Narrow Gauge engine

[dug1966]

I am interested in a K-27.  Have heard that Bachmann Spectrum series engines are good quality.  How do they compare to say the Accucraft K-27?  I have been trying to find reviews of both enignes but with not much success.  If anyone has any opinions and insights for a new railroader, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

[Chuck N]

I have one Accucraft K-27 and two Bachmann K-27s.  They are both well made, with a lot of detail.  The Accucraft is metal (I believe it is brass) and the Bachmann Ks are plastic.  Because of this the Accucraft engine is much heavier.

I haven't priced them lately, but I believe that you could get 3 Bachmanns for the price of one Accucraft. 

The one draw back on the Bachmann Ks is the gearing.  It is geared for a much higher speed than the Accucraft.  The result of the higher speed is less power for pulling longer trains and steep grades. 

The first run of Bachmann Ks had problems with the counterweights slipping on the axle.  There is a fix (shims) or getting the replacement counterweights from Bachmann.  If you are buying new, I believe that there is a red seal or sticker on the box to indicate that the counterweights have been fixed and are OK.

If you are buying used, make sure that they were fixed and make that part of the deal.

Bachmann produced a number of different locomotive numbers in the D&RGW and Rio Grande Southern K series.  Each model engine number is a very good model of a specific locomotive with that number.  For example #455 has a doghouse on the back of the tender and #453 (RGS) comes with a snow plow.  There are even different cabs that are appropriate for that specific engine.   I think, but don't know for sure, that Accucraft made one model with different engine numbers.  These are not quite as accurate to the specific engines in 1:1.

I don't think that you would go wrong with either locomotive.

Chuck N