I posted this in response to a thread concerning the differences in Bachmann engines. I thought that since some of you might be interested in the new
2-8-4 but not the other thread, I'd post it as a new thread.--------------------- I had an opportunity to run my new Bachmann 2-8-4 the other day for the first time. While this isn't going to be an exhaustive review, I'll mention the following in no particular order... o The engine seemed hard to get on the tracks at first. I use a Rix Rerailer and it didn't seem to like that. But once I got all wheels on the track corectly, it stayed that way for the entire time I was running it. o I only ran it about fifteen minutes but it seemed to do well. o The motor did seem to have a bit of a loud buzz in it. I've heard that this is sometimes the case when DCC equipped engines are run on DC which was the case here. o Pulling power... I was running seven properly weighted (by NMRA standards) Athearn HO passenger cars behind my Berk. With that load, the drivers slipped some on an uphill, curved 2% grade but the train still made it to the top. o The engine & tender both have yellow LEDs for headlight/back-up lights. This doesn't really float my boat all that much but I don't "worry" about it since I don't do any night time running. o The lettering on the tender (mine is NKP 765) seemed just a bit too yellow to me. Dulux looks a little more orange to me but then who knows? I do know that anything in that range of shades is difficult to get correct. Any shade of yellow is a tough color to work with. o Slow speed was excellent! While the starting voltage seemed a little high, once the loco was in motion, it could be throttled way back down and the engine barely crawled along. While not a "switcher," this would be excellent for coupling in the yard and such. o Out of the box, the front coupler drooped too much and the trip pin was catching on rails at crossovers & switches. A quick upward bend of the trip pin fixed this.
Overall, I'm initially pleased with the engine and think it will be a great addition to my motive power fleet.
dlm
------------------------------------------- Dan L. Merkel