Railfan Review: Bachmann HO Sound Value GS-4

[@SamsTrains]

Looks and sounds superb mate - especially going around on the turntable, absolutely brilliant! Thanks for sharing, Sam :)

[@trainmaster844]

Cheers, Sam! Glad you liked the turntable shot! Such is the advantage of being part of a model railroad club! If you don't have a home layout (as in my case, being in a Military dormitory right now), these clubs provide a good testing ground for your own models. The Sound Value GS-4 is a good buy, in my opinion. But as I mentioned, it isn't a good puller on hills initially. Since Bachmann doesn't do traction tires on most of their HO Scale models, the adhesion factor is limited. However, I had a friend add some lead weights to the chassis, which has improved it greatly. Glad you enjoyed it! :) -Chris K.

[@steamfanatic4464]

Christopher Kovacs try putting traction tires on the rear wheels if the loco already has them upgrade the tires

[@trainmaster844]

@@steamfanatic4464 Bachmann models do not have grooves in the wheels for fitting traction tires. One would need some precise machining in order to do so...

[@steamfanatic4464]

Oh ok I understand

[@dominus_vader6842]

Making my layout over the Great Lakes Central with the Steam Railroading Institutes subdivision in Owosso. Looking to recreate TrainFestival 2009 on my layout and this one is a must need! Already have NKP 765 to my layout, looking for a Pere Marquette 1225 or a 4449 to come available!

[@jamesbenedict7206]

Awsome layout!

[@jamesbenedict7206]

If you ever are in Sarasota Fl be sure to check out John Ringling,s private rail car.

[@ncopictures7182]

You talking about this engine takes me back to your early years. :)

[@Tyler3967]

Awesome review, my friend. Too bad my bachmann Daylight doesn't have the sound effects since it was made around the middle 2000's back then. Still, she runs beautifully and I'll never let go of that model steam engine. :)

[@trainmaster844]

I still have my original DCC Daylight from 2007, since it and the Sound Value engine are the same. I'll be using it as a backup or for spare parts.

[@timothybradley7652]

Tyler Hildebrand wil you get 4449 Fredom?

[@ThomasZoey3000]

Awesome review buddy, it's good to see you getting back into making review videos of model trains. Hope to see you do more in the future.

[@austinbrodzinski4444]

I need to get me one of these, very nice review!

[@mgr_video_productions]

Great review!

[@rowancollins9558]

Awsome review chris love the GS 4 I would kill for a daylight excursion from la to San Francisco. Great model though and keep on making videos

[@trainfan998]

Fun fact, the first GS4 I ever saw in model form was the one you voiced in T&F.

[@TG-cf6qb]

I Have the 4446 but its being fixed and im getting a new one when i get large curves

[@Mr300bowler]

Hey Christopher. Bachman has the 4th GS 64 WP 485

[@trainmaster844]

Though I am aware of the GS-64 variation, it is not a DCC "Sound Value" model.

[@MasonRascona]

What music did you use in the Model info section?

[@quizzyboi2320]

Can you do a review on bachmann's 4-6-0 ten Wheeler

[@kremestation80]

Great Review, the nitpick on bottom headlight, would there be anyway to fix that?

[@trainmaster844]

Just a minor trim and filing down (along with new plastic for the "glass") would do the trick.

[@unumprovident101]

I got this same engine for Christmas

[@JoseCardenas-uc2bg]

It’s 2019 and I still like it infact I’m gonna get 53101 for Christmas.

[@mikepetroff4240]

Great review Christopher, thank you. Would you kindly let me know the source of the fabulous piano music in the background? Thanks, Mike

[@p6355]

How did you adjust the side rod position on the fireman side? I got it with the wrong position.

[@trainmaster844]

Use a flatheaded jeweler's screwdriver to loosen the main rod screw to the point where you can move the eccentric crank to the right position as my model shows. When complete, re-tighten the main rod screw.

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

Can you change the sound with your Bachmann EZ command Fordyce engine

[@anortherner2626]

How do you change the engines whistle?

[@trainmaster844]

The whistle can be changed by configuring CV 115, as shown in this manual from Soundtraxx. www.soundtraxx.com/factory/images/bachmann/pdf/ggs4_AE32069.pdf

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

This seems like a decent model of the SP GS 4 class, I may decide to purchase one example of these Bachmann Gs4 models in the future as the MTH and BLI models are too expensive for me currently.

[@trainmaster844]

The Bachmann model is definitely a budget-minded option for those who want a GS-4. Though, there have been rumblings that the BLI model will have a "Stealth" version released next year.

[@anasiacameronelijahedcpndc4324]

Can you do the Union Pacific FEF-3 HO sound value.

[@turnerhoughton3652]

How did you add weight to the chassis to get it to pull more?

[@NorfolkAndWestern611]

If any of you were wondering he painted the white overlay on the wheels to have all black wheels

[@CENsystem]

Can you review the PFM/Van Hobbies Canadian Pacific H1-A/H1-B

[@trainmaster844]

It depends if I can find the model and if it's within my budget.

[@CENsystem]

Christopher Kovacs you can find it on brasstrains.com

[@devinhamb6586]

Hey Chris, sweet GS-4 model by the way. I wanted ask you something in regards of steam getting replaced. Wasn't one of the reasons they got replaced was because railroads were facing heavy competition from road and air travel as well as them taking away railroads revenue?

[@rustingparts]

The one and only reason steam got replaced was maintenance intervals

[@Jaymehkook]

Can you do top 20 restoration steam locomotives

[@Idkjustgothere]

If its pulling power is that low is it possible I could put a new moter?

[@alexlife470]

I LOVE THE GS-4

[@stevenlarabee3439]

Have you heard of hobbylink

[@kriswalker7106]

With this model, one can recreate many excursions of the 4449, or hey, make your own. With model railroading, you can do things you wouldn't be able to do with the prototype.

[@trainmaster844]

It is more accurate to 4449's current appearance, whereas the previous incarnation was the common excursion era look from 1981-1999 with the larger "billboard" lettering on the center orange stripe. You'll notice that all the wheel tires on my model are black - that's because I took a Sharpie to them, as the real 4449 doesn't have whitewalls.

[@kriswalker7106]

Christopher Kovacs I noticed.

[@t.w.9217]

Can you review the union pacific big boy locomotive?

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

I used to have one of those I was just curious can it handle 18 radius curves cuz my old one could handle it with ease that was back in 2009 when I got that I think

[@trainmaster844]

When you say your "old one", are you referring to the Bachmann Plus variation or the first DCC On Board variation?

[@lnerengine2644]

How much did the model cost?

[@trainmaster844]

$250, including shipping and handling, from www.modeltrainstuff.com

[@CENsystem]

I have a request: Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson by Rapido Trains

[@trainmaster844]

I've got one on pre-order! Expect a full video when it's released!

[@quizzyboi2320]

Plz review the Lionel polar express

[@trainmaster844]

I've wanted to do so, but the locomotive is sold out and the coaches aren't far behind. It'll become more difficult to get this set, but I will try.

[@quizzyboi2320]

No worries take your time

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

That's my favorite steamer in the world

[@DylanRailVids04]

Actually only 2 GS class 4-8-4s survive today southern Pacific 4449 and southern Pacific 4460. Southern Pacific 4449 is owned by the friends of the 4449 and southern Pacific 4460 is owned and on display at the museum of transportation in St. Louis,Missouri.

[@trainmaster844]

But therein lies the difference. I'm talking about the GS-4s specifically in the video, not the GS-6s. If MTH decides to re-release the GS-6s, I can talk about the class then.

[@Low_Zones]

@@trainmaster844 bro chill

[@ReaverLordTonus]

What is the minimum turn radius for a model this size?

[@trainmaster844]

It can go as low as 18 inch radius curves. The drawbar connecting the engine and tender has two holes drilled in so you can adjust the position of the tender to accommodate for those tighter curves.

[@HarryWarren1223]

How about the Atlas B30-7? Available on trainworld.com dcc sound equipped.

[@dave6695]

Difficult to believe this is the old Lionel HO tooling still being used.

[@trainmaster844]

Didn't know Bachmann bought the tooling, but yes, its very similar.

[@kingtigger2104]

Bachmann nkp 765

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

Really cool one of my favorite steam engines honestly Bachmann should make a Burlington Northern Santa Fe version of 4449

[@thereadingg3945]

Though 6-10 cars is pretty weak for a model of a 4-8-4, Bachmann did a spectacular job on the detail! Kudos to them! :D Have you ever checked out Broadway Limited Imports? Even their little 2-8-0 can haul a bigger load than the GS4 seen here! I also hope you're doing alright in the Air Force. I know it's hard being away from doing what you love and hanging out with your friends, but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel! :)

[@trainmaster844]

The reason the BLI engines can haul more is because they have traction tires. Bachmann's models don't have any, and thus, they're down on pulling power. By the way, I do have time to do what I enjoy, but my job always comes first.

[@thereadingg3945]

It's amazing what two little rings of rubber can do for hauling power! Well, that's good. I hope you aren't stressed or anything. I'm really worried about other people when it comes to this.

[@Marco-xz9sc]

I would buy the MTH

[@TG-cf6qb]

At least it doesn’t have whitewalls

[@trainmaster844]

Though the model does come with whitewall tires, I had initially used a Sharpie to go over the whitewalls. (I wanted to model 4449 as she appears today) Though it did work, the black color from the Sharpie would fade over time. I'll make the switch to black paint when I'm able to reapply the color.

[@TG-cf6qb]

@@trainmaster844 Ok. Plus, are you going to review the one MTH made that came out just recently?

[@crsrdash-840b5]

Its way over priced for a simple detailed with molded parts and lack of pulling power. It should be less than $250.00 depending on what sound decoder is being used.

[@richbuege6491]

The cost of the dies to make this are something most people know nothing about. Hint, they're probably more than the house you live in. Changing them is not a cheap proposition, it's a damned expensive one. Pulling power, try changing the chips, I know the Berkshire from Bachmann suffers from an inadequate capacity, not a lack of motor power. And lastly, if you don't like this one, then try MTH or BLI, if you can get one when they're available, which they aren't at the time. If you'll never buy one of these, why the negative comments? People can make up their own mind if they like it or not. It's sometimes called voting with their wallets.

[@yellowbonnetproductions5424]

Those shouldn’t be any more than 200$ but bachmann decides to sell them for 300$.

[@trainmaster844]

This is why websites like TrainWorld and ModelTrainStuff are your friends. They offer massive discounts on Bachmann products and can get them for cheaper than what the MSRP is in the catalog.

[@yellowbonnetproductions5424]

Christopher Kovacs even on train world and model train stuff they sell them for nearly $300. At that point I’d rather just save for a brodway limited steam locomotive.