Review: Bachmann HO 2-8-0 Steam locos w/ improved sound!

[@ap70621]

Good to see Bachmann stepping things up a bit. We need more decent budget friendly locomotives.

[@modeltrainchannel3151]

This is nice for a budget. Beats paying around 280!

[@jwrailve3615]

They honestly have decent sound locomotives there dcc equipped non sounds are horrible

[@Circa88]

Ok. I NEED THIS. I REALLY friggin wish I could get one of these with the UP road number #616. Its a 2-8-0 on display in Nampa, ID, near where I live, and Ive fallen in love with the loco. If only I could find a model of #616 like this for my layout.

[@jdpancoast1790]

Gustav Plays you can just make one

[@STho205]

My wife and I just took the TVR Summerville, GA run from East Chattanooga with a long consist behind the 630 for our anniversary. The actual locomotive pulled much smoother than this model. The engineer(s) was absolutely expert at subtle changes, starts and stops. It was a 9 hour run and I've seldom been behind a smoother engineer, even on diesel runs. Lone steam, no assist. I think they doubleheade their steam for the longer trains this month and next (Fall). I may drive over one weekend to get the experience outside the train. Your run by did remind me of the grade crossing run by they do for the passengers on the return leg.

[@rockyfanatic6846]

Bachmann made 4501 and now 630 wow you can model a excursion with that

[@jakefischer7739]

Although the 630 is not a perfect match, it's the closest prototypical 630 I've seen! Blows BLI's 630 out of the water... at least with the appearance. Would love to see one come out with the prototypical southern valve gear! Thanks for another great video James!

[@ashevilletrainman6989]

Oh wow this is an awesome locomotive! I’ll have to invest in one of these!

[@vincentberkan605]

The Bachmann 2-8-0 carries a Baldwin builders plate, which is a little incorrect because 630 is an ALCo-Richmond machine

[@Cmoore13]

This is the modern version of the spectrum!!!

[@kramvonatik8084]

Thanks for the review. It's a pity the Chuff sync is out. The got it right with the 2-6-0's a few years ago

[@dmandc]

I got a Con-Cor ad, finally a train ad Lol

[@tedc5387]

I have the Rock Island non sound 2-8-0 and it is a great running locomotive.

[@alexbogaski]

I just got one, its a little jerky when running at low speeds and is kinda loud. I only have a switching layout though, nothing with a continuous run to break it in a bit.

[@tedc5387]

It takes a little bit of breaking in to get them to run good.

[@carlosaliaga19]

Hello, good morning, congratulations on the youtube channel, could you pass me the measurement of the wheels of the machines and the guide axis that synchronizes the wheel circuit of the steam engine

[@TwinFun0327]

Great video! You’re the best at making these videos!

[@robertj668]

I am SO glad you broke one in and added it to the video! What a difference it made. I went from no way? Too, way! The sound does seamed improved. The big question is is it worth saving the money and going with Bachmann and not going with perhaps Broadway Limited. This might be one to have. The electrical wiring to the tender seem a little low, does it look like that can be adjusted?

[@HARPO1ME]

Broadway limited version of these is a high end model. This is a very good budget model that in its past was a Bachmann Spectrum high end model ,but since most of Spectrum was phased into Bachmann's standard line this one is a great bang for the buck at half the price of a Broadway limited in the reality pricing.You get what you pay for most of the time with model trains ,but not always. Pays to do your research.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

For me it generally comes down to outward appearance. Do you like the engine headlight in the center of the boiler with better sound (Bachmann) or the light on top with more pulling power (BLI).

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

As usual a fine video. I enjoy your reviews even when it is a product I will never buy (I’m an N Scaler). Hope to see you at the show...Anthony

[@christoffervandyke8523]

I enjoy Bachmann....screw what other people think....with that said.......do they have other road names..like N.Y.C?? 2-8-0?? Please James..let me know??

[@markwilliams2620]

www.midwestmodelrr.com/product/bac57903/ There's probably other retailers. You can also buy and undecorated and go old school and customize the hardware and decal it for a specific loco. I usually find a loco I like in my books (MILW) and detail my model to match.

[@tempertantrum6464]

There are plenty of decos, Southern green, Canadian National, Reading, Rock Island, NYC, Pennsylvania, etc.

[@russcarlson7151]

I have three of the spectrum versions of this loco. For the money they are great.

[@thereadingg3945]

Nice review! But the one thing that bugs me the most are the chuffs. The chuff itself sounds great! But it isn't timed right with the locomotive. On a standard 2-cylinder locomotive, there should be 4 chuffs per wheel rotation. On the model, it seems to be about 2 1/2 chuffs per rotation... I believe you can set the chuff timing by programming the CV's, but it still should have been 4-chuffs outta the box! Other than that, decent model.

[@jimaz6532]

Nice looking engine and nice review too. Thanks for sharing. 🚂

[@markwilliams2620]

The little locomotive that started the renewal in steam in the 90's. This was it. (The K4 came out at the same time, but it was Pennsy specific). Retailed for $100-$120 and they sold like crazy. Still have mine. This jumped Bachmann from a cheapo Christmas train set seller to a legit manufacturer. Prior to this loco you only had brass, 70's AHM steamers and old Mantua/Tyco that would run decent. The rest was crap! This, the first run of Proto 2000 diesels and the intro of decoders leapt the hobby forward and set the foundation for what you get today. I'll still run my Athearns. Compton Athearns!!! Added edit: The 2-8-0 is referred to as a Consolidated. Back in the 1890's several eastern railroads met in order to come up with a standard locomotive that would ensure consistent horsepower from line to line to allow for easier transfer of frieght. Much like how modern diesel consists are assmebled and assigned. So, they "consolidated" their talents to produce the 2-8-0.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

@@mariov1743 This. As a little kid in the 90's I had Bachmann and IHC steam engines that worked fine, never any trouble with them. I was running them every day for hours on end too.

[@tempertantrum6464]

@@OriginalBongoliathBachmann’s old steamers weren’t the greatest, especially since a lot of them were split chassis models which are almost guaranteed to fail. IHC/Mehano still hold up very well though, they could pass as modern budget models if they were sold today for a decent price tbh

[@ajmayowskijr]

That's really nice. I hope they make it in O-gauge.

[@JoeyBPhotography]

Great info, was considering one of these at some point

[@highlandwinterwolf8589]

Will you be at the NMRA show this weekend down in Kansas City? Hoping to find some good deals, first time I've ever been able to go to the NMRA national convention. Loved the review, Bachmann definitely seems to be stepping up their game lately

[@jlwii2000]

Yep, I'm there all weekend. Be sure to say hi!

[@HARPO1ME]

Stepping up their game from a standpoint of quality control is not one of them .The looks is the step up ,everything I have purchased new in the past 5 years had to be fixed right out of the box ,or sent back. More then 20 at random times.So it is not just a certain run of them ,but just their attitude for quality is not a concern just the sales.Even parts purchased were bad and had to be replaced. They don't check anything,just sell and or replace.

[@highlandwinterwolf8589]

HARPO1ME that is a lot. I don't buy a lot of Bachmann stuff, although of the few I do have I guess I ended up getting a good one on those buys. Have a 2-8-0 and a 2-10-2 custom upgraded by Bradley DCC and a smaller GN 4-4-0. All of them run pretty well. They were all secondhand buys and all in the last year.

[@zachmalcolm6342]

SOU is one of my favorite railroads and someday when I grow up I might be become a fireman for the 4501 and I saw that Lionel did the 630 but I didn't know Bachmann did one

[@benlahrman4149]

Did they fix the mechanism issues with the previous version with the cog v belt drive

[@MarkInLA]

Good thorough review...Though no smoke unit, I still like it way more the the BLI, at likely twice the price...

[@mesenteria]

Also, the left side eccentric crank, on this particular model, is tilted rearward while its host main crank is at bottom dead center. This is incorrect. When the main cranks are at bottom center on either side of the loco, the eccentric cranks should tilt toward the cylinder at about 17 degrees.

[@crazyamericangamer7036]

Got one of these ordered but it’s the Pennsylvania one a little more money than these idk why probably newer? Or it’s got the brass on it

[@anthonyferrara2222]

Which 2-8-0 would you recommend Bachman or the Broadway Limited version? I’m interested in buying one. Thanks.

[@crazyamericangamer7036]

Hmm I’m just gonna go with Bachmann

[@tempertantrum6464]

Depends on what you want to pay. If you’re willing to pay a lot for a more accurate model, then Broadway Limited. If you want a reasonably priced model that isn’t as good, but still decent, then go for Bachmann

[@tracksidefilms5416]

Cool I have the same one!

[@FuzionHyperX]

Tbh With the Bachmann New Released K4 there honestly picking up there game

[@deanpurcell7771]

Nice review James. One question...are there any blind drivers?

[@bmw325iscoupe]

Lòoking closely when the engine was unboxed I thought I saw flanges on all of drivers I may be wrong since I viewed it on a 7 in. Tablet.

[@jwrailve3615]

Do these handle sharp radius or turnouts well?

[@RCRF401]

They sure do

[@jwrailve3615]

@@RCRF401 I have 20-22inch curves and my secondary main line in some corners might even be 18inch radius. I planned on running these on through freights and possibly an excursion loco.

[@jwrailve3615]

Disappointed it has the exact same sound as the 2-6-0 unit tho

[@RCRF401]

@@jwrailve3615 yeah bachman cheaped out

[@tempertantrum6464]

@@jwrailve3615they handle 18-inch radius curves perfectly well, so they should be able to handle anything

[@nathanschronce8703]

What happened to the layout?

[@jlwii2000]

had a short that I couldn't quite nail down for awhile. Then had some issues with switches.

[@alexbachmanchapelle3925]

Can you do more steam trains

[@mesenteria]

The crosshead guide is improperly affixed to the cylinder on the fireman's side, as you show it early in the video. Notice that it is not parallel to the ground, as it should be, and that the crosshead is tilted as a result. From an engineering standpoint, the axle centers and the crosshead's rod pivot, or what is called the "big end", should all be in a line. Hopefully this won't be a common problem with the new 2-8-0's from Bachmann.

[@HARPO1ME]

It's a Bachmann .Still horrible QC.They make it up with a good warranty. Used my warranty quite a bit and it is just aggravating how poorly they check the product before they send a new one. Seems like they do not at all ! Had 3 go back for one purchase since they don't check the new one they are sending you back for warranty because it is new. Each one had something different wrong with them if that will tell you something about their quality control.

[@alexbachmanchapelle3925]

Bachmann steam train is the bast

[@cbrail3006]

I am making a Southern HO scale layout

[@crazyamericangamer7036]

Pretty nice for a Bachman around 200$ Adventually I’ll have to order in a nice Lionel or scale trains, or mountain, trix

[@andrewwestman582]

Hey check out Kamloops heritage Railway loco. It is like the same !!!!!

[@whatthefreshflyingfricc1615]

Yes

[@TomedysTrains]

I wish Bachmann would put in all-new tooling to make it look like the real Southern #630. Lionel has also made the same mistake with theirs. Southern #630 is a popular excursion steam locomotive, and therefore, it should be done justice in the models of it instead of it being a "cheap repaint" of something they already did. What Bachmann did (which I don't support) is that they took a generic Baldwin Consolidation steam locomotive model of theirs and just painted it up in the Southern livery. When just about any model train manufacturer makes models of other popular excursion steam locomotives like Southern Pacific #4449, Norfolk & Western #611 and Union Pacific #844, they're usually done accurately, and the same should apply to Southern #630, especially since there isn't a decent-looking version (in terms of accuracy) of it on the market yet in any scale as far as I'm aware.

[@HARPO1ME]

That is Bachmann and always will be. They rarely make correct models. You want that see Athearn.

[@bmw325iscoupe]

If the boiler is the correct size or close to it and the drivers are spaced sized to proto kit bash one. It would not be all that difficult.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

AFAIK the Bachmann 2-8-0 is based on a prototype used by the Illinois Central Railroad. If you want a more accurate prototype the only way to go is brass.

[@MikeThomasRailRoadOverhaul]

I need a new steamer

[@ericmould9515]

Why?

[@fiercetrains4052]

the whistle sounds like the 2-6-0

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

B&O 3 chime. It probably has the same sound file as the old spectrum one does. The other 2 it has are probably a reading 6 chime and C&S 801, whatever that is.

[@nickbuckley4371]

When hey had tsunami sound that was way better

[@rustingparts]

Woof those chuffs are wayyyy to slow

[@FreedomLovingLoyalist]

i got that train for $1

[@iron1349]

I heard these are worse than the old Spectrum variants