Bachmann 0-6-0

[Jimbo]

Saw on another board that Bachmann has on their parts store an updated (2025) chassis for their 0-6-0.

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_813_115&products_id=14658

I see a couple of interesting things about this new chassis:

1.  It appears that it uses their new motor (the small, coreless motor) - presumably to standardize on one motor for small locomotive models.
2.  It appears that they have isolated the motor from the chassis… YAY!
3.  It appears that no effort was made to improve appearance, which is disappointing.
4.  It appears that it’s a trainset model.  Coupler is the fixed knuckle; they didn’t even bother with EZ Mates.

Question remains:  does a shell installed on this chassis have steam pipes properly aligned with the stack, or are they still misaligned?

I really wish they’d just put the effort in to get this model to the level that modelers need it to be.

Jim

[Chris333]

Body is the same just more crisp:
https://www.spookshow.net/loco/bach262.html

[Jimbo]

Body is the same just more crisp:
https://www.spookshow.net/loco/bach262.html

Body was revised years ago.

Chassis appears new.

Cylinder assembly is attached to the chassis, so my curiosity is whether they corrected the alignment of the cylinders with this new chassis or not.

Jim

[nickelplate759]

One thing that makes me just a bit envious -- the Rokuhan USRA 0-6-0 in Z scale is a far better looking model than the Bachmann 0-6-0 in N scale.

[spookshow]

Oh yay, another stealth upgrade. Guess I'd better buy one.

-Mark

[Jimbo]

Oh yay, another stealth upgrade. Guess I'd better buy one.

-Mark

You planning on buying a complete model, or just the chassis?  Not sure how you guarantee that you’ll get one with the new chassis… furthermore, as I said earlier, it appears to be a “trainset” model, given the fixed couplers.

I’ve noticed that Bachmann cheapens the models they put in their trainsets vs. the ones that are sold à la carte.  I don’t think it helps the hobby…

Jim

[garethashenden]

I’ve noticed that Bachmann cheapens the models they put in their trainsets vs. the ones that are sold à la carte.  I don’t think it helps the hobby…

Welcome to 2026. Everything is both worse and more expensive.

[track1]

Hi all,

This new chassis is a running change that our factory requested due to the previous motor no longer being available from their vendor. While the version in our parts store is trainset spec (non-operating E-Z Mate couplers), we've changed over the separate sale version of both the 0-6-0 and 2-6-2 to this new motor and chassis as well.

We've discussed introducing a new, higher-detail 0-6-0 similar to the DCC Sound one we made in HO scale, but we're not ready to go into development with it just yet. It would live alongside the current 0-6-0 and 2-6-2, which we'll continue to use in trainsets and as a less expensive introductory model.

-Tyler
Bachmann R&D

[spookshow]

You planning on buying a complete model, or just the chassis?  Not sure how you guarantee that you’ll get one with the new chassis… furthermore, as I said earlier, it appears to be a “trainset” model, given the fixed couplers.

I ordered a complete model direct from Bachmann's website, so hopefully it will be the latest and greatest. Given the price, it had better be!

-Mark

[Jimbo]

Hi all,

This new chassis is a running change that our factory requested due to the previous motor no longer being available from their vendor. While the version in our parts store is trainset spec (non-operating E-Z Mate couplers), we've changed over the separate sale version of both the 0-6-0 and 2-6-2 to this new motor and chassis as well.

We've discussed introducing a new, higher-detail 0-6-0 similar to the DCC Sound one we made in HO scale, but we're not ready to go into development with it just yet. It would live alongside the current 0-6-0 and 2-6-2, which we'll continue to use in trainsets and as a less expensive introductory model.

-Tyler
Bachmann R&D

Tyler,

Does this new model have a motor isolated from the frame for easier DCC upgrade?  It appears from the photos that it has two sets of wires - two that are black and two that are colored.

I recently purchased one with the previous version of the chassis that is on my (long) list of locos for upgrade to DCC.  If this chassis makes DCC installation easier, then I’d be tempted to buy a new one (chassis, that is… especially if it corrects the alignment of the cylinders with the stack.). If I did this, any chance I could get some sort of credit for returning the older chassis?

Thanks,
Jim

[garethashenden]

Hi all,

We've discussed introducing a new, higher-detail 0-6-0 similar to the DCC Sound one we made in HO scale, but we're not ready to go into development with it just yet. It would live alongside the current 0-6-0 and 2-6-2, which we'll continue to use in trainsets and as a less expensive introductory model.

-Tyler
Bachmann R&D

Do this soon! A good small switcher is a huge hole in N Scale steam.

[Maletrain]

Considering the quality and success of Bachmann's Alco 2-6-0, I am not seeing the reason for trouble making an 0-6-0.

If it is the tender size needed for decoder + speaker, consider that the B&O Class D-30 USRA 0-6-0 switchers were later used with what amounts to a Bachman USRA short or medium tender (taken from Pacifics) in the 1950s.

[Iain]

Hi all,

This new chassis is a running change that our factory requested due to the previous motor no longer being available from their vendor. While the version in our parts store is trainset spec (non-operating E-Z Mate couplers), we've changed over the separate sale version of both the 0-6-0 and 2-6-2 to this new motor and chassis as well.

We've discussed introducing a new, higher-detail 0-6-0 similar to the DCC Sound one we made in HO scale, but we're not ready to go into development with it just yet. It would live alongside the current 0-6-0 and 2-6-2, which we'll continue to use in trainsets and as a less expensive introductory model.

-Tyler
Bachmann R&D

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please?

[Jimbo]

Considering the quality and success of Bachmann's Alco 2-6-0, I am not seeing the reason for trouble making an 0-6-0.

If it is the tender size needed for decoder + speaker, consider that the B&O Class D-30 USRA 0-6-0 switchers were later used with what amounts to a Bachman USRA short or medium tender (taken from Pacifics) in the 1950s.

Short USRA tender - YES.  Appropriate for the model and sized similarly to those on the vast majority of switchers.
Medium USRA tender - HARD NO.  May be appropriate for the B&O units you describe above, but for any other railroad or setting, it will look out of place.

Not all of us want sound anyway.  Regardless, I’ve seen instructions on how to install DCC and sound into one of the à la carte slope-back tenders to go with this model.  No need for a huge tender.

Jim

[peteski]

Short USRA tender - YES.  Appropriate for the model and sized similarly to those on the vast majority of switchers.
Medium USRA tender - HARD NO.  May be appropriate for the B&O units you describe above, but for any other railroad or setting, it will look out of place.

Not all of us want sound anyway.  Regardless, I’ve seen instructions on how to install DCC and sound into one of the à la carte slope-back tenders to go with this model.  No need for a huge tender.

Jim

Bachmann uses specific brand of decoders so that might limit how small the tender will be.