Nomination for Biggest POS: 2009

[wm3798]

I'll dispute the classification of the Spectrum 2-8-0 as a complete POS.  I've worked on over a dozen of them, and have yet to hit a clinker.  They are very well engineered, beautifully detailed, and very versatile for a number of kitbashes.  So you got a bad one...  That's not necessarily the fault of the model itself... that would be the QC problem we've all known about Bachmann for time and eternity.  Try before you buy, get yourself a good one, and you'll be more than satisfied.

Accumates... Not the greatest, but not an overall POS, either.  This was the first non-MT operating knuckle coupler in N scale.  A certain amount of learning curve is to be expected.  That said, I have experienced the exploding draft gear issue, as well as the running uncouplings...  But infrequently on both counts.

I'll agree with the designation of the Bachmann C-40-8... The original standard cab version was chunky, the wide cab a little better, but not much.  There was enough of a difference between the two to make them look awkward running together... (think running a Bachmann GP-40 with your Atlas GP-40).  The drives were total crap, with so much built in friction that they always sounded like they were under a terrible load, even when dead heading.  Likewise, the Bachmann Plus/Spectrum F units.  Not terrible looking, but way sub par in terms of performance.  These were so bad that they would pull enough amps to blow out a decoder, if you were dumb enough to install one...  Got rid of all of them.

I've presently got one of their new SD-45's in the shop, and it actually looks pretty good.  (It's a PRR DGLE, so I can't really see it)  I've been seeing their take on the Reading going for around $40, and I'm halfway tempted... until I look under the hood.  While there's not as much friction in this drive, it still is pretty noisy, and the set up for installing DCC looks like it could have come from a 1951 Philco radio.  This is similar to the H-16-44 they did, which started out very nicely, but ended up with a short inside the can motor, leading to it being scrapped for my WM slug.

I guess the great irony is that as good as the Spectrum 2-8-0 could be, their diesel catalog remains a hopelessly steaming yard loaf.

Lee

[brokemoto]

And ya' know it is funny about Bachpersonn diseasels.

They made the sharks for E-R and those are amoung the best running diseasels out there.  The slow speed control puts Kato to shame and is even slightly better than the LL FAs.

Still, they can not get the same performance out of those F-units.  Yes, there are certain members of the various forums that disagree with me on these Fs, but I am less than impressed with mine.

The doodlebug is a very nice runner.

The three do share a weakness in those contact wiper/chassis contact pieces.

All three are very good pullers, and the doodlebug does it despite its one truck powered.  All of my doodlebugs will pull six RR HWs, on RR trucks , mind you, up a one per cent grade at thirty five SMPH.  No prototype doodlebug would do that.

I have not had the shorting problems with the FM roadswitcher, although I have not run mine much.  My 1950s pike is coming down for rebuild, so the only trains that I will be running for a while are on my nineteenth century pike, where I will be running B-mann eight wheelers, amoung other nineteenth century power.  I did notice that the FM roadswitcher does not have the pulling power of the two cab units or the doodlebug.

I have a couple of the Standard Line FP-whatevers.  Not the best, certainly not qualified for the mythical 'entry level F-unit' designation, but they do run and pull a few cars.  They would, however, qualify for the road apple designation.

The Standard Line three axle industrial diseasels are the only half decently running versions of that.  More than one manufacturer, Bachpersonn included, has issued versions of this one.  None of them were good for much but weathering practice then gondola or flat car loads until this one.

The 44 tonner is a real gem.

Those are the B-mann diseasels that I have or have had.

I have heard and read numerous complaints about the other diseasels.

 I have more than a few of the SPECTRUM 2-8-0s.  I like all of them.  None of the SPECTRUM steam releases since it have come close to its performance.  The USRA heavy 4-8-2 is pretty good, but it does not have the pulling power that the 2-8-0 has.

[AlkemScaleModels]

I'll dispute the classification of the Spectrum 2-8-0 as a complete POS.  I've worked on over a dozen of them, and have yet to hit a clinker.  They are very well engineered, beautifully detailed, and very versatile for a number of kitbashes.  So you got a bad one...  That's not necessarily the fault of the model itself... that would be the QC problem we've all known about Bachmann for time and eternity.  Try before you buy, get yourself a good one, and you'll be more than satisfied.

I guess the great irony is that as good as the Spectrum 2-8-0 could be, their diesel catalog remains a hopelessly steaming yard loaf.

Lee

Two more data points on Bachman 2-8-0, I have two. One ran about 3 feet and died. The other runs fine. Can't figure out what is wrong with the first one.

[wm3798]

Send it to the doctor, Bernie...  I'm getting pretty good at trouble shooting these things...
Lee

[u18b]

Wow, normally I consider myself enough of a 'half full' guy that I wouldn't post.

BUT I'll make an exception!!!

(and even then, this is technically the SPOS - smallest piece of ^%$# - you've likely every worked with)

If you wonder why I never introduced a 25-tonner after a lot of hope, this was it.  Where do you start; 200mph, flanges with sharp  cut edges and no fillet, out of gauge (narrow) poor electrical pickup, and ONE AXLE DRIVE.  Oh, and don't forget expensive.....basically a motor, one truck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Super-Mini-Size-Motorized-Chassis-Pro-Hobby-Ca-ND-1_W0QQitemZ200419291751QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item2ea9ebb267

Surrendering and making it into a powered Burro crane only involved having to replace the wheels with Kato and redesign it... and scrap the idea of a 25-tonner kit.  Sigh.  And the crane, even with all that cast metal, isn't capable of moving any more than itself and the pickup flatcar.

I humbly cry... Foul.

You cannot use your OWN work as an example for the purposes of this thread!



Oh wait.  You were talking about the little gizmo....


Just teasing.... 

[Mark5]

I'll agree with the designation of the Bachmann C-40-8... The original standard cab version was chunky, the wide cab a little better, but not much.  There was enough of a difference between the two to make them look awkward running together... (think running a Bachmann GP-40 with your Atlas GP-40).  The drives were total crap, with so much built in friction that they always sounded like they were under a terrible load, even when dead heading. 

You speak of the 1990s versions with open pilots right? I have one from the 200X run and it's pretty nice - silky smooth drive. Worth every penny of the $25 I paid for it. ;D

I've presently got one of their new SD-45's in the shop, and it actually looks pretty good. 

Aside from the hideous rendition on the radiators and the extra foot between the trucks and the sill I agree.

Bachmann is still "hit or miss" on some models, but I am very happy with my Spectrum WM 2-8-0.

I should point out that none of these models came out in 2009, so thus they are all disqualified for this thread.

Mark

Mark

[wm3798]

The SD45 with the blower duct came out in 2009, they just didn't tell anyone...  And Bufkin opened it up to the entire decade...

Lee

[Mark5]

The SD45 with the blower duct came out in 2009, they just didn't tell anyone... 

Yes, you notice I made no mention of it.

 And Bufkin opened it up to the entire decade...

My comment was not directed at you Lee, but I hereby open this up for the past 144 months! ;D

Mark

[AlkemScaleModels]

Send it to the doctor, Bernie...  I'm getting pretty good at trouble shooting these things...
Lee

If I kept it, I will. I may have tossed it out.

[delamaize]

Send it to the doctor, Bernie...  I'm getting pretty good at trouble shooting these things...
Lee

If I kept it, I will. I may have tossed it out.

If you don't want to send it off, and you havn't tossed it, let me know, I need one for a kit-bash, and I can't justify buying another new one just to chop up to the wife.

[wm3798]

I already called dibbies... ;D

[David Leonard]

I have no nominations for this thread, but I must admit that I'm not acquainted with all the modern internet, texting abbreviations, and it only dawned on me while I was working on a model of this GP7 what "POS" means.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cr/cr5633aga.jpg

[Denver Road Doug]

I can assure you that the term "POS" predated the early 90's "modern" internet--and maybe even the "ever" internet (60's)--much less texting.

Poor Bachmann, they are always "so close yet so far away" on a lot of their products.  I wonder if they know that?  Has to be stressful when they are in no-man's-land all the time....too crappy to charge higher-end prices, and too costly to produce to be the el-cheapo line.  They should really get somebody to nail down a strategy for them.  Thank goodness they are enjoying success in the On30 arena.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Actually, I think Bachmann laughs all the way to the bank... they're THE biggest model manufacturer, by far.

[Denver Road Doug]

Actually, I think Bachmann laughs all the way to the bank... they're THE biggest model manufacturer, by far.

Because "biggest" is the goal?

I think Worldcom was the "biggest" when the were wiped off the face of the earth.  (right along with my 401k)

Anyway, my point was not that they weren't making money, but PROBABLY aren't making as much as they could.  So, for example, given the choice of (a) selling something for $20 that costs $10, (b) selling something for $40 that costs $15, they're selling something for $21 that costs $14.  (I'm assuming demand is flat here) Sure, they sell a bajillion, and they're getting more than they could, and paying less than they could, and they're making a profit, but they still suck from a business standpoint.

I don't know if their financial health mirrors the above, but they seem to always get panned for almost every release, yet they're no longer the low-cost segment of the market they used to be.  I just don't think their quality keeps up with the rest of the industry, or their increasing prices.  And with shoddy products, you get increase overhead for shipping, support staff, administrative, etc. etc.