I found that some of you say that the Bachmann Spectrum diesels are junk. The 3 that I have, including an old 8-40CW, look and run great. So why do you say that the Spectrum diesels are so bad[?]
Compare it with an Atlas sometime.
The Atlas drive, paint and detail blow the Bachmann away.
I have a Spectrum Conrail SD-45 from 1998 in my collection for some reason, and its just fine. Not weathered. Runs great, detail can be a little better, heavy hauler. Nothing bad to say about it. I just have no use for it now.
When starting out, most of us cautiously buy entry level product’s at entry level prices.
EVERYTHING is "great "- until you find something better.
ATLAS Is much better, put you money in an atlas unit, better deatil, paint and drive
I have six Spectrum F40’s, four in Amtrak and two in VIA and all run and pull just fine.
It’s sort of like buying a car, a Ferrari (SP?) is going to be more quality than say, a Chevrolet but both run great.
PS. When I bought the F40’s it was Spectrum or nothing. Now there are more choices but I see no reason to switch should I need to increase the fleet size.
Dale
Yes I’m sure they do, but I can’t afford one at the moment, unless it’s an old Roco made engine.
I think Bachmann Spectrum diesels are usually junk because:
1). I purchased a new H16-44, and when I lifted it out of the box, the nickle-silver plating on the wheels was falling off.
2). I purchased and had custom painted a 44tonner, and had it stored in my basement along with my other locos. Only this Bachmann Spectrum engine actually corroded (the wheels turned green and fuzzy).
3). Their paint schemes have some real issues with reality. For example, the number on the cab of the New Haven H16-44 are not only the wrong size and style, they aren’t even in the correct place.
4). The E-33 (ok, it’s not a diesel, but it may as well be) doesn’t need a sound system, because it gowls so loud that it makes old Athearn locos sound good.
5). Their F40PH’s are out of proportion with regards to their height and width. Not to mention the grossly large detail parts and poor paint (the MBTA purple isn’t even close).
OTOH, I will say that their steam is good, sometimes great (Shay). And I haven’t heard too many complaints about the Acela set. But for some reasons, diesels seem to be beyond them in a lot of cases.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
They won’t run great forever. The bigest problem with them mechanically is that they don’t use oilite bearings in the mechanism and will eventually dry out and start to squeal.
Eric
I’ve been happy enough with my 44- and 70-tonners. But I wasn’t so pleased with the H16-44 - had a tracking problem with one truck that I never did solve. Finally sold it. For pure running pleasure, it’s hard to beat Atlas and PK2000.
Hi Darth!
I used to sell Bachmann Spectrum (and Bachmann Europe aka Liliput 
) stuff when I studied at Kiel University. The quality control REALLY SUCKS BIG TIME. If you get a decent unit, you´ve got yourself a lifetime friend. However, these are sparse, and more often or not you get the piece of decrepid *** (not bad for a German, huh?) that has become synonymous for the brand.
Buy what you like, like what you buy. If you are happy with them, and you´ve gotten good ones, rejoice!
I agree, it seems that if you get a good one youll be very happy with it - I’ve been lucky enough to get hold of a Dash 8-40CW (heavily discounted - one of my LHS had picked up a load of them at a clearance sale) and I like it - the proportions are a little odd (too short and wide) but it’s a great runner and will pull anything. Their British OO diesels are a lot better though - they’re not far off P1K quality in my experience and the prices are pretty reasonable.
So if some run great theoretically some tuning up like an Athearn could do wonders for those on budgets. So I guess that begs the question, “Does anyone have any tune up tips?”.
Mine seems to respond well if you add grease to the truck gearing and use light oil on the motor and worm gear bearings - I’ve not needed to do anything else yet. Hope this is of help!
In HO, I’ve owned the H-16-44, two of the GP-30s, one doodlebug and two of the 44-tonners (one each new & old drives). Only the doodlebug and new drive 44T ever ran close to acceptably, which is the reason they’re the only Bachmann diesels I currently own. In N scale, I bought my father six of the F7’s in E-L paint. While the paint was very nicely done, the drives were horrible, and were thrown away. I’ve since mounted the bodies on modified Life Like GP20 drives.
But I absolutely LOVE Bachmann’s Spectrum steam line, and have over 15 engines in N, HO and On30. I look forward to buying more!
I guess I’ve just had good luck with Spectrum diesels. My first one was a DASH 8-40CW. It runs very smoothly, and it’s almost as old as I am. My new F40PH runs as smooth as a P2K, and my doodlebug runs extremely smooth too.
True. I had a Sante Fe Spectrum Dash 8-40CW that was great until i got my hands on a Kato SD38-2. The Spectrum engine is louder not as smooth and the coupler height is wrong. The detail could stand some improvement. The fact is in model railroading the more expensive the better quality although prices on good quality engines are dropping. Even Overland with their new Tower 55 series. I dont have an atlas or a new athearn but i have heard great things about them.
John
PS I suppose you like star wars
anyway - may the force be with you!
I have three Spectrum diesels,Dash8-40C,H-16-44,Doodlebug,and one steamer,K4. They are all great runners[:)].Maybe I just got lucky,but it’s true.
I took one of the H-16-44 diesels, completely took it apart and greased and oiled it. I worked on the gearing too. Now it runs very well. It was worth the time I spent working on it.
Jim
My experience has been mixed. I have a couple of Spectrum SD45’s. The level of detail falls short, way short, of the P2K or Kato units but then again you can buy 3 of the Bachmann SD45’s for the price of one of the others. Mine run good after doing a little electrical modifications and are quiet. They are also very heavy and will pull a long string of cars. On the other hand my GP30 and GP35 were noisy and ran poorly. The Southern GP50 shell is a joke (Bachmann really needs to do something about this one) but it runs good.
So I agree that unless your financial situation prohibits it, buy Atlas, Kato, P2K or Athearn before investing in Bachman Diesels.
Bob DeWoody