I know the Mainline F7 has not been released yet, so it is somewhat hypothetical to ask, but judging other Mainline product, and with some extrapolation of the older Proto 1000 F-unit, which F7 would you vote for in terms of detail and finish? : Wlthers Mainline or Bachmann?
I dropped accuracy because both are supposed to be non-prototypical). I also dropped the running quality because both are (AFAIK) run fairly good.
Regards
Walid
The question is indeed hypothetical, and so would be any answer to it.
Wait until Walthers has released the Mainline version of the F7 and go to your LHS to take a look at it - that´s the best way to find out!
Not sure “non-prototypical” is exactly correct. Yes they are lower-priced models that are kind of “one size fits all” in that they don’t necessarily have railroad- or road-number-specific detailing. But as far as overall dimensions and such I think both are good.
I’d probably go with Walthers Mainline, primarily because their F-7 engines come with the side handrails installed. With the Bachmann units, you’d have to drill holes and add the handrails yourself (most likely using Walthers “diesel dress-up kit”).
https://www.walthers.com/episode98-walthersmainline-f7-locomotives
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=4645
It sounds like you are most concerned with the quality of the paint job. In that case I would say Walthers. It seems like every time they come out with a new model it looks better than previous ones.
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I really admire the way Walthers is constantly improving.
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-Kevin
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I would honestly go with the Mainline units, as I have both brands. I feel that the Walthers units have closer paint to the prototype than bachmann. If you wish to buy with or eventually add DCC, again I side with walthers as the decoders with sound have a crisper sound than the bachmann decoders. If you go with DCC Only, do not buy bachmann as their standard decoders without sound put off a very loud hum. If I would have known about the Walthers Mainline units at the time I bought some of my Bachmanns, I would have taken Mainline as (usually) they are less expensive and are more RTR in some cases. This a kind of case where you are comparing a higher end model (Walthers) to a starter model (Bachmann). It’s not that I have anything against Bachman, but if I were you, I would go with Walthers Mainline.
Although the Bachmam Spectrum line of diesels are much better with thier newer products, the Walther’s is still a better chassis in motor drive and trucks. I would also suggest that the paint and detail is also superior. I have newer Bachman steam (B&O EM1 my latest) and am rather impressed with the overall detail and running properties. Still not convinced about the diesel line though.
Hello all,
I own many Bachmann locomotives; mostly diesel with a few 0-6-0’s, all DCC, most with the OEM decoders.
They are relatively inexpensive. The OEM DCC decoders are rudimentary at best and can be finicky to program (http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/267874.aspx).
I’m not a rivet counter so the lack of some fine details does not bother me.
Cracked gears can be an issue.
(Talk about damning with faint praise!)
But…
As I said before the price point is right for me.
Add a Digitrax 126 series decoder and, for me, these perform well. Even with the limitations of the OEM decoder they can be strong, reliable, runners.
I am a tinkerer so I don’t mind upgrading decoders and replacing theoccasional cracked gear.
If none of this appeals to you then go with the Walthers.
Hope this helps.
I have a number of Bachmann DCC equipped and with sound. All run well, a couple a little noisy, but the value of the engine is fine for me. If a rivet counter says something to me, I show them the door and tell them not to let it hit them on the way out [;)]
Neal
I am surprised that they suffer from cracked gears. the trucks may be a bit clunky and poorly detailed, but thought drive was solid.
Hello all,
I purchased a used DCC ready GP40 from eBay.
When it arrived I tested it and everything seemed OK.
Then I put it in a 4-unit consist and I noticed a loud buzzing noise.
After some inspecting and discovered that one of the gears on the geared drive wheels had cracked and was spinning around the axle.
I replaced the faulty part and all is well.
This also occurred on a GP30 that I bought new. I sent it back to Bachmann and they promptly replaced the entire unit under warranty.
This was over two years ago.
Hopefully Bachmann has addressed the cracked gear problems.
Hope this helps.
Glad it was a rather simple repair. I had 4 Bachman Spectrum GP30s. Bought one pair at first, they ran horribly right out of the box. After some break in, one started to run somewhat decent, the other one died. Brought it back and switched out the next one was worse, I wanted that B&O sunburst and one Capital Dome to run as a pair. Never did get a pair to actually run together properly. Brought them all back and ended up with my 1st F units. The Stewart/ Kato F3 phase 4 ABBAs are still running flawlesslt today 15 years later. I shyed away from spectrum and any Bachman diesel for quite a while. The Spectrum steam are quite decent and have noticed that the line of the GP units of the past few years are quite good runners. About time.
Hello all,
Apparently the Spectrum line is supposed to be Bachmanns high end line. I would have expected better.
The units I have are not the Spectrum line, just the regular Bachmann line.
The only Spectrum loco I have is DC, not DCC ready. I need to mill out a pocket in the frame for the decoder. My “Next” project.
We’ll se how that works out.
At the Spectrum price point I would definitely be looking at other manufacturers.
Hope this helps.
My answer to this question is Intermountain or Walthers Proto.
I do have a Mainline SW-1 (actually 3 now…maybe I have a problem) that runs just fine.
I dont own any Bachmann Spectrum diesels. Only a GE 44T.