Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Opinions

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi All,

Looking for opinions on the Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Articulated locomotive. If you have one, or have operated one, please pass along your opinions and comparisons…

Thanks,

OT

2

Excellent model. Trainworld has them for $149.99

3

Ran one on a train yesterday, hauling 30 ore cars and a caboose at a steady 14 MPH. Very nice !!

4

I love mine! Very smooth running, pulls over 20 cars up a 2% grade with ease, and well detailed. The Bachmann Spectrum series steam are good all around locomotives.

5

The HO version is just fine. You will be happy. The N scale had alot of bugs to work out.
Check ebay they can be had for $135.00 + 12.00 shipping.

6

I’ve heard a few negative comments on the N-scale model, but the HO loco is just dandy, IMO. I’ve got one that I use regularly on drag freights, and it’s powerful and smooth. In fact, I use it as a road engine, doubleheading it with a Proto USRA 2-8-8-2 as a helper. The Spectrum outpulls the Proto by about a third. And is a lot cheaper.
Good little locomotive.
Tom

7

I feel really stupid asking this question, but I’ll ask anyway:

Wasn’t the 2-6-6-2 DESIGNED as a road engine??? It’s a little big to be a switcher.[:D]

Jeff
P.S. I agree the Spectrum 2-6-6-2 in HO is a great loco, at a great price.

8

its not brass but will give one a good run for its money’

K

9
10

Mornin’ Oregon Trail,
We haven’t seen these beasts over here yet …but considering B’s present quality in everything else they have produced lately, I would guess you will get a smooth running and highly detailed model for your railway for small bucks.
Be lucky,
Pete.

11

The C&o and W&LE both used their 2-6-6-2s on branchline mine runs, where they would be used as switchers. So they weren’t exclusively road engines.

Mark.

12

Thanks to all for the replies. I forgot to mention that I am interested in the HO scale version but many of you covered all the bases for me.

How adaptable is this loco to DCC operation? I would be interested in operating on DC first and adapt to DCC at a later time.

Thanks again for all the advice,

-OT

13

Oregon Trail,

The USRA 2-6-6-2 is a DCC ready unit. I don’t have the 2-6-6-2 but did just pick up a Bachman Spectrum USRA 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain that is DCC ready.

The Bachman Specturm Steam Locomotives that are DCC ready use an 8 pin NMRA plug located in the tender. All you need to do when ready to change to DCC is to remove the shell from the tender and replace the DC plug with a DCC 8 pin decoder.

I just did my first one on the 4-8-2 and it was easy. You shouldn’t have any problems.

Bill

14

Thanks for the info, Mark![:D] I had no idea.

Jeff

15

Jeff: Not a stupid question at all, my friend. I should have been a little clearer on my post. As mentioned above, the USRA 2-6-6-2’s were used as branchline mine locomotives on eastern coal roads and did switching duties, also. I model the Rio Grande during the steam era, and their 2-6-6-2’s (built somewhat earlier than the USRA’s) were originally used as mainline locos, but then bumped down to mine runs in Utah, after more powerful mallets came along. On my Rio Grande, which is set during the traffic surges of WWII, EVERYTHING is being used on mainline power, so that’s my excuse for using the 2-6-6-2 as a mainline drag loco, instead of a branchline one. In California, the Western Pacific used their 2-6-6-2’s as mainline freight power on both the Feather River and Highline routes, so it’s a pretty versatile locomotive. Of course, neither the Rio Grande or WP 2-6-6-2’s were USRA locos, but one thing about the Spectrum, it’s an adaptable little beast, and can be back-dated pretty easily.
And it’s still more powerful than the Proto USRA 2-8-8-2. Amazing!
Tom [:D]

16

Mine is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Smooth low speed running characteristics with nary a derail on my rather sloppy temp layout.

I installed a Tsunami in mine. You might want to go that route, that way you can do both DCC and DC without having to worry about the conversion later.

17

Thanks again everyone.

DigitalG: Have any pics of your installation you want to share? I am mainly interested in the speaker incorporation. Can a small speaker give you the low end frequencies that are needed for such a monster ?

Thanks again everybody,

OT

18

I have an N scale one, which run beautifully without problems, but it’s saying that’s there are some problems with the N scale version. I don’t know about them…