Author Topic: Bachmann 2-8-0 review  (Read 10605 times)

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tom mann

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Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« on: October 14, 2007, 08:17:14 PM »
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In possibly the best example of buying something I don't need, I picked up the Bachmann outside frame 2-8-0 from MicroMark for $120.00.  The engine is almost all metal and weighs a ton.  It comes with DCC and mounting points for speaker/sound.

What blew me away are the detail options that come with the model.  For example, you can:
  • Change the stack from onion to straight
  • Shorten the boiler
  • Relocate the light to the front of the firebox
  • Change the tender truck type from leaf to coil springs
  • Change the tender to oil or wood burning (excellent resin wood casting)
  • Change the front leading truck to inside bearing
  • Change the front pilot


The tender trucks have metal sideframes, allowing for electrical pickup without wipers/additional pickup parts.  Pickup is only through the tender trucks -maybe this is only necessary in the larger scales.

The engine runs great, nice and slow without any galloping.  It's also extremely quiet.

The amount of detail on the model is incredible.  Also, a lot of detail parts are metal and wire.  The cab interior is especially nice:


Gregg said that the prototype was a Baldwin export model to the Dominican Republic.  I believe that using the additional parts will allow you to convert the model to a 30" FCM prototype.

All-in-all, a great model.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2007, 08:20:26 PM by tom mann »

sparky

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2007, 10:22:55 PM »
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I've said it before and I'll say it again- Bachmann has really found their niche with this stuff.  They've gotten pretty good at it too.  It's amazing how good the On30 stuff runs, and the prices are really reasonable for what you get.  So Tom, when are you starting the layout?

Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2007, 12:14:43 PM »
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hminky

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2007, 11:53:18 PM »
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It is close to a more or less standard three foot gauge Mexican consolidation. I have been told by many "experts" that i wrong but if you check with Best's Mexican Narrow Gauge it fits the profile.

I have a webpage discussing the Consolidation at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/of_280/



I discuss putting a crew in, tsunami with dual speakers, backdating to 1905



Thank you if you visit
Harold

Chris333

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2007, 05:16:24 PM »
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Tom,

Just the other minute while taking a break from saving the world I found this:
http://aldergulch.com/html/photos.html#


It is 30" gauge and was bought from Ferrocarril Mexicano:
http://www.virginiacitymt.com/AlderGulch.asp
Even has one of those goofy western looking oil bunkers  :P


<woman's voice>  help

Gotta go...

Chris333

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2007, 06:13:37 PM »
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Not great, but she is moving:

3rdrail

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2007, 07:03:41 PM »
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Tom,

Just the other minute while taking a break from saving the world I found this:
http://aldergulch.com/html/photos.html#


It is 30" gauge and was bought from Ferrocarril Mexicano:
http://www.virginiacitymt.com/AlderGulch.asp
Even has one of those goofy western looking oil bunkers  :P


<woman's voice>  help

Gotta go...
Considering the engine number, I believe the locomotive was bought from Edaville Railroad, who originally bought it from FCM. It's got the same number as the 30 inch gauge FCM engine I photographed at the Edaville, See the photo on the other On30 2-8-0 thread. http://therailwire.net/smf/index.php?topic=13793.msg112506#msg112506
« Last Edit: October 22, 2007, 07:05:27 PM by 3rdrail »

tom mann

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2007, 09:22:56 PM »
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Good find, Chris.  Did you buy it yet? ;D

Chris333

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2007, 03:10:35 AM »
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No I didn't buy it...yet.

Gregg is correct in-between Edaville had it, I don't think it's the photo you posted (#8) though. I wonder if Edaville even ran it since it was 30". Number 8 was a Forney:
http://membrane.com/~elmer/rail/edaville/edav10.jpg
http://www.railarchive.com/rlsteam/edav8.jpg


Edit:  Doh  :-[ OK I see #12 in the background of the photo. Don't listen to the a$$hat behind the curtain.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2007, 03:31:23 AM by Chris333 »

tom mann

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2007, 10:04:42 PM »
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Did a little bit of work on her:



Dupesy

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2007, 11:33:47 PM »
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gorgeous as always, Tom.  I would only question the white on the running boards and on the steam dome.  Maybe a bit too much on the dome, and too bright on the boards. 
dumb ways to die, so many dumb ways to die

Ryan87

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2007, 12:33:47 AM »
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I like the tender, looks like water's sweating through. the dome looks correct for a locomotive running with hard water like on the prairies.
Swimming in a sea of Action Red...

Chris333

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2007, 01:18:38 AM »
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So I guess all those shiney proto pics didn't help you much  ;D

Matthew Roberts

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2007, 05:59:20 AM »
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I wonder how long Tom could have a shiny loco w/out going (even more) crazy? ;D

Bang-up job, Tom!

tom mann

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Re: Bachmann 2-8-0 review
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2007, 08:00:21 AM »
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I wonder how long Tom could have a shiny loco w/out going (even more) crazy? ;D

Bang-up job, Tom!

A week, 10 days at most. ;D