Bachman Spectrum Steam?

[brakie]

Guys,I am asking this for a Friend and would also like to mention that 90% of the local N Scalers are die hard diesel fans and the other 10% is either anti Bachmann or lacks knowledge of this line of steamers like I do..
My buddy is interested in the 2-8-0,4-8-2 and 2-6-6-2.
I know the HO Spectrum engines are nice and smooth runners but,again no real knowledge since I am a diesel fan.

 

[Drew1125]

Hi Larry!

There is a good reason that most N scalers model the diesel era...N scale steam still has a long way to go before it even comes close to the quality that is avaiable in HO...
As far as I'm concerned, the only plastic N scale steamers that are worth noting are the Bachman Spectrum (forget about the other stuff from Bachman) & Kato (some of theirs are Japanese prototypes, buy they do make a very nice US style 2-8-2 Mikado, or "Mike")
I was at the LHS the other day, & was looking at a 2-6-0 made by Atlas...It ran alright...Boy, did it ever! On the test track, I couldn't get it to go any slower than about 40 scale mph...
That Bachman 2-8-0, though, is one sweet little engine! I could run mine all the way around my layout pulling a coal drag crawling along at 5 scale mph...a beautiful sight indeed! :thumb:

 

[Will_annand]

I can only speak for the Spectrum 2-8-0.

Our club has one of those and at the shows it seems to be the best steamer we have. it pulls whatever we put on it, 10-15 cars usually and goes without problems almost all day.

 

[GWRFANN]

I have the 2-8-0 & I really like it. Good pulling power & like the others say, it will run all day without a problem.:thumb:

 

[FiveFlat]

I have the Bachmann standard 2-6-2 and it is a great runner. I finally broke down and made it a 0-6-0 and it runs even better now, without the front truck hanging up on me.

 

[glenn railey]

I also have a N guage Spectrum 2-8-0. It is a really great little horse. It will pull 8 cars up a a 1 inch grade in a foot with no problems. It works just as well at a slow crawl as it does with a full head of steam.

It can be seen on my thread on this board titled a wainter mountain layout. I really like mine. A very nice engine.

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Years ago..Before I became "misguided", I had a Bachmann 4-8-4. Ran pretty good, as long as long as I kept it lubed.

 

[davidstrains]

I have 3 of the Bachmann Spectrum 280s and 2 of the Kato Mikes. All very good performers, very quiet, good pulling power, and look good as well. I obtained one with a decoder from Tony's and am waiting to put DCC in the rest. I don't know about the others that you mentioned but I think that your friend would be pleased with the 280.

 

[skipgear]

IMO the Bachmann Spec 2-8-0 is the best N-scale steam loco you can buy, period. The Kato Mikado is right there with it but after talking to real world customers that come in the shop I work at, the Kato doesn't come close to the pull of the 2-8-0 even with the optional traction tires. The Kato is touted as hands down the best N steam by many forumers but I think it is a carry over from the strong Kato diesel following. I know my 2-8-0 will pull 40+ cars on level track without struggling.

I have one of the 4-8-2's and 2 of the 2-6-6-2's also. The 2-8-0 out performs all of them. The 4-8-2 is everybit as smooth as the 2-8-0 but doesn't have the same pulling power. The 2-6-6-2's I have are both beautiful, smooth runners, but light pullers. There have been many that have had issues with the 2-6-6-2's on code 55 track but the most recent run of them seems to have cured most of the early issues.

The best thing about the Bachmann's....Lifetime Warranty....If you buy one and you don't think it is quite right, send it back to Bachmann and they will send you another loco, track tested. The second best thing about the Bachmann's is that you can actually buy them. Bachmann continues to produce them and is not a "limited release" production schedule. The Kato's have been sold out for a long time, there are a few shops that still have them but that number is shrinking fast.

 

[brakie]

Thanks Guys! :thumb: For a update he decided to go with the 2-8-0 and ordered 3 yesterday and plans on ordering 2-3 more..His plans call for a coal hauling short line set in West Virginia and will be based on the Buffalo Creek & Gauley.His road will handle some freight as well.Of course he hasn't came up with a name yet.
BTW..The BC&G 2-8-0s was built using C&O's G9 2-8-0s plans.

 

[sumpter250]

I have a Spectrum 2-8-0, it is a very smooth runner, and actually will negotiate a 9" radius curve, and a 4% grade.
Other locos of note, LifeLike Heritage series 2-8-4, and 2-8-8-2. I have one of the 2-8-8-2s and it runs well, I have seen the 2-8-4 and it runs just a bit better.
We were using a Model Power pacific to test the trackwork of a layout being built for a customer. it slipped a driver, and wound up a siderod.
pete