Bachmann S4's are hitting the shelves....

[packers#1]

It looks like the shell is maybe the ride height is a TAD bit too high, but nothing unreasonable, and the shell itself looks fine when compared to the random S4's I selected from rrpicturearchives.net (being that there seems to not be a pic of 145 on the site). Even if the hood is too wide, it doesn't look unproportional, and unless you actually bust out a ruler, it looks like it wouldn't be noticed.
As to aesthetics, the windows on the model do look a tad crude, especially when compared to the hood. S, have you taken the loco apart yet? Could the windows possibly be removed and replaced with other glazing?
As to handrails, I'd rather have them be a bit more oversized and a little less susceptible to snapping, but brass wire would probably be preferable.

[sizemore]

As to aesthetics, the windows on the model do look a tad crude, especially when compared to the hood. S, have you taken the loco apart yet? Could the windows possibly be removed and replaced with other glazing?

Haven't taken it apart, probably won't until I get around to detailing it. The exploded parts diagram shows that the windows can be removed, however there is no 'lip' to set some cut acetate into. I think the issue arises with how the cab windows are molded and the type of clear plastic that was used.

The S.

[Sokramiketes]

So, from your post I am guessing you do not own any Kato SD40/45's or SD7, or the Atlas GP30/35?

Yes, I know they have wide bodies as well.  They're also much older tooling.  I would expect any new versions to be tooled accurately.

[VonRyan]

To get this back onto the strengths and weaknesses of the S4 I took some quick happy-snaps of the little beasty with my cell phone. DOF is weak but between all the shots you get the idea:















Enjoy,
The S.

And people are complaining about what? That models looks good. Now if it looked as clay-sculpted as the NW2 they are producing, then I could understand all the complaints...
Screw a couple hundredths of an inch of discrepancy.



-Cody F.

[peteski]

And people are complaining about what? That models looks good. Now if it looked as clay-sculpted as the NW2 they are producing, then I could understand all the complaints...
Screw a couple hundredths of an inch of discrepancy.



-Cody F.

To me (as I mentioned before), the windows don't look so good.  But I don't have the model in hand (and not planning on buying one), so I can't complain too much. 

[VonRyan]

To me (as I mentioned before), the windows don't look so good.  But I don't have the model in hand (and not planning on buying one), so I can't complain too much. 

That's why MT gives you those clear plastic strips 



-Cody F.

[sizemore]

So I mic'd the hoods on the lil guy and compared it to my Arnold S2 and my Samhongsa S2, not like I have any S4's available.

Arnold S2 11.24/25mm
Samhongsa S2 10.9mm
Bachmann S4 10.85mm

The only info I could find S2/S4 was deep in a forum with a builders diagram which states the hood width was 67". This translates to 10.64mm. Assuming I mic'd it perfectly, it's off by a scale 1.346".

I also popped the coupler box...ok lid off, in order to put a smaller coupler on, it would require cutting the coupler post/guide and a few passes of a file to get a MT905 in there.

The S.

[VonRyan]

So I mic'd the hoods on the lil guy and compared it to my Arnold S2 and my Samhongsa S2, not like I have any S4's available.

Arnold S2 11.24/25mm
Samhongsa S2 10.9mm
Bachmann S2 10.85mm

The only info I could find S2/S4 was deep in a forum with a builders diagram which states the hood width was 67". This translates to 10.64mm. Assuming I mic'd it perfectly, it's off by a scale 1.346".

I also popped the coupler box...ok lid off, in order to put a smaller coupler on, it would require cutting the coupler post/guide and a few passes of a file to get a MT905 in there.

The S.

So the difference in size between proto/model is negligible. All previous complaints about a "wide" hood are invalid...    unless we are in a Star Trek episode and someone has bionic eyes that can measure things, then being able to "see" the hood as being too wide is a jug of hogwash.

 



-Cody F.

[peteski]

That's why MT gives you those clear plastic strips 
-Cody F.

Not quite that easy. It appears that the cab walls are rather thick. Just installing some clear acetate from the inside would make the model look even more toysh.  The windows need to be close to flush with the outside of the cab to have the right look. Let's face it: Bachmann just isn't of Kato quality. 

[VonRyan]

Not quite that easy. It appears that the cab walls are rather thick. Just installing some clear acetate from the inside would make the model look even more toysh.  The windows need to be close to flush with the outside of the cab to have the right look. Let's face it: Bachmann just isn't of Kato quality. 

 

I'd say so. (Kato steam is quite nice)

Perhaps by tracing the bachmann insert, once could cut a properly fitting piece of acetate and glue it in with a tad of thin CA.


-Cody F.

[johnh35]

Well, if the hood is to scale, that is the major hurdle. As for the cab, maybe the Atlas cab will fit when it comes out. The handrails are a little heavy, but with the pictures blown up they look no worse than the handrails on many of my Kato lokies. Thanks for posting the pics and taking the measurements. I have one on order and hope to have it in my hands soon.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for posting the pics. Interesting how the yellow handrails call attention to their oversizeness. This should not be a problem on my ATSF unit, with its sexy black handrails . This is So Cal after all... The "boxing glove" couplers get replaced as they do on all my Bachmann locos, and I don't quite know what to do with the windows, but maybe it won't be as bad in person,this jury's still out pending arrival of said unit. As to the famous Kato quality Peteski, my Kato NW2 blew itself up after a few hours of light switching use....but it looked good and crisp doing it
Gotta love this hobby and its followers...
Otto K.

[peteski]

As to the famous Kato quality Peteski, my Kato NW2 blew itself up after a few hours of light switching use....but it looked good and crisp doing it
Gotta love this hobby and its followers...
Otto K.

As I stated earlier, no model or model company is perfect. But Kato seems to have a better track record than others.  I suspect that it could have been easily repaired. To me it is easier to fix a mechanical defect than a crudely made shell.

Did you ever figure out what broke in the NW2?  Did you ever get it fixed? If yes, did it run reliably after the fix?

[Chris333]

I know the NW2 had a problem with the one gear spinning on its shaft.  I need a new motor for mine. I know I can get one from Kato, but then it will run like a stock loco. I always thought it was fast.

About those S4 handrails. I remember the Arnorld S2 handrails looking way better and that was how long ago?

[Philip H]

So to recap:
Bachmann gets out a near scale width hood model of a much requested prototype, with better then previous Bachmann levels of detail with proper shaped but thick windows, DCC onboard (albeit basic), thick handrails and body mounted knuckle couplers.

And we've spent 4 pages of comments trying to find things to tear it apart over.

Right . . . . .