Rumors of Bachmann N Scale K4

[Mark5]

I've found youtube videos to be extremely unreliable for assessing how well a loco runs.

After a string of hits (Em1, 2-8-0, 4-6-0, etc), the Berk was a huge disappointment.

I'm excited that Bachmann might return to form with the K4, and I will test run one when it comes out - then decide about buying it.

Mark

[jdcolombo]

Here's what I want to see in a video.

From a stop, throttle cracked open to speed step 1, with CV2 set to 1, CV's 3, 4, 5 and 6 set to zero (no momentum, no 3-point speed table).  Twenty 40' boxcars in the consist (yes, I know the K4 was a passenger engine; this is for test purposes).

Then I'll tell you what I think of the performance.

However, the video indicates that these should be showing up soon at retail.  It's really real.  Then we'll all know whether they are a Consolidation, a Berkshire, or something in-between.  Until then, we should all breathe deeply, drink a favorite beverage, and wait for the actual loco to land in someone's hands.

I don't really have much reason to buy a K4, but I probably will, mostly to see how it runs and whether I can improve the sound, which wasn't very impressive on the video (but it's a video; you can't really judge until you hear it in person).   When I'm done, maybe I can sell it to one of you Pennsy fans 

John C.

[tom mann]

Guys: can we all (both sides) take a breather until the loco comes out?  I don't want to lock this thread, but I don't want to see everyone fighting over this.

[wcfn100]

So i'm a bit confused.  Is it an illusion or is the firebox on all the models shown different than the one in the picture on the ad? 


Jason

[Blazeman]

Would have been nice to have filmed the promo on Dr. Dave's Juniata Division...with suitable historical rolling stock being pulled.

[towl1996]

Wow, if my K4 runs like the one in the video, I'll be happy and will buy multiple engines.    Don't care for sound, so no biggie there to me. But to get that wrong....    It's in errors like that where the Bachmann angst festers.

[randgust]

I have to admit, one thing really impressed me.   The water scoop.   Has anybody done that before RTR?

[Puddington]

I'm guessing they will have these at Portland so we've got only two days to wait until those going to the NMRA show can see the units in person, hopefully get a chance to see them run and report back.....

[peteski]

OMG, I almost fell off my chair when I saw the video!  That is my friend's layout, about 2 miles away from my house. The one I helped build and often operate on.  Ernie did mention few months ago that Bachmann asked to use his layout to take some promo video but at the time he didn't have ant details about the model.  I must have been away on vacation in Maine when they made the video.  Just think, I could have had one of those in my hands!  I woudl have been treated as God by SPFs!   

To me the chuffs sound terrible, but I agree that the sound should nto be judged by what is in the video.  If the whistle is incorrect I'll take your word for it (I'm not an SPF).  They do seem to run ok. I'll have to ask Ernie what he thought of those locos.

Peter:  I will not be dissecting this loco as I have no need do buy one. But I'm sure Victor will give us a detailed evaluation of the mechanical design.

[victor miranda]

hohohohohohohohohohohoho!

I plan to go to klein's and look it over.
the price I expect to see will keep me from getting it.

b-mann has managed to sell me three locos I feel were overpriced for what I got.
I will let some one else take the hit, or send me one to evaluate.

I'll await e-bay and used units...

victor

[John]

Like me, you're probably laughing at the whistle.

Now that there's some data, There is one glaring error: the banshee whistle. That is a prototype PRR whistle, but it's totally wrong for the K4. It should be a deep, mournful 3-chime. I sincerely hope that can be changed.

thats funny .. my wife heard the whistle from across the room and said "what's that .. a sick cow "  I told her it was a train whistle .. she didn't believe me

[wazzou]

I thought the thing sounded like a bag of Popcorn popping in the Microwave when it rolled over that crossing in the video.

[reinhardtjh]

Like me, you're probably laughing at the whistle.

Now that there's some data, There is one glaring error: the banshee whistle. That is a prototype PRR whistle, but it's totally wrong for the K4. It should be a deep, mournful 3-chime. I sincerely hope that can be changed.

I sure hope so.  The Soundtraxx Sound Value decoder in their HO K4s has 3 choices, the Banshee, a Reading 6-chime and a Baldwin B4g (whatever that means).  From what I've found in research, the Banshee would not be correct for PRR passenger locomotives however.   Testing the sounds make me think that the Baldwin might be a close approximation of the PRR 3-chime passenger whistle.  An interesting discussion of PRR whistles is in this thread on the Railway Preservation New forum "Steam Whistle Question...."

The 2-8-4 Berkshire/Kanawha came with 3 different sound decoders with different whistle sets for the C&O/NKP/PM versions so apparently they can modify the whistles as necessary.

Running qualities seem okay, but hard to judge in a video. It's always better in person.  The only visual thing I see is that the sand and steam domes seem a bit too tall.  Drawings I have put them at about the same height and shorter than what they appear in the video.  I think the flanges on the pilot the people were noticing is due to then being very shiny and bright, plus the PRR pilot is actually pretty small compared to most other RR's versions and allows a better view.  Perhaps some Neolube will help.

[Scott Lupia]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9zALF8GVzmE

Here is the 1361 on a shakedown run. The whistle displays all the PRR hotness that could be crammed into a little metal thingey!  I will get a k4 and add WOWsound. Their PRR whistle choices are better. Very happy to see thins engine offered.

Scott Lupia

[basementcalling]

OMG, I almost fell off my chair when I saw the video!  That is my friend's layout, about 2 miles away from my house. The one I helped build and often operate on.  Ernie did mention few months ago that Bachmann asked to use his layout to take some promo video but at the time he didn't have ant details about the model.  I must have been away on vacation in Maine when they made the video.  Just think, I could have had one of those in my hands!  I woudl have been treated as God by SPFs!   

To me the chuffs sound terrible, but I agree that the sound should nto be judged by what is in the video.  If the whistle is incorrect I'll take your word for it (I'm not an SPF).  They do seem to run ok. I'll have to ask Ernie what he thought of those locos.

Peter:  I will not be dissecting this loco as I have no need do buy one. But I'm sure Victor will give us a detailed evaluation of the mechanical design.

Wrong, touching a K4 for you  would have affected you like Superman finding Kryptonite.

Love Ernie's layout.  He's captured central Montana quite well. 

Watching did nothing to change my decision not to purchase one. Not my model, not my circus train.   Now if a UP 4-12-2 gets done...