Bachmann (not Spectrum) 2-6-0 with DCC

[timwatson]

I may be disappointed later (when I get to running it) but this little guy looks pretty amazing considering the price which these can be had and WITH DCC! Bachmann has truly upped their game with this one.

If this is the yellow box "base" Bachmann quality then I hope this will wholesale improve N Scale steam across the board.

[Chris333]

Mine had to be the first Bachmann locomotive that I didn't take completely apart to get it running right. Ran great out of the box and can pull a ton.

[timwatson]

Dude you just made my already great purchase even better ($66 on the bay). For YOU to not dismantle after running is a big DEAL! 
Can't wait to run it. I need to hook the modules back up. Too tired to right now.

[Chris333]

LOL here is a little bit I did to mine so far:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/Bachmann260

I'll give you $67 for it right now 

[timwatson]

Of course you un DCC'd it - bad form - I need to get you to come around on DCC - it's so nice comparatively.

Those tender guts look interesting. Lots going on there. Was the drawbar shortening easy? That interests me. I saw the ye olde 4-4-0 drawbar mod you had rolling (related)?
Eww digging those side frame mods was well. Model power trucks? Is that a part you can just order from them?

$67 no SOUP FOR YOU!

[peteski]

All the manufacturers of the toy train set quality N scale models (Bachmann, LifeLike/Walthers and Model Power) have drastically improved the quality of their models over the last 15 years or so.  They are all now running with the "big dogs"!   

These are the best times for N scales yet!

[Chris333]

Since there are wires running from the loco to tender the drawbar is not so important. I just put a layer of styrene over one of the mounting holes and drilled a new one to make it closer.

The sideframes are from MP you can order just the trucks without wheels to get them.

$68?   

[Mark.S+10]

Chris,

If you will just keep putting in a bid for about $55.02 you will eventually win one on feebay.  One sold last week on feebay from my favorite spot for $51.30.  The weekend listings usually go for more than the week day listings.

Have fun, Mark

[rogergperkins]

I am pleased with the 2-6-0 locomotive I purchased, it came as Pennsylvania, but lettering will be painted over and Baltimore & Ohio decals added.
I do not pretend to understand how Bachmann is using the term Spectrum at the present time.  I have several of their steam locomotives, and all but the early 2-8-0 for B&O are dual mode....  I am not certain of any quality difference relating to a Spectrum label on them. 

[timwatson]

Here's an update. I can currently pull 9 cars reliably 12 cars by the skin of its teeth. I believe this is primarily because I have fairly tight radius curves. 9-12" (TTrak modules) respectively. Roger I will take a photo of the 3 different x-6-x steam engines I have. You can definitely see a difference. Out of the box slow speed performance is better on my spectrum loco. More to come later.

[timwatson]

OK here is your price comparison.



New 2-6-0 with DCC


~6 month old Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 with DCC. It's got the nice etched side rods. That's the main difference between the 4-6-0 Spectrum and the latest 2-6-0. Not a HUGE difference by comparison.


Older tooling but redone a few years back 0-6-0 (no dcc). I've seen these redone very nicely (Tony Hines - yup you).

But as you can see we have $40-$50 difference in the recently released 4-6-0 spectrum engine and the newly released 2-6-0. But not really $40 dollars difference in detailing and pulling power. Contrast that with the $20 difference in the older tooling 0-6-0 and then you begin to see the value.

I hope this has been useful to someone.

[Mark.S+10]

       Price comparisons get muddled by where you are buying from.  ModelTrainStuff sells the Mogul and Ten Wheel for the same amount, $99.00.  The best price comparison is on feebay and they both seem to sell in the $52.00 to $70.00 range.  Essentially no price difference between the two locomotives.  For an equal price I think the Ten Wheel is a slightly better engine, mostly because it pulls a bigger load and has the bugs worked out.  The newer release Ten Wheels will pull about four more cars up a 1% slope than my early release engines.  Some of the Moguls have the up and down bobbing headlight problem and most of them are a bit slippery footed.  I'm sure B-mann will improve the Mogul with later releases and I think they are great engines.  IMHO a $60.00 DCC equipped Ten Wheel is the best value of any N steam locomotive on the market.  Unlike these two engines, the 0-6-0 is not being sold on feebay by my favorite spot so the street price is higher.  When they were being sold on feebay from that retailer the price was considerably lower.  I picked up a couple of them for under $17.00.  To that cost you need to add the cost of the Spectrum slope tender from the same location for about $6.00 and a DCC controller for around $22.00.  Net cost for an 0-6-0 only about $10 less than the Mogul or the Ten Wheel.  Worth the money if you want an 0-6-0, but not in the same class as the newer engines.

Have fun, Mark

[DKS]

Of course you un DCC'd it - bad form - I need to get you to come around on DCC - it's so nice comparatively.

Bad form? I do it all the time as well. Is there some law against getting rid of something we don't want or need?

[Dave V]

DCC is certainly more difficult to troubleshoot than DC.  However, DKS, one obvious advantage to DCC that should interest you even for a small layout is the constant lighting.  You can stage a still photo all day long but the headlight is as bright while standing still as would be at speed using DC.

I run DCC on a small layout, but it was my desire to run multiple trains on that same little layout (along with the prospect of sound) that drove me to DCC.  Had I wanted a branchline and single train ops, DCC might not have been important.

[DKS]

DCC is certainly more difficult to troubleshoot than DC.  However, DKS, one obvious advantage to DCC that should interest you even for a small layout is the constant lighting.  You can stage a still photo all day long but the headlight is as bright while standing still as would be at speed using DC.

Constant-brightness lighting for DC is nothing new. Even lighting that works while the loco is at a standstill.