Quote from: ACY on July 21, 2011, 10:24:13 AM

Quote from: MilwaukeeRoadfan261 on July 21, 2011, 08:35:51 AMI agree. I have a 2-8-4 and GS-4 and I have gotten the 2-8-4 to run on a flex-track turn that is SHARPER than an  18" radius turn just fine and at the "Track Speed" for my layout.

What your locomotive does on any given radius is irrelevant to what radius his locomotive may run on. If you don't understand why this is than I can explain it to you.

I do understand. It's just that, if you look in the Bachmann catalog where it says "Works best on 18" Radius Curves" that is merely a recommended minimum radius turn for smooth and realistic operation and my 2-8-4 and GS-4 both are listed in the catalog as "Works best on 22" Radius Curves" but I have had no problem with them derailing on 18" radius turns or smaller and the GS-4 has larger drivers than the J. It's when they get to a switch where the turn enters the diverging track that would go to a siding when my engines are coming off of the siding onto the mainline because that is where I encounter derailments. But I have learned since to use wider switches.

Quote from: jonathan on July 20, 2011, 02:04:54 PM
Running those locos on 18" radius track won't damage them, unless they jump the track and tip over.  The damage done is whatever happens when the locomotive hits the ground or rolls off the table.  A few have reported being able to run the larger locos on 18" radius.  It's a matter of luck in that case.  Try it, but stay close to the locomotive so you can catch it if looks like it wants to tip over.  Usually they just derail and no damage is done.

If you have a DCC system, the Soundtraxx Tsunami Heavy Steam sound unit is good for the Berkshire, probably for the Class J as well.  Tsunamis are not programmed to be dual mode and will not operate on DC, unless once knows how to reprogram them.

Regards,

Jonathan

I agree. I have a 2-8-4 and GS-4 and I have gotten the 2-8-4 to run on a flex-track turn that is SHARPER than an  18" radius turn just fine and at the "Track Speed" for my layout.

I have gotten the six wheel trucks of my Bachmann 2-8-4 and GS-4 around curves that are most likely sharper than 15". But it does look better to run them on wider turns, as it looks more realistic and prototypical.

Quote from: Matlac on July 18, 2011, 11:55:01 PM
The funny thing is the fact the Canadian National version have roadnumbers that doesn't match at all this class of locomotive. That said, this model will be a close prototype to the real engines they did have, so for the price and the quality and some renumbering job, they will make an excellent start for a nice project. It's getting interesting to see that Bachmann issued "classic" steam locomotive arrangements that can be superdetailled and stand in for many other prototype. And when you think Alco, MLW isn't very far which is quite good for canadian modelers.

Matt

True the CN version doesn't have a prototypical road number but, again it would be very easy to reletter it for one of the class that the CN had. And Montreal Locomotive works has been called the Canadian brother of the American Locomotive Company. I live in Minnesota so I am Partial to ALCo, but they shared a lot of locomotive designs. A lot of them were modified to suit the Canadian Market though they were a common design.

As far as the quality of the 2-6-0, this is what the Bach-Man says.
"Dear All, The loco will be a Standard Line model of high quality with Soundtraxx sound. It's all in the posted flyer. Have fun!
the Bach-man"
So don't say the Spectrum Series engines are better quality because when you think about it, they (the Standard and Spectrum line engines) are all made in the same factory, under the same circumstances. The same quality parts that go in the Specrum Series engines go into the Standard line engines. The only real difference between the two lines is the amount of detail put on the engines at the factory. And as far as my fleet goes, I have 2 Spectrum series engines and 3 Standard line engines and my standard line engines will run just as well as, if not better than my Spectrum series engines.

I personally can't wait to get one of these engines. And see a picture of the engine in each road name. As far as engines go, I am a loyal Bachmann engine owner.