Bachmann 70 Tonner Running Quality?

[Ian MacMillan]

I'm looking at motive power for my papermill:



which is going to have a lot of tight trackage and #5 switches (powered frogs). The prototype BMS used 70 tonners up until the mid 1990's when former Amtrak SW-1's were used.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures%5C72209%5C10%2722%2774%20BMRY%2015%20Berlin,NH.jpg
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures%5C72209%5C10%2722%2774%20B&M%201719;%20BMRY%2016%20Berlin,NH.jpg

Plan is to use two Bachmann 70 tonners, and not a SW8/9 or NW-2 loco if possible. However, I have not seen one of these run and am looking for comments on how well(or poor) they run. If I need to add weight that's fine. The mill trackage is all flat, but where it comes down off the main line the grade is about 2-2.5%

[Chris333]

They should run just like the 44T's, very nice.

[brokemoto]

They run well.  The slow speed control is very good.  They require little break-in (unusual for B-mann).

They take #4s well enough, so #5s should not be a problem.  They will go around the Kato UNITRAM street trackage curves, which are six and something or seven and something inch radius.  The UNITRAM turnouts must be #2 or #3, and they will go through those.   The one problem is that they will stall when going through the outer turnout.  This is due to the placement of the plastic where the rails cross.  If I pair them, the other one will push the stalled one to re-establish contact.  On the inner turnout, they do not stall.

A pair of them should get eight or so cars up that grade.

I would recommend them.

[Catt]

Ian,I run mine on the Onandaga Sub. using an old trainset power pack and the little bugger will crawl on it.I really don't think you will be disappointed with them.

[christoph]

Same here, my L&N engine runs well.   

I bought some B'man diesels from a special at MBK last month.

[Ian MacMillan]

 Good to know.  Thanks  guys.

[sdodge]

I have 2 that have been switching a lumber company for 3 years and they are very good runners for as small as they are. No problems. I like them.

As an aside...Why hasen't Bachmann done another run of these? There are dozens of road names to do! Did the first run sell out or not?

[spookshow]

I liked mine, but I assume you already checked that out? http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bach70ton.html

Cheers,
-Mark

[packers#1]

As an aside...Why hasen't Bachmann done another run of these? There are dozens of road names to do! Did the first run sell out or not?

There's plenty still sitting on sale on the MBK website

[Kisatchie]

There's plenty still sitting on sale on the MBK website

My old eyes only see 5 of the 70-tonners in stock.


Hmm... if I knew how to
operate Kiz's computer, I'd
check it out and report back
with accurate info...


I'm right, Dee! See  http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-GE-70-Ton-Switcher-s/3112.htm

[Dupesy]

when you get some track laid I'll bring mine up.

[reinhardtjh]

BLW still has the L&N version on it's Cyber Monday page for $49.95  http://www.blwnscale.com/cybermonday.htm

I've got 4 of the original run 44-tonners and they're all very nice runners.  Haven't needed a 70-tonner yet but I'd like to get one.  I just picked up an S4 (WM) for possible re-painting to PRR but that's in the future.  Just a bit of back and forth running on a test track and it seems like a nice one also.

[sizemore]

I have two, I switched out the decoder on one with a Digitrax decoder for the MTL GP35. Now I get 128 speed steps I can crawl ties with it. Be sure to clean it as over lubrication causes a drop in conductivity and it will slowly pulse. You will want to clean the frame contacts, I just used a couple passes with a bright boy. And be sure to give it a couple hours in each direction to break it in.

The S.

[Scott Lupia]

I also used the Digitrax  Z-Scale GP35 decoder in mine.  That is the biggest improvement you can make to that engine.  It is an easy conversion too!

Scott Lupia

[packers#1]

My old eyes only see 5 of the 70-tonners in stock.


Hmm... if I knew how to
operate Kiz's computer, I'd
check it out and report back
with accurate info...


I'm right, Dee! See  http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-GE-70-Ton-Switcher-s/3112.htm

Well that's me wrong; dern finals