I finally went out and bought one of the Bachman engines that comes with factory sound.
I am quite impressed with both the sound and the engines running performance.  Great sound compared to my BLI units from a few years ago. The locomotives running characteristics are also good, excellent slow speed control.

These units with the factory sound installed  are obviously a superior DCC decoder than the Bachmann standard DCC only decoder engines.

Having upgraded a couple of engines to DCC and sound I also think their pricing is reasonable.

Will Bachmann be selling the Sound decoders directly to the public in the future?

What would be the "recommended"  way to upgrade a Spectrum 2-8-0 DCC equipped steamer to sound?  What would the estimated cost be for each?

1-Replace the DCC decoder with a new DCC and Sound unit?

2-Add a sound only decoder to the steamer?

Thanks

I have decided to buy some of the Spectrum Steam Sound equipped engines.

So my question is  which Bachmann Spectrum models use the "light steam" sounds, which use the "medium Steam" sounds and lastly which use the "heavy steam" sounds?

Thanks

Has anyone swapped tenders for these engines? Is the wiring the same for both the low boiler and high boiler models?

No one has swapped tenders on these models?

As indicated in the news release, the Spectrum 2-8-0 will now be part of the Standard line.
Does this mean less detail?
Will the Standard motor be the same as the Spectrum motor or is it to be changed?
Any change to the DCC chip to be used?

Any changes other than the above?

Why is it I have to go to the Model Railroaders web site to hear about the new Spectrum steamer?

Perhaps it is because it is a re-release?

A 2-6-6-2

I always keep an eye out for good deals on any 2-8-0 or 4-6-0 Spectrum steam engines.

Recently I found a 2-8-0 on e-bay and today it arrived. It is as advertised new old stock, it is DCC ready and lettered for the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

What surprised me was when I opened the package was its weight.  The foam insert is unlike anything I have seen. The foam is actually quite heavy and not very porous at all.  Looks like rubber and is quite heavy.

This is obviously a very old insert, I am so glad that Bachmann changed to a lighter more porous insert, the additional cost of postage would have been a waste of money.

Was the Hicken tender ever paired with any of the Spectrum steam engines?

I have a Heavy Mountain which is paired with the large Vanderbilt tender and in my opinion the Hicken is a better match for that engine.

I have been reading about the Pr Box add on for the Dynamis and given the manufactures suggested prices have come to the conclusion that this system with its various add ons is indeed a very expensiv.

The most unsettling  news on the various forums being expressed is that the ProBox will NOT be programmable to your computer.

It also seems that the power to the Dynamis is only rated at 3 amps, not much if you are planning on running a number of sound locomotives, especially if they are the older BLI units.

The Bachmann web site certainly lacks describing the specifics to any detail.

I was on vacation recently and had the oppotunity to visit a couple of Hobby Shops who specialized mainly in HO trains.

I was surprised to see quite a number of Bachmann Plus HO engines for sale intermixed with the Standard and Spectrum stock.

How old are these engines? When did the Spectrum brand first emerge?

Seeing the amount of "Plus" items certainly put a new emphasis of the term "new old stock".

I was recently doing routine maintenance, cleaning and oiling, on my HO Spectrum engines.

As I proceeded through the roaster of engines I came to one of the 2-6-6-2 engines.  I had almost forgotten that this engine had come pre-weathered from the factory.

How many other engines did Bachmann offer to the publc that were weathered.?

I was recently given a new steamer for my HO model railroad layout. The engine is a 2-4-4 Forney. It came with a few cars, flat car, box car, tank car and a caboose.

The only problem is these are On30 scale.  The detail is superb and they run like a clock.  I had at first thought about how I would have to exchange these but the more I examined them the more I admire them.

I will  start another layout. I am fortunate that I do have the room to accomodate it.

I would not give up my ongoing HO layout, but I am totally taken with the On30 items. Well at least I can alternate between the two.

I have a complaint to lodge with Bachmann.

I have just received the Standard Bachmann DCC equiped Berkshire #50949.

Upon inspecting this unit I found that  the engine suffered some damage in transit. The bell was loose laying in the box and the bell hangar damaged.

Having only purchased Spectrum engines until now I am surprised at how Bachmann is packaging the standard line engines. Had this engine been packed with the protective foam inserts I think it would have arrived intact.

Has anyone else ordered standard line engines that were damaged in the mail during transit?

I contacted the Bachmann Service department, but if they are not stocking replacment parts I guess there is little they can do.

Well I took the plunge and bought a Spectrum 2-8-2 Mikado.

I have spent the day breaking in this engine. It was a bit stiff to start but after around six hours of running off and on it is now running very smooth, slow speed is great.

The amount of piping detail really surprised me. There is more detail pieces on the Spectrum Mike that there is on the Proto 2-8-4.

The Mike is one  great looking engine. The coal tender reminds me of the smaller coal tenders of the CNR and CPR.

This engine is only a bit larger that the Spectrum 2-8-0, the new 2-8-4 dwarfs this engine.

I would also comment on the packaging. This engine comes in a different size presentation box that the rest of the Spectrum engines. The engine and tender can be kept together once you have connected the wiring. I only wish that the other Spectrum engines could be kept together (engine connected to tender) and stored in the original box like the Mike.

Why are not all of the Bachmann steam engines packaged like this?

Anyway, I just ordered another Mike I am so pleased.

A question for the Bach Man

I was updating the data for my roster and wondered why the NYC Spectrum 2-8-0 was not listed along with the other roadnames?

Are there other roadnames that also do not appear in the various Bachmann Catalogues?

I notice  there are few outlets with the Spectrum 2-8-0's without sound in stock.  It seems if you want this engine now you will have to buy this engine with sound.

As this engine is the main power on my layout and I am not a sound fan at all, I decided I should get a few spares of this engine for a rainy day.

I searched around. Some dealers are advertising the unit even though it is not in stock.  I have only found one outlet that actually has this engine in stock today.

MB Klien has this engine in their train sets at a most reasonable rate. For not much more than the price of the DCC engine you get  the three Spectrum passenger cars, an oval of track including the terminal and rerailer and of course the power unit.

I have been browsing a number of the on-line hobby shops and have noticed when available, this engine is being sold and advertised significantly higher than the regular Spectrum steamers.

Is it because it is somewhat scarcer than the other Spectrum models or is it actually more detailed than the other Spectrum's?

In any case it certainly commands a premium price.

Was this engine which came with smoke in fact a DCC ready engine. Also did it have a 5 pole motor with flywheel?

I see at present the Spectrum Heavy Mountain is only offered with DCC and Sound and there is no mention at all of the Light Mountain engine being available.

Are the Spectrum Mountain engines being phased out?

My favority hobby shop had the DCC ready engines on sale marked down substantially, now they are out of stock.  Most of the other hobby shops are out of stock as well. It seems only the Heavy Mountains with Sound and DCC are now available.

Question, as Bachmann no longer sells/markets  these kits has any other manufacturer taken over these kits.

The Spectrum Bus Depot is the kit I am trying to locate.