Has anyone heard anything more on the Spectrum 4-4-0? I haven’t heard anything about sound, but now since Bachmann is running Spectrum engines with Soundtraxx Tsunami’s installed (!) I’d be hard pressed not to get the 4-4-0 with sound!
Caboose Hobbies said that they could not get any delivery information on delivery and they just “hoped” for sometime this year. This was last week, when I bought a Spectrum 4-6-0.
I was not really impressed with the 4-6-0 when compared to my P2k 0-6-0’s. Workmanship/design was not near as good and the running qualities were poor by comparison (huge difference in forward and reverse speeds though runs smoothly). DCC conversion (no sound) was plug and play. The poorer quality of the Spectrum 4-6-0 compared to the Roundhouse 4-4-0 (except for the 4-4-0 decoder) really made the choice for me to buy an additional Roundhouse 4-4-0. I hope the Spectrum 4-4-0 is a nice engine (when it finally arrives) because I will buy one if it appears to be better quality than the Spectrum 4-6-0.
Alan,
MRC does say reading the settings of sound decoders is iffy. I’ve found I can often read the settings if I have the sound off when I attempt to read settings on the program track. As far as the volume is concerned, you can put a resistor in-line with the speaker. Size is trial and error, but I would think not much is needed, start at maybe 50 ohm (1/4 watt). Or. if there is room, you could add another speaker in series, that will also lower the volume.
Tilden
The Bachmann Website shows photos of the 4-4-0 that is being constructed.
It looks good so far. But Im partial to the Ma and Pa anyhow and if I would get a copy it would be one of the Steel Cab units aka #6 that will already have sound and DCC in it.
I have not had too much luck with Bachmann, Broadway is so much more robust and sturdy over time. (Heh. Maybe I should move to Florida and work for them…)
But then again I thought the Roundhouse 4-4-0 plain at first. But recalled that properly finished kit engines were similar.
I think Roundhouse will go thru all of thier engines one by one… I suspect 2-6-0’s then 2-8-0’s and… the famous Climax? or the Boxcab even? Dare one hope?
I’d be much more impressed if Roundhouse would release them as kits (no sound, no decoder) for around $120 or less. Then at least we would have some useable chassis to start our kit-bashing from. Re-releasing their kit line might also reinvigorate PSC, Cary, and other makers of steam detail parts. As it stands, the only steam kits left standing are Bowser and old production.
just my addled thoughts
Fred W
Yes loudness can be cured with a added resistor; assuming that this does not screw up the decoder with the change in load; there is no room far an added speaker (which might actually end up increasing the sound level). With the flaky reputation of MRC decoders, I hesitate to do this. The lowest volume setting is livable for me right now. My main gripe is the poor sound selection and quality of the MRC decoders; barely acceptable to me. Poor sound is still better than no sound as far as I am concerned.
The current price is around $150; which is really good for a built model with sound. If they would simply drop the DC wireless controller; the price could come down even more. Based my limited experience; it is a good value for the money spent. Mechanically, the three that I have had (one returned, two purchased) have been top notch mechanically. The only change that I would like to see is a different gear ratio to improve low speed performance (which would lower the top speed to a more realistic number).
The Moguls are coming out in May 2007 and they are listed as with and without sound/dcc. First Hobby has the neutered ones listed at $95. There are enough old consolidations and moguls running around at rock bottom prices, Trainworld has them for $70.
Kits are sorta obsolete in the present world of RTR, so I wouldn’t expect many and I wonder when Bowser will give up. PSC and Cary still have all their parts avalible.
Just a thought
Harold
I don’t think bowser will give up until the “old guys” go to the roundhouse in the sky… and even then, there might be just enough of a market to stay in business (albeit limited runs maybe…)
(my thoughts from the current “Hobby NOT dying…” thread)
I think we’re just about in the middle of a “revolution” in the hobby - ie it has its high spots, and then it’s low spots… IMO, right now is when my parents’ generation ( about 45-50) will be at the point of being able to re-join the hobby, and my generation (about 20-25) is just about to be in the “get christmas train” and “get the kid(s) thomas stuff” phase (with a little “get my own stuff” thrown in there too). While RTR is big right now, it may fade as both my parents generation, and my generation get deeper into MRRing and start to realize that the RTR stuff only gets them so far…
…personally I’m getting myself a Boswer kit as a Christmas present to myself…
They might as well leave off the radio remote control.
Use the savings for a better sound controller and drop the price a little bit.
How many takers when I say one radio controller controls ALL production locomotives?
I have the Athern challenger with the “remote”. That was what prompted me to get DCC! After hearing the challenger on DCC & then DC with the “remote” there was no choice - even though the Athern sound isn’t that good - it’s a lot better on DCC than DC. One of these “remotes” is more than enough!
Given that Bowser is now starting production of RTR versions of their kit locos - I’d say they’re already on the road to ‘giving up’.
–Randy
Yeah, sad to say- the world is coming more into tune of “Instant Gratification,” instead of the gratification that comes from doing something for one’s self. And then quality takes a turn south or far east…
Snarling wolves with large wallets fight over previously run kits and in some cases pay almost as much as one of these RTR versions retail.
I rather get one RTR and running well in all respects ready for sea. Not one that requires time away from wife, life duty and other commitments to hopefully run 6 months from today.