for those curious, the 4-8-4 is a NYC Niagra without smoke deflectors and the tender is an SP tender, used by the long discontinued Bachmann UP 2-8-2, and SP 4-8-2. The Overland set pictured in the thumbnail was the first(older) rendition of the set, which originally used a Santa Fe 4-8-4 engine.
yeah im pretty sure its the same mechanism used for the bachmann Daylight GS-4's, NYC northerns, this UP one, and the older N&W J class. the newer ersions are definitely the better runners though
My dad had bought me a LifeLike set when I was 6. For a 6 year old, it was a great set to get started on. This was my first set that I had bought myself when I was 17. I had wanted this set since I was 11? But it became a back burner item in my mind over the years and I was a little disappointed that Bachmann had changed the headlight arrangement by the time I got around to buying it and oddly the set has changed very little since I bought it over 10 years ago. Many cars I still have, the loco has seen better days, but I still got it. This is definitely a set that I recommend to someone who wants to dabble and see if the hobby is something they'd really wanna do. So many elitist love to harp on Bachmann, but from a non-bias, non-elitist standpoint, this set was really good for what I paid and as someone who still owns both old Bachmann and Tyco products I can certify that this is better than the Tyco stuff. You definitely get your money's worth in a hobby that's not known for being affordable.
The kit that started me all off. I bought the NMRA tool to ream out the trucks, and added all metal wheels. Still use the cars but the loco mostly sits around until Christmas. But this is an amazing starter set! I got mine from TrainWorld for $320ish. 6 months later I've spent $6,000+ and I love my new hobby! My latest purchases, 2 Broadway Limited 4014 Big Boy's. One in Matte black, and also the 4014 glossy version. ✌️
I got one of these around 2015 from E bay for a very low price. The set comes with 22 inch curves so that's what the engine would need. And that's low for a 4-8-4 steam locomotive.The one i got had a a tendency for the left driver rod to foul up because the left valve should have had a solid guide cylinder, but had a large insert on the inner side that let the rod get stuck when it moved out of the slot. This would stop the drive gear from moving. I filled in the insert somewhat. If i wanted it do extended running i would cut the drive rod off to make sure it does not get stuck. You might check this on the unit you have to see if Bachman now has solid guide cylinders for the drive rods to fit into. I saw another engine like this on E bay with the drive gear stuck. Given the high cost of the set at the time. I was expecting nickle silver not steel track.There has been a lot of price inflation in this area since 2015. The flat car has steaks to insert on the side of the car to hold the logs in place. The Rail Chief is probably a better bet as a first set. The GP 40 is a good reliable engine and a lot simpler to get running on the track. Even the cabbose had metal wheels. . I remember getting them for under $100 with the 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby. The Athearn sets were a lot better with nickle silver track and the Kato sets were very good, but both are gone now. So to my knowledge only Bachman markets starter sets now. It will be interesting to see what long term impacts the crisis in China has on the industry. Some of the Macro economic blogs report Chinese manufactures are giving June as a standard answer to when shipments will restart.
dont let bachmann's lower end stuff fool you! they have some very high quality products. No, not as good as BLI, intermountain, or other high end brands. But, for what you pay you really cant beat it. a lot of their locos (N and HO scale) are DCC equipped and under $100. again not the BLI, or Intermountain quality but they are still awesome for the price
@@markwilliams2620 yeah most of their rolling stock is O.K at best. some of the locos however are pretty good for the price. some of the N scale stuff is even on par with the big names like Atlas and Athearn and good prices!
@@SuperMillerman10 I agree the hobby needs both high and low end. I think Bachmann can do a better job at detailing even at the low end. I dont think this is a good starter set.
Just ordered mine. Can't wait. Jumping into this new hobby feet first lol. Fell down a UA-cam rabbit hole with trains. 24 hours later this set is on its way to my home hahaha
In the early to mid 90's I bought this set and to this day I still have everything but the box. This set in video has updated track, controller and couplers. The steam engine years ago I dropped (by accident) about 3 to 4 feet and NOTHING broke off it and works normally, fact I still run it once in a while today. Cars are cheap looking to me lol
Don't hate on Bachmann until you check the prices. Those of us who are lucky to have a large yard or sidings on our layouts know how much it can be to fill trains up, and I think a well placed detailed- car can make a train look great, BUT, I use bachmann to just make my trains longer, and you can't notice tiny details on every single car as it moves by or is sitting in the middle of a yard
Good review. I found someone selling this set plus another diesel loco and extra controller on craigslist for $65. I quickly snagged it before anyone else had a chance! It's truly a beginner set, the rolling stock in my opinion is extremely cheap looking and feeling. The steamer is nice, runs good, I have it displayed on my desk at work I always wanted a 4-8-4 as a kid. I sold everything but the two locos and extra controller and made my $65 back! A great "free" find! It is a great set for a beginner though to whet the Model RR appetite
When I was 9-11 years old, I wanted this set really badly. I actually got the older version of the locomotive a few years ago, but looking at it now I realize that the cars are super cheap... This feels like the ultimate train set for people who are starting out in the hobby until you discover Walther's freight cars and Athearn/BLI locomotives XP
I had this train set a few years back. I got it as a Christmas preset, but I never remember what specific year it was. This video brings back nostalgia
ehhh, its just. For the price theses come at I feel even a beginner would be better off with a starter set Kato, Athearn, or Walthers. It just has such an odd and jumbled selection of rolling stock that comes with it for the price Bachmann wants for it.
dexecuter18 yeah Bachmann’s prices have really gotten out of hand. My Bachmann Thomas broke recently and I really hope my hobby shop can fix it because I’d hate to buy a new one. To much money.
I imagine a big portion comes from the locomotive, which would be atleast 120 along I think, and each of the stock is probably around 20 each, so it seems acceptable
will athearn bring back its starter sets? I was looking for the fire rescue one that comes with a bnsf loco and a fire engine, but it said it was discontinued.
I bought this same set a year ago. I had to run it on atlas because the plow kept snagging a section of the EZ track. I like it. And it has smoke. I can pull 15 cars with it so far. It has great pulling power
I thought that when I bought this a few years ago it came with 20" radius Nickel/Silver EZ Mate oval track? Ohwell, maybe not; been along time since I've used the black track. Thanks for the review! Great little starter kit.
I had gotten this set way back in the day for Christmas probably near 15-20 years ago. All the cars had metal wheels but the locomotive was a lot cheaper and didn’t have operational front couplers. Give and take I guess. I was still so happy back in the day! I knew it was expensive little over 200$ or so at the time. Generally Christmas presents where around 100$ total in my family. I still have a few of the cars in my collection but the loco fell apart. It did have the original ez-mate couplers they had just changed them over. So I felt like I was on the next level haha!
This was the big set I always wanted, other than the Amtrak Acela set. NOTE: Bachmann has released a DCC ready version of this locomotive, for those who are starting in DCC.
Dylan Hale I prefer if they were DCC equipped, ready means that you have to buy the chip and plug it in vs soldering. Equipped means the chip is already installed. Now I prefer going to ModelTrainStuff than Bachmann as like Lionel, Bachmann has the prices on everything set too high. MTS is much affordable.
this is the set that started it all for me. For Christmas, the wife got me the Overland Express. well I couldn't just have one set, I ran out a bought 2 more train sets. moved into DCC a couple months later and still growing. side note on the loco from this set, It was in my basement flood, and today is still covered in a fine dirt/sand, sitting on a shelf. I just can't come to terms, to toss it out. since it is ruined my first train set/ loco, and I will keep it till it is my last . lol
I am glad you did a review on this item JW. I have not added Trains set to my small, but growing store. But I think I will soon. I am a huge fan of Bachmann and loved it when they introduced the Spectrum Line. It was an easy way to distinguished the entry level to the more advanced. Today the lines are blurred and sometimes it tough to know that yes this Decapod does cost more money but all the improvements into the locomotive are amazing. Just like their Amtrak Product and the 4-4-0. At open houses people go crazy over it. Then they hear sound and they fall in loved. Most cannot believe that it's a Bachman. I might email you to see if you would ever link up to another store asides from Trainworld, which I love so much being from NY.
I got this set for christmas last year. Take note the flat car came with its side bars in a seprate little bag which you can see in the video on its left :) I need too redo my review on it due to bad lighting and camera setup. It is a fun set. Due note the smoke unit is not standard in its DCC ready version that I am aware of.
I thought these were discontinued ages ago, but the hobby shop where I work just got one in. You're not wrong about the massive box - it's a real pain to find shelf space for! Quality seems ehh, but if the loco runs decently, I guess it's worth it. The logs look absolutely horrible, and it does crack me up that it's a NYC loco repainted for UP, but I guess it's a good starter set if you want a big engine and a long train.
Just like everyone else it seems I had this set as a kid too...maybe ‘02ish? But did anyone else have issues with the engines front truck? My layout was all EZ track and the front truck always derailed. Reversing was bad too. That was my biggest gripe about it. It was a breath of fresh air when Mom bought me a nice Mikado to run lol.
I got this same set when i was like 13 or 14. I still have the loco and all the cars. The cars are all weathered up and are used on my layout now the loco sits there due to me modeling atsf steam
They sure do the packaging well. Makes me want it being that the set is up graded. Smoke and sound is a plus if has all that. Good looking northern did he say? Less tha $300 sounds pretty good. Good show James!
I remember a set I had that had a green Burlington Northern box car with the same details as the box cars in this set. It also had separately applied brake wheels as well. You could buy those cars in a 3 pack for 7.99 at Toys R Us. Same brand as this one you just reviewed.
I have this set...love the engine and like the fact that it came with a nice consist of cars. The caboose is not my favorite, but it’s ok. Plan on converting the trucks on it to metal wheels. Yeah, it would be a nice DCC unit, but it is what it is. Actually, I have two sets of this line, one being a little older. Will have to compare them to see the differences. We might even convert this to DCC & sound...will check into that. This is actually a nice starter set like you said. We already have some old reefer cars to put behind it. Happy rails to you, until....😀
Pull test might have been cool. LOL Im actually using the base chassis of this loco for a project. I have the old Bachmann Northern shell fitted (it has way more detail) and brass bits including smoke deflectors. Im using a new Athearn Big Boy tender coupled to it.
My grandma is actually giving me this set and when you were in boxing it very little black pigs they go onto the flatbed because it’s actually a log car and those hold of those logs
Hmmm.....You left out the package of 'stakes' that plug into the flatcar, which holds the load on the car. Otherwise, for HO, it's not a bad "Starter Set".
i remember having this train set back in the 90s for my birthday, i was so happy back then. i miss the set so much edit: there are somethings different from the this set then I remember on mine. like the nuckle couplers where on both which i hated as a kid cause the rest of my model trains where horn hook couplers lol and I don't remember the front top of the locomotive being so clean, I could sworn mine had the engine number board in the front on both sides with mine but i could be wrong. i think i got this set for my 12th birthday and im 32 so my memory is probably all wrong for the most part lol
Nice demo James except I wanted to see it go faster with smoke. Bachmann is doing alot better nowadays. I would not pay more than $250 for that set. It is really nice tho.
I originally wanted this set really badly but I question why if the locomotive they had available for the set is a Niagara, why on earth did they not make it a New York Central set?
That's what I first thought too. But then I thought that you would have to be over 60 years old to remember much NYC equipment running. So even kids dads may not have seen the NYC much. Whereas UP is so visible especially with 4014, 844 and 3985 as well as all the Diesels and cars. So as much as it pains me, I think very few kids want NYC stuff compared to even inaccurate UP. Could have also chosen steam era cars and markings for the set.
well the real UP 806 was a FEF 4-8-4 which is close, you could scratchbuild/kitbash an appropriate FEF style smoke-box front and center the headlight and make a taller stack if you want to.
Wow bachmann really got their monies worth out of the mold for that GN flat car and the livestock car. The 2 covered hoppers are the only new thing it seems...
@@railfanjackson4531 I’m legit only here to figure out where I would put water or what I need because we kept smelling burnt plastic and I’ve got no idea what to do
Hi there. Nice video. I recently got this set, and wish mine would run like yours. Mine is noisy, and it derails as soon as it hits a turnout. The lead and following wheels flop all over. Any ideas on how to improve its running?
@@myrandomthings1 I was running it on styro-topped plywood, with 22" radius curves, and it still derailed even when going slow, with or without cars. Most of the couplers on the cars broke after a few runs, or because of derailments. After about three runs on its own the smoke stopped working and soon after the leading wheels fell off... I fixed that, and now the loco sits on the shelf...
@@stevesmodelbuilds5473 huh that's funny cause mine doesn't derail and works fine, though I removed the smoke unit from mine cause didn't want it to melt the body, I run it a few hours a day, maybe take it apart and see if there is anything you can do to fix it
@@myrandomthings1 Hi again 😀. Thanks for the advice, but I'm done with it, along with the entire layout. I never had a set as a kid, so I let 'attempting-to-recapture-childhood' get the better of me when I retired. While building that, I found I enjoyed building the models far more than building the layout and running trains. I now invest my time and money in plastic model kits: They take far less space, are reasonably priced and offer a variety of scales and subjects.
the older version of this set i beleve ran the horn hook couplers they had the split chassis locomotive. Bachmann doesnt support the split chassis at all i know i tried having mine fixed that i bought at a fle market its a 2-6-2 prairie and the wheels needed work the axles split and yeah i got it for $10 not knowing but now i think its just gonna be a shelf piece unless i can repair it and maybe the valve area the plasic looked like oil degraded them and they dont stay now where they put so yeah im disappointed but its not a big deal
After watching this video, it looks like this set today is worth the buy compared to 2005 piece of junk I had, yet again it could wear to the point, but after watching this video it’s making me want to buy it lol
Sounds over priced for the level of detail and production quality of that rolling stock. I would imagin most of the price is the locomotive but they could have at least put clear plastic where the windows are on the caboose and tightened up the gap between the capoula and the body of the caboose so it isn't as noticable. Just from the quick look at them the caboose looks like it's the lowest production value piece of the set. The covered hoppers actually look like newer better quality molds than the rest of the train cars and to my un trained eye actually look like they are from a more recent erra than the locomotive, IE they look more modern.
Jason Platco I think he said you can get it for $200 with discounts. With nine cars and track, that’s pretty reasonable. I just bought an n scale locomotive for $247. I think I paid almost $600 for my Big Boy loco. Comparatively, that’s not a bad deal.
@Bill Chisholm judging by your response I’m guessing that you don’t get them because of the way you ask. Try building a relationship with your local vendor. Bring some business their way. Bring a group of young people in to see their products and learn about railroad modeling. Those who take in interest will be future customers. Promote their store where you can. As with any other business, they’re not charities. But like any other business they take care of those who take care of them. So to answer your question, yes I have and I’m sure I will continue to. I don’t ask for discounts though. As a good/frequent customer sometimes they just give them to me. But I never told anyone to ask for a discount. I responded, stating that he said that was the price with applied discounts. Not sure where you got that from.
@@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb ? feeder wires with two male ends I suppose....you just plug the exposed wires into the recepticle. One for each rail is how it's broken out.
for those curious, the 4-8-4 is a NYC Niagra without smoke deflectors and the tender is an SP tender, used by the long discontinued Bachmann UP 2-8-2, and SP 4-8-2.
The Overland set pictured in the thumbnail was the first(older) rendition of the set, which originally used a Santa Fe 4-8-4 engine.
I just ordered this set not holding my breath it come unharmed and works. It will be my first ho train set in thirteen years
Just realized this steam locomotive is a repainted Niagara without smoke deflectors
And it has the union Pacific greyhound scheme
yeah im pretty sure its the same mechanism used for the bachmann Daylight GS-4's, NYC northerns, this UP one, and the older N&W J class. the newer ersions are definitely the better runners though
getton moreorless The More You Know
Are installing smoke deflectors difficult?
And a vanderbilt tender LOL!
This was the beginning of everytbing for me. I was maybe 11 or so, without this set who knows if I’d ever had ended up in the hobby I love most
My dad had bought me a LifeLike set when I was 6. For a 6 year old, it was a great set to get started on. This was my first set that I had bought myself when I was 17. I had wanted this set since I was 11? But it became a back burner item in my mind over the years and I was a little disappointed that Bachmann had changed the headlight arrangement by the time I got around to buying it and oddly the set has changed very little since I bought it over 10 years ago. Many cars I still have, the loco has seen better days, but I still got it. This is definitely a set that I recommend to someone who wants to dabble and see if the hobby is something they'd really wanna do. So many elitist love to harp on Bachmann, but from a non-bias, non-elitist standpoint, this set was really good for what I paid and as someone who still owns both old Bachmann and Tyco products I can certify that this is better than the Tyco stuff. You definitely get your money's worth in a hobby that's not known for being affordable.
Dang, this set is a decade old! Have it in my Bachmann 2010 catalog
they've updated it over the years.
Man I can remember looking at this set in a Bachmann catalog in the early 90s as a little boy.
Diff track and stuff but yeah cool
The kit that started me all off. I bought the NMRA tool to ream out the trucks, and added all metal wheels. Still use the cars but the loco mostly sits around until Christmas. But this is an amazing starter set! I got mine from TrainWorld for $320ish. 6 months later I've spent $6,000+ and I love my new hobby! My latest purchases, 2 Broadway Limited 4014 Big Boy's. One in Matte black, and also the 4014 glossy version. ✌️
It even comes with slim jims!
😂😂😂
Lol😂🤣
Lol
I used to think the logs were slim Jim’s too XD LOL
This set is my dream bachmann set because it has so much cars and the locomotive reminds me of Nashville 576! 🛤
I got one of these around 2015 from E bay for a very low price. The set comes with 22 inch curves so that's what the engine would need. And that's low for a 4-8-4 steam locomotive.The one i got had a a tendency for the left driver rod to foul up because the left valve should have had a solid guide cylinder, but had a large insert on the inner side that let the rod get stuck when it moved out of the slot. This would stop the drive gear from moving. I filled in the insert somewhat. If i wanted it do extended running i would cut the drive rod off to make sure it does not get stuck. You might check this on the unit you have to see if Bachman now has solid guide cylinders for the drive rods to fit into. I saw another engine like this on E bay with the drive gear stuck. Given the high cost of the set at the time. I was expecting nickle silver not steel track.There has been a lot of price inflation in this area since 2015. The flat car has steaks to insert on the side of the car to hold the logs in place. The Rail Chief is probably a better bet as a first set. The GP 40 is a good reliable engine and a lot simpler to get running on the track. Even the cabbose had metal wheels. . I remember getting them for under $100 with the 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby. The Athearn sets were a lot better with nickle silver track and the Kato sets were very good, but both are gone now. So to my knowledge only Bachman markets starter sets now. It will be interesting to see what long term impacts the crisis in China has on the industry. Some of the Macro economic blogs report Chinese manufactures are giving June as a standard answer to when shipments will restart.
21st Century version of Tyco
dont let bachmann's lower end stuff fool you! they have some very high quality products. No, not as good as BLI, intermountain, or other high end brands. But, for what you pay you really cant beat it. a lot of their locos (N and HO scale) are DCC equipped and under $100. again not the BLI, or Intermountain quality but they are still awesome for the price
Nope. Way better loco, couplers and properly weighted cars.
@@markwilliams2620 yeah most of their rolling stock is O.K at best. some of the locos however are pretty good for the price. some of the N scale stuff is even on par with the big names like Atlas and Athearn and good prices!
@@SuperMillerman10 I agree the hobby needs both high and low end. I think Bachmann can do a better job at detailing even at the low end. I dont think this is a good starter set.
@@markwilliams2620 Nothing in this set meets any club layout specifications
I had this set when I was younger and I loved it. I'm surprised that set is still around.
Just ordered mine. Can't wait. Jumping into this new hobby feet first lol. Fell down a UA-cam rabbit hole with trains. 24 hours later this set is on its way to my home hahaha
In the early to mid 90's I bought this set and to this day I still have everything but the box. This set in video has updated track, controller and couplers. The steam engine years ago I dropped (by accident) about 3 to 4 feet and NOTHING broke off it and works normally, fact I still run it once in a while today. Cars are cheap looking to me lol
First engine I ever got. Thanks for reviewing it.
Candle Flame same here.
Good night Sir. This was the first video I watched on your channel. I really liked your model and train station, and this train is amazing. Thanks!!
Don't hate on Bachmann until you check the prices. Those of us who are lucky to have a large yard or sidings on our layouts know how much it can be to fill trains up, and I think a well placed detailed- car can make a train look great, BUT, I use bachmann to just make my trains longer, and you can't notice tiny details on every single car as it moves by or is sitting in the middle of a yard
Probably the biggest model train set I’ve seen I’ll say. Great video man 😀
Good review. I found someone selling this set plus another diesel loco and extra controller on craigslist for $65. I quickly snagged it before anyone else had a chance! It's truly a beginner set, the rolling stock in my opinion is extremely cheap looking and feeling. The steamer is nice, runs good, I have it displayed on my desk at work I always wanted a 4-8-4 as a kid. I sold everything but the two locos and extra controller and made my $65 back! A great "free" find! It is a great set for a beginner though to whet the Model RR appetite
When I was 9-11 years old, I wanted this set really badly. I actually got the older version of the locomotive a few years ago, but looking at it now I realize that the cars are super cheap... This feels like the ultimate train set for people who are starting out in the hobby until you discover Walther's freight cars and Athearn/BLI locomotives XP
I had this train set a few years back. I got it as a Christmas preset, but I never remember what specific year it was. This video brings back nostalgia
On the tender, the forward most hatch is for fuel oil NOT water.
ehhh, its just. For the price theses come at I feel even a beginner would be better off with a starter set Kato, Athearn, or Walthers. It just has such an odd and jumbled selection of rolling stock that comes with it for the price Bachmann wants for it.
dexecuter18 yeah Bachmann’s prices have really gotten out of hand. My Bachmann Thomas broke recently and I really hope my hobby shop can fix it because I’d hate to buy a new one. To much money.
Bachmann is trash duh
I imagine a big portion comes from the locomotive, which would be atleast 120 along I think, and each of the stock is probably around 20 each, so it seems acceptable
I'm no beginner but I am definitely getting that set for the locomotive because is very unique and cool
will athearn bring back its starter sets? I was looking for the fire rescue one that comes with a bnsf loco and a fire engine, but it said it was discontinued.
I bought this same set a year ago. I had to run it on atlas because the plow kept snagging a section of the EZ track. I like it. And it has smoke. I can pull 15 cars with it so far. It has great pulling power
Nice review as always you’ve got some of the best review videos I’ve seen keep up the great work my friend
I thought that when I bought this a few years ago it came with 20" radius Nickel/Silver EZ Mate oval track? Ohwell, maybe not; been along time since I've used the black track. Thanks for the review! Great little starter kit.
22" radius
What A Cool Bachmann Overland Limited Train Set.
Neat.
I had gotten this set way back in the day for Christmas probably near 15-20 years ago. All the cars had metal wheels but the locomotive was a lot cheaper and didn’t have operational front couplers. Give and take I guess. I was still so happy back in the day! I knew it was expensive little over 200$ or so at the time. Generally Christmas presents where around 100$ total in my family. I still have a few of the cars in my collection but the loco fell apart. It did have the original ez-mate couplers they had just changed them over. So I felt like I was on the next level haha!
there's a pack of stanchions for the flat car to hold the logs. those pop into the holes.
This was the big set I always wanted, other than the Amtrak Acela set. NOTE: Bachmann has released a DCC ready version of this locomotive, for those who are starting in DCC.
Why Bachmann US refuses to make all train set locomotives DCC ready like they do in the UK, I'll never know
Dylan Hale
I prefer if they were DCC equipped, ready means that you have to buy the chip and plug it in vs soldering. Equipped means the chip is already installed.
Now I prefer going to ModelTrainStuff than Bachmann as like Lionel, Bachmann has the prices on everything set too high. MTS is much affordable.
this is the set that started it all for me. For Christmas, the wife got me the Overland Express. well I couldn't just have one set, I ran out a bought 2 more train sets. moved into DCC a couple months later and still growing.
side note on the loco from this set, It was in my basement flood, and today is still covered in a fine dirt/sand, sitting on a shelf. I just can't come to terms, to toss it out. since it is ruined
my first train set/ loco, and I will keep it till it is my last . lol
I love this train set and not only it a great set to start with but the engine is a up fef-3 or should I say a repainted nyc s1b without elaphant ears
FEF-3 had a higher cowcatcher, I think they were trying to achieve the FEF-1 when i compare it to pictures
I remember back in the 90s, a Bachman set such as that went for 79 dollars. There is no reason why they should cost 300 to 400 dollars.
This was the first ho scale train set i've ever had and i really loved it. The second train set i've ever had was an ho scale thoroughbred train set.
I am glad you did a review on this item JW. I have not added Trains set to my small, but growing store. But I think I will soon. I am a huge fan of Bachmann and loved it when they introduced the Spectrum Line. It was an easy way to distinguished the entry level to the more advanced. Today the lines are blurred and sometimes it tough to know that yes this Decapod does cost more money but all the improvements into the locomotive are amazing. Just like their Amtrak Product and the 4-4-0. At open houses people go crazy over it. Then they hear sound and they fall in loved. Most cannot believe that it's a Bachman. I might email you to see if you would ever link up to another store asides from Trainworld, which I love so much being from NY.
I got this set for christmas last year. Take note the flat car came with its side bars in a seprate little bag which you can see in the video on its left :)
I need too redo my review on it due to bad lighting and camera setup.
It is a fun set. Due note the smoke unit is not standard in its DCC ready version that I am aware of.
I thought these were discontinued ages ago, but the hobby shop where I work just got one in. You're not wrong about the massive box - it's a real pain to find shelf space for! Quality seems ehh, but if the loco runs decently, I guess it's worth it. The logs look absolutely horrible, and it does crack me up that it's a NYC loco repainted for UP, but I guess it's a good starter set if you want a big engine and a long train.
I remember having this when I was little lol
Just like everyone else it seems I had this set as a kid too...maybe ‘02ish? But did anyone else have issues with the engines front truck? My layout was all EZ track and the front truck always derailed. Reversing was bad too. That was my biggest gripe about it. It was a breath of fresh air when Mom bought me a nice Mikado to run lol.
I got this same set when i was like 13 or 14. I still have the loco and all the cars. The cars are all weathered up and are used on my layout now the loco sits there due to me modeling atsf steam
Interesting choice of a review considering the age of this product, but it's cool nonetheless!
What is the difference between the Black Tracks and the light Gray Tracks with the different train sets?
Nothing is different but the color! However, grey is used to simulate gravel ballast better.
That’s a beautiful locomotive! Would love it!
Does the flatcar also come with stakes you can put on the sides to help keep the log load from falling off?
They sure do the packaging well. Makes me want it being that the set is up graded. Smoke and sound is a plus if has all that. Good looking northern did he say? Less tha $300 sounds pretty good. Good show James!
This was my very first HO scale train set.
I remember a set I had that had a green Burlington Northern box car with the same details as the box cars in this set. It also had separately applied brake wheels as well. You could buy those cars in a 3 pack for 7.99 at Toys R Us. Same brand as this one you just reviewed.
You could just by the loco separately, repaint and renumber it, add the smoke deflectors, and then just resell it as a Niagra.
What about the tender
in regard to the plastic wheels, i'd replace them with metal ones as they tend to roll better
It's funny they use a Niagara for the steam engine although it's up
I've been wanting to get this set for a few years now
I have this set...love the engine and like the fact that it came with a nice consist of cars. The caboose is not my favorite, but it’s ok. Plan on converting the trucks on it to metal wheels. Yeah, it would be a nice DCC unit, but it is what it is. Actually, I have two sets of this line, one being a little older. Will have to compare them to see the differences. We might even convert this to DCC & sound...will check into that. This is actually a nice starter set like you said. We already have some old reefer cars to put behind it. Happy rails to you, until....😀
That is a huge train set there man!
Pull test might have been cool. LOL Im actually using the base chassis of this loco for a project. I have the old Bachmann Northern shell fitted (it has way more detail) and brass bits including smoke deflectors. Im using a new Athearn Big Boy tender coupled to it.
My grandma is actually giving me this set and when you were in boxing it very little black pigs they go onto the flatbed because it’s actually a log car and those hold of those logs
I just packed up my Overland Limited set because I am getting ready to move, I bought this in the early 2000s to get the locomotive.
Love your room set up
The engine is a reused NYC S1b with a UP 6 wheel truck Vanderbilt tender
Hmmm.....You left out the package of 'stakes' that plug into the flatcar, which holds the load on the car. Otherwise, for HO, it's not a bad "Starter Set".
i remember having this train set back in the 90s for my birthday, i was so happy back then. i miss the set so much
edit: there are somethings different from the this set then I remember on mine. like the nuckle couplers where on both which i hated as a kid cause the rest of my model trains where horn hook couplers lol and I don't remember the front top of the locomotive being so clean, I could sworn mine had the engine number board in the front on both sides with mine but i could be wrong. i think i got this set for my 12th birthday and im 32 so my memory is probably all wrong for the most part lol
If I used the ez track outside and in snow, would it be a bad idea and maybe ruin it? But it’s cheap track so maybe.
Didn’t Bachmann make a set like this but with the DDA40X?
If I get that I will cry in joy
Dcc ready? I remember those up pig car they smell pretty bad working for atsf , when those car roll by 🤧
Nice demo James except I wanted to see it go faster with smoke. Bachmann is doing alot better nowadays. I would not pay more than $250 for that set. It is really nice tho.
I see that set all the time at Hobby Lobby
Where
@@johnford4395 every Hobby Lobby
I have lived in Bismarck for 7 years. Have never seen it
I originally wanted this set really badly but I question why if the locomotive they had available for the set is a Niagara, why on earth did they not make it a New York Central set?
That's what I first thought too. But then I thought that you would have to be over 60 years old to remember much NYC equipment running. So even kids dads may not have seen the NYC much. Whereas UP is so visible especially with 4014, 844 and 3985 as well as all the Diesels and cars. So as much as it pains me, I think very few kids want NYC stuff compared to even inaccurate UP. Could have also chosen steam era cars and markings for the set.
well the real UP 806 was a FEF 4-8-4 which is close, you could scratchbuild/kitbash an appropriate FEF style smoke-box front and center the headlight and make a taller stack if you want to.
It’s now about $216 on Amazon... that sounds like a steal to me!
I think this is a Union Pacific FEF-2 with steam guards removed
Wow bachmann really got their monies worth out of the mold for that GN flat car and the livestock car. The 2 covered hoppers are the only new thing it seems...
I like the order of the coupled cars to be like it is on the box only.
the engine has ez mate mk2 but the rolling stock only appear to have the mk1
I am kinda surprised that for this being Bachmann’s big set, they’ve never put sound in the locomotive.
It’s a starter set. Bachmann don’t usually put sound in their beginner range products. It does have an operating smoke unit though, which is neat.
@Bill Chisholm well they’ve been making it for years. Yeah it probably could use an update but it obviously sells.
@@railfanjackson4531 I’m legit only here to figure out where I would put water or what I need because we kept smelling burnt plastic and I’ve got no idea what to do
Great review of a nice starter set.
I'm thinking about getting this set on my birthday bc I dont have a 4-8-4 northern and an oil burner steam locomotive
Hi there. Nice video. I recently got this set, and wish mine would run like yours. Mine is noisy, and it derails as soon as it hits a turnout. The lead and following wheels flop all over. Any ideas on how to improve its running?
If your running it on really soft carpet it will derail
@@myrandomthings1 I was running it on styro-topped plywood, with 22" radius curves, and it still derailed even when going slow, with or without cars. Most of the couplers on the cars broke after a few runs, or because of derailments. After about three runs on its own the smoke stopped working and soon after the leading wheels fell off... I fixed that, and now the loco sits on the shelf...
@@stevesmodelbuilds5473 huh that's funny cause mine doesn't derail and works fine, though I removed the smoke unit from mine cause didn't want it to melt the body, I run it a few hours a day, maybe take it apart and see if there is anything you can do to fix it
@@myrandomthings1 Hi again 😀. Thanks for the advice, but I'm done with it, along with the entire layout. I never had a set as a kid, so I let 'attempting-to-recapture-childhood' get the better of me when I retired. While building that, I found I enjoyed building the models far more than building the layout and running trains. I now invest my time and money in plastic model kits: They take far less space, are reasonably priced and offer a variety of scales and subjects.
the older version of this set i beleve ran the horn hook couplers they had the split chassis locomotive. Bachmann doesnt support the split chassis at all i know i tried having mine fixed that i bought at a fle market its a 2-6-2 prairie and the wheels needed work the axles split and yeah i got it for $10 not knowing but now i think its just gonna be a shelf piece unless i can repair it and maybe the valve area the plasic looked like oil degraded them and they dont stay now where they put so yeah im disappointed but its not a big deal
What is a good starter set and price
Is this set DCC.
After watching this video, it looks like this set today is worth the buy compared to 2005 piece of junk I had, yet again it could wear to the point, but after watching this video it’s making me want to buy it lol
Why does the front look like something is missing?
it is the engine is a NYC Nigeria it had 2 headlights on the top of the boiler
When I bought that set my engines smoke box melted the shell of the engine and stopped working entirely and bachmann hasn't helped me
I own this set its a great starter kit for anyone with the money in my opinion
Sounds over priced for the level of detail and production quality of that rolling stock. I would imagin most of the price is the locomotive but they could have at least put clear plastic where the windows are on the caboose and tightened up the gap between the capoula and the body of the caboose so it isn't as noticable. Just from the quick look at them the caboose looks like it's the lowest production value piece of the set. The covered hoppers actually look like newer better quality molds than the rest of the train cars and to my un trained eye actually look like they are from a more recent erra than the locomotive, IE they look more modern.
Jason Platco I think he said you can get it for $200 with discounts. With nine cars and track, that’s pretty reasonable. I just bought an n scale locomotive for $247. I think I paid almost $600 for my Big Boy loco.
Comparatively, that’s not a bad deal.
It’s $216 now on Amazon which isn’t bad at all
@Bill Chisholm judging by your response I’m guessing that you don’t get them because of the way you ask. Try building a relationship with your local vendor. Bring some business their way. Bring a group of young people in to see their products and learn about railroad modeling. Those who take in interest will be future customers.
Promote their store where you can. As with any other business, they’re not charities. But like any other business they take care of those who take care of them. So to answer your question, yes I have and I’m sure I will continue to. I don’t ask for discounts though. As a good/frequent customer sometimes they just give them to me.
But I never told anyone to ask for a discount. I responded, stating that he said that was the price with applied discounts. Not sure where you got that from.
Would u recommend this set for beginners? Or another set?
The engine also has a smoke unit
Do u have to put something in it? Where and how if so?
@@makaylatenney36 you put three drops in the funnel of the steam engine after a little bit you get puffs of smoke as the smoke unit heats up.
I’d take the cars apart the caboose add steel wheels and rig up a small led so it be like there’s someone in the with the light on just a small touch
I own that train set! I love it!
Erie lackawanna boxcar doesn't have the EL diamond logo, lol.
i so need to get this, and some coaches
its just no smoke deflectors up painted nyc niagra
how much is this
New England Railfan productions 2017 I got it from trainworld.com for a little over $200.
@@Kris-qy7hh nice, did u sub to my yt channel yet becuse i need voice actors for my trainz series
great northern flatbed with slim jim logs
the engine is basically a New York Central "Niagra" Type locomotive but it does not have the elephant ears
What year is it?
Do ez track feeder wires hookup to the mrc prodigy booster, would like to know
yes
@@jlwii2000 feeder wires with 2 male ends or just the one male end
@@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb ? feeder wires with two male ends I suppose....you just plug the exposed wires into the recepticle. One for each rail is how it's broken out.
Very nice set for the money.
i just go a bachmann train set and i got a sante fe f7 and i like it but i need more track for it but i myt triy to ge that set
Nice set👍
9:54 Cyanamid tank car should have HAZMAT PLACARD
Will this work with 18" curves plz test
Show the train running on the layout and not in just one pass