PRODUCT REVIEW: Bachmann 1:20.3 Scale 2-4-2T
Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries, Inc., 1400 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124. Price: Ready-to-run "Spectrum" 2-4-2T Baldwin side tank locomotive $299.99 suggested list.
BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS was the world's leading locomotive manufacturer between the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. The company's catalogue contained dozens of locomotive classifications and, within each, a very wide variety of sizes and options. So, while Bachmann's "Spectrum" model nominally represents the British 2 foot gauge Lynton & Barnstaple's 2-4-2T, Lyn, it also exemplifies countless other narrow gauge side tank locomotives, including many from the United States. With minor detail changes and a new coat of paint, for instance, Bachmann's model would be at home on most American industrial, mining, or lumber railroads and some shortlines.
Bachmann "Spectrum" models represent the company's highest quality and detail as well as limited production; only 1,800 exist worldwide.
As it comes from the box, the model is 1:20.3 scale and, except for the gauge, the model matches our plans closely. But Bachmann's tendency to produce versions of "stock catalogue locomotives" means hobbyists in 1:24 and 1:22.5 scales often may modify their model into a slightly larger or smaller locomotive of the same general prototype with overall discrepancies of only one or two scale inches.
In 1:22.5 scale, for example, the 2-4-2 measures 23 1/2 feet long over the end beams, 7 feet 3 inches wide across the side tanks, and about 10 feet tall at the cab. The cab door scales 6 feet tall and the drivers 30 inches in diameter. In 1:24 scale, those dimensions increase by about ten percent, still resulting in an acceptable model. Some modelers in 1:20.3 scale might want to build a new cab since the door height of both the model and the prototype is only about 5 feet 3 inches. The drivers scale a typical 28 inches in diameter, the length overall is 21 feet 3 inches, and the width 6 feet 5 inches (the same as the real Lyn). The prototype's drivers were 33 inches in diameter, its overall length was 28 feet, and the height of its cab was 8 feet 10 inches. Despite those deviations, the model retains the character of the original.
Also, by replacing the vacuum hoses with airbrake fittings, adding new pop valves, headlights, pilots and, possibly, modifying the coal bunker, you could create a typically American version of a common prototype.
The model is mostly injection molded styrene with metal tank straps, boiler braces, side and main rods, pistons, crossheads, piston guides, and wheel rims. Some piping, the rails above the coal bunker, and the handrails also are metal. The smokebox door opens so you may turn the smoke unit on and off.
The locomotive is full of detail and the quality of that detail is generally quite good. The roof hatch and cab windows operate, the doors open, and the cab interior contains a detailed backhead, a posable engineer, and a posable fireman. The rivet detail is very fine, the outside frame castings have good brake detail and, thank goodness, the cylinders and steam chests are in proportion with the rest of the model.
Fit and finish also are very good. The paint is a smooth, satin black except for olive green panels on the side tanks, coal bunker, and cab walls. The cab window trim is black. All other trim is white and the lines unusually fine and opaque. The lettering is bright yellow. The end beams and pilots, for you West Side Lumber Company fans, happen to be almost a dead ringer for Henna Red. Our sample did have two or three scuff marks from its packaging and one minor flaw where dust apparently dropped onto the model just before they applied the paint.
How does it run? Very smoothly. Bachmann has applied electrical pickups to all eight wheels and the model has no track sliders. The driver, lead, and trailing truck tires are shiny cast, turned, and nickel plated metal. The lead and trailing trucks are sprung as well. Some modelers have reported the castings are porous and tend to pick up dirt more quickly than other turned drivers so they require more frequent cleaning. We were unable to confirm that; our sample has run both indoors and out for about four hours and we have found it unnecessary to clean the wheels; it has functioned flawlessly.
Bachmann's Director of Product Development, Lee Riley, says to lubricate every bearing surface on the model with a light plastic compatible oil, such as LaBelle 108, before running it. That includes the side and main rods, the lead and trailing truck axles, the motor bearings (you must remove the superstructure to access the motor and the worm gears; yes, apply oil directly onto the existing lubricant) and, especially, the back of each driver. Spring loaded electrical pickups contact the back of each driver and a thin coating of oil will reduce friction greatly. Just for fun, we tested the locomotive before and after lubrication. It ran considerably better after. Lee says, "Of course it does. You lubricate your automobile so why not your locomotive?"
The mechanism has dual flywheels and a high quality 5-pole can motor. Together they result in much better than average starts and stops, surprisingly good for what is essentially an 0-4-0 mechanism. We were able to nudge our sample into a smooth start with much less than the usual small model's tendency to jerk into action.
We do judge the gearing to be too high. Even though the model has very good slow speed control, it all occurs at the lowest voltages and you must maintain a very light touch on the throttle. At top speed, the model flew off the 2 1/2 foot radius curve of our test track. Our sample also displayed a slight tendency to "rock 'n' roll" and produced a minor click on each revolution of its drivers. We were unable to determine the cause. The 2-4-2's drivers began to slip when pulling six LGB and USA Trains boxcars on level track.
Overall, we rate Bachmann's first large scale Spectrum offering a good performer, very good in appearance and detail, and an excellent value. It virtually begs for "Americanization" and we suspect our more mechanically adept readers will be able to coax better operation from their models than we could. If your railroad needs a narrow gauge side tank locomotive, take a look at Bachmann's Spectrum 2-4-2T. It will surprise you.- RR
