I have a chance to pick up a GE 44 TONNER by Bachman for a very reasonable price. It’s about half list price. Any comments on the Spectrum Series? It’s either that or an S1 Proto 2000.
I’d appreciate any comments on both.
John
With any engine there is always some mismatch with coupler height. I alwaus used Kadee couplers and they have many offset couplers that can be used but I will file out the coupler pocket if I need to, to get the proper height. I also have some Atlas engines and I do the same to these too! I also make the same changes to the cars, if necessary. With a layout my size (25’ x 75’) operations and switching are important. So the equipment must perform or I will rework it until it does.
BOB
Ive just received a Bachmann 2-8-0. It is bery detailed and runs like a top. My friend has 4-8-2 and an Acela, both of which run very well on an extremely large layout. My Proto 1 & 2 tousand locos are excellent locos. Just dont ask me about my Bachmann f-7, which is not a Spectrum loco. I could write a book about that baby.
Art
Hmmm. This whole subject came because of a flyer offering the Bachmann switcher for virtually 1/2 list price. I still think there’s a sea container out there with a bad load. I’m going to stick to my Proto 2000 window shopping idea. I only need about 10 cars and an engine for my switching layout. Just need to have time to get my sweaty hands on something! lol.
Sounds like a good idea. I have a Proto Sw7 switcher which runs great and is ideal for your layout.
Art
Ah yes! Art, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. My layout is only 6 ft. I just need something reliable and good at slow speeds. I’ll be damned if I can find the time to get out of Manhattan to get to outer-boro hobby shops where the pickin’s are better. But I realize too, that I’ll probably go mail order. I just want to see what I’m buying first. Also, why not just go all Proto 2000, because I hear the cars are beautiful. My small fleet shouldn’t have coupler troubles then. I imagine.
John
My 44 tonner runs poorly but looks great. It is a good static displayer and I am thinking of making it a dummy unit. The only S1 I know of is an Atlas model which runs very well.
Life-Like has a new S1 in Proto 2000. I saw it in their website. I guess a Bachmann $60 list 44 tonner advertised for $36 is sending a signal to me! It’s RED!
Johnny,
In all fairness, I have an Amtrack F-40PH (I think that’s right) which runs well and is one of my best three engines. Most of my stuff is Athern but I have a Walthers, an Atlas and a few others. All my stuff is diesel. I don’t have any experience with Proto 2000 except a caboose, which dosen’t count in this discussion.
I agree with your instinct. If it is inexpensive beyond explanation then there’s an explanation.
Good Luck. - Ed
I would choose ANYTHING made by Proto 2000 over Spectrum any day of the week. I have 2 E8s, 6 PA/PB sets, 3 E7s, all made by Proto 2000, and they outperform all of the Spectrum models I have. The high pivot point on the trucks of Spectrum diesels, including the 44-tonner but especially the 8-40C, cause derailments on turnouts and curves. Spectrum models also don’t have all the details as finely nailed down as Proto 2000. In my opinion, Proto 2000 models win this contest on the basis of conformity to the prototype, design considerations, overall look, but especially performance.
As far as the Amtrak F40PH is concerned, I have two of the Spectrum mdels and I am pretty happy with them. They seem a little low, but they run well.
By the way, I also have several Proto 2000 freight cars and if you haven’t heard how good they are, start buying them. You definitely won’t be disappointed.
Have fun,
RCHarris
Durango, CO
Hmmmm. Proto 2000 seems the way to go. I do love Atlas and Athearn but I just keep hearing rave reviews about Proto 2000. I’ve been able to handle a couple of 2000 freight cars in a small hobby shop in Ohio, but have been to busy to get to one of the major shops in my area with a greater selection. With so many maufacturers puting on kadee couplers and similar kinds, I hear stories of people unable to match up their cars. Going all proto 2000 seems like a sure bet. I’m also anxious to see their new S1!
Wow John, I appologize. I didn’t know Life-like was making the Alco S1. Might be interesting to compare with the Atlas, although I think the Proto 2000 would win because the Atlas is a design from about 10 years ago.
Just a side note about your comment, “With so many maufacturers puting on kadee couplers and similar kinds, I hear stories of people unable to match up their cars.”
Although I bought into the idea of cheaper automatic couplers a few years ago, I have since disavowed any knowledge of any coupler made by anyone besides Kadee. I still have 27 unit train cars equipped with Intermountain couplers, but they are next in line to be replaced. Nothing beats the original, especially if you have to store your equipment at all. The plastic ones just don’t have any tolerance for shock or being held open for any length of time. Sure, all my Proto 2000 freight cars have come with Proto 2000 couplers, but they have all been replaced with Kadee #58s. The look of the #58 against the superb lines of a Proto 2000 freight car just makes it seem that much more real.
Speaking of, the post talking about #58s being banned is a little scary. I’d rather enforce the coupler height standard or improve the club trackwork than tell everyone they can’t use something that is a marked improvement over what was the standard. Just my two cents…
I purchased the 2-8-0 Spectrum Bachmann Consolidation and had problems. Firstly, there was an insulation painted on the axles of the tender preventing electrical contact. I scraped the insulation off, put the train on the track and then had a short. I traced the short to the fact that one of the wheelsets of the tender was put on backwards.
I’ve heard from others that buying a Bachmann is a crapshoot regarding quality. A few others in my club purchased the same engine and had no problems.
However, I don’t like making a purchase that is equavalent to a crapshoot.
My thoughts on the Bachmann Spectrum series is that the engines are an excellent design but the production lines lack adequate quality control.
Bob Guercio
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE INPUT.
ROBERT, IT SOUNDS LIKE A NIGHTMARE COME TRUE WITH THE 2-8-0. THAT TOTALLY CONVINCED ME TO DROP BACHMANN FROM MY CHRISTMAS LIST. LOL. QUALITY CONTROL? WHAT’S THAT? NOT THERE…
I have a 44tonner kicking around somewhere. Ill get it out and put it through its paces and give you the results. I have 3 Proto 2000 diesels, and 1 Proto 1ooo. All superb locos.Standard Hobby has a sale on Bachmann 2-80 locos for $60. All other mail order houses selling them for $70. I`m debating wheter to buy one, or an IHC 2-8-0
Art
Thanks Art. After Robert’s fiasco with his steamer, I’d stay away from Bachmann. It’s a shame that their stuff along with Life Like was once considered just toyi***rains, but Life Like has really made a complete turnaround. If I ever get the time to finish my switching layout, maybe I can set my mind to get out into the hobby shops and browse through those engines!
John
Hi John. I got out the 44 tonner which my Dad bought when they were first made, probably 10 years ago. He ran it like a road engine on a large layout, pulling 5 MDC Overton cars. Every now and then it would lose a sideframe, so dad would send it back to Bachmann, and they would repair it. I put it through it`s paces, and it runs just fine. I will use it on a Timesaver layout. I also run an MDC box cab which is noisy, but great for small switching layouts. Bachmann locos may have bugs, but the company will repair their locos for life. Art
John
I have several of the Bachmann GE 44s as well as the 70 tonners. They are older units. I had one burn out a motor but the other ones work great.
As far as the Spectrum vs. Proto I have about 40 engines with about a 50/50 mix. I have added a LOT of weight in a Spectrum B23-7 and it would really pull but I finally melted the motor in it. But for the most part I do not find much difference between the two.
BOB
Gee, I’m operating a small switching layout and won’t be burning out motors pulling 2 or 3 cars at a time, but it still seems hit or miss with Bachmann. How do their couplers match up with Proto 2000 cars?
Thanks for the insight from everyone too!
John