Question for the Bachmann re: the 2-8-0 news release

[RAM]

NP There are people who will not  buy anything that has a Bachmann's name on it.  Why!  Because 30 years ago Bachmann made junk, and once you make junk you can never make anything but junk.  It is just their loss.

[Atlantic Central]

I do not understand how moving the 2-8-0 from the Spectrum line to the Standard line will reduce the cost. If Bachmann wanted to reduce the cost could they just not lower the MSRP?

I know a few people from the local model railroaders club that will only buy the Spectrum engines and flatly refuse anything from the Standard line. These are obviously people who relate to the days of Bachmann of old.

Read the other forums, if the name Bachmann is mentioned as a brand there is little in the way of positive remarks, Spectrum on the other hand is usually considered to be a good quality engine

Standard line packaging alone will reduce the cost. Just compare the box the 4-8-2 comes in to any spectrum box. And, as I suggested, sound may be out.

Sheldon

[Pacific Northern]

I take it that you have not seen the new Spectrum packaging?.

The new Spectrum packaging is no longer Black, in is now Red or Blue cardboard and there is no foam insert, now you have vacuum formed plastic which is the same as the standard line.

I think that there will be more damage to the engines in transit as the foam insert took the brunt of any sudden jarring shock, and the new plastic will have no where the cradling effect of the foam.

I recently ordered a Bachmann 2-8-4 and it arrived with the bell and housing damaged and separated from the engine.  I did contact Bachmann and they sent me a replacement bell and housing. I do not think the locomotive would have been damaged if that engine has the same packaging with the foam insert that the old Spectrum in the black boxes have.

[jbsmith]

i got two "standard" Bachmann Berkshires,,,They have great detail,
DCC ready,,run just great on DC,,Keep them lubed and clean and
they will be happy.
No complaints really.
The only issues I've noticed is that they tend to be fussy with turnouts.
But that is another story.

Anyways

As the 2-8-0's go,,Bonus!  $30 drop in MSRP!
Maybe what was once considered the latest and greatest in MR'ing tech is
now so common it can now be considered "standard".

I can't wait,,,,U.P. or ATSF?,,,,hmmm,,Both?

[rogertra]

The "Bach Man" mention that the now "Standard" 2-8-0 will come with a three pole motor that is as smooth as the orignal five pole motor.


Sorry, I don't buy it and won't until I've seen and compared the "Standard" 2-8-0 to my half dozen or so "Spectrum" 2-8-0s.  In the meantime, I'm buying a few more of the "Spectrum" 2-8-0s while I still can.

[Pacific Northern]

The "Bach Man" mention that the now "Standard" 2-8-0 will come with a three pole motor that is as smooth as the orignal five pole motor.


Sorry, I don't buy it and won't until I've seen and compared the "Standard" 2-8-0 to my half dozen or so "Spectrum" 2-8-0s.  In the meantime, I'm buying a few more of the "Spectrum" 2-8-0s while I still can.

I too have stockpiled a couple of 2-8-0's. As to when the 5 pole was replaced with the 3 pole motor I would assume probably when the 2-8-0 became DCC equipped.

I do wonder though if any of the other steamers received the 3 pole motors as well?

[RAM]

I think I read that some of the Spectrum" 2-8-0 already had the 3 pole motors.

[Atlantic Central]

Roger,

The newer DCC equiped 2-8-0's allready have three pole motors. I have several as well as a number of older ones from various production runs going all the way back to some of the first. You can tell the very first ones from others by the white wiring plugs rather than orange. I have eight total.

The two newest ones, that came with DCC, have been converted to DC only with the provided jumpers. They have the new three pole motor from what I understand from Bachmann and they run as good, if not slightly better than my other five.

I have modified all my Bachmann locos by removing the capacitors that are across the motor leads and this has provided much better slow speed and smoother/slower start up on both conventional throttles and on my Aristo Craft Train Engineer throttles.

Sheldon

[rogertra]

Sheldon

Thanks for the update, coming from you it carries weight.  :-)

[Atlantic Central]

Roger, you are most welcome and thank you for the kind words.

Sheldon

[Santa Fe buff]

Okay, here what I think.

I don't rate equipment by line. I don't rate it by manufacture. I like to rate them (and for most, it all comes down to this) if it's a good runner, and greatly detailed for the price. I would use Power-Loc track only if they had more realistic tie plate detail and metal. I don't like the weird attached tie thing at the end of each piece. I like straight tie-to-tie. That's how the prototype do it, that's how I think we want to do it. If it's Standard Line, okay, that's what it is. If it's Spectrum, that is what it is too. Though Spectrum has a better reputation, look at today's world.

Detail by computers is no longer impossible. Look at Rapido's FP9As, look at ExactRail, look at the new Bachmann. Compare the F9s from the 1990s, compare them to the today version. Incredible differences.

I want one now...   Anyway, all I'm trying to say is, even Life-Like can make good stuff, but it seems that reputation is what people like to look at.

I'm going to check 'em out now.

Joshua