Bachmann N scale 70 tonners

[lv4142003]

I just wrote and put this up on the Atlas N scale site, probably should have came here first, but.....

"I went to MB Kleins site and saw that they are offering the new N scale Bachmann 70 tonners. I looked at the photos and they look terrific. However, and this is not a complaint but rather a compliment, there appear to be several body styles. The real 70Ts came in only 3 phases. Ph I (A70T) had a round headlight and no grill on the front - Ph II (B70T) had a rectangular headlight and the grill on the front - Ph III (C70T) had a rectangular headlight that the glass was set flush with the sheetmetal on the front and had louvers stamped in (like hot rod louvers - not openings with seperate slats).

To the Bachmann units. If the photos are correct the Bachmann 70 tonners are being offered in the following phases:

82053 - Green undec - Ph I (produced '46 to mid '49)

82052 - Red undec - Ph II (produced '49 to '57 - last year of domestic production)

82054 - Yellow w/Black undec - same Ph II as 82054

82051 - Black undec - Ph II variation produced and sold only to Canadian National (18 or so units)for use on its Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island lines - Ph II body with Ph I round headlight.

I will have to get one of each,(or more)as I really like these little things, but it will be interesting to see what others do to them. Ph III's were all export units and the Bmann doesn't offer it. However some of the other 2 phases were modified for certain railroads, like the Southwest Portland Cement Co. they had 3 or 4 units with dynamic braking and so had the hoods extended accomodate that and did away with the front porch. US Potash bought 3 - 3 ft. narrow gauge units that had longer frames to accomodate six axle trucks and had no pilots or steps. Steps were on the frames in line with the center wheel of the truck. GE proposed a half dozen to the East Broad Top RR, here in Pennsylvania, on 3 ft. narrow gauge trucks, with the cabs lowered 6 inches and a reduced weight of 60T. And last, SP's Little Giant - used on the Keeler branch - was another 3 ft. narrow gauge unit that came in at 50 tons with the cab lowered all the way down to the frame with the air brake equipment in a box on the frame in front of the cab, and it was painted in the SP's modern paint schemes (Black with silver nose and cab end and stripes on the frame rail) before being sold to a company in Mexico. I hope those photos do show what is being offered. Can we get a confirmation from Bachmannthat they are offering 3 phases..
How about it Mr. Bachmann, are they being offered in 3 different phases? Lv4142003

[the Bach-man]

Dear LV,
As far as I know, there's only one version, but I'll check.
Happy Holidays!
the Bach-man

[the Bach-man]

Dear LV,
I spoke with Mr. Riley today, and there are indeed three versions.
Good news!
Happy Holidays!
the Bach-man

[Bob S]

Mine showed up from Klein's today. It will be painted and decal'd for Ahnapee and Western 600. I have another one coming for No. 601.

I took it out of the box and set it on my test loop and backed into a ten-car train, which it hauled around the loop with no wheel slippage. The ten cars were a random mix of 40' Atlas, MT, Red Caboose Xm, reefers and a few tanks, just what was behind A&W 31 (a bulked up Bachmann 4-4-0) because I was too lazy to rearrange things. The loop is 2'x4' TruTrack, that has morphed into a switching layout. There are no grades per se, but in it's current location it isn't level, so it does have a "grade" of sorts, although only a small fraction of a percent. Curves are 11". When I tacked a caboose on the tail (A&W 33, bashed form MT 34' wood sheath converted to offset bay window), I started getting some slippage. So at present, the "tonnage limit" is ten 40' units. That's right out of the box, with no breakin, and no added weight. Without taking it apart, there is room for four small cubes of lead in the corners behind the foot boards. I'm guessing the total may work out to about 100 grains,and that's probably good for a few more cars. Of course, since I am an engineer, I will have to take it apart to see how it works when I get A Round Tuit.

I'd say this is a Home Run for Bachmann.  Slow speed performance on pure DC for switching was excellent, better than my 2 44T units. I'm not into DCC, I have no technical need for it as A&W never had more than two operable locomotives on the property at any one time, but I am tempted to go get a Prodigy unit or similar, just to experiment with, and keep me off the streets.   

Resp'y,
Bob S.