for a small switch engine.
I’m looking for smaller decent quality steam. I don’t need additional switchers - I have a couple of 0-8-0’s and and a couple of 0-6-0’s already. I don’t want anything as big as another Mikado or such. A Pacific or Prairie or small Consolidation would be fine.
I also recommend the Bachmann 2-6-0, with new tooling. Prototype could pull freight or passenger. The model is very affordable, with good sound. Buy two to double head when needed. You won’t regret it.
Well, I’ve certainly crossed the 2-6-2 off the list of possibilities. Thanks guys!
Thanks Charles.
Unfortunately, none of the Bachmann you listed are currently listed on their website in HO except the 4-6-0, and it’s not the Spectrum line. Your list is pretty much all out of production models, right?
I bought one the large-drivered Spectrum versions of the 4-6-0 when they came out and have been very pleased. I wish I’d bought two or three more. I added a TCS Wowsound kit and it runs great! I’ve been trying to find one used (CNW livery especially), but they’re apparently very rare.
I’ve heard Bachmann’s current 4-6-0 is a cheapened version of the older Spectrum model.
Again, this is not a current production model, is it?
I have a Bachmann 4-6-0 Pulling poiwer of these is not the greatest but they do run nicely and are what made me switch over to DCC. Almost all my stuff is super detailed and even though these are not, they have enough that you don’t notice because of the black color. I have the sound value and it is good enough not to want to spend twice as much for like a WOW sound which I also have in a diesel I own.
Personally I buy all my bachmann stuff used on ebay…2-8-0s for $50, 4-6-0s for $70, etc. the deals are insane due to Bachmann producing these models in mass quantities, so supply is VERY high.
Yes, and here’s what bachmann did, in detail.
The original Bachmann spectrum 4-6-0s had all seperately applied piping. It had prototype specific details, with variations in driver size, tender type, cab type, dual/single air pump, two tender truck styles, and spoked/solid leading truck. The MA&PA version (which these models were based off of) also had further prototype specific details, including the runni
Not at all! I just use their site to look at current production.
I agree. Only someone wet behind the ears would pay MSRP from any manufacturer (brass excluded). Even BLI’s own hobby shop, Factory Direct Trains, sells their plastic locos at a discount from MSRP.
That’s a real possibility. Even if it turns out to not be suitable (I’m a real nit-picker on running qualities), it’s not a big hit financially.
Thanks for the detailed info on the 4-6-0’s. It’s really too bad about what they did to those locos. Either someone was on something when they canceled and downgraded them, or the Spectrum versions were just not profitable at all.
No problem! Although Ive yet to obtain one of those bachmann 2-6-0s, I do plan to get one. Being so cheap theyre an excellent candidate for freelancing. There’s an endless number of possibilties for how I can mod them!
prototype:
The mechanisms are sufficient. Split diecast frame, metal axles, no bearings, copper wiper pickups, center powered wheel powered by the same Mabuchi FF130 motor bachmann uses, with a small flywheel and worm. Seems very similar to the latest USRA 0-6-0/2-6-2 you were talking about, and I recall them as being solid runners.
This is still very early stage, but I plan to get one and use the chassis for my NYC 2-4-4t “Suburban” kitbash.
Try Bachmann’s 2-6-0. But it’s a lightweight. It won’t pull much. I would consult with Sheldon (ACL) on this one. He’s always full of good advice on how to make Bachmanns pull more.
That Atlantic’s a nice model, but that Belpaire firebox just won’t go on a model relettered for CB&Q or CNW.
So I just ordered the Bachmann Mogul. If it’s a piece of junk I’m only out $80 (including the shipping). If it’s a decent runner, I’ll turn it into a customizing project.
I have no experiance to offer on the current version of the 2-6-2, don’t own one, it is not a wheel arrangement of interest for me.
Regarding the 4-6-0 and the lessor detailed re-release. The Spectrum versions are very well detailed and came in a number of reasonably correct road specific versions, and few well detailed but not really correct versions.
But the Spectrum version has not been produced in many years. I don’t have EVERY Bachmann catalog, but 2010 was likely the last time the Spectrum version was offered. The MSRP in 2010 was $360.00 with DCC/sound, the 2004 DC version MSRP was $175.00.
SO, to produce the Spectrum version today, based on the way all the prices are going, a DCC/sound version with the better detail would likely be near $500, giving it a street price near $300, compared with the $179 street price of the current model.
Bachmann seems to be doing their best to keep running quality high, but keep prices down.
Comparing prices of models that have not been made in a decade to current offerings is just silly.
I have two of the 63" driver Spectrum models, reworked with Vandy tenders for local passenger service.
First off, you’re comparing a $300 street price spetrum model with DCC sound to the current offering one thats $179 without sound (atleast on Trainworld). Current offering with sound value is $239, which is still less than 300, but the savings really arent significant since Id argue the full function decoder plus additional details is worth the $60.
Another thing to consider is new old stock. On ebay, the prices of the old spectrum engines in todays pricing is still often cheaper than $179 (or $239 with sound). And if you look at the used items theyre significantly cheaper.
So while sure, Bachmann isnt scamming you, I personally would sti
What I think is silly is expecting the same model that was produced ten years ago to be made available at that ten year old price.
I would gladly pay 2022 prices for a model the same quality as the Spectrum ones that were produced ten years (or more) ago, rather than the stripped down versions that are made today. And the high-boilered Ten Wheeler isn’t available at all today, I believe. Spectrum made some very nice smaller steam - the best running (and looking) small steam available then or now (that I know of, excluding pricey brass models for the looks. If I’m wrong about that, please correct me).
(Talking Bachmann only here).
Maybe the market just wasn’t there for the Spectrum line in HO. In any case, it’s a pity they aren’t still producing them.
I’ve always liked 10 Wheelers, but there are some which look good to me, and others which don’t.
I have a couple of these…
in brass.
I also bought a couple of the Bachmann versions (I’m not sure, but I seem to recall that there was both a low-drivered version and high driver one.
I went with the high drivers, but found the loco to be a little too old-fashioned-looking for my late-'30s era layout…
To bring them more up-to-date for my layout, I replaced the boilers (which were cast metal, but rather flimsy, as some of the running boards broke-off rather easily.)
I used a couple of Varney boilers, also cast metal, but a little more modern and as one-piece castings, not as well detailed as the Bachmanns. I did remove the stock Varney cabs, though, and replaced them with cabs from Bachmanns’ 2-8-0s (the boiler casting, including the cab and some details, were available separately for quite some time, and at a reasonable price).
By standardising the cabs on most of my locos, I created a more uniform appearance, despite having locos with different (although related) road names…
