Review: Bachmann HO 2-10-0 Decapod w/WOWSound! Frisco!

[@Perfusionist01]

Nice review James! Over the years I haven't been a fan of Bachmann steam locos BUT in the last few years they have really made an effort to provide adecent locomotive with good details that hits a nice price point. Bachmann is also to be commended because while Atyhearn is stuck on Big Boys and 4-6-6-4s and BLI is stuck doing 90% Pennsy, Bachmann has explored doing the "humble haulers". 2-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-10-0, etc. Now if we can all write letters and get Bachmann interested in a UP/SP 2-8-0 or a UP "Common Standard" 2-8-2....

[@ecpcharles]

i mean this is nearly identical to the original bachmann spectrum model released over 10 yrs ago(2002). I dont know what you mean by "last few years"

[@tryhardanimationsstudios5167]

And Lionel is very expensive

[@adogeatingapieceofbread9335]

@THECOMMENTMASTER 7 short lines

[@benlahrman4149]

The Baltimore and Ohio USRA 4-6-2 is very well done. Very few molded in details.

[@jonnyspeed]

@THECOMMENTMASTER 7 I prefer small locomotives, so there goes that theory...

[@iannarita9816]

Trivia about the 2-10-0 on Frisco. Many of this class were of an order built for Russia during WWI. After the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, the U.S. embargoes Russia. Baldwin was left with a batch of 2-10-0's and ended up selling the lot to Frisco(SLSF). To adapt the locomotives from the Russian gauge of 5' to US standard gauge of 4'8 1/2" Baldwin put extra wide tyres on them. The catch was there were certain types of trackwork the locomotives could not travel across. The best example were self rerailing switch frogs, that had fixture in the side of the railhead to push an errant flange back on the rails. Frisco did not have this but neighboring Cotton Belt(SP subsidiary) did. The locomotives always needed the adapter tyres to run on U.S. rails.

[@minnesotarailfan12]

Isn't the 1630 of this class? (At the Illinois RR Museum)

[@benlahrman4149]

Trivia about 6 preserved in the USA but only one in working order.

[@OwenBudd1]

Not just Frisco, Western Maryland and other railroads also received Decapods intended for Russia.

[@chesapeakerailphotography]

Awesome review! Even tho the engine has wow sound, thats one of the best sounding Bachmann engine I've heard

[@TheBeeMan1994]

I personally think WOW Sound is amazing in steam locomotives, their whistle selection is super crystal clear and perfect sounding, Their grade crossing quill is something I’ve never seen another manufacturer do, and there is a few different types each time you hit F0.

[@TheBeeMan1994]

But personally for me, in diesels, nothing beats ESU

[@newriverproductions12]

BIG upgrade from the last run! I ordered a 1630, and watching this, I know I'll enjoy it. Thank you for the review!

[@randallellison6421]

Great review James! It's nice to see Bachmann showing some love to Frisco's steam power! Its something you don't see every day, most of the time and usually when you do see Frisco locomotives, its usually the second generation diesel power (SD40-2, SD45, and the various U-boats) owned by that railroad. Also Bachmann did offer a model of the Frisco #1522 , a 4-8-2 mountain type, in it's Spectrum line several years ago but to my knowledge, has never been released since. It would definitely be nice to see these model railroad companies do more Frisco steam and passenger locomotives in the future, but that's just my two cents worth!

[@vermontrail-fan5557]

That is one of the best steam locomotive I have ever seen, just utterly beautiful.😉 The sound almost sounds real like it was recorded and great detail, I am sure the bell can easily oiled so it can move. The rear light would probably have the same look as well. Otherwise very great review James.😉👍🏻 Keep it up and stay safe.

[@consolidationproductions]

All the sounds on the engine are recorded from the original engine type.

[@Ericstrains]

Very nice!

[@jeo7347]

hey! just want to say your videos are really cool, and I really like them. I think because of you I'm going to make some choices in model railroading (good ones!) and buy some locos that you reviewed, since you make some really good reviews. thanks and keep going!

[@RingoStarr39]

I got the Western Maryland version of this. The drive does have a bit of stuttering at lower speeds but it's not too bad. It sounds great with WowSound but starts slipping with 6 Athearn blue box passenger cars up a grade, so it's not the best puller.

[@IronhorseRailProductions]

Well trains aren't good for hills.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

This was a light puller in its day. This was a short distance freight engine originally intended for Russia before the 1917 Revolution, not a heavy coal drag hauler.

[@TrainBandit]

On the side of the boiler you can see the injector handle outside the cab. It's supposed to be inside so they can put water in the boiler. I don't know if it's accurate or not buts it interesting looking

[@michaelramsey82]

You can hear during the pull test where WowSound really shines compared to other systems. It selects randomly from a huge library of different chuff recordings, instead of repeating the same 4 chuffs, and it blends them together at speed, so you don't get that "helicopter" sound effect like you do with SoundTraxx and most other systems. LokSound gets around this by just not playing a chuff until the previous one finishes, but all this does is force the chuffs out of sync at higher speeds. WowSound is the only one I've heard that actually sounds realistic at mainline speed.

[@hohobbyist1098]

Looks like Bachmann has stepped up their game since even just a few years ago.

[@ecpcharles]

i mean this is nearly identical to the original bachmann spectrum model released over 10 yrs ago(2002). I dont know what you mean by "few years ago"

[@tjprptchable]

I cannot believe that they made this Frisco engin! I wold totally get it 'even though I'm not much of a HO guy' as 1630.

[@TNRailProductions_01]

Very Neat! I have been looking in to buying this locomotive here soon

[@davidhughes4448]

I have one of these locos. It looks great and runs nicely, but Its tractive effort is poor. Is there any space inside the boiler shell to add weight? If I temporarily add 1.5 ounces to the exterior of the shell (sitting on top of the boiler, looking really silly) the tractive effort greatly improves. Can 1.5 ounces be added inside the shell? Is there space? Thank you.

[@davidstrainsandlego]

I was just thinking about this type of locomotive

[@christoffervandyke8523]

Can this locomotive navigate around 18 radius curves?? Please let me know,james

[@warbabyproductions]

Nice love this 2-10-0

[@ronniesmith3711]

Great review 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TrainznProgress]

Very nice, do these come in the same design as strasburg railroad 90

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

Nope, just what you see here. There's 3 roadnames. Western Maryland, Frisco & Erie.

[@TrainznProgress]

Ok,thanks

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Different type of Decapod.

[@dsingh412]

are these locomotives worth buying in this day and age james as i am curious about them?

[@jessedax7333]

Good review James! Do any Bachman steam have synchronised smoke? Can anyone point me to a loco with such a smoke unit? Thanks!

[@davepanichelle1478]

Jesse Dax Don’t know about Bachman but MTH has the best synchronized smoke units out there.

[@ecpcharles]

only bli and mth have sync smoke. That being said smoke really shouldnt be a deciding factor for what engine you want to buy. Choosing which engine to purchase through the quality of their smoke unit is like purchasing a car on the basis of how good their sunroof is.

[@railroadproductions2756]

Most Bachmann steam locomotives are smoke ready so you can install a smoke unit

[@minnesotarailfan12]

Awesome video! I subbed and I really enjoy your videos!

[@minnesotarailfan12]

Also, have you moved the layout to the new location yet or are you still using a section at your old house?

[@Brendon_up1995]

Have you had any issues with this being a bad runner? I just got mine and it constantly shorts out and stalls with 5 cars

[@Circa88]

Can you do a review of the new Bachmann Pacific in the Union Pacific livery please?

[@ecpcharles]

dude the pacifics are all the same, just different paint. I believe he already made a Bachmann USRA 4-6-2 review already

[@samsstrasburgrailroad8427]

This sound chip sounds like it's got a PRR 3 chime. Might be a good fit for a M1, K4 or even i1 if needed

[@Kai01191-t]

Hey that's me!

[@the4000class]

What are y’all’s options of new Bachman steam locomotives?

[@OriginalBongoliath]

It depends on what steam engine you want. Whereas everyone makes diesels, not everyone makes steam in HO and Bachmann is by far the largest one. For some steam models it is the only game in town unless you go brass.

[@davidurban6813]

Just asking what was the doghouse used for? Was it a privy? Just asking. Stay healthy and we will get through this together.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

To check on freight cars and look out for the brakeman to warn the engineer if something happens to him.

[@ecpcharles]

if it weren't for the thick running boards, i think this is a solid engine

[@ecpcharles]

i honestly dont get why so many people are saying bachmann engines have recently gotten better. Guys, this very identical engine was first released in 2002.

[@hemipatton7799]

That may be true, however back in 2002, they did not come with DCC or any sort of sound! (I know, I got 2 of these in Western Maryland)...... ALSO these newer versions ALSO are dual mode, Analog as well as DCC and the sound operates in both modes! -Limited however in Analog, with sound controls but they still "chuff".....

[@ecpcharles]

@@hemipatton7799 nope. actually they came in dcc ready and sound versions. the sound versions was a dual mode Tsunami decoder (not tsunami2). If you go to the 2008 catalog you will find a section for both dcc ready and dcc& sound versions of the same engine. I would also know because I had one at one point.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

A) They are only in to diesels so don't know about their steam offerings. B) Still have the 70's-90's mindset of what Bachmann was.

[@stevemellin5806]

Thank you very nice loco .

[@Zidaddy]

This is really nice

[@trainsandstuff1307]

Quick question: is Bachmann a good and reliable model train company? I kinda need a steam locomotive on my layout right now. My friends keep telling me that Bachmann is bad and I shouldn’t buy from them. So I’ll restate my question, is Bachmann a good reliable model train company?

[@mattsypersma6418]

Don't buy anything cheap like in the $100 range. Find one you like and check the reviews all over YT. That's what I did and got a MSRP $399 engine for $165 shipped. What era of steam are you wanting to model?

[@trainsandstuff1307]

@@mattsypersma6418 ok thanks, also, I’m looking for a Hudson steam locomotive

[@OriginalBongoliath]

I would only go for their steam since they along with Broadway Limited, Athearn, and now Lionel are the only makers of HO steam now. The steam market is dying and more limited compared to diesels. Everyone makes diesels and are better than what Bachmann offers.

[@ronniesmith3711]

Just bought one

[@HelloHello-hj7nw]

What is the minimum radius the will operate on?

[@OriginalBongoliath]

18"

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Very Nice!

[@caseycharlieandadam]

Thanks

[@samfirn495]

Can it take 18 inch track?

[@railroadproductions2756]

Bachmann say that the minimum curve radius is 22”

[@iannarita9816]

Posted 5 minutes ago a 15 minute video. Did you have time to watch?

[@southwestlimitedproduction9738]

Kinda sounds like the PRR T1 Whistle to me it does

[@monstermasterhaunts1054]

Why do they put the smoke in the crappy engines? This would totally work with a smoke feature.

[@ryeguyisme]

smoke causes more problems by getting the track and everything else dirty. Better to go without it than have it

[@darriusstrainsthings5736]

How is he still ordering trains if Trainworld's shipping and phone services are not open?

[@0779BooBoo]

I am going broke because I love shopping at trainworld.

[@hohobbyist1098]

You're not alone.

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

Except theyre closed for the foreseeable future.

[@jwrailve3615]

Bachmann has decent steamers but there diesels always lack In performance, however I like the company because they model smaller steamers and other odd diesels unlike scale trains, inter mountain etc, always the typical dash 9, sd70aces, big boys turbines f units sd40 variants, if another company would make a 4-4-0 I’d be all over it

[@TailsFan369no2]

Wrong whistle for that particular decapod

[@michaelgmoore5708]

Who cares, I like the whistle a lot. After all they are toys for adults.

[@gavinm1347]

That whistle sounds so much better than the soundtraxx crap. I got my first esu the other week and almost cried from the quality. Wow sound is not far behind

[@CMFYTOfficial]

Clinchfield 311

[@Curious_Skeptic]

370.00 ?? Not sure I could bring myself to spend that on Bachmann. 250.00, sure.

[@gettonmoreorless3741]

I like the addition of tcs into bachmann locomotives, but the MSRP is ridiculous. These things are nearly 600 dollars! If you want one of these, purchase an old run off of ebay and buy a tcs decoder to install. You will shave 400 dollars off the MSRP.

[@billbruff9613]

Not accurrate Train World has it listed today for $299.99

[@gettonmoreorless3741]

@@billbruff9613 read the bachmann msrp

[@gettonmoreorless3741]

@@billbruff9613 I can also get this locomotive with a tcs for less than 200 with the method described

[@Miniatur_87]

Permission to save video 🙏👍

[@dirkmontgomery5983]

Nice engine how do you you git these engines for review for nothing

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Paid sponsorship.

[@charlesp9669]

Made in China?

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Everything in the model world is made in China unless you go brass then it might be made in Japan or Korea for the old stuff.

[@nayastellini2610]

First

[@FrankJGZ]

So?

[@nayastellini2610]

@@FrankJGZ i like being first

[@christoffervandyke8523]

Can you operate this on 18 radius curves??

[@railroadproductions2756]

Bachmann says that the minimum curve radius is 22”