Hello all:
I’m considering the purchase of a Bachmann 2-10-2 DM&IR steamer. Can someone give me feedback on quality, detail work, prototypical operation, etc. Thanks!
the goat
Well I bought a spectrum 4-8-2 lt. mountain (N-scale) last year and I have been unsatisfied. The detailing is great but it runs terribly. It stutters as slow speed and takes half throttle to get it running. I put a decoder in it hoping it would help but no. Now I am stuck with it. I won’t buy another Bachmann. Just my 2 cents. Peter
I don’t have the Bachmann Spectrum HO-scale 2-10-2 but I do have lots of previous Spectrum steam engines. Even Spectrum seems to be a mixed bag lately, with some people reporting problems with them.
Every one I have purchased run excellently, especially their 2-8-0, 2-10-0 and 3-truck Shay, of which I have close to 10 engines total.
Other members of our local HO scale club have had to return recently-manufactured Spectrum steam engines to Bachmann for repair, and there’s a thread on this forum right now about a 2-10-2 that possibly has out-of-round wheels.
I have a Spectrum 0-6-0. Very poor runner. Has problems on #4 turnouts due to the center wheels not wired for pick-up.
As a switcher it should not have problems on #4 frogs. I am running on DCC.
I have many other loco’s that have no problem on the same turnouts.
While this does not answer your question concerning the 2-10-2 which may not exhibit the same problems I personally would not buy another Bachmann.
GN goat: I have a Spectrum undecorated 2-10-2 that I got in Oct of last year. I’ve been very happy with it. It runs good on both DC and DCC. The detailing is good, of course not as good as a brass but nothing that I can complain about. Fregie on the coffee shop has a DM&IR that he is happy with. He did add weight to his to get better pulling power. He said about 2oz of lead in the front of the boiler really helped. I haven’t done mine yet and it still hauls 24 Walthers ore cars up a 2% grade. On the flat it moves about 64 of the Walters ore cars. I’ve had a few problems with Spectrum but I found the problems early and the seller replaced the locos. He sent them back to Bachman for replacement. That’s one reason for dealing with a local out let.
Any way have fun.
BACHMANN (and other low priced) engines cut corners to get them. SPECTRUM is Bachmann’s ‘‘better’’ line.
I would suggest ‘auditioning’ any and all engines before buying.
CAVEAT EMPTOR. Occasionally we get what we pay for.
I have two Spectrum that I like. I would not try anything less.
Thanks to all for your replies. Apparently purchasing a Bachmann is a mixed bag as far as satisfaction is concerned. Being retired, spending on models is a real concern for me and I just don’t want to buy something I’ll regret later.
the goat
Never had a problem with HO spectrum, I have about 14 give or take, never had to do a thing to any of them except one I bought second hand that had hit the floor, only took a little work to get it back in shape. Lots of the people who talk about how bad they are, ( and you can verify by looking at other posts ) don’t even have one, even saw one in a spectrum box but wasn’t one. As far as having problems with an 0-6-0, could be the track work, they don’t run very well though plastic frogs, I have Shinohara code 70 switches and only problem I have had was my own fault, needto have your ground throw working right if you want to run current!
My friend has one, great runner.
Now say, your not a fellow Missabe modeler are you?
I have run only the 2-8-0 and the three truck shay, and they ran well. You pay your money and you take your chances even with the most expensive, especially brass! Even two exactly the same engines can have different operating characteristics, gee so do the full size. You still have to be able to tinker with them and break them in to reach the highest level of performance. Buy locally or at a show and insist on running it before purchase. If the seller refuses take your money elsewhere.