bachman spectrum locomotives

[csiguy]

hi all


was wondering if anyone has any experience with the newer diesel bachman spectrum locomotives. i bought one about 8 years ago and it was loud and didnt run that great and i havnt bought one since. i have heard the newer ones are a lot better and was wondering if this is true. thanks very much for the advice.



todd

 

[UP SD40-2]

Todd, MY thoughts, the NEWEST line of Bachmann spectrum engines seems to be quite good, i have an SD45 and it really runs well:thumb: .

Bachmanns Spectrum line has always been their best line, but i bought an FM H16-44 about 4-5 yrs ago, and it didn't run worth a darn, and to top it off, the front truck was bent, so it kept derailing:roller: , and that was NEW, RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX:eeki: .

Like i said before though, i think the NEWEST ones they have out are really good runners, and the detailing is decent too. JUST MY THOUGHTS:winki: .

-Deano

 

[e-paw]

some of the older ones have problems with the gears splitting or stripping on the wheel axles. most of the time they can be changed out with Athern wheel sets. I have done this a few times without any trouble.

 

[csiguy]

thanks very much for the advice guys. i am thinking about in the future getting a dash wide cab in conrail but just wanted to see if they improved at all. again thanks very much.

todd

 

[darkcurves]

I've always wondered how their Dash 8-40C is compared to Atlas Dash 8-40C. Noticed MB Klein has DCC equipped Dash 8-40CW for only USD60.

 

[csiguy]

i have both an olderr bachman spectrum dash 8 and an atlas dash 8. there is no comparison. the atlas runs smoother, quieter and the detail work is a lot better.

 

[toptrain1]

Bachmann H16-44

Todd, MY thoughts, the NEWEST line of Bachmann spectrum engines seems to be quite good, i have an SD45 and it really runs well:thumb: .

Bachmanns Spectrum line has always been their best line, but i bought an FM H16-44 about 4-5 yrs ago, and it didn't run worth a darn, and to top it off, the front truck was bent, so it kept derailing:roller: , and that was NEW, RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX:eeki: .

Like i said before though, i think the NEWEST ones they have out are really good runners, and the detailing is decent too. JUST MY THOUGHTS:winki: .

-Deano

Both me and my friend Bob purchased these engins at the same time. Atlas didn't have them out at the time. So I backdated mine for the CNJ. I added false Rounded windows to give the Lowery appearance to the cab. After all this was done to the two locos I had they went into service pulling Old Penn-Line Varney repainted coaches. They responded nice to the throtle but they ran kinda side ways. The front leaning one way and the rear the other. When I spoke to Bob he brought his over and it was worse. So we have three that run like crabs. frank

 

[Russ Bellinis]

If you have a problem with a Bachmann Spectrum locomotive, contact Bachmann with a description of the problem before you try repairs. They warranty their locomotives and will replace them if you have butchered your model trying to fix it first.

 

[toptrain1]

My bachmann locomotives and their guarantee.

I have strong fealings about their guarantee. I have paided for these locomotives once already. I don't want to spend any more money in shipping and handling for what I know to be a flawed product. It is bachmann making sales statements that time proves wrong. My satisfaction comes from showing other train people just how good a product Bachmann makes. Their K4's and 0-6-0's fell apart. The northerns were no better. I repowered a N&W J (4-8-4) and a Reading consoladition (2-8-0) with Bowser drives. They are fine now. My Grayhound (4-8-4) sits in it's box. My Santa-Fe (2-10-4) runs poorly. My ATSF northern (4-8-4) I wont run anymore. On the other hand I have 4, 0-6-0t's, the old ones that run great. Ahm released the exact same locomotive and they also are good. A F7 that wont stop running good. My Pennsy H15-44 is ok as are my 44 ton centercabs. My two newer decapods run good. My only complant about them is parts fall off when running. When I find them I replace them. I haven't found them all so one loco is missing a front pilot step. Poor assembly by Bachmann causes this, not me. I wont replace it. When asked about the missing part I tell them nice things about the product. The prototype is inportant to me because of CNJ's use of them during WW1. I wish they released the original as built prototype. I had to make new cabs for my pair. Bachmanns were wrong. And also install the railings. Also I modified the tender and built the enclosed cab with sliding articulating roof. I purchased these because brass locos cost to much. I realy thought they would fall apart. I am surprised that they didn't. frank

 

[darkcurves]

Hmmm, their steamers are that bad?

 

[lester perry]

I have 2 recent(within last 3 years) purchased Bachmann steam Locos. they were in black boxes not the silver that I associate with spectrum. They are both nice running good looking locosone is a 2-6-6-2 the other I believe is a 2-8-0. I had forgotten I had the2-8-0 and just put a decoder in and put it back into service
Les

 

[doctorwayne]

I have 13 Bachmann steamers, 11 of which are Spectrums. All run beautifully, and are solidly built. The other two, a 4-8-4 and a 2-8-0, are early models from their regular line. The drivers of the Northern slipped out of quarter, but the problem was easily repaired. The 2-8-0 still ran after a 5 foot dive to the concrete floor, and is "out-of-service" only because it's torn down for a cosmetic re-build (not because of the dive - it survived unscathed) but to change its decidedly Reading appearance. Considering that the latter two cost only about $15.00 each, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more Bachmann steamers (not that I really need any more). :-D

Wayne

 

[iis612]

I have a consolidation from the spectrum line. It was damaged when something fell on it, but it still runs like a champ.
I have had 2 of bachmann's standard line diesels and they were ok, noisy and very picky about turnouts though.

 

[Don7]

I have a couple (two or three) of most of the Spectrum steam engines and for the most part am very happy with them.

The only engine that I had a problem with was with one of the decopods, sent it back to Bachmann for replacement. The engine just sat on the track and would not move. A short somewhere in the unit.

Unfortunately the replacement unit had the same problem as the original unit. Bachmann was notified and they immediately sent me another replacement which ran fine. Would recommend any of the Spectrum steamers to all.

I have not had the same satisfaction with the Proto Heritage steam units, I, unfortunately, bought first runs of their engines which at first were hardly able to pull their own weight, and their first switchers did not have electrical pickups on the tenders. The later runs are now fine, but that does not help me.

 

[stuart_canada]

I have a ew spectrum locomotives, dash8-cw 3 units, GP-30, i know they are not perfect copies of the real things, but for the amount i spent i do not expect that. they all ran nice out of the box ( unlike my brand P2K unit broken axles right out of the box)
they have enough detail to pass for the models they are suppose to copies of i think.
As for warranties I think most companies expect to cover shipping to the service center and back. I know when i had to send my GP 50 back to athearn for repairs i had to pay the shipping and it was purchased new and broken.
So buy what you can afford and enjoy it.