I couldn’t agree with you more! Honestly if Bachmann wants people to get into trains they should give them a taste of the good life in each starter set.
they almost had it, but why cheap out on the rolling stock? most sets when I was little came with at least a couple buildings and some sort of operating accessory. does Bachmann make any operating accessories anymore besides the crossing gates? Thank you for watching
It's a starter set. Start with the fun of running the trains... And start with the upgrades and repairs. Same as you do with a $1000 articulated brass steamer
Yes, they do still make ones that smoke, oddly, they smoke and are DCC but not sound, that loco is an 0-6-0. The 2-8-0 is available separately and do come in Boston and Maine since you chose to letter some cars for that....😉
I got the N scale version a few years back and I no longer use any of the track, carriages or even the loco now! This is because it just slowly degraded basically, and I now have a much more reliable roster.
Tom, I am enjoying these train videos. With that said, I am not a Bachmann supporter. I would rather look for an old Rivarossi (IHC). They are nicely detailed especially for the time period when they were made. For the money these starter sets go for I would like to see better quality….just my thoughts. My thoughts and opinions plus $8 will get you a coffee at Starbucks lol !
I loved the old IHC locomotives and I have a whole slew of them. I have a couple Bachmann, Atlas and Athens, but for the money, IHC was the pick. I don't think they are in business anymore?
@ no they have been gone for awhile. I picked up a new, in the box and never run, Norfolk and Western Y6b around 6 years ago for $100.00 even. The daughter of a gentleman who collected but never opened or ran what he bought sold everything he had. I was truly blessed to get that one!
Quite a few of AHC/AHM locomotives were manufactured by Rivarrossi. I own a Y6b as well as 3 4-4-0’s all marketed by AHM manufactured by Rivarossi. They are still great performers even after 50years.
@@LedgemereHeritageFarm AHM/IHC unfortunately has been gone for a long time. Their models were top notch for the time and their structure kits were wide and varied.
@@johnbeck3270 in later years Mehano of Slovenia made alot of rolling stock for IHC. Mehanos line of steam locos were decent runners and generic enough for most North American railroads
I didn't see the value in it. the locomotive was fine, but the cars are not very good and the power pack isn't either. better off to buy on the used market think . thank you for watching
Thanks for the video, I'm just now getting started in model trains myself, right now I'm really stuck between HO & O scale! I love the size of O scale but hate the fact it uses 3 rails on it's tracks, not very realistic to me!
I think atlas makes a more realistic 3-rail. I have a bunch of fastback which isn't bad. the old metal lionel track definitely looks like a toy, but some modelers cut little wooden ties and then ballast them. those are not bad. you can get more HO in the same space and there are more HO offerings. Lionels are great if you want to play with kids or if it's a seasonal layout like one usually are. good luck and thank you for watching
You bought a cheap bachmann starterset Dont expect much out of it It will need tweeking etc As for that power supply, i have the same one running my G scaled passenger train I can run 2 locomotives on a 12 x 12 foot track
Once you add the metal wheel sets, they work ok I think. I have tech 2 and tech 4 from MRC that I bought many years ago and I would recommend them all day long. Do you remember when they had their spectrum silver series? I have one in the attic I will did out soon and make a video of. Thank you for watching
@LedgemereHeritageFarm ive been in the hobby 51 years Ive seen many trains, upgraded tons I love the hobby, cheap or not Cheap cars can be upgraded easy to run with the high end
You're better off with one of the Piko Starter sets like the Belgian and german steam sets with the Tender driven Prussian 0-8-0 steam loco. or the Austrian Set with the taurus E-locomotive, flat car with semi truck, gondola and tanker. Cheaper than Bachmann, better locos.
Tom, all you have to do is add some weight to the cars....like smashed down fishing weights. The cars will track better then, change out the wheels too. And you run too fast on tight curves.
This locomotive is a step up from the normal 0-6-0 locomotives you usually find in a Bachmann train set. Its DCC ready. I think its only 8 pin, but a cheap 8 pin decoder and you are good to go. On page 50 of the Bachmann 2024 catalog you can buy 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives. They come in 4 road names and are DCC with sound. However if you want the Durango and Silverton locomotive, you need to go with the train set. Bachmann really needs to take a lesson from their N scale train sets. Include EZ track that is Nickel Silver with the gray roadbed and metal wheels.
the locomotive is pretty good I think. do they have nylon gears like the older ones did? I do have a nice 2-8-0 Boston and Maine from IHC that I like. I will check the catalog. Thank You for watching
@@LedgemereHeritageFarm Nylon gears was an issue with pre-90's, non-Spectrum designed Bachmann locos. The 2-8-0 in this set is a Spectrum which are the better Bachmann models. It won Model Railroader Magazine Model of the Year Award in 1998 or 1999 so it is a solid design. They made a lot of them in various railroad paint schemes so you can always find one from a railroad you like. Just note these models are almost 30 years old so buying used be prepared to service it not because it is a bad design but because of age and use. Bachmann still carries spare parts for them on their website.
I don’t understand what you’re sending it back for. The locomotive works perfectly fine and you can’t get a 2-8-0 consolidation for cheaper than what that whole set costs. Used maybe.
You seem harsh in opinion of this set. It’s a basic and cheap starter set. Bachmann has never been known for quality but neither has anyone except kato with starter, all in one, train sets.
I remember about maybe 20 years ago when Bachmann made a Silver series line of train sets. they came with a spectrum power pack, silver series weighted cars and ez track in nickel silver. they were on the cusp of a new age of good sets and then they regressed. I appreciate your watching and your comments.-Tom
Having to “rebuild” a new train right out of the box is really disheartening. Bachmann couplers really are a bad design, and need to be replaced with Kadee 148 series “whisker couplers”. This is what I have done with my On30 stuff. The original “easy mate” design couplers are way worse than the “easy mate II’s”. Wait till you have the frustrating experience with Bachmann’s large scale couplers, they are absolute junk, replacing mine with Kadee #1 scale couplers and body mounting them. As far as the underweight cars,the idea of the stick on wheel weights is a real good idea. As far as the wheelsets are concerned, any quality metal wheel would be better than the plastic ones on the cars. Bachmann could make these changes and people would pay the little extra and be very happy with a quality product.
I'm with you! I have put Kadee's on everything and I use wheel weights on all my cars. I started out with a Kadee starter set in a little plastic box. it did come with some of those whisker couplers you mentioned and yes, those are very good. I believe people would pay a bit extra for a quality product. thank you for watching
I couldn’t agree with you more! Honestly if Bachmann wants people to get into trains they should give them a taste of the good life in each starter set.
they almost had it, but why cheap out on the rolling stock? most sets when I was little came with at least a couple buildings and some sort of operating accessory. does Bachmann make any operating accessories anymore besides the crossing gates? Thank you for watching
It's a starter set. Start with the fun of running the trains... And start with the upgrades and repairs. Same as you do with a $1000 articulated brass steamer
You’re right about that.thank you for watching
Yes, they do still make ones that smoke, oddly, they smoke and are DCC but not sound, that loco is an 0-6-0. The 2-8-0 is available separately and do come in Boston and Maine since you chose to letter some cars for that....😉
The real railroad is 3 foot narrow-gauge and the loco should be an outside frame "mikado" , a 2-8-2. But any train is fun.
Consolations were a common sight on the standard gauge (the K37was a regauged C41 consolation) mountains and mikes were as well.
@@johnbeck3270 no it wasnt... go see what Hyce has to say about that...
I got the N scale version a few years back and I no longer use any of the track, carriages or even the loco now! This is because it just slowly degraded basically, and I now have a much more reliable roster.
I personally prefer Kato, Atlas, Rivarossi and Broadway now that I got a bit spoiled. Thank You for watching
Tom, I am enjoying these train videos. With that said, I am not a Bachmann supporter. I would rather look for an old Rivarossi (IHC). They are nicely detailed especially for the time period when they were made. For the money these starter sets go for I would like to see better quality….just my thoughts. My thoughts and opinions plus $8 will get you a coffee at Starbucks lol !
I loved the old IHC locomotives and I have a whole slew of them. I have a couple Bachmann, Atlas and Athens, but for the money, IHC was the pick. I don't think they are in business anymore?
@ no they have been gone for awhile. I picked up a new, in the box and never run, Norfolk and Western Y6b around 6 years ago for $100.00 even. The daughter of a gentleman who collected but never opened or ran what he bought sold everything he had. I was truly blessed to get that one!
Quite a few of AHC/AHM locomotives were manufactured by Rivarrossi. I own a Y6b as well as 3 4-4-0’s all marketed by AHM manufactured by Rivarossi. They are still great performers even after 50years.
@@LedgemereHeritageFarm AHM/IHC unfortunately has been gone for a long time. Their models were top notch for the time and their structure kits were wide and varied.
@@johnbeck3270 in later years Mehano of Slovenia made alot of rolling stock for IHC. Mehanos line of steam locos were decent runners and generic enough for most North American railroads
You were not clear as to why you wanted to send the train back. Was it the coupler on the Loco/Tender?
I didn't see the value in it. the locomotive was fine, but the cars are not very good and the power pack isn't either. better off to buy on the used market think . thank you for watching
👍👍👍❤❤❤🚂🚂🚂
Thanks for the video, I'm just now getting started in model trains myself, right now I'm really stuck between HO & O scale! I love the size of O scale but hate the fact it uses 3 rails on it's tracks, not very realistic to me!
There are some O scales that are available in 2 rails or the middle contacts for locomotives. However, they could be scarce and expensive.
I think atlas makes a more realistic 3-rail. I have a bunch of fastback which isn't bad. the old metal lionel track definitely looks like a toy, but some modelers cut little wooden ties and then ballast them. those are not bad. you can get more HO in the same space and there are more HO offerings. Lionels are great if you want to play with kids or if it's a seasonal layout like one usually are. good luck and thank you for watching
Maerklin makes 4 rail HO they use stud contacts.
2 rail O is available look at atlas O. I think there are other manufacturers as well. Be prepared for sticker shock though.
It looks like the cat had more interest in it
he loves trains. he hissed at them the first time he saw them. thank you for watching
@@LedgemereHeritageFarm He hissed at it when he saw it was a cheap Bachmann
You bought a cheap bachmann starterset
Dont expect much out of it
It will need tweeking etc
As for that power supply, i have the same one running my G scaled passenger train
I can run 2 locomotives on a 12 x 12 foot track
Once you add the metal wheel sets, they work ok I think. I have tech 2 and tech 4 from MRC that I bought many years ago and I would recommend them all day long. Do you remember when they had their spectrum silver series? I have one in the attic I will did out soon and make a video of. Thank you for watching
@LedgemereHeritageFarm ive been in the hobby 51 years
Ive seen many trains, upgraded tons
I love the hobby, cheap or not
Cheap cars can be upgraded easy to run with the high end
You're better off with one of the Piko Starter sets like the Belgian and german steam sets with the Tender driven Prussian 0-8-0 steam loco. or the Austrian Set with the taurus E-locomotive, flat car with semi truck, gondola and tanker. Cheaper than Bachmann, better locos.
I never think of those. do you know of a good source? we haven't any hobby shops around anymore
Modellbahnshoppelippe and Train world and ishophobby canada. Modellbahnshoppe is cheapest even with shipping.
Evemodel makes wheels too
I did not know that. I bought some from another brand too, but the name escapes me. thank you for the suggestion and for watching
Tom, all you have to do is add some weight to the cars....like smashed down fishing weights. The cars will track better then, change out the wheels too. And you run too fast on tight curves.
I never thought about the fishing weights, but that is a great idea for adding weight in a cramped are. thank you for watching
Adding weights used for car wheels they make lead weights for high end rims and they have tape already and they are measured in ounces too
This locomotive is a step up from the normal 0-6-0 locomotives you usually find in a Bachmann train set. Its DCC ready. I think its only 8 pin, but a cheap 8 pin decoder and you are good to go. On page 50 of the Bachmann 2024 catalog you can buy 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives. They come in 4 road names and are DCC with sound. However if you want the Durango and Silverton locomotive, you need to go with the train set. Bachmann really needs to take a lesson from their N scale train sets. Include EZ track that is Nickel Silver with the gray roadbed and metal wheels.
the locomotive is pretty good I think. do they have nylon gears like the older ones did? I do have a nice 2-8-0 Boston and Maine from IHC that I like. I will check the catalog. Thank You for watching
@@LedgemereHeritageFarm Nylon gears was an issue with pre-90's, non-Spectrum designed Bachmann locos. The 2-8-0 in this set is a Spectrum which are the better Bachmann models. It won Model Railroader Magazine Model of the Year Award in 1998 or 1999 so it is a solid design. They made a lot of them in various railroad paint schemes so you can always find one from a railroad you like. Just note these models are almost 30 years old so buying used be prepared to service it not because it is a bad design but because of age and use. Bachmann still carries spare parts for them on their website.
I don’t understand what you’re sending it back for. The locomotive works perfectly fine and you can’t get a 2-8-0 consolidation for cheaper than what that whole set costs. Used maybe.
I agree, but I just didn’t see the value in it.
It's a TOY, you get what you pay for ( a TOY) ! ! !
I agree. it is not what I would buy for a new serious collector starting out. it is too much money for what you get I think.
It is a shame that a low quality set is still over $120.
it sure is. I don't think atlas or athearn make starter sets anymore do they?
You seem harsh in opinion of this set. It’s a basic and cheap starter set.
Bachmann has never been known for quality but neither has anyone except kato with starter, all in one, train sets.
I remember about maybe 20 years ago when Bachmann made a Silver series line of train sets. they came with a spectrum power pack, silver series weighted cars and ez track in nickel silver. they were on the cusp of a new age of good sets and then they regressed. I appreciate your watching and your comments.-Tom
Having to “rebuild” a new train right out of the box is really disheartening. Bachmann couplers really are a bad design, and need to be replaced with Kadee 148 series “whisker couplers”. This is what I have done with my On30 stuff. The original “easy mate” design couplers are way worse than the “easy mate II’s”. Wait till you have the frustrating experience with Bachmann’s large scale couplers, they are absolute junk, replacing mine with Kadee #1 scale couplers and body mounting them. As far as the underweight cars,the idea of the stick on wheel weights is a real good idea. As far as the wheelsets are concerned, any quality metal wheel would be better than the plastic ones on the cars. Bachmann could make these changes and people would pay the little extra and be very happy with a quality product.
I'm with you! I have put Kadee's on everything and I use wheel weights on all my cars. I started out with a Kadee starter set in a little plastic box. it did come with some of those whisker couplers you mentioned and yes, those are very good. I believe people would pay a bit extra for a quality product. thank you for watching
Beware. Bachmann won't honor their warranty if you buy off of eBay or internet sellers.
I did not know that. thank you for the heads-up
Bachmann's quality is dismal. i got an N scale set and it was over priced for what came in the box. couldnt even climb a grade with stock set up
I am sorry to hear that. I stumbled upon Kato about a year ago and now there's nothing else I want except maybe older Atlas. thank You for watching
👍👍👍❤❤❤🚂🚂🚂