size differnce

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello all,

So I bought a Bachman spectrum GP40 off of ebay and it came in the mail today. It works great and doesn’t look to bad I can’t complain for the price (less than $40 shipped) My issue is I currently have a couple of RS locos an 18 and a 3 now my issue is there is quite a substantial size differnce in width and height between the Bachman and the other two (which are Atlas).

I’m just wondering is this size diiferince correct? I didn’t honestly think there would be that much of a differnce between them.

2

Hi,

Assuming they are both HO, the size difference is representative of the prototypes. The RS locos may appear “small”, especially in width as it had a narrow shell to cover the engine/generator. The GP40 is a much more modern, larger loco and has a wider shell, etc. Also, the cab is larger as well.

3

sorry they are n-scale.

It just caught me a little off gaurd to see such a size differnce

4

Yes, there’s quite a size difference. If I remember correctly the hp of the RS3 was 1600 (244 12 cylinder) and the RS18 was around 2000 while the GP40 cranked out 3000 hp (645E3 V16).

5

Ok lets try this I snapped a couple of pictures side by side. Just let me know if the size differnce seems right

6

Looks right to me. I noted the same difference between my MDC RS3’s and Bachmann GP40’s.

7

Yep. That’s about the size difference I would expect, too.

8

ok well thats some good news. i’ll take the time to modify it for DCC then if it seems correct to the more experinced people

9

And if you think those RS’s are small, try a GE 44- or 80-tonner. My GE 44Ton Switcher looks like an N scale model next to the big PA.

10

Actually, the GP is a toy-grade Bachmann piece of doo-doo, and because of that, it is out of scale (on the huge side). The atlas units are properly scaled.

David B

11

That may be, but the Bachmann GP38-2 compares favorably with my Athearn RTR GP38-2 as shown in the photo below. Athearn on the left, Bachmann on the right.

12

That doesn’t look like a GP40-2. It looks like an SD40-2. Big difference there.

13

To me the Bachmann looks like it is sitting too high up on its trucks. I agree with the prior poster that isn’t a GP unit. The three axle trucks would make it some sort of an SD. I would guess an SD40-2. Even HO scale SD40s have problems with truck clearance to get the bodies down as far as they are supposed to be.

14

My bad it is an SD 40-2.

15

I find it interesting you think of it as “toy grade” I did a little reserch on here before I bought it and it seemd as though the spectrum series was one of the higer end locos that Bachamn makes. Did I mis understand? I’ve never bought anything by Bachamn before so I wasn’t sure what to really expect. I still think I did quite well on it for what I paid for it even if it is a “toy grade” and I certainly mean no offence when I say this but there seems to be a lot of opposition to your statement that the size differnce isn’t correct.

Now in saying that realizing it is an SD 40-2 instead of a GP38-2 does that make any sort of differnce in it’s size differnce? Again I know the SD 40’s would in general be a bigger loco

16

Mike,

I think that David B. is being unduly critical of the Bachmann Spectrum product. There are higher quality products out there than Bachmann, but I would not consider Spectrum as a “toy grade”.

Rich

17

The next time that you are in your local hobby shop, take a look at the display case and notice the size differences on steam engines as well. Regardless of scale, N or HO or whatever, there are significant differences in height on steam engines with different wheel configurations.

Rich

18

First, Bachmann Spectrum series is highly appreciated and sought after as they are of good runnign and detail. SO you did not “miss” understand anything.

Second, many shoot down Bachmann, well my entire fleet is of bachmanns- both regular and spectrums. {Often teh spectrums BECOME their 'regualr series" after intorduction. MY Bachmanns have nto given me a lick of trouble in 6 years compared to my athearn, I’ll take the Bachmann "DCC OnBoards.

Third, just like steamers were of differing sizes inthe “old days”, the diesels come in different 1:1 real world size!!! SO comparing an RS3 {i think?} to An SD 38 or SD40-somehting will look different in size. And modern day diesels can dwarf some older diesels.

Now, If you were directly comparing 2 models brands of the SAME loco like Jef

19

The bachman unit sits way to high on the frame, look at the height of the steps on engines front. The atlas looks closer to scale, the sd40 does look toy like.I wonder how it measures up to an n gauge ruler?

20

I have to agree with David on this. The Bachmann Spectrum SD40-2 was first released in '94 (I think). It was a poor seller because it sat up WAY too high and the fuel tank was too tall to help make it not so noticeable. Compare it to a Kato SD40-2 to see what I mean.

Yes, this is a toy loco…it is just slightly upgraded from the old Bachmann SD40-2 from 30 years ago.

I am not a Bachmann basher. I own several of their HO and On30 locomotives. I just call it like I see it.