Hi, what are the "official" and "actual" minimum radius curves for this model, please? I have not found it specified in the official blurb.
Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, I just got an email flyer from Bachmann announcing a fresh release of the Baldwin 2-8-0 in HO and in N scale. I am wondering if the N scale models have a fully functional front coupler yet so they can be used for branch line, switching, and yard operations? If so, is the chassis sufficiently the same to allow me to transplant my old SAL loco and tender bodies onto them (Spectrum 81166 SAL #916 and 81173 SAL #914). These two old ladies are fed up with the big hand from the sky having to keep turning them round, and they would like to be able to run tender-first instead!!!!!
Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of replacing the decoder with a blanking plug in the Spectrum 4-4-0s and 4-6-0s when using an analogue controller. My "DCC Ready" steam seems to start at a lower voltage than my "DCC on Board" steam, giving me a greater useful dial range on the controller, but are there other differences? And are there advantages in leaving the decoder installed??

Grateful for opinions / experience from other analogue users.

Bill.

I have an ancient pair, Seaboard #914 (Spectrum 81173, DCC Ready) and Seaboard #916 (Spectrum 81166, not DCC ready). I don't expect Bachmann to re-issue these in DCC + Sound any time soon, so I was wondering if the loco and tender bodies might transplant directly / fairly easily onto the chassis of one from one of the RRs Bachmann currently favour. I don't want to buy one and then find they don't!!!!!

BTW I'm surprised the Bachmann on-line shop does not specify a minimum radius curve for the 2-8-0. Nor does the documentation with my engines. The Model Railroader review of April 2002 says 9 3/4 inches, but I don't know where they got that from.

Do these latest sound value locos have a proper working front knuckle coupler, or has this basic ommission from a freight loco still not been addressed? Again the MR review says MTL recommend their 2004-1 as a replacement front coupler for this loco, but the MTL conversion chart says "No pilot conversion available". It seems to me that puts the onus on Bachmann to solve the problem. They did it on the 2-6-0, so it must be possible on the 2-8-0. The provision of a working front coupler on the 2-6-0 shows Bachmann recognise it is essential for freight loco operation.

Bill.

I have an old Spectrum 2-8-0, Spectrum 81166, SAL #916. There is a short arm amongst the coupling rods that is attached at one end behind a plastic thing top-left of the 2nd driver and is still attached, and the other end should be attached to a pin on the oval thing on the 3rd driver, but has come off. From the parts diagram the rod seems to be part #MTB25 and the ovoid thing it attaches to looks to be the pin on part #OOP01. My question is, if I push the hole in the end of the rod back onto the pin, how do I stop it coming off again? I can't glue it, as the pin needs to rotate within the hole in the rod. I assume it was a push-fit, as the parts diagram does not show a retaining nut.

BTW, it doesn't stop the loco from running, it is just cosmetic, so at a pinch I could remove the rod entirely, as with it hanging loose it can foul the ends of the sleepers or pointwork.

If it is not fixable, which would be a pity as it is a smooth running loco, will the old Spectrum body transplant onto the present 2-8-0 chassis? And does the present chassis have a fully working front coupler with a trip-pin? That would be a big improvement. This old chassis has a non-working knuckle which plugs in with twin prongs, which can be replaced by a non-moving Rapido on twin prongs which is supplied, but I use knuckle couplers and lack of a fully operating front knuckle is a major drawback for a loco that does switching.

BTW, I don't want to run this as DCC, and I don't mind if the front coupler protrudes a bit further than the dummy if that enables it to function fully.

Grateful for any advice,
TIA,
Bill.

Here is a link to a video launching a new steam model by Bachmann Europe developed in partnership with the UK's National Railway Museum and it's shop, Locomotion Models, and a big UK model railway box-shifter, Rails of Sheffield.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhZQ-gXyGRA&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Mailing+List&utm_campaign=07a0ff62ad-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_11_08_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_74d01bc2ed-07a0ff62ad-5831517

This sort of partnership is now a major way new steam loco models emerge in the UK, with the NRM also partnering with other manufacturers such as Rapido, Hornby and Dapol, all of whom also partner with other retailers for commissions and limited editions, resulting in a steady flow of several entirely new steam loco models every year, for the UK market of 65 million people.

I wonder if this might be a way to go for the US market, of 330 million people? Bachmann USA often say on this site they infrequently produce new models because there is no market for them and they would be uneconomical. They also used economics to justify reducing the detail on the low-boiler 4-6-0. But maybe markets have to be made?? With millions of people locked down for covid the UK model railway shops are booming, albeit by mail order. The various limited editions usually sell out on pre-order. And you will note that each engine road # modelled by Bachmann for the "Precedent" class 2-4-0 model comes with accurate loco and era specific detail, not just a different road # and paint.

At the very least it seems to me a model of a small Baldwin 2-8-0 to Spectrum standards might be possible bearing in mind that the old MDC / Roundhouse / Athearn 2-8-0 still seems to sell despite its limItations (no criticism - I have several).

Just a thought,
Bill.

Hi, does anyone know, does the new AT&SF Decapod come with an oil bunker option for the tender?

And is there a difference why the new run of decs are not classified as "Spectrum"?

Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, is the back of the tender of Bachmann HO 57904 Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation, Union Pacific #730 (DCC Sound Value) lettered for the OWR&N, please?

Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, I have Bachmann 51712 Green Bay & Western ALCo Modern 2-6-0, DCC Ready. I don't know much about the GB&W - I got the model as GBW 256 is the actual loco Bachmann based their ALCo Modern on, and hence the most accurate scheme for it, and because MB Klein had it at an unrefusable discount (Though logically, however cheap you are not saving anything if you wouldn't have bought it anyway!). I am looking to put sound in it and wonder which decoder might fit and have appropriate whistles, etc? I know hundreds of you will be keen GB&W modellers and will have done this job for yourselves! After all, it is the only RTR GB&W steam loco model ever made!!

Whilst on the subject, my notes on this loco say "The Bachmann model is based on the GB&W Class R Mogul, the last of a batch of 5 (GB&W 52-56) which may not all have been identical (3 from Schenectady, 2 from Pittsburgh). Delivered 11-24 as GBW #56, re-numbered GBW #256 in 5-37, modernised 4-39, retired 10-48." Does anyone know what precise state of it's life Bachmann have modelled (as distinct from numbered, which is clearly 1937-48)? Of the 5 "R" class 2-6-0s, #s 54 + 55 were built by Pittsburgh in 1918, and #s 52, 53 and 56 by Schenectady in 1914, 1916, and 1924 respectively, so whilst one might expect the Pittsburgh pair to have been twins, the three Schenectady sisters might all have looked different. On the other hand, all might all have looked the same after the GB&W modernised them, presumably in its own shops?? (Except for GB&W #54 which was retired in 1937 and so presumably not modernised) I am musing on this as it would be nice if when Bachmann re-run the model they could use a different #, if that would not outrage fidelity.

And has anyone produced a steam-era GB&W caboose? the Walther International Car Co. Bay Window caboose for the GB&W (#615, 616, 617) were built new for the GB&W in 1965-7, so far too late for steam.

Grateful for any advice,
Bill

Hi, is this model lettered for the OWR&N? The Bachmann publicity photos are too small to read the cabside lettering, and their product description does not mention it, but the old Spectrum UP #721 was lettered for the OWR&N, on the cabside and tender rear, and Bachmann lettered their Spectrum UP 4-6-0s for OWR&N engines too, so I thought this one might be too.

Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, I attach a link to an excellent photo of an Erie Russian Decapod. It is photo #6 in the slideshow on this page from the Monroe County Historical Association: http://www.monroehistorical.org/transportation.html My question is, what is that whing-ding on the top of the smokebox where Bachmann put the headlamp? Excuse my ignorance, I am sure everyone but me knows what it is!!!!! All the photos of Erie Decapods I can find are arranged like this, and so I am guessing that this is what RRs which bought Decs from the Erie received them configured like, though the Alabama, Tennessee & Northern seem to have removed it from theirs, which suggests that it is a frivolity, not a necessity, unless they moved it elsewhere.

Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, When I look on locobase I see that the PM did indeed get 30 USRA light Mikados, but they numbered them 1011 - 1040. In fact they numbered all of their Mikados in the 1001 - 1099 series. http://www.steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=2-8-2&railroad=pm#  All 30 of the The USRA light 2-8-2s served the PM from 1920 to 1951, and so are a useful and representative engine for a not often represented RR. Does anyone know why Bachmann have numbered their example #2379? Is this just an error, or did the PM re-number them, and if so does anyone know the operative date? Looking on the PM Historical Society website I don't see any steam locos with numbers higher than the 1339 http://www.pmhistsoc.org/stmrostr.shtml

The other PM loco in the Bachmann range is the Berkshire, and the numbers Bachmann have used, #1218 (DCC) #1225 (DCC + Sound), are correct, though Bachmann have lettered both 1218 and 1225 in yellow as per the preserved #1225 which Bachmann could, and presumably did, go and look at, though the also preserved #1223 is lettered in white, so I am not quite sure which is correct for an in-service PM engine in the 1920 - 1950 period and if that also changed, and if so the operative dates.

I would be grateful for any info from those who know!
Best Regards,
Bill.

 

Hi Mr B, I just got an email from you (10 August 2018) entitled "2018 NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS". Unfortunately when I "See what's new!
Click here to view Bachmann's New Releases 2018 announcement brochure. " I am told "To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.1.0 or greater is installed. " A quick google will tell you that Flash Player is a notorious back door for malware of all types and the general advice is to not have it on your PC. Any chance you could provide your 2018 NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS as a simple PDF file, please?

Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, I just got this through the post today from Modeltrainstuff, and whilst it is unfortunate that Bachmann are no longer introducing new models to Spectrum standard, I felt I should record that I am very pleased with this model. First, I got it for $135, i.e. $149.99 less a 10% discount that MB Klein had on Bachmann when I ordered it, which I mention because they still have some at that price for several RRs (though the 10% discount is ended, but that seems to cycle around) which is a good deal better than the $319 RRP and a lot less than I would have had to pay for a Spectrum (or a BLI, who also do the light and heavy USRA Mikados).

But the particular points I wanted to make about this model are:

Bachmann have used correct #s. Most CRIP 2-8-2s were not USRA types, but they did get 20 in 1919 and numbered them 2300-2319, CRIP class K-55. These were the lightest 2-8-2s the Rock Island owned, with a tractive effort some 10,000 lb less than their other Mikes, which may be why they did not get more.

There is a photo of #2319 on Don's Depot which shows that Bachmann have also got the main visible features right, like the headlamp on the smokebox door, and the position of the bell.

But what I am most impressed by is the slow speed running. My DC track has an old H&M Duette controller attached, which offers high and low resistance and full and half-wave rectification. Stright from the box this engine was a bit too fast on full-wave, low resistance, but on high resistance it was commendably slow and at half wave it just creeps along smoothly, even through turnouts. I guess the wheelbase over which it collects current may be something to do with that, but also I suspect the gearing is ideal. Also, even at low power the headlight and backup lights are commendably bright.

Unfortunately it has one big problem for me - it is 2-inches longer than my ruling 10-inch max loco length to switch my yard!, so it will have to sit on the shelf for a while. However, I am planning a new RR which will be able to accommodate it, and I am also minded to do that in DC as sometimes you need to get back to the silent simplicity of an old-fashioned layout where you do not have to keep punching in numbers and remembering which function is which for this or that engine. A good, smooth, slow running DC loco is needed for that - I also have two DC Life-Like Rock Island USRA 0-6-0s that fits that bill, one coal and one oil fired.

If I might make one suggestion to Mr B, the coal load on the USRA medium coal tender lifts out, so why not make an optional oil bunker for this tender and put it in your spares shop. I cannot see from Don Ross's photo what #2319 has in its bunker, but locobase reports the CRIP K-55 class as carrying 5,000 gals of oil or 19 tons of coal, and so far as I know the Rock Island used different fuels for different territories.

So in conclusion, I recommend this loco to anyone who might be thinking about a mike, especially one that needs to be able to do a bit of switching. BTW I have no idea how the "sound value" version performs. Also, I cannot comment on hauling power of this plastic-bodied loco, but that is not an issue on my RR.

Best Regards,
Bill.

The Canadian National operated large numbers of 2-6-0 Moguls. Bachmann has released their model for the CN using road #s 409 (Sound Value) and 6011 + 6013 (DC, DCC Ready). As usual I saw a sale item and so looked them up, and was surprised to find that whilst #409 was indeed a mogul, the CNR used the # range 6000 – 6079 for 4-8-2 mountains. I am a bit surprised that the Bachmann research department did not spot this, as the info is readily available on Locobase. The model is of value not least because the CNR still had 2-6-0s operating into the late 1950s.

I wonder if I might suggest that when Bachmann re-issues the model with new #s it uses some more appropriate. Whilst there is no exact match for the GB&W prototype, the preserved loco on the Strasburg Railway is not unlike the model, i.e. the whistle, domes, bell, and headlamp are all in the right places and the boiler taper and chimney look right https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SRC_89_19930000_PA_Strasburg.jpg (though photos suggest that a lot of CNR moguls had their headlamp on the smokebox door in the 1940s and 50s). If I understand the data, this was a 24 strong class built in 1910 as E-10-a for the Grand Trunk Pacific as their #1000-1024, then super-heated in 1913 and re-designated E-12 and re-numbered 902-926, which #s they retained until the early 1950s, when some survivors at least were re-numbered into the 80s and 90s, e.g. #919 became #92 in 1952. http://www.steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-6-0/Canada/photos/cnr81.jpg, http://www.steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-6-0/Canada/photos/cnr86-5.jpg,

Next there is the similar CN class E #937, later #96, not sold by the CN until June 1959 and now at the Ohio Central Railroad awaiting restoration http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=168166.

Another large class, E-7, comprised 204 locomotives built 1898–1908 by various builders, the last of which, #713, was operating on the CNR Lewiston, Maine branch until 1957, and was then preserved at the Thunder Bay Museum, Fort William, Ontario – there is a 1957 photo on their website which shows a loco similar to the model except for the position of the headlamp https://www.thunderbaymuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/16c1.jpg. Class E-7 has managed to get its own page on Wiki, where all the #s can be found. CNR #s range from 661-864. Whilst no doubt the design evolved over time, they should all be closer to the Bachmann model than a 4-8-2.

In a spirit of helpfulness,
Best Regards,
Bill.

Hi, I am confused by Bachmann product numbering. Walthers website says Bachmann Spectrum 11418 was Rock Island 2-8-0 #2121 "These DCC-ready, ready-to-run models feature a five-pole skew wound motor, belt/flywheel drive, all-metal chassis, no traction tires, metal side rods and metal wheels under the tender with pickup." Problem is somehoscalemodelsgi.com has Spectrum 11418 as RI #2008, and indeed I have #2008 in a box labelled Spectrum 11418, which I assumed was a loco in the wrong box as I also have RI #2121 in a box labelled Spectrum 11418. Now I have encountered Bachmann Spectrum 11418 Rock Island 2-8-0 #2119. bev-bel.com lists Bachmann Spectrum 11418 Rock Island 2-8-0, but does not specify a road #. Did Bachmann use the same Spectrum 11418 # for all of their early DC, DCC ready Rock Island 2-8-0s? If so, how many road #s were there under this same product #, and which am I missing?

And do all of these models have a bulb which needs to be changed to an LED if fitting sound? I ask because I got some sound-ready USRA medium coal tender chassis from the spares shop.

Grateful for any info,
Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, I am wondering if this paint scheme represents a preserved engine? It seems unlikely that a 2-8-0 would get the passenger paint scheme. Does anyone know? And are the green Baldwin low-boiler 4-6-0 and Baldwin and Richmond 4-4-0s also based on historical fact or preserved locos? They are more credible passenger engines. I would be grateful for any views or evidence.

Thanks,
Bill.

Hey Mr B, maybe its me and late at night, but I just looked through the list of HO loco manuals / diagrams, both Spectrum and standard, in "Product Reference", but cannot find the Baldwin 2-8-0 in HO. Is it missing? or is it me? If it is missing, could you please add the link to the list??

Thanks,
Bill.

Hi, I found these web pages with some great photos of 4-6-0s that the Spectrum model could easily fit: http://www.carrtracks.com/wadley3.htm, http://www.carrtracks.com/wadley4.htm. They are all on the Louisville & Wadley (Georgia), showing L&W 4-6-0s #6 and #41, and two styles of L&W lettering, and also Wrightsville & Tennille #43 operating on the line. Some great shots of mixed trains, and the last pic on page 4 of #43 with a single coach / baggage. For me these are ideal scenes to try to capture in minimum space modelling, possibly fed from interchangable 3-ft or 4-ft casettes.

Also shown is W&T 2-8-0 #208, virtually a 2-8-0 version of the low-boiler 4-6-0. This is the sort of loco I have on these pages previously urged Bachmann to add to their small steam fleet before they simplified the 4-6-0. However, a model without the fussy and archaic detail would not be worthwhile, we already have one from Roundhouse. I have Ma & Pa Baldwin 2-8-0 #26 in brass by Aristocraft, and what I would have liked Bachmann to do was to have added that class, which was a Baldwin "off-the-shelf" design of wide application, to their Ma & Pa fleet, in the days before they decided to abandon high-end small steam models.

Fortunately I have a good stock of unlettered Spectrum Baldwin and Richmond 4-4-0s, low and high boiler 4-6-0s, and Russian Decapods, all great models full of character. Thank goodness for the Decapod, a truly characterful loco, only 10 inches long over couplers, that will fit on a small RR and be at home in a rural backwater. Let us hope that those molds never get "simplified" for the sake of shaving a few pennies off the price. Apart from loss of detail, one problem with moulding the pipework onto the boiler is that you cannot then move it to represent different locos more accurately. You can do that with a cleanly molded boiler and separate pipework.

Happy Modelling,
Bill.

Hi, can anyone confirm whether the cabs for the "Low Boiler" and "High Boiler" 4-6-0 models are interchangable? I am wondering about fitting the spare "Wood" cab that comes with the undec low boiler model to the high boiler model.

Thanks,
Bill.