Bachmann EM-1's now hitting the shelves....

[SkipGear]

I just brought two of them home with me. Tried one out at the shop and wow, slow speed is great.

Just a cursory look over the exploded view.....Bachmann listened.

Axles ride in square oilite bushings.
3 of the 4 axles are geared on each loco.
Die cast boiler - these things are heavy.

The drive train almost looks like the copied the Consolidation and then stuck it in a pivoting truck. So far I am vey happy. I need to set up the test track and put them through their paces.

[rogergperkins]

   One of the two I ordered arrived and put it on the layout a short time ago.
I, too, low that slow speed.   I ran it alone for about 5 minutes and connected a string of MTL hoppers (B&O of course) and it creeps nicely a 1 on my NCE power cab.
Even backed the string of hoppers at that setting.   

[peteski]

OD came out at .41" so it's a scale 64" but the face just looks small, I wonder if the flanges were lower and tread depth lower it wouldn't be so noticeable... Something to consider.

The S.

You are correct, but this is the ever-present problem with scale models.  Even with the NMRA recommended flange depth, the wheel thread diameter would have to be undersized, to keep the wheelbase correct.  And manufacturers (while they have already greatly reduced their flange depth) are still bent on making the flanges larger than even NMRA specs.

[carlso]

At this point, it is sure good to hear that they are pretty good performers. I was a bit skeptical, but did reserve one. Are there any potential issues, other than couplers, that any of you have seen?

carl

[rogergperkins]

/>
The front or pilot coupler, standard for B'mann steam does stand out like the proverbial sore thumb in still photos.
When this locomotive is running on a layout, there is plenty more to see and thus ones focus is elsewhere.
I have not examined replacement with MTL Z coupler, but only had the locomotive since yesterday afternoon.

/>Locomotive only in motion.

[chessie system fan]

Well I finally got a chance to really run mine.  It pulled 52 fifty foot cars (1/3 Fox Valley, 2/3 MT).  I think it could have pulled one or two more but my test track couldn't hold any more!

[rogergperkins]

I have 45 MTL 50' and 40' box cars plus a caboose in a train with mine. Runs well.
No video yet.

[Kisatchie]

I have 45 MTL 50' and 40' box cars plus a caboose in a train with mine....

Hmm... did the caboose
have those friction springs
in the trucks...?

[rogergperkins]

The caboose in the train is the one MTL sold in the set with  weathered 4-4-0 and B&O hoppers.
I did not check to see if the retarder springs were used in the caboose.
I am puzzled by your question. 
  Ok.

[Kisatchie]

I did not check to see if the retarder springs were used in the caboose.
I am puzzled by your question. 

It's just Dee... finding something trivial to comment on.


Hmm... trivial??? Well
I never...!!!

[rogergperkins]

/>EM-1 with MTL box cars and MTL caboose with retarder spring(s). 
Even with 128 speed steep setting, the locomotive will move a train on speed 1 to 2.

[Nato]

     I recieved the first of two from BLW, my other arrives at my LHS this week. On my DC layout,not the WNS DCC Club Layout, it just creeps along in slow speed mode,wow! Fantastic detailing,all the extra grabs and handholds on the rear of the tender. Those clear plastic "wind deflectors" on cab sides bother me a tad, but I understand it would be hard to paint a black frame on them. I love the fact that the cab roof hatches are modeled open.Yes the large pilot coupler detracts, also the coupling distance between locomotive and tender could be closer. "Picky Picky." This locomotive Oozes power with its sleek, modern, low clearence profile look. Yes it does cry out for DCC Sound,maybe the next run will have this like IM did with Cab Forwards.

[rogergperkins]

I ran my two as a consist very briefly, but the train was no challenge for the duo since one locomotive was adequate power.
I am not a "lets see how many cars it will pull guy."  Just wanted to see how well they work in consist.

[sumfred]

  Just got mine today.
Very happy.  Just for laughs I tried it on my Kato 9 3/4 track and NO PROBLEM!!!! I know it looks ridiculous but I had to know. No problem with Kato's #4 back to back either.
Very well done Bachmann!!!!

Fred

[rogergperkins]

Also using Kato unitrack on my layout and I ran my EM-1s into the yard and through the #4 turnouts very smoothly.
Connected to a string of B&O Wagon top box cars and went back to the mainline.