Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: 4449daylight on November 03, 2007, 02:32:46 PM

Title: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: 4449daylight on November 03, 2007, 02:32:46 PM
 Does anyone know if the Bachmann 2-8-4 Berkshire is out yet? Thanks ;D
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 03, 2007, 02:52:16 PM
No.  Neither is the Kanawha.  Original target date was October.  Now it's November.  It may be in the shipment that supposedly just arrived. 
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 04, 2007, 07:18:13 AM
Chances it will be out in a week or two. i think the Arrival date posted is really the date Bachmann gets the containers.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: the Bach-man on November 05, 2007, 11:16:20 PM
Dear All,
I believe the NKP and C&O versions will begin shipping this week, and the PM versions are on the water.
Have  fun!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 06, 2007, 11:41:08 AM
Does this mean I'm going to have to buy a PM version and reletter it for C&O?  When C&O relettered the PM Berkshires they left them "just the way they were" to include road number and merely painted "Chesapeake & Ohio" on tender.  At the same time they put in storage any Mike with the same number.  I'm already thinking that VT&P really needs an ex-C&O Kanawha.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: the Bach-man on November 07, 2007, 12:11:48 AM
Dear Gene,
The C&O versions are here now- it's the PM models that haven't arrived.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 07, 2007, 08:20:35 AM
I understand that.  But when C&O aquired PM in 1948 it used the PM Berks.  That means I could be very authentic by taking say, famous 1225, painting over Pierre Marquette and replacing it with Chesapeake & Ohio.  I have a C&O on order from the COHS.  I have too many 2-8-4s!
Gene 
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 08, 2007, 08:19:44 AM
You  have to many? I only have one! haha. Needs to be rehabed though. had a nasty accident when i last ran it. It kinda hit a string of 10 cars that broke free and i didnt catch(i was in the bathroom). I think only the bell got lost, i still have the other parts that broke free. I have no idea if it runs or not. should.

BTW i got one each of the C&O's on "reserve". the current berk i have is B&O.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 08, 2007, 09:30:42 AM
Currently I have on PFM, painted by somebody else.  The paint job is beautiful, but not accurate as the tender has the gold C&O donut which was only painted on one 2-8-4, which was a Berkshire aquired from the PM, and not a Kanawha.  I also have two P2Ks, both with sound I installed.  I also have an Mantua 2-8-4, which is really a Mike with a four wheel trailing truck.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 15, 2007, 06:21:13 PM
The C&O Kanawahas look NICE. I don't know about the NKP yet as I havent opened thier box yet. Tomorrow I process them and what not so should be fun.

Hey Bach-Man is the 2nd C&O Number delayed? We only had one number show and two NKP's.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on November 18, 2007, 02:13:22 PM
BaltoOhioRRfab

And the NKP engines?

In your opinion do these look as detailed as the Spectrum units? Do you have a test track in the store so that you could give a first thought to their running characteristics.

Are the engines three of five pole, I assume they would not have flywheels is that correct?
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 18, 2007, 02:28:28 PM
I test ran them. They run just as nice as teh spectrum line. I didn't really test the fly wheel but i bet they have it. My guess is 5 pole motor as it went Prototypical speeds. NKP Versions have correct details(IE double headlight on one and not the other, etc). I say the detail level mgiht be same as spectrum, maybe a little less. IMO They should have been in the spectrum line.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Ozzie21 on November 19, 2007, 09:08:04 AM
As you already have them are they plastic or metal bodied. I'm hoping they are plastic as I'd like to convert them into the correct variant for the roadnumber as the C&O locos were built in four groups by Lima, Alco, Alco, Lima,  each with slight variances to the original group. I tried to do that the with the P2K locos but as they were such poor runners I gave up and sold them on ebay so they'd be some one eles's problem. I still have my brass ones but wheel wear is starting to set in so I'll be visiting Greenway products soon for some wheels.

Regards
Ozzie21


Quote from: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 15, 2007, 06:21:13 PM
The C&O Kanawahas look NICE. I don't know about the NKP yet as I havent opened thier box yet. Tomorrow I process them and what not so should be fun.

Hey Bach-Man is the 2nd C&O Number delayed? We only had one number show and two NKP's.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: japasha on November 19, 2007, 04:44:16 PM
Gene and other C&O fans: just picked up a BLI C&O T-1. It is nice. Not overly detailed but a great appearence, actually much better than many of the brass imports of it from the past. DCC and sound included. It will do 22 inch radius and higher. It may have some problems with #6 turnouts, remember, the minimum these usually saw was #12.

I'm still waiting for a Kanawaha to appear.

Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 19, 2007, 05:41:11 PM
I have two Broadway T-1s and have run them through #6s without any problem.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 19, 2007, 06:04:48 PM
Plastic molded
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 20, 2007, 04:05:12 PM
How do they pull?
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 20, 2007, 06:11:27 PM
Not sure. I haven't tried it yet. I haven't been able to buy mine because i had a perscription to get that drained me.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 20, 2007, 06:35:28 PM
I'm sorry to hear that.  But it sure makes those O Dark Thirty blackout moves seem a whole lot more pleasant than they really were!  :D
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Ozzie21 on November 21, 2007, 06:14:46 AM
I have three brass T-1's that will navigate code 75 no  6 turnouts with out a problem. The BLI T-1's sure did capture the C&O whistle well sounds really good when a few  locos are running through the holler's.

Regards
Charles Emerson

Quote from: SteamGene on November 19, 2007, 05:41:11 PM
I have two Broadway T-1s and have run them through #6s without any problem.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: lanny on November 22, 2007, 11:54:45 AM
This is a question that may have been answered in this post, though I am not sure. Actually it is two questions. :)

(1) Are the new Bachmann 2-8-4s now generally available in all models advertised?

(2) How do they run. I had a P2K 2-8-4 but sold it because it was such a poor runner ... (very smooth and quiet, handling #6 turnouts just fine but couldn't pull more than 2 or 3 cars on my grades without drivers slipping and stopping while they spun. Yuk!:P).

Are the Bachmann 2-8-4's engineered to handle hauling 'tonnage' better than that?

thanks to anyone who can help with this info.

lanny
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 22, 2007, 01:17:25 PM
So far all we have gotten is one C&O Version and both NKPs. The PM's are on teh water from what Bach-Man is saying and unknown on the 2nd C&O and the undecs.

They run very smooth and quiet. They feel heavier then the Protos. I was unable to test pulling yet.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 23, 2007, 06:51:09 PM
Picked up my Berk today, will test it sunday when I'm off.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: csxnsdan on November 24, 2007, 12:58:54 AM
I picked up my Nickle Plate 765 today.First impressions:1.Awesome locomotive for the price.2.Seems to run smooth but needs a little break in time.3.Nicely decorated for a Standard line loco,even has the Lima builders plate.4.Operates better than my PCM T1 a loco with an MSRP twice of it.Has a speaker grate in the tender,havent tested its pulling ability yet,will report back when tested tomorrow.From my observations I say thumbs up Bachmann,another great steamer.Dan
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: lanny on November 27, 2007, 12:48:03 PM
Hi all,

I'm 'bumping' this back up to the top ... really interested in what those who have one of these think of their 'pulling power' ... specially, how does the Bachmann 2-8-4 pull in comparison to the Spectrum 4-8-2 (which IMHO is an excellent puller)?

thanks!

lanny
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: danmerkel on November 27, 2007, 04:30:11 PM
Still waiting on mine... will write about it as soon as I can in my blog.  It's the first time I've ever ordered a loco prior to release.  I did see them in Detroit but didn't get to run them.

dlm
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 27, 2007, 06:11:11 PM
I called COHS today about mine.  They didn't know they were out.   Apparently their supplier didn't get enough and is sending them out in the order of the order.   They've promised that mine will go out as soon as it gets to Clifton Forge.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Swordsman422 on November 27, 2007, 06:28:02 PM
I'm interested to know if I can replace the standard DCC decoder with a sound decoder and if so which decoder would be best? I think Tsunami's medium steam decoder already has the speakers installed on it. I just want to know how much work I'm in for to make the replacement. I'm getting both PMs and both C&Os regardless.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on November 28, 2007, 09:15:31 PM
And the patient wait for more news about the pulling power of the much awaited Berkshire...........
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: RAM on November 29, 2007, 12:02:12 AM
Well this is railroading, and you have side tracks.  maybe no one has been able to get one to run.  I don't have either locomotives, so I can't answer your question.  I know we need to get back on the main line and answer the question.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: BaltoOhioRRfan on November 29, 2007, 08:32:04 AM
I have yet to test how much they can pull, but just by weight i'd say 20 cars easily maybe more. I been really busy and unable to test that but i have run them and they run as good as any expensive engine i have.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: danmerkel on November 29, 2007, 12:06:44 PM
I'm just wondering about the "distribution channel."  I've had mine on order for quite some time now but haven't seen them yet.  Yet, other comments here suggest that some already have theirs.

Patience is a virtue... : )

dlm
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: lanny on November 29, 2007, 01:08:11 PM
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the comments on the Bachmann 2-8-4. I am glad for anything anyone has to offer. I can wait for the 'pulling power' test. If I like what I hear I'll get one (sorry to my very good friend 'Orsonroy' who knows that these don't really match very closely the ICRR 'super berks' :)). It will require a really major 'kit bash' to get it to even 'resemble' the early ICRR 2-8-4s that eventually were traded or rebuilt in favor of the 4-8-2s.

If the 2-8-4 Bachman is a good hauler like their Spec heavy Mountain, it would be fun to do that anyway because a brass ICRR 2-8-4 runs $1000.00 +!

Anyway, I apprciate any and all comments regarding this new Bachman locomotive!

lanny
Title: UPDATE!!! Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: danmerkel on November 29, 2007, 01:55:51 PM
The UPS man delivered my 2-8-4 #765 this morning!  So I'll have a chance to put it on the track tonight and fill you all in on my first impressions of how it performs.  I can say that it does look sharp but looks aren't everything.  : )

dlm
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 29, 2007, 05:46:04 PM
Extrapolating from what the COHS told me, the distributors did not get as many as they needed and some, at least, are filling in the order in which the orders arrived to them.  This sounds like the interest in VanSchwerigen(sp) 2-8-4s is rather strong. 
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: csxnsdan on November 29, 2007, 07:14:52 PM
I have now tested the pulling power.Mine pulled 10 standard weight boxcars and a caboose with no problems.However this will be an excursion loco on my layout so I will test it soon with some passenger cars.I did not like the decoder so I replaced it with a TCS T1 decoder.That helped the performance on DCC alot.I can now move at speed step 1.The Bachmann decoder is plugged into an eight pin socket so it should be no problem to plug in a Loksound or Tsunami decoder.MRC also makes a steam decoder but use at your own risk,I returned mine.Dan
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Atlantic Central on November 29, 2007, 07:48:19 PM
Hopefully it will pull 3 or 4 times that amount.

Sheldon
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: csxnsdan on November 29, 2007, 10:36:23 PM
I was able to pull about 5 walthers full lengh passenger cars before the drivers slipped.May operate better once it is broken in.It is a nice loco.You would not regret buying it.Dan
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on November 30, 2007, 02:49:36 PM
Ten freight or five passenger is no better than what Proto 2000 gets.  Is this on the level or on a grade, and if so, how steep is the grade?
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: csxnsdan on November 30, 2007, 05:53:58 PM
Thats on the level.Im gonna try again tonight.The motor bracket was loose in mine,I removed the boiler and out comes the motor in my hands,the 3 screws stuck to the motor.Evidently they were not tightend at the factory.I installed all 3 screws.We will see how she runs tonight.Will post results.Dan
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: japasha on November 30, 2007, 07:45:48 PM
Guys, I have a fifty year old Varney Berkshire that pulls a lot more than the new Bachmann. It does not have DCC nor does it have much in the way of detail. Maybe we could get Lee and the team to copy the mechanisim and keep the superb detail. The new stuff is beautiful/ We just need superpower drivetrains.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on December 01, 2007, 08:39:05 PM
I am so ready to order one of these engines. However, I am still burning from my last acquisition which was unfortunately an early run Berkshire (Proto Heritage) great model, extreme slow speed no pulling power.

Once I have headr from a few members who have actually bought and run this unit and there is an acceptance of its puling power and slow speed control I will buy at least one if not more.

So will sit on the sidelines and wait
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: ebtbob on December 02, 2007, 08:08:33 AM
Good Morning,

     With all due respect,  when you mention a Varney berk,  you speak of an engine that was all cast metal.  That alone should allow it to outpull the new berk from Bachmann.
      As to the comment about the engine being able to pull 3-4 times the stated 10 cars,   I agree somewhat.   10 cars is disappointing especially on a level track.    In my opinion,  note I say my opinion.....once an HO scale train gets above 25 cars,  it usually overwhelms most HO scale railroads.  I have a 16x26 foot railroad and can tell you that,  visually,  anything more than 20-25 cars looks odd.   Remember,  visually,  on a model railroad,  we see a much greater area than we would in real life and to see a train stretch out over multiple scenes is odd looking.   Remember,  just my opinion.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Atlantic Central on December 02, 2007, 09:28:09 AM
ebtbob,

I will agree and disagree (just a bit) about train lengths. Yes on small and medium sized layouts train lenths should be kept shorter and in proportion to the layout/space. And, I agree 20-25 cars is a respectable train on many layouts.

But motive power should be selected and used accordingly as well. A Big Boy pulling 15 cars looks silly, and pulling even 25 is not much better - regardless of layout size. That train only needs a Mike.

Many people today are building larger layouts and trains in the 35-50 car length can effectively be run to capture the "feel" of big time railroading. that is a long enought train to justify all this big power we have available and capture the sense of big time railroading.

Everything we do is selectively compressed, but the operative word is selectively! Berks pulling 10 cars is silly and toy like.

Sheldon

Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 02, 2007, 01:32:54 PM
I have to agree with both Bob and Sheldon.  My layout, designed by Sheldon, is geared for a 20 car train, and I'd like to run that length, especially with my larger engines.  I have two of the Proto 2000 Kanawhas.  I haven't tried them on the grades yet, but I fear dissappointment.  I know they did horribly on the CB&W layout, but there are some 4% helix humps which I don't have.  So we shall see. 
I'm also waiting to see what is needed to add a sound decoder.  More capacitor cutting?
Gene 
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on December 03, 2007, 09:36:21 PM
And the new owners of the Bachmann Berkshire have had a chance to run these engines and they can pull how many cars up a 2% incline?
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Atlantic Central on December 04, 2007, 07:40:07 AM
That is the question eveyone would like answered. I for one would hope we get a more detailed and technical response from someone. Info like what kind and weight of cars, both level and on grade results, type of trucks on those cars, etc.

Sheldon
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 04, 2007, 08:24:24 AM
I am eagerly waiting for the locomotive to test it! 
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: csxnsdan on December 06, 2007, 10:15:20 PM
After I repaired the loose motor,the Berk pulled 33 standard weighted Bowser and Proto 1000 100 ton open hoppers on a level track.I do not have any grades to test mine as my layout is level due to my yard and steel works.Dan
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: lanny on December 06, 2007, 10:26:51 PM
Hi csxnxdan,

Thanks for that report. That is helpful. 33 100 ton hoppers on level track doesn't sound too bad ... in fact, IMHO that sounds pretty good. Now some of us are eagerly awaiting a report on how they do on 2% and 3% grades!

I'm also wondering if anyone knows if there are any 'empty places' over the drivers inside the boiler where 'lead shot' weight could be added?

Someone a long time ago had a great thread on where weight is best distributed in steam locomotives for optimum pulling power. Wonder if anyone would care to give a quick overview of that subject again?

Gene ... a question for you. What is the steepest grade on your layout that the 20 car frieghts will have to deal with?

lanny

Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Atlantic Central on December 07, 2007, 07:52:33 AM
That is good news and sounds like pretty good pulling power. Depending on the rolling qualities of the equipment, grades can be expected to effect train lengths as follows:

1% grade = 30% reduction or about 23 cars pulled.

2% grade = 50% reduction or about 17 cars pulled

3% grade = 70% reduction or about 10 cars pulled

Now you see why the prototype kept grades below 2% as much as possible. Based on my own test results with other locos and the estimated weight of the cars, this loco performs about the same as the Bachmann Heavy Mountain - that is pretty good.

IIRC, on the Nickel Plate, their Berks would pull 50 car trains and just make the few 1.5% grades on their mainline, sometimes needing help.

In my tests of other steam locos, 50%-70% of the prototype pulling abilty is typical of the best pulling locos - so this one seems pretty good based on the info from csxnxdan.

Sheldon
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 07, 2007, 08:44:46 AM
Lanny,
The planned maximum grade is 2%.  I really need to run a full train up the grade from Sugar Grove to Michael's Farm. 
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Atlantic Central on December 07, 2007, 10:48:32 AM
Gene,

Sounds like it might work! Good free rolling cars, maybe a little extra weight if that can be done - and away you go!

Sheldon
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: lanny on December 07, 2007, 08:38:50 PM
Sheldon,

Thanks for that ... until something more definitve comes in, your breakdown of the various grades 1, 2, and 3% is very helpful. And if the 2-8-4 can pull 10 cars with wheels reamed and free rolling, perhaps a bit of judicious weight adding can up that to 12? 10 - 12 is very reasonable in my opinion.

Again, thanks for the helpful breakdown until we get some more definitive info.

I think the possibility of a Bachmann "ICRR" 2-8-4 kit-bash has just increased a bit for the 'Strawberry Creek Division of the ICRR'  :D

lanny
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: danmerkel on December 10, 2007, 02:32:36 PM
I had an opportunity to run my new Bachmann 2-8-4 the other day for the
first time.  While this isn't going to be an exhaustive review, I'll mention
the following in no particular order...
    o  The engine seemed hard to get on the tracks at first.  I use a Rix
Rerailer and it didn't seem to like that at all.  But once I got all wheels on the track corectly, it stayed that way for the entire time I was running it.
    o  I only ran it about fifteen minutes but it seemed to do well.
    o  The motor did seem to have a bit of a loud buzz in it.  I've heard
that this is sometimes the case when DCC equipped engines are run on DC which was the case here.
    o  Pulling power... I was running seven properly weighted (by NMRA
standards) Athearn HO passenger cars behind my Berk.  With that load, the drivers slipped some on an uphill, curved 2% grade but the train still made it to the top.
    o  The engine & tender both have yellow LEDs for headlight/back-up
lights.  This doesn't really float my boat all that much but I don't "worry"
about it since I don't do any night time running.
    o  The lettering on the tender (mine is NKP 765) seemed just a bit too
yellow to me.  Dulux gold looks a little more orange to me but then who knows?  I do know that anything in that range of shades is difficult to get correct.  Any shade of yellow is a tough color to work with.
    o  Slow speed was excellent!  While the starting voltage seemed a little
high, once the loco was in motion, it could be throttled way back down and
the engine barely crawled along.  While not a "switcher," this would be
excellent for coupling in the yard and such.
    o  Out of the box, the front coupler drooped too much and the trip pin
was catching on rails at crossovers & switches.  A quick upward bend of the trip pin fixed this.

Overall, I'm initially pleased with the engine and think it will be a great
addition to my motive power fleet.

dlm
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: jsmvmd on December 11, 2007, 02:58:05 PM
Dear Friends,

I believe Rich Cormier contributed to the adding weight discussion by stating he placed lead shot in small balloons.  I think this was for G scale. Finger "cots" would work, too. 

Rich, please correct me if I am wrong.

Best Wishes!

Jack
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 13, 2007, 11:13:06 AM
I called COHS this morning and they said my Kanawha departed Clifton Forge yesterday.  I assume I will get it today or tomorrow. 
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: rdg1187 on December 13, 2007, 10:45:00 PM
Have the Pere Marquette engines arrived yet?
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 14, 2007, 09:33:57 AM
I think Mr. B said the PMs were still swimming.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: dmolavi on December 14, 2007, 01:00:11 PM
Quote from: rdg1187 on December 13, 2007, 10:45:00 PM
Have the Pere Marquette engines arrived yet?

according to the product locator, no. 
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?query=berkshire&submit=Search&sortOrder=id
i'm basing availability on whether a 'buy now' button is available for the item...
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: MC on December 14, 2007, 04:03:30 PM
Has anyone added sound to the new Bachmann 2-8-4. I received mine last Tuesday and was expecting sound but what the heck at that price you can't go wrong. The lady's at COHS weren't to sure what they were selling.

I am looking at the Tsumani package although it's a little expensive when you add a speaker and Power Pax that Tony's Trains says you must have to program the engine.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

MC

P.S. Since I am a new guy to this board I hope I don't get drug through the mud like some of the other new people!
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Atlantic Central on December 14, 2007, 04:26:43 PM
MC,

They are so new I doubt may people have had a chance to sound equip them yet - give it a little time.

As a for you being new, I think you will be just fine - you can obviously read and write the language and your question is completely sensible - the only people who get picked on are those who post messages that look like a text message from the hood.

Personally I can add much of an opinion about adding sound - I don't do DCC or sound.

Sheldon
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 14, 2007, 05:35:21 PM
I received mine today.  For a Standard, it looks quite nice.  It does not have a crew nor does it appear to have a deck plate.  When you unpack it, look for the two pieces of foam protecting the wheels.  The rear one is easy to spot, but it took two glances to see the one under the pilot truck.  From the instruction sheet, each road's major differences are captured by the model for that road:  There are two tender shells (the bottom of the tender has sound holes for a large speaker), two cabs, two sand domes and steam domes, three steambox fronts and headlights, and two pilots. 
Mine started on something like 10 or so, but ran smoothly despite some filthy track.  I will try running it some more this weekend and hope to try a train behind it soon.  Unfortunately, my favorite middle school has remembered me, and I will be subbing in language arts classrooms for the first three days of next week, which will cut into my train time.  I also have grandchildren Christmas programs.  So train time will be limited - and I have some more Christmas shopping yet to do.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 15, 2007, 04:52:40 PM
Update.  The tender has four screws, one at each corner to get into the tender.  Once there, space is plentiful for extra weight, which it needs.  The bad news is that it suddenly stopped running.  I don't have time right now to figure out what is wrong, but it appears that the decoder just stopped. 
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on December 17, 2007, 09:58:19 PM
SteamGene - What was the cause of your new engine's malfunction? Am waiting to buy one of these but want feedback from owners such as yourself if you are satisfied with the engine.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 18, 2007, 05:40:25 PM
I haven't had a chance to investigate.  Perhaps tomorrow.  There is a slight possibility that the extra weight I added came loose, hit the decoder, and shorted it out.  I hope to have time to take the tender apart and see if something strange happened.  I doubt that is the problem.  Perhaps it will work fine tomorrow.  I may try a different decoder - but then we go into the Bachmann decoder problem issue....
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 19, 2007, 03:47:23 PM
Problem was very simple - one of the plugs came out!  I plugged it back in and it ran fine.  I've added 1.5 ounces to the tender, one ounce over the front trucks and a half ounce over the rear trucks.  I've also bent the front coupler glad hand up.  If I had the Kadee with whiskers, I'd switch coupler, probably. 
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on December 22, 2007, 02:13:57 PM
My layout has mainly 22" radius curves, however in a couple of areas I do have some 18" radius curves. Would this engine be able to handle the 18" curves or would I have to relay the track?
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on December 26, 2007, 05:11:03 PM
I don't know.  My minimum radius is 30".  BTW, I checked steamlocomotive.com and discovered there are 12 K-4s which escaped the cutter's torch, though a lot have not escaped the vandal's crescent.  I wonder how this makes the Kanawha stand in total number of survivors. 
Merry Second Day of Christmas
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: rdg1187 on January 07, 2008, 11:40:59 PM
OK.  Time for my review.  I am a big fan of today's operating mainline steam, so I just bought Pere Marquette #1225.  Overall, it is a good runner with a smooth mechanism.  As far as pulling power goes, it was able to pull an auxiliary tender and 22 IHC passenger cars.  The ruling grade on my layout is 1%.  I do use teflon lube in the journal boxes of all my cars, so they roll very well.  One of my pet peeves with model steam locos is when the eccentric crank is not positioned correctly, and Bachmann is guilty of this on the 2-8-4 loco.  In the rods down postion, the eccentric  crank should be 45 degrees toward the FRONT of the engine.  On the fireman's side it is facing 45 degrees toward the REAR.  Hopefully, I will be able to disassemble the engine, and fix it. But overall, I must say it's a pretty good engine for the money.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Pacific Northern on January 08, 2008, 06:42:20 PM
Anyone running the Berkshire on a layout with 18" radius and #4 turnouts?
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: Bill Baker on January 10, 2008, 03:15:28 PM
DR

I don't have the 2-8-4, but have the Spectrum 4-8-2 Mountain and it negotiates 18" radii just fine.  Don't have any #4 turnouts, but the #6 cause no problems.
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: SteamGene on January 10, 2008, 03:30:32 PM
Which Spectrum Mountain?  The light can handle 18" radius, but the 22" normally can't.  In either event, it looks awful trying to do it.
Gene
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: grumpy on January 11, 2008, 12:55:04 AM
I have a Spectrum 4-8-2 moutain heavy with sound and DCC . The sound is excellent and it sure looks good going around the 18" curves on my layout.
Don
Title: Re: Bachmann 2-8-4 question
Post by: robertjohndavis on January 11, 2008, 09:58:37 AM
See the thread Berkshire Upgrades for notes about sound install.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,3861.0.html (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,3861.0.html)

Rob