I don't know if this has been posted before. This loco will come with DCC on board and ready for the companion Tsunami module or it can be ordered with the companion module.
Rich
Is the DCC on board an improved decoder over what use to be in on board locos? I suspect it will be. What brand decoder?
Many will want to know with all the bad press this decoder had.
What type of connector does the tender have to plug in the Tsunami module?
Does the Tsunami module completely replace the on board decoder?
Knowing how model railroaders like to modify things, some may want to use a different brand of sound decoder.
Rich
Both boards are produced by SoundTraxx. The sound module simply plugs into the motherboard and the speaker comes pre-installed in the tender.
Simply remove 4 screws that hold the tender shell in place, plug in the board and replace the tender shell. That's all there is to it.
To my knowledge this decoder has not had any "bad" press. It's been quite a hit at all of our recent shows!
Does the whistle have that haunting steamboat sound, I wonder?
Regards,
Jonathan
I can't wait till they get in. I'm hoping to snag one for our Christmas open house this year in York.
The on board non sound decoder in the Bachmann up to now where the ones that got bad press and many replaced.
It sounds like a radical departure for the decoder install now, at least in this loco. No idea on the diesels or the 2-6-0.
I have seen the 21 pin decoder in LokSound decoders though they may be in other brands.
This is not a loco I will ever buy but I know many questions are going to pop up in many forums.
Rich
I ordered two of these monsters, plus a sound unit. Rest assured, the minute #7600 hits my workbench, I'll be a-tinkerin' and taking pictures along the way. This should help the curious, who are still on the fence about taking the plunge.
Of course, it would be wonderful to have some forhand knowledge of the guts of the Spectrum EM-1. Right now, I'm studying the innards of the 2-6-6-2, as I suspect the mechanics will be very similar. The sound application will be a whole new animal to study.
Removing the tender shell sounds as easy as a Berk.
Removing the loco shell will not be for the faint of heart I'm sure.
Regards,
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan
That will be a very good idea. You do take some very good photos. I do know some here and in other forums like to tinker with things.
Remember your first car? Mine was a 1957 Pontiac V8 with four barrel carb. Aka, small tank
Rich
Rich,
'64 Ford Galaxy 500. She had over 200K on her before the frame rusted through. Junk man gave me $35 for her. I loved that car.
jv
The obvious question at this point is when does Bachman expect the EM-1 to arrive? I hope to have it by the end of November, but any clue as to when it really is expected would be great.
While we haven't had word about the production progress, here's perhaps a sign:
I just saw a Spectrum EM-1 for sale on ebay. Sale expires in 29 days.
Regards,
Jonathan
I just want to let you guys know I got a email that they will be in to most hobby shops next week.
The Reason I know this is because I am good friends with a man who owns a local hobby shop.
I cant wait to see them.
Good Evening all,
Monday of this week I was at a distributor with my store owner and saw the EM1 on the shelves. Engine looks awesome.
The EM-1 is currently shipping to dealers.
Does this include that they were shipped to Walthers? I am waiting on some from a dealer that buys from Walthers.
Thanks,
Tom
Unless you have a LHS you support, there are very good on line sources with very good prices including shipping and have good support. Sometimes mentioning prices will get you a better deal with a LHS.
Rich
I can't wait to get one. Hopefully I can show it off for the annual show. There's a lot of B&O people around here.
Just contacted my dealer and his computer shows that my order is now being processed (use to say "backorder"). No delivery date, yet. Movement is progress, however.
Regards,
Jonathan
Here is a video of someone on youtube running one, It looks great. Unfortunately he hasn't put sound in yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBQ7GMykOGA&feature=feedu
Adam
He also needs to build a proper caboose. ;D
Looks pretty. Seems like he spent no prep time and put the loco on track to run immediately. Still it took off perfectly. That's a good sign.
I also saw the areas that will need tinkering in order to get that baby looking like an early-to-mid-fifties, coal hauler. Looking forward to it...
Regards,
Jonathan
I purchased one at my LHS yesterday. Engine is gorgeous. He expects to get sound system in very soon. I bought #7600 and it runs incredibly smooth. Can't wait to get sound system. I have to find appropriate caboose to go with it. LHS received only 8 units and only three are left.
Wayne R. Smith
Long Island, New York
Does anyone know if these engines have been shipped to Walthers yet? I am waiting on 4 from my dealer and he gets them from Walthers.
Please tell me I will see them soon! :)
Speaking of cabooses for the EM-1 how close will the new Bachmann Northeastern caboose be to a B&O crummy....anyone have an idea?
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm50/lkemling/72046_R.jpg)
GN,
Not too close:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=3811
The ladders are on the wrong side, and B&O cabs had extension hand grabs onto the the roof. B&O cabs had peaked rooves on the cupola. Many other details are missing or in the wrong place. Not Bachmann's fault, because:
In typical B&O fashion, they built their cabeese completely unique to other roads. The only way to get a prototypical B&O caboose is to build a craftsman kit, like the Pacific Mountain Scale Shops (PMSS), or look for bra$$.
I modified a Bachmann Bobber Caboose to closely resemble the I-11 Bobber in the B&ORR Museum.
There is a one-man company called Smoky Mountain Model Works, who promises to produce a wagon top I-12 kit sometime next year. Not holding my breath.
PMSS is out of business. Their kits do turn up on ebay occasionally. They produced kits for the I-1/I-1A, I-5/I-5a/b/d, I-12 and 1-17/I-17a.
I-10s (former B&RP) are only available in bra$$.
Athearn made a blue box kit of a long caboose, which was rare on the B&O. But Athearn must have produced millions of the kits because they turn up on ebay in droves. They can be detailed to closely resemble an actual B&O caboose (the most economical way to go).
Walthers made a wooden C&O caboose (C-5 Class?) which was leased by the B&O in the 60's. They were painted yellow. I repainted one red and backdated it ten years (a little artistic license).
Can't get to my pics at the moment, but I'm sure you've seen some of these cabeese in my former posts.
Don't know if I helped or frustrated you. I looked at the new Northeastern caboose and don't think I have enough tinkering ability to turn it into a B&O caboose.
Regards,
Jonathan
Addendum:
There are scads of diesel-era B&O caboose models out there (Bev-Bel and Walthers et al). I find this strange. The B&O was a skeleton of its former self in the last two decades of its existence. jv
I have a few questions. The #'s of this current run by Bachmann are in the 7600's but I though near the end, the EM-1's were in the 600 series. Were they renumbered?
Also they did 4 numbers, 3 have the large dome and single headlight, 7600, 7604 and 7614.
Then they did the 7627 with small dome and dual headlight. Why the difference? Was this a later modification near the end for the 7627?
I had also read the 7600 was the last unit before being scrapped and was used on some fan trips.
Thanks.
Bruce
brfriedm,
There were 30 EM-1s built (7600-7629). They were renumbered to the 600 series, I believe, in 1956. The youtube videos I have seen were all made after the renumbering, towards the end of their lives.
Check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwsEYgHX6Og
The last fan trip was filmed (it's in the video). I can't recall the number.
Some of the later EM-1s received dual headlights and a smaller sand dome with the sand hatches running longitudinally.
There is a dispute about which EM1 was the last one running/scrapped. It raised a bit of a stink because one EM1 was suppose to be held out for the B&ORR Museum. Don't recall which one it was.
Regards,
Jonathan
All of the remaining B&O steam was renumbered in the mid-1950's. The B&O wanted to use the four-digit numbers for the new diesels, so the steam engines got new numbers for about 18 months before all steam ops ceased in mid-1958 (give or take).
This EM-1 is a triumph for all of us who cannot afford brass. Huge congrats to the folks at Bachmann for a great choice!
Please can we have an HO scale D&RGW L131 2-8-8-2 next....?
All the best
Warwick
Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it. Bruce
Just ordered mine from MB Klein --no sound --DCC on board
Yep' I jus' order'd one too.I'll wait until a few sound equipped ones are posted on youtube before i buy a sound unit just to see what they sound like.
Maybe Bachmann can answer this. When will the sound boards be available for the EM-1?
Thanks,
Bruce
Micromark has the sound module listed on their site ($73.95) I'd call first to make sure they are in stock though.
The sound modules have not shipped yet. Should not be much longer though.
found a youtube video for those interested ;D
http://youtu.be/pokF3gqafDk
Quote from: Yardmaster on December 02, 2011, 02:49:00 PM
The sound modules have not shipped yet. Should not be much longer though.
Is there a speaker in the tender or do you have to install one with the sound module
I've looked all over the place. How long are these brutes?
Joe
According to the Locomotive cyclepedia the prototype was 125 feet over the coupler faces.
It is a bit hard to tell on the video, but it looks like both the front and rear engines articulate, like the old Rivarossi models. Anyone else see that? Not a complaint at all. It means the engine will go around much tighter curves than if the rear engine were rigid.
ebtnut,
I caught that, too. Both driver engines have to be swiveled. Not a big surprise. What caught me was the cab swing. I was expecting the front of the boiler to stick out when rounding a curve. Now that I have seen it, it make sense it's the cab that hangs out when rounding a turn. Also makes sense that the tender draw bar extends way up under the trailing truck somewhere. Keeps from pulling the tender off a tight (22") curve.
Regards,
Jonathan
O.K decided not to wait, Just preordered the sound module from Micro Mark $73.95+9.95 shipping..... can't help it I'm greedy ;D
It would be nice if someone scans the paper work for their loco and post the pictures here. No telling when Bachmann will post the loco diagrams.
If they are adventurous like I am, open the tender so we can see what the decoder and speaker arraignment/connectors, PC board/s are like.
Rich
Mine is expected on or about 14 December, along with the sound unit (supposedly). If no one else has done it by then, rest assured I will document and post all my findings. I plan to figure out how to remove the loco shell as well.
I'm making a list of superdetails that will have to be added, too. Can't wait for the fun to begin.
Regards,
Jonathan
Mine was shipped today
I may get it tomorrow or latest Wednesday
I will test run it then it will go in my display case with my other Articulateds
Only major one missing will be the Allegheny( but $500 is too much for a Rivarossi )
My layout is too small to realistically run large artics
Quote from: jonathan on December 05, 2011, 12:58:30 PM
ebtnut,
I caught that, too. Both driver engines have to be swiveled. Not a big surprise. What caught me was the cab swing. I was expecting the front of the boiler to stick out when rounding a curve. Now that I have seen it, it make sense it's the cab that hangs out when rounding a turn. Also makes sense that the tender draw bar extends way up under the trailing truck somewhere. Keeps from pulling the tender off a tight (22") curve.
Regards,
Jonathan
Typically it is only the brass models that do it the way it was done on the prototype with only the front set of drivers pivoting. I have an Akane EM-1 and it works that way and I also have a Westside EM-1 on lay away and it is the same with only the front drivers pivoting.
Bachmann and Rivarossi make both drivers pivot so it can tighter curves. If you want to see boiler over hang look at a brass EM-1 taking a 30" radius curve.
Tom
I saw or another forum, that almost never has anything good to say about Bachmann, Bachmann has really come up with a winner with the EM-1
Mine just came
17-1/4 inches coupler to coupler with the draw in the long hole
Rear engine swivels
Runs very smooth
No problems on my 22 radius but the rear cab does swing away from the tender a lot
Quote from: RAM on December 06, 2011, 03:35:46 PM
I saw or another forum, that almost never has anything good to say about Bachmann, Bachmann has really come up with a winner with the EM-1
I still see that a lot. Seems to be mostly from old timers that had a lot of issues with the older Bachmann stuff.
Many times from some who have never used any Bachmann locos. Go figure.
Rich
Here is an overhead pic on the 22 curve
http://bandb3536.com/artics/2884s.jpg
Makes me very pleased that our club has 36"- 38" curves with easements.... ;D
EM-1 video. No sound yet. Sound module not released yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pokF3gqafDk
Search You Tube for Bachmann EM-1 for more videos.
Rich
I like the dubbed in music. I find myself humming "Take the A Train" when running my layout. :)
Just got the call from my dealer. My EM-1s were shipped yesterday. I should have them early next week.
As an aside, my not-so local Hobby Store let me order these back in July when the announcement went out. He also let me pay for these on a layaway type arrangement. I have been paying a few bucks on account, every now and then, for months now. I paid a bit more than the deep discounters, but I didn't have to resort to a credit card.
I will be able to test run these as the store, before bringing them home. Another arguement for the brick-and-mortar dealer. So few left...
Regards,
Jonathan
Glad to hear it' I only ordered one and its to be delivered sometime today,hope the sound decoder shows up within a day or so also ;D
I just want you guys to know that you're making it really, really hard for me to avoid running down to my LHS and buying a couple of these!!! ("You guys" means both those talking about them as well as you, Bach-Man, for making them!!! ;D ;))
I model C&O, not B&O, and it's sooo hard to stay focused when you've got these great models out there!
(In case it's not obvious, please keep hurting me with this "problem"!!!)
Seriously, that's a great model. I hope it does really well commercially.
Heh,think you have problems...... ;D
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm50/lkemling/004-1.jpg)
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm50/lkemling/019.jpg)
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm50/lkemling/003.jpg)
It was mentioned on another website that the EM-1 does not have exhaust stacks,lo' 'n' behold after looking at the video darned if he wasn't right...just 2 holes in the smokebox. watched a video of the prototype in action and the ones they showed all had stacks....whats going on ,are they tucked away in the box....hope so.... or did bachmann forget'em.....
Quote from: GN.2-6-8-0 on December 09, 2011, 02:16:45 PM
It was mentioned on another website that the EM-1 does not have exhaust stacks,lo' 'n' behold after looking at the video darned if he wasn't right...just 2 holes in the smokebox. watched a video of the prototype in action and the ones they showed all had stacks....whats going on ,are they tucked away in the box....hope so.... or did bachmann forget'em.....
Look at the link to the overhead shot I posted above
There are stacks
Don't know what happened to the one on You Tube
For those in a hurry. Someone in the Trains.com, Model Railroader DCC forum has put a QSI 21 pin sound decoder in their EM-1.
Rich
Quote from: GN.2-6-8-0 on December 09, 2011, 12:59:42 PM
Heh, think you have problems...... ;D
The M-1 and M-3 are both brass, aren't they? I'm not so enthused due to the price and the amount of rework required to bring them up to current plastic standards. The latter not meaning detail, but can motors, better gears, DCC, sound, and often even lights. So to me these aren't so much of a problem as the EM-1's, even though that M-1 looks shiny...
The H-8 isn't bothering me personally very much, since I have two of them already. (One's a Rivarossi, up to modern plastic standards, the other is an ancient Arbour that barely moves. My LHS keeps waving one of the brand new run Rivarossi's in front of me every time I walk in...) Oh, maybe it is bothering me after all! :o ;)
Quote from: uncbob on December 09, 2011, 02:50:46 PM
Quote from: GN.2-6-8-0 on December 09, 2011, 02:16:45 PM
It was mentioned on another website that the EM-1 does not have exhaust stacks,lo' 'n' behold after looking at the video darned if he wasn't right...just 2 holes in the smokebox. watched a video of the prototype in action and the ones they showed all had stacks....whats going on ,are they tucked away in the box....hope so.... or did bachmann forget'em.....
Look at the link to the overhead shot I posted above
There are stacks
Don't know what happened to the one on You Tube
Whew! yep i see'm ,couldnt imagine them being left off.
Quote from: uncbob on December 06, 2011, 03:55:13 PM
Mine just came
17-1/4 inches coupler to coupler with the draw in the long hole
Could I trouble someone for the length of the seperate engine and tender?
Joe
Quote from: JoeSantora on December 09, 2011, 11:44:30 PM
Quote from: uncbob on December 06, 2011, 03:55:13 PM
Mine just came
17-1/4 inches coupler to coupler with the draw in the long hole
Could I trouble someone for the length of the seperate engine and tender?
Joe
From the front to the rear of the cab roof is 11" Add 1/4" for the front coupler
Brought home #7600 today. Yes, I'm a bit gidee. :)
#7627 will be coming home soon. Still no sound units. Guess we're all in the same boat.
Won't have time to start tinkering 'til tomorrow. Will start a thread when I get her opened up.
First impression is that the loco is smaller that I imagined.
Regards,
Jonathan
Quote from: jonathan on December 11, 2011, 02:13:53 PM
Brought home #7600 today. Yes, I'm a bit gidee. :)
#7627 will be coming home soon. Still no sound units. Guess we're all in the same boat.
Won't have time to start tinkering 'til tomorrow. Will start a thread when I get her opened up.
First impression is that the loco is smaller that I imagined.
Regards,
Jonathan
It is only an inch shorter than my Big Boy