Bachmann FT A& B

[alexander]

What are the general quality of these locos?

I'm aware of the detail, and the fact there 8 wheel drive, w/o flywheels, are the B's powered? For someone wanting a small layout road power, how are they?

I dont want any bachmann bashing either, just facts

 

[MilesWestern]

I have one of the rare earlier pancake motor version, and I'm relativaly impressed with the level of detail on the shell, espically for a bachmann, with a bit of cosmetic changes (like the addition of see-though grates, and seperate handrails) It has the potental to be a VERY nice loco, ESPICALLY for the ($35 @ Trainworld.com) DCC equipped ones, which would be the way to go, considering you want to MU them together. I have also heard they pull well, and geez, now I want one!

 

[Russ Bellinis]

I have some non-dcc Bachmann Plus f-7 units. Both a & b units are powered. They are very good runners with 8 wheel drive and construction similar to n-scale locomotives with the motor sandwiched between two halves of a large frame, the frame halves insulated from each other. The drive is similar to the Athearn drive with flywheels and shafts to gear boxes in the trucks. I think the design of the ft's will be very similar to the older f-7 units that I have. I wouldn't hesitate to get some, if I didn't already have a set of $$$ Stewarts that I bought when they first came out before Bachmann had the ft units in production.

 

[sumpter250]

The Stewart FT has better detail, and better running characteristics, but, in the A B set, only the A is powered, and they are pricy. Bachmann sells the B as a separate so it is safe to assume that it is powered. I've only seen the F7, and it runs as well as the basic Athearn*, with about the same level of detail.

* I still consider Athearn the "best bang for the buck", an excellent "mid-range" product, and a great starter product. Not as much detail as their genesis line, and better running than most Trainset locos.
Pete

 

[alexander]

ok thanks

I'm thinking of getting a pair, and using them to model the few that BN rostered for a few months after the merger. (ie, decripeit, heavially weathered)

Alex

 

[LongIslandTom]

How is the pulling power of that Bachmann compared to the Athearn Super Weight F7? I'm thinking of adding some more F units and I'm considering the Bachs too.

The Super Weight F7 pulls like crazy though, what with that yoooge hunk of heavy metal under the shell! I've gotten a 25-car train moving on just that one Super Weight F7 alone.