Cool set James! A couple of reasons for the high cost of this set, 1: its a modern DCC ready set with track and a power pack (the addition of the track and powerpack will add anywhere from $80 to $120 to the overall price to the set). 2, and more importantly, its a passenger set, and for whatever reason, they are far more expensive than a freight set. I mean, just look at the average price of a higher end HO passenger car nowadays, they can be double or even triple the cost of most freight cars in many cases! This is one reason I generally stay away from passenger cars in general unless I find some in the second hand market (generally Athearn blue box), or they have lower tier models on sale. All in all, this Bachmann set (if purchased at a hobby shop either in person or online), really isn't that far off of what we would see with other manufacturers passenger cars.
additionally MSRP isnt the going rate which people forget all to often. You can usually find Bachmann at 20-40% off MSRP. Thanks for the added background info!
@jlwii2000 no problem James, and yes, this is one reason I normally don't buy direct from the company producing these models (the main exceptions being Scaletrains and Class One Modelworks) as it's far more costly to do so. Also, I had heard Bachmann puts a high MRSP on their models to actually encourage people to support their local hobby shop, not sure if that's 100% true, but it does make alot of sense because, as you said, they're marked way down from the factory price.
Most locomotives these days are DCC-ready, so it's just a matter of buying a decoder chip, programming it, and popping the shell off and inserting it into the plug, with 21-pin variants being the more popular one.
@jimmyseaver3647 is it really that easy? The quick plug dcc engines make it seem that way but when you look at the decoders they do plug in but have wires that come out that need to be soldered for the sound and lighting effects.
I ordered this set and the Acela set. What I don't understand is the Acela is DCC on board, but they don't have with a DCC controller. I have yet to run it, but don't wanna screw it up lol. Do you or anyone know if the Acela will operate with the DC controller the set comes with? I know some high end DCC locos now can function on both power types like my Broadway Limited Conrail. Thanks
That would be sweet. Especially with Atlas/ESU's new E24 snap fit type set up. I've got a new SD9 sound DCC ready from Atlas and when I pulled the shell I nearly threw the whole thing in the trash
@@beaviskornholio2754 that's what I'm used to. Slide a board out, slide a board in, slap the shell back on and BOOM ! DCC and Sound just that fast. Now it's even tougher and involves some soldering it looks like
They've gotten much better over the years, especially their spectrum line. I've had bachmann trains from 25 years ago, and although I sold them to upgrade my stuff, they still ran after a quick cleaning!
Usually stuff is sold way below MSRP, but yeah it’s quite a ridiculous price, i don’t think anyone getting started into the hobby would appreciate a price like that
While being DCC ready it’s in a way only plug n play for one type of decoder which is kind of scummy. A full DCC ready to me would be I can use a 9-pin or 21-pin decoder of any brand and go, these require a proprietary decoder from TCS solely meant for this engine.
@@jlwii2000 they do sell them solo and only with TCS sound. I was disappointed when I found out this set was a special board and not a proper DCC ready.
Awesome set
hello james & it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks james friends randy
thanks Randy.
Cool set James! A couple of reasons for the high cost of this set, 1: its a modern DCC ready set with track and a power pack (the addition of the track and powerpack will add anywhere from $80 to $120 to the overall price to the set). 2, and more importantly, its a passenger set, and for whatever reason, they are far more expensive than a freight set. I mean, just look at the average price of a higher end HO passenger car nowadays, they can be double or even triple the cost of most freight cars in many cases! This is one reason I generally stay away from passenger cars in general unless I find some in the second hand market (generally Athearn blue box), or they have lower tier models on sale. All in all, this Bachmann set (if purchased at a hobby shop either in person or online), really isn't that far off of what we would see with other manufacturers passenger cars.
additionally MSRP isnt the going rate which people forget all to often. You can usually find Bachmann at 20-40% off MSRP. Thanks for the added background info!
@jlwii2000 no problem James, and yes, this is one reason I normally don't buy direct from the company producing these models (the main exceptions being Scaletrains and Class One Modelworks) as it's far more costly to do so. Also, I had heard Bachmann puts a high MRSP on their models to actually encourage people to support their local hobby shop, not sure if that's 100% true, but it does make alot of sense because, as you said, they're marked way down from the factory price.
Terffic review love your reviews awsome job an happy holidays to you and your family
thanks! same to you!
Good video Mr James Thanks for sharing
Robert
You always give great reviews, been watching for a few years👍🏽👍🏽
I like amtrack and rail chief
That's a sharp model set. It sounded like the locomotive had sound on it for a minute there
nope just track and motor noises haha.
@@jlwii2000 it's still a cool set especially for an "introduction to the hobby" set on Christmas Morning
How do you install DCC?
HO scale Amtrak passengers train set DCC ready, with concrete ties oval tracks.
Bachmann.
Will this set fit on a 22 inch curve with no straight track in it
Just a plain s curve an will it also run on DC
yes it should if you have all the curved pieces to make a half circle.
How hard is it to add dcc and sound?
Most locomotives these days are DCC-ready, so it's just a matter of buying a decoder chip, programming it, and popping the shell off and inserting it into the plug, with 21-pin variants being the more popular one.
@jimmyseaver3647 is it really that easy? The quick plug dcc engines make it seem that way but when you look at the decoders they do plug in but have wires that come out that need to be soldered for the sound and lighting effects.
I ordered this set and the Acela set. What I don't understand is the Acela is DCC on board, but they don't have with a DCC controller. I have yet to run it, but don't wanna screw it up lol. Do you or anyone know if the Acela will operate with the DC controller the set comes with? I know some high end DCC locos now can function on both power types like my Broadway Limited Conrail. Thanks
I’m pretty sure DCC can do both
James would you be able to do a video explaining how to add sound and lighting effect on a dcc engine with a quick plug.
I may do so soon!
That would be sweet. Especially with Atlas/ESU's new E24 snap fit type set up. I've got a new SD9 sound DCC ready from Atlas and when I pulled the shell I nearly threw the whole thing in the trash
@robertprice7246 why? It's not as easy as they advertised. For me quick plug means you plug a decoder and that's all.
@@beaviskornholio2754 that's what I'm used to. Slide a board out, slide a board in, slap the shell back on and BOOM ! DCC and Sound just that fast. Now it's even tougher and involves some soldering it looks like
maybe change the focus so its not totally set, the cars were soft focus when you were showing them.
sorry about that. It's auto and didnt realize it on the viewfinder.
Is Bachmann quality stuff or cheaply made. Especially their locomotives
They've gotten much better over the years, especially their spectrum line. I've had bachmann trains from 25 years ago, and although I sold them to upgrade my stuff, they still ran after a quick cleaning!
While it's a nice set, at $599.00 MSRP, I'll pass.
Same!
I can't remember where but I think I saw it for $330
Usually stuff is sold way below MSRP, but yeah it’s quite a ridiculous price, i don’t think anyone getting started into the hobby would appreciate a price like that
usually way below MSRP on regular hobby shop pricing.
While being DCC ready it’s in a way only plug n play for one type of decoder which is kind of scummy.
A full DCC ready to me would be I can use a 9-pin or 21-pin decoder of any brand and go, these require a proprietary decoder from TCS solely meant for this engine.
oh ok, yeah probably some agreement with TCS or they plan on using TCS in the sound versions they may sell solo one day.
@@jlwii2000 they do sell them solo and only with TCS sound. I was disappointed when I found out this set was a special board and not a proper DCC ready.
CO0L
We can’t put up decorations in the house, our 2 cats hate them and will destroy them in a matter in minutes.
yep that's cats for ya lol
Now that is a waste of money. Sorry.
@jlwii2000 I'm Getting This Form The Train Show 2024 In January 😁