bachmann wagons are they as good as they look
- Thread starter spurs123
- Start date
the most important thing to know is the scale:
Bachmann uses 2 scales on "G":
the LGB-compatible 1:22,5 (Gauge 2m) and the more american style scale 1:20,3 (Gauge Fn)
The "standard" Bachmann "G"-Line is 1:22,5 and fits (just for the dimensions speaking) to LGB. Those cars are about 40-50 €.
The "Spectrum"-line is mostly 1:20,3 and is of higher quality and detail. the cars are about 100-150 € each.
I had some 1:22,5, but i changed to 1:20,3 because those cars are simply better and better looking. Contra is the price. Pro is that AMS has also 1:20,3 cars from about the same costs and quality.
More pro is: the spectrum Locomotives are not bad and its really a great fun to have them. I think, they are relatively cheap.
More contra: nearly all Spectrum (not the shay and heisler) and AMS needs 120cm (4 feet) RADIUS. 8ft. diameter.
When u are up to play a bit arround in the garden: take 1:22,5 what is ok and much cheaper.
When u tend to go into the US theme, go to 1:20,3 and make slow: less is more, and when u are going deeper and evtl. have to change (like me), u will cry about every coin u spent on 1:22,5!!!!
Take a look at the pictures section, there u find (by today) my bachmann-spectrum (1:20,3) Consolidation and AMS-Cars.
I have Bachmann-Spectrum cars too. They are great, even though i will never understand why they mount such a big and dump coupler.
Frank
Bachmann uses 2 scales on "G":
the LGB-compatible 1:22,5 (Gauge 2m) and the more american style scale 1:20,3 (Gauge Fn)
The "standard" Bachmann "G"-Line is 1:22,5 and fits (just for the dimensions speaking) to LGB. Those cars are about 40-50 €.
The "Spectrum"-line is mostly 1:20,3 and is of higher quality and detail. the cars are about 100-150 € each.
I had some 1:22,5, but i changed to 1:20,3 because those cars are simply better and better looking. Contra is the price. Pro is that AMS has also 1:20,3 cars from about the same costs and quality.
More pro is: the spectrum Locomotives are not bad and its really a great fun to have them. I think, they are relatively cheap.
More contra: nearly all Spectrum (not the shay and heisler) and AMS needs 120cm (4 feet) RADIUS. 8ft. diameter.
When u are up to play a bit arround in the garden: take 1:22,5 what is ok and much cheaper.
When u tend to go into the US theme, go to 1:20,3 and make slow: less is more, and when u are going deeper and evtl. have to change (like me), u will cry about every coin u spent on 1:22,5!!!!
Take a look at the pictures section, there u find (by today) my bachmann-spectrum (1:20,3) Consolidation and AMS-Cars.
I have Bachmann-Spectrum cars too. They are great, even though i will never understand why they mount such a big and dump coupler.
Frank
for a logging line i would choose the 1:20,3 scale. Shay and Heisler are fitting well.
Take a look at the video section, there you´ll find my shay on duty on youtube.
Buildings may be the best to build by yourself; me, im planning a block-house in some variants maybe. We´ll see.
Frank
Take a look at the video section, there you´ll find my shay on duty on youtube.
Buildings may be the best to build by yourself; me, im planning a block-house in some variants maybe. We´ll see.
Frank
The Devonian
Registered
Reading one Forum or another for some while it seems that there are many reasons for buying certain models and scales. Finance, or lack of it, is a major factor; country or favoured railroad is another.
My initial purchases were Bachmann "Annies" together with their corresponding 1:22.5 stock. I have since moved to 1:29 standard gauge only purchases.
But one thing that is in the Bachmann 1:22.5's favour is that because it is low priced it is a very good starting point for those who have not much to spend, or don't wish to spend much. In addition to the low cost, being not highly detailed and therefore less fragile means that I have no qualms re-painting or kitbashing whereas I am reluctant to do that to my more expensive 1:29 stock. As my railroad is at ground level and runs amongst the bushes and plants, too much detail would not be desirable to me. Each to his own they say!
My initial purchases were Bachmann "Annies" together with their corresponding 1:22.5 stock. I have since moved to 1:29 standard gauge only purchases.
But one thing that is in the Bachmann 1:22.5's favour is that because it is low priced it is a very good starting point for those who have not much to spend, or don't wish to spend much. In addition to the low cost, being not highly detailed and therefore less fragile means that I have no qualms re-painting or kitbashing whereas I am reluctant to do that to my more expensive 1:29 stock. As my railroad is at ground level and runs amongst the bushes and plants, too much detail would not be desirable to me. Each to his own they say!
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
I've not bought any of the Bachmann 1:20.3 wagons, but have just completed a 5 car rake of AMS wagons - pictures in the live steam section.
they're of a similar price, and if these don't make you go american, nothing will - the detail is extremely good, the wagons look beautiful, but they're not as robust as LGB, although nothing like as delicate as Brawa. They're fine for adults, but not suitable for children.
Of my 5 car rake, three were second hand, and the caboose is brass - the whole lot cost just under £400.
[attachment deleted by admin]
they're of a similar price, and if these don't make you go american, nothing will - the detail is extremely good, the wagons look beautiful, but they're not as robust as LGB, although nothing like as delicate as Brawa. They're fine for adults, but not suitable for children.
Of my 5 car rake, three were second hand, and the caboose is brass - the whole lot cost just under £400.
[attachment deleted by admin]
Richie
Rio Grande Railroad , Mountain biking , Gardening
If your lucky like me you can pick them up cheaper than the Bachmann 1.22 stock All mine are brand new paid £18.99 for a silver framed tanker £22 for a two bay hopper £40 for a box car and £40 for a gondola
look great behide my K-27 and Connie .
peterbunce
1880's Colorado Narrow gauge on 45mm track
Hi, Yes the Bachmann spectrum range is good but the prices here are steep. they have a lot of detail, and have spring trucks as well. Some of the details not well fixed- and can come off -the axleboxes have covers for example, .and they have been known to be loose inside the box.
With all their detail they MAY be best on an inside layout, whereas the older 1/22.5 stock is very strong, and can stand a lot of heavy use - they are also very good for parts for scratchbuilding!
You ask about buildings 1/20th buildings are quite large, and also expensive - I build my own and have to reduce the length of them, the rest is scratch built. I use PVC solid foam and plasticard?PVC strip (from PVC window suppliers) for detail work. The roof can be finished off in a variety of ways. Rather than repeat myself there is a building of mine described in the buildings section, a couple more are approaching completion at the minute as well.
The work is quite easy - the plans are a bit more difficult, I have some books from the USA with plans in them.
Also I would suggest that you possibly ask your local newsagent to get for you the American bi-monthly magazine 'Garden Railways which will give you more information on the USA scene. Plans ocasionally turn up in there as well, and there are web links for buildings and much more as well.
Logging is also covered in the magazine 'Tall timber', and the Australian magazine Narrow Gauge DownUnder.
Both are availabkle from Camden Miniature Steam Services' ( http://www.camdenmin.co.uk/home-c-276.html ) no connection with them.
Yours Peter.
With all their detail they MAY be best on an inside layout, whereas the older 1/22.5 stock is very strong, and can stand a lot of heavy use - they are also very good for parts for scratchbuilding!
You ask about buildings 1/20th buildings are quite large, and also expensive - I build my own and have to reduce the length of them, the rest is scratch built. I use PVC solid foam and plasticard?PVC strip (from PVC window suppliers) for detail work. The roof can be finished off in a variety of ways. Rather than repeat myself there is a building of mine described in the buildings section, a couple more are approaching completion at the minute as well.
The work is quite easy - the plans are a bit more difficult, I have some books from the USA with plans in them.
Also I would suggest that you possibly ask your local newsagent to get for you the American bi-monthly magazine 'Garden Railways which will give you more information on the USA scene. Plans ocasionally turn up in there as well, and there are web links for buildings and much more as well.
Logging is also covered in the magazine 'Tall timber', and the Australian magazine Narrow Gauge DownUnder.
Both are availabkle from Camden Miniature Steam Services' ( http://www.camdenmin.co.uk/home-c-276.html ) no connection with them.
Yours Peter.