Dear Mr. Bachmann,

I humbly ask for you to produce a good 1900-1920 era Prarie for the Spectrum line. I respect everyones debate on the vitality of the Prarie in real life, however, 2-6-2 Prarie's were utilized by many Class 1 and smaller railroads for over 50 years. A good, moderized 2-6-2 would fit the niche of industrial, branchline, mainline passenger and logging operations.

I firmly believe that balance must be kept for a product to be viably marketable. Almost every wheel arrangement available has been done by Bachmann and various manufacturers'. I think this is a great time to build a modern Spectrum 2-6-2 Prarie, with the correct tender connection for either a short/medium coal tender or the medium Vanderbilt. I am humbled that you listened to my voice and concerns surrounding the modern 4-4-0. I ask you to consider this request and explore its feasibility.

I would definitely purchase a few.

Thank you.

Frisco_Manny

Hi guys,

I've been reading this with much interest and have been following MTH's web site on the triplex. They now have a video of her in action. Yes, the HO model in action, and if you click on one of the engine numbers, you get all the details. They state the model is all metal and will run on 22 inch radius curves. It doesn't look bad going around 22 inch radius. Really.

Now, I am not a big fan of big huge steam, not because of the locomotive per say, but because I'm not a fan of Union Pacific and that's all that is thrown up now a days. I am eagerly awaiting this unit to get one. It's so unique it's well in line with the asking price. I just wish that they offered an undecorated version. If not, I'll just have to paint over the ERIE.

Check out the video!

Manny

Quote from: SteamGene on September 18, 2007, 05:43:09 PM
No, Manny, the Bachmann steam locomotive tenders do not display markers.  Most of the locomotives have classification lights, but that's not the same as markers.  Go back and review the thread on what constitutes a train. 
A train must have motive power and markers. 
I guess I'm going to have to put markers on the tender of one of my small locomotives so I can run it as a train.
Gene

Hi Gene,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I know this reg because I'm a retired C&O conductor, and a skilled steam locomotive fireman.  Road Foreman of Engines and Trainmaster's love to ask this question. 

A headlight, or white light, under regs is considered a marker. It is all that is needed. Classification lights are extra's. Trailing lights such as lanterns "red" or "green" are also extra's, but are required for different purposes under regulation. All that's needed for a train is a headlight, or the tender's back up light, ie, white light, to be legal.

A red flag by day, red lantern (steam days), or modern FRED's at night displaying a flashing red light serve different purposes under regulation and can be traced back to days of the flagman who needed to huff it out two miles down track with lantern, flag and torpedoes, to effectively protect the train.

If a tender is left without a back-up light, that's usually not correct. I've never seen a tender in real life without a rear light. If a steam locomotive actually did NOT have a rear headlight on the tender, then that train is limited to restricted speed and movement must be protected by a brakeman, conductor, or the fireman (for short distance). The engineer must be ready to stop short of anything impeding his progress safely. I've always wondered why some models didn't have back up lights (Post 1890-1900).


Sorry for the hi-jack...

Manny

Quote from: SteamGene on September 18, 2007, 09:41:29 AM
Seanu
'The Russian Decapod is a locomotive, not a train. 
Gene

Actually Gene, he is correct. The locomotive by itself is considered a train. The definition of a train is:

A locomotive, with or without cars, displaying markers.

Just a little railroad trivia for ya! 

Manny

I'm confused at Bachmann's marketing strategy  . I love all steam, although the 2-8-4 is not one of my favorite wheel arrangements; so looking at the model here on this site and through others, the engine is labeled as "STANDARD", yet it appears to be nothing but "SPECTRUM" quality. Why would Bachmann muddy the waters intermixing STANDARD with SPECTRUM? Why not eliminate the STANDARD LINE and just produce SPECTRUM?


Manny

Haha,

No! No! I know Vanderbuilt's don't come with doghouses. I was referring to the stock tender that came with the engine. I'm glad to see that the undecorated model comes with the doghouse.

I have always been a Vanderbuilt tender fan. I'm also a clearview tender fan as behind the P2K 0-8-0. Wonder? Has anyone put one of the P2K tenders behind a Spectrum engine? I think the clearview would look awesome behind the 2-8-0.

Thanks,

Manny

Does the undecorated version of the 2-10-0 Russian come with the doghouse for the tender, or do you have to buy the Frisco version to get it. I really want to have the doghouse on mine. I plan on having 5 or 6 Russian's, all with Vanderbuilt tenders except 1 or 2.

Thanks,

Frisco Manny

Hi there,

Been looking around at some Bachmann Spectrum HO Russian Decapod's. Apparently, there seems to be a problem with the last batch that went out with drive train issues and circuit boards, so they are being pulled from the shelves. Many versions are not available anymore and won't be for a while. Is Bachmann discontinuing these? What's the skinny?

Manny

Quote from: Atlantic Central on August 20, 2007, 09:37:45 PM
Frisco_Manny,

I don't mean to be rude, but did you read any of the above? Or just skim through it?

If you had read my first post, you would know that most of the circuit boards from the retangular tenders do NOT fit in the medium vandy's without a lot of cutting, hacking, jury rigging, kind of sloppy work.

Each tender has its own circuit board dimensions and mounting, some are similar, many are not.

But again I say, they all share the same six connections. The only differences are the pin asignments in the connectors and the type of head light lamp.

The pin asignements are easy to change. The little metal connectors are easily released from the plugs and reintalled in different positions. Any Bachmann circuit board can be used on any loco with the correct pin asignments and ajustments in the headlight circuit or lamp type.

We are not talking space shuttle guidence or quantum physics here, just changing what wire is in what location on a little plug and changing a headlight or a resistor.

Sheldon

Haha,

No, I didn't get offended. I just came off of 19 hours of duty since 0230. I'm completely exhausted. I prolly read it, but it didn't sink in. So sorry. My bad.
It's just a little frustrating because a manufacturer who takes such time to create good products totally missed the boat here.

Manny

Quote from: rogertra on August 20, 2007, 07:01:47 PM
Even though some tenders may be compatable with other locos, the safe rule is to ALWAY keep the tender circuit board with the loco it was originally attached to.

One of these days, the Bachmann brass will understand the need for all tenders (Circuit boards) to be fully compatible across the whole Spectrum range.

But don't hold your breath.

So the real question should be: What circuit boards fit into what other tender? I love Vandy Tenders and want to run them behind everything, except the modern 4-4-0. I think Bachmann missed the marketing and production bullseye by creating all these "misaligned" circuit boards. It's never too late to change though.

So, again, can all circuit board intermix with other tenders, or is there space issues? I agree, keeping the circuit board of the original engine should be priority.

Frisco_Manny

Quote from: martin_lumber on August 16, 2007, 09:30:40 PM
I just bought one of the Heavy Mountains off of eBay for $50, and then I saw that Bachmann, at one time, made a Light Mountain. What is the difference? In the photos, the overall locomotive looked the same, but the tender was smaller. What's the difference between the models?

Phil

Light Mountain:



Heavy Mountain:

Hi Mr. Bach-man,

Thanks for making all the great Spectrum steamers! Just one question: Why did Bachmann discontinue the Lt. Mountain? She's a beauty. Please bring her back. They are getting harder to find!

Frisco_Manny

Hi Len,

Please don't think I was yelling or mad at you. I wasn't. Just wasn't sure which way you were going. It's all good. Frisco steam is my forte. Wish more of their steam was made, but since the Frisco built there own steam mostly, and used very little USRA, I don't think that's going to happen.

Hey Bach-man, please bring back the Frisco 2-10-0!

Manny

Hi Len,

Did know if you meant to actually have those engines made or if you thought they were Prarie's, but Frisco 1050 is a home built 4-6-2, and the 1060 is also a home built 4-6-4. Frisco did not own any Prarie's.

Frisco 1060 is a stream liner used in passenger service. That's why she has the skirts. Her colors were blue and silver.

Just an FYI....nice to be here.

Yes, Mr. Bachmann...it would be EXTREMELY nice to see a Spectrum Prarie roll off the lines.

Frisco_Manny