I got a used Spectrum 2-10-0 and modified it to look more like the ones on the Minneapolis, Northfield and southern. I model the Twin cities in the late fifties and MNS scraped there steam in the early 50s ,but it is my layout so I do not care. My freelance Twin city transfer (TCT) picked it up for scrap value and runs it when needed.

The engine runs good and has amazing amount of detail.   Here is a short video of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1_Trud4I-I

 I want to say that Bachmann has great parts support . I have been working on a Kitbashed HO  2-6-8-0 and need some parts. Bachmann's on line parts and fast shipping are great (5 days from order)

The engine is not Bachmann ,but a Mantua 2-6-6-2 converted to 2-6-8-0 with Riv Hvy Pacific boiler
I wanted The Bachmann Hvy mountion boiler ,but it is too long for my frame. I am using a Spectrum tender and brake rigging and wire and plugs from the Bachmann parts catalog.

   I wish all Mfg had the same parts  availability

Is there a spectrum slop back tender with electrical contacts? I have a project and this would save a lot of time.

I just switched from N to HO scale and am building a switching layout based in the Twin cities ( MN ) in the mid fifties. I pick up a used Bachmann 0-6-0 with full valve gear and started sanding off the boiler piping and added wire to it. This engine really runs nice and with some added details is a great value.

I have since got a used DCC 0-6-0 and am going to mount my modified boiler to it and now have a spectrum tender that I will wire to the engine. This newer DCC mech also runs very good.

** side point, do not switch the gear cover screws on the older plastic axle sleeve 0-6-0. The longer front screw will go into the intermediate gear and  distort it. Guess how I know?

I will post photos when I am done with this engine. Maybe a video when I have track to run it on.

With switching back to HO I want to be able run two switch engines at the same time.So it is time to go DCC. And the ease of wiring.  I do not want to sell the farm on starting , so can I get 2 of the bachmann ez commoand controllers and hook them both up to the tracks and run both engines at the same time ( two man operation ) obviously  each controller and engine would have a different address. Would there be some problems interference.  Do I need power boosters.  The planned layout is a self type about 20 feet long.

I am switching  scales and would like to take a Bachmann 2-8-0 NonDCC  and convert it to remote control ( I have rc cars so I have a  receiver and controls ) My thought is get a small speed controller and wire it to the motor.
and put a lipo battery in the tender. has anybody tried this?  My concern is the amp draw of the motor and the a small speed controller. Its bad when the magic smoke comes out.

I finish my DMIR caboose so I shot a short video with my Modified DMIR 2-8-0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEANgcDTBqs

Just a quick video of some Bachmann F7s painted up in Milwaukee Road colors. I cut up Bachmann train set F9s for the winterization hatch and bottom head light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSA_m7vmysU

I picked up a used 2-8-0 with a missing pilot and made a new DM&IR 2-8-0.

I used a old MT pilot conversion for the Atlas 0-8-0 and put a atlas 0-8-0 tender shell on a spectrum USRA short tender. I extended the raised walkway and added the two air pumps from 
a Bachmann USRA 2-6-6-2 shell that I had in my parts box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ3VC6lEYQo&t=6s

Here is a slide show of my latest scrap yard. The 0-8-0 switcher is a Bachmann spectrum 2-8-0 modified boiler on a Japanese mech with a old tender shell on a Spectrum USRA short tender frame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htrWcveJV-o

Here is my project so far. The Bachmann K4 Delta trailing truck looks much better than the GHQ that I glue to the sides of the stock truck ( see 1st two photos )
I will post more photos when I finish painting and weathering.

Love the engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ITQ1xEWYc

I just picked up a used N scale Bachmann 2-10-2  and want to switch out the trailing truck to a delta, will the Bachmann  K4 truck drop in place of the original trailing truck?

They look to have the same mounting and this would be easier than filing off the  side details and gluing on the delta side frames. In the past I have ordered GHQ frame sides and  have also used Trix K4 side frames.I like the look of the trix better ,but  It is a pain and some what expensive  searching the bay for junk K4s just  to cut up the trailing truck.

I was just practicing weathering on a Bachmann 0-6-0  and shot some video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOT2sbfBqB0&t=7s

I bought a non running EM 1 2-8-8-4  that I planned on kitbashing , however when I tried turning the drive cup on the front driver set it is locked up.
When I took it apart I found the intermediate gears are torn up . Bachmann does not show these parts as available and I called the parts/repair department just to check and yes none are available. 

Does any body have a junk EM 1 with a good front driver truck?  There seems to be very little parts available for this engine.

I was just playing around with a used 0-6-0 I got off the bay and after adjusting the cylinder assembly It runs good.     I beleave it does need some frame shims for the TT driver as you can see and hear the wheel oscillation. But I am really impressed with the slow speed performance of this engine with only the old one tender truck pick up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuiq35mR2dQ

 On all my layouts I have a scrap yard.  This is my latest.
It does contain Two Bachmann or mostly Bachmann engines. Also the wrecker is one they have sold for years,I just paint them different colors. I model the late 50s so this and the grain truck come in handy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRbteITfS_c

Any guesses which engines are bachmann or mostly bachmann?

 I have stripped the paint for a Bachmann Dome car including the seats under the dome. I plan on painting up in the Milwaukee Road UP color scene. Does any body know the seat and interior color for theses cars?

Side note.  91% alcohol work very good for removing the paint.

Bachmann         just a idea for a future N scale steam. Seems every railroad had 0-8-0s.        Maybe a spectrum USRA 0-8-0 .

Here is a freelance 0-8-0 I build out of a micro-ace 2-8-0 chassis& motor ( 51  inch drivers) using a Bachmann 2-8-0 boiler / cab shortened to fit there sideways motor. The cab is the only place the stock motor would fit. Reshaping the  cylinders was the hardest part and I feel they are a little small for the engine.
and the tender is a spectrum USRA short with a modified Atlas tender shell.  This type of  tender would also be useful on other steam locomotives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgjYRcrwqSc       Before and after video.


Just a idea.       Bachmann thanks for your great running steam.

I just was testing this engine to sell it,but I started working on it to see if I could make it look better.
Added cylinder detail , painted the and re gauged the  wheels ,  lowered the tender height by sanding down the truck bolsters,added dummy coupler to the pilot.

This thing really needs tender pickup.   Possible up graded 4-8-4 in the future Bachmann?

Here are some photos   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPR--1g-t9E

 Bachmann Spectrum tenders are great for kitbashers.   I just put together a kitbash project using a Spectrum tender behind another manufacture's engine.
I have been using Bachmann tenders behind all of my steam engines no matter who made them.  I changed a  Y3 2-8-8-2 Mallet  into something a liitle DM&IR M1 class mallet like,  which had a small tender.
Had to sacrifice the trailing truck for the drawbar mount.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAD0zYAP300