steam

[zachary4179]

I'm looking at getting a stem loco but i don't now what one wold be best for me to get  um thinking of a small union pacific but i don't now because when i was a littel boy my dad bought 2  because the first one  got destroyed and so did the scent one the Neat thing about these 2  was  u cold pot this special liquid to mack it look like their was smoke coming out of it like it did back in it prime days  if u now tell me please Ty

[ABC]

The best Bachmann Steam engine for the money is the Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation (with DCC but no sound). It runs great and pulls well too.

Here is a Union Pacific 2-8-0 on ebay (buy it now) for $80.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BACHMANN-HO-2-8-0-DCC-TRAIN-LOCO-UNION-PACIFIC-51301_W0QQitemZ200426563514QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item2eaa5aa7ba
Or these in regular auction format...
http://toys.shop.ebay.com/Bachmann-/19132/i.html?_nkw=2-8-0&LH_Auction=1&_dmpt=Model_RR_Trains&_trksid=p3286.c0.m301

[sparkyjay31]

I second the above except for one thing.  Get the sound.  It's fantastic.  I don't know why someone would recommend not getting a sound version.  After all it's so much easier to turn the sound off, than to go and have to add the sound after the fact!

[ABC]

The sound version costs over twice as much as the DCC only version. The MSRP for the DCC only version is $139.00, the MSRP for the DCC and sound version is $318.00. (MSRP-Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). Granted this still hold true with online retailers. With the DCC only version going for $80+s&h and the DCC & sound version going for around $200 although I've seen some for as low as $140-150.

[pdlethbridge]

They do NOT come with smoke and smoke may cause your track to get dirty faster, much faster

[Tylerf]

Sound is a great feature, well worth it in my opinion however it's not for everyone. As for smoke, it's terrible in HO scale, G scale it's great because it can be fan driven which makes it actually look real. Plus the track does get VERY dirty as well. Also I must add, please try to use the spell check button at the bottom by the post button...sorry it's just hard to read.

[pipefitter]

The best Bachmann Steam engine for the money is the Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation (with DCC but no sound). It runs great and pulls well too ...

ABC, your glowing recommendations of this model have convinced me to get one (or two)  I have enjoyed these on tourist lines. I have a small layout with 18" and 22" radius curves, and also small cars. Penn Line 60' shorty passenger cars as well as Athearn, Model Power and Con Cor 72' models. My freight cars are primarily transition era variety. I can add the 2-8-0 to my SY 2-8-2 which I bought after riding on an excursion behind the (now Susquehanna) #142. At the time it belonged to Connecticut's Valley Railroad and the trip took us over former NYNH&H rails on the Providence & Worcester.

Robert

[ABC]

I now have a grand total of 4 2-8-0s. 2 B&O, 1 WM (that I got for $20 from the favorite spot on ebay), and 1 NYNH&H (but I bought it from someone who took the sound out to put it in another loco). All have DCC and all but 1 are Spectrum.

[Colorado_Mac]

The sound version costs over twice as much as the DCC only version. The MSRP for the DCC only version is $139.00, the MSRP for the DCC and sound version is $318.00...

Ah, but Wal-Mart and eBay have taught us never to pay MSRP!  I got the sound-equipped version for $189 and I think the sound is worth the $50.  I'm just getting back into the hobby after 20 years and so never had sound before.  I love it!

[ABC]

I got the sound-equipped version for $189 and I think the sound is worth the $50.

Here is a Union Pacific 2-8-0 on ebay (buy it now) for $80.

Okay you got the sound equipped version for $189, the DC version can be had for $80 or less, that's a difference of over $110, for example I got my WM 2-8-0 dirt cheap for $20 (DCC no sound), so if you count that, then there a $170 difference.

[Chris350]

I got the sound-equipped version for $189 and I think the sound is worth the $50.

Here is a Union Pacific 2-8-0 on ebay (buy it now) for $80.

Okay you got the sound equipped version for $189, the DC version can be had for $80 or less, that's a difference of over $110, for example I got my WM 2-8-0 dirt cheap for $20 (DCC no sound), so if you count that, then there a $170 difference.

Except that in general few of us are going to find that 80 deal so you 170usd example is invalid.  110usd or so is the coast of a good DCC/sound decoder so that price difference is about right.

[Joe323]

I got the sound-equipped version for $189 and I think the sound is worth the $50.

I remmember having a sound equipted Lionel 2 6 2 Engine with sound as a kid Brought back memories for my Dad.  the sound is worth it.

[rich1998]

Micro Mark has the 2-8-0 sound for 164.95. There may be better deals elswhere. My Bachmann usually come from Micro Mark.

Lex

[ABC]

My point is that if you take 3 to 4 weeks and check ebay and other online dealers, you will be able to find a Bachmann 2-8-0 with DCC for $30 or less guaranteed. Whereas, the 2-8-0 with sound starts at about $150.
For example:
Bachmann HO Scale 2-8-0 Consolidation Steam Engine w/DCC 1 Bid Sold   $14.99 +$7.50 shipping      
Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation 2-8-0 Santa Fe DCC 3 Bids Sold $30.25 Free shipping   
Spectrum HO Santa Fe 2-8-0 Steam Loco & Tender w/DCC 6 Bids Sold   
$33.32 +$9.00 shipping Feb-25 18:00
Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Spectrum-HO-Santa-Fe-2-8-0-Steam-Loco-Tender-w-DCC_W0QQitemZ110495932229QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item19ba121f45
W/ sound:
SPECTRUM HO 2-8-0 DCC TSUNAMI SOUND TRAIN MAINE 84509 12 Bids Sold $139.53 +$11.76 shipping Feb-24 21:05
Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECTRUM-HO-2-8-0-DCC-TSUNAMI-SOUND-TRAIN-MAINE-84509_W0QQitemZ370338319429QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5639e24c45
What I am getting at is that any idiot that looks long enough can get a 2-8-0 w/ DCC for under $30 (including s&h), but one would be hard pressed to find a 2-8-0 w/ sound for under $150 (not inc). The price differential is essentially $125 to $130 because anyone can get a 2-8-0 for $20 to $30, all it takes is patience and the ability to be awake at 3 or 4 in the morning.

[Colorado_Mac]

My point is that if you take 3 to 4 weeks and check ebay and other online dealers, you will be able to find a Bachmann 2-8-0 with DCC for $30 or less guaranteed. Whereas, the 2-8-0 with sound starts at about $150....What I am getting at is that any idiot that looks long enough...can get a 2-8-0 for $20 to $30, all it takes is patience and the ability to be awake at 3 or 4 in the morning.

My point is that if I had waited 3-4 weeks, i never would have gotten back into the hobby.  It was an impulse buy at a train show, and I'm glad I did it.  As a hobby, it is supposed to be fun, and bringing that home and playing with it that night was worth every penny.  I am restoring a 1968 Plymouth, so I know the ins/outs benefits/detriments of ePay very well, and I know exactly what I can afford.  I've never found bargain hunting for the sake of bargain hunting enjoyable.
I suppose "any idiot" could do that, but I'm not that idiot.  And if you notice the posting time, I was awake at 0300-0400 this morning...