Any input on the performance and appearance of the early Bachmann non Spectrum diesels
Some of their FT units are available on Ebay
Speaking in generalities older Bachmann non-Spectrum locos were not that good.
The Bachmann Plus diesel engines are good runners. Remember that the Plus line were very different from the early Standard Bachmann. Ther Plus diesel engines were somewhat limited as to diesel type and also included steam.
If you search e-bay and even the odd hobby shop you can find Bachmann Plus engines.
I have a little bit of everything going back to the 1970s. Some of the older models from the 1980s and 90s only drive one truck with a 3 pole pancake motor and pick up power from the other truck. They also have rubber drive tires. Those are the ones to avoid since they are poor performers that will split gears and spin off the drive tires. The one truck drive models will eventually end up dead on a display shelf unless you have a box of spare parts which are no longer available from Bachmann and you are good at repairing them. The plus models are all wheel drive and all wheel power pick up. Those are good runners.