The Class J is, in person, one of the most stunning steam motive power on US rail. The models don't translate that, especially as one goes down in size. A Hudson or Pacific without the streamlining is much more visually like the prototype. It is just a trick of the eye, with the smooth surfaces. The Bachman still seems to use the casting, running gear and finish of their earlier models from the 1970s with this model, just installed the decoder and speaker. They have greatly improved many other models, but this J still looks like one a friend gave me in 1982 to just sit in the background on a N&W static scene line on my layout. Again with discounts it is much less than other models of the J, but note how the running gear has so much play in it that the model can be moved almost 5mm on a table, as you showed. You put it in perspective and it is a good review.
The bell on this locomotive is right behind the pilot. Bachmann put the bell near the valves because it was like that when it rolled off the factory. The bell being behind the pilot is an upgrade. Broadway limited has it like that.
I appreciate that you review this considering the price. I find it funny how so many people would call this thing garbage because they are comparing it to an $800 locomotive..... I think $250 for this is a steal, especially considering Bachmann has improved on their products over the past few years....
Thanks for the review James. Bachmann makes some good steam I have 3 that have no problems what so ever. I also have about 10 diesels, all you have to do is adjust the cvs just everything else and they run great!
Great review, James, and I agree with everything you said. I bought this 611 because of the price and my past good experience with Bachmann steam locomotives. I am pleased overall, except I have a slight dip/rise on one section of my layout's track, and this locomotive sometimes gets "beached" on it and spins its drivers. This hasn't happened with any other locomotive I have, including another Bachmann 4-8-4.
great review, I can live with the small flaws, but the price to me was a key concideration, I don't have a layout, and still have engines I purched in mid 90s that are still waiting there turn, but now I do have a great comprise, of my favoret steam engine, thanks for your honest review
thank you for the review,also thank you for all the time and cash you put in to help us along out here in the subscriber world,I have been a sub since you began with your first layout and will continue as I absolutely enjoy your channel
This is a decent and attractive model of the N&W j class type, I would really like to get a BLI or an Mth model of the j class but their models are in the price range of $400-$500. I will most likely pick up the Bachmann model since it is far less expensive and I would really like to have a 4-8-4 in my locomotive fleet, the Bachmann j class model is great from a price viewpoint observation and this will attract a certain crowd of modelers.
Just letting everyone know. This is the exact same model as the spectrum version, when it says 22” radius it means 22”. Mine when around a 20” w/o pulling something and kept derailing, then I put coaches behind it and it stayed on the track.
Was there ever a time when the bell was there? Because on the Bachmann daylight with the large letters, #4449, it is correct. There was a time when #4449 had centered number boards with white trimmed wheels and large tender lettering. So I was just wondering if you knew if #611 ever had its bell in the place that the model has it?
Is there a way to attach a coupler on the front so you can have it pull the coaches in reverse, like it does on the Strasburg Railroad? I'd like to see a tutorial for that...
Mine has a swing out coupler in the front. I thought the piece there was broken, so I tried pushing it around a bit and the coupler swung out. turn yours upside-down with a flashlight and check
The one thing I noticed was the wire bundle hanging down between the tender and locomotive, it will catch on switches and other scenery items in the tracks, probably. Looks out of place to me. Good review.
hi James... you always do great reviews but i was wondering why you don't dive into "N" scale reviews... Bachmann also. produces this loco in "N" scale.. thanks for sharing.. vinny
Hi James, I have been following your channel for quite some time and I have a few requests. On your initial review of details, Would you consider using a pointer to show details instead of your finger? thanks.
I love this engine I have 613 but I wish you could turn the sound up because when this thing gets up to speed it half way all you hear is the side rods if anyone knows how to turn up the volume please give me a video how or tell me please
Id like to get the mth version of this, but i can never find one anywhere. Might have to get this instead, which is fine, since 95% of my trains are bachmann anyway.
Bachmann has very deep pockets and could mess a little with a Company like Broadway limited when it comes to Steam. Bachmann can afford to put out something that could rival Broadway in detail and performance at a better price because of the deep pockets. Not sure they want to step on there toes . But maybe a little to show off a little. Keeps the quality up that way with competition ,only for us to benefit!
I can't believe they still use that horrible swiveling drawbar they used when the J first joined the Spectrum line. There were SO many complaints about that, yet they still use it.
TrainFanatic I think the decoder comes with 3 different whistles, you just have to go into the cv's and pick the one you want. You could purchase a different decoder with more whistles & install it should you want to.
Well, being a model railroader I already know CVs and that Bachmann Sound Value come with three whistles. I always like programming with Decoder Pro. If I would get a J Class I would definitely put in a Tsunami 2 Decoder I have one and it is AMAZING!
How are the bearings? I'm looking at getting this as a birthday gift for my dad, and I'm a little cautious. We have the old Bachmann Limited Edition 611 and it's just awful so I want to make sure I get him one that actually works
Past experience with bachmann has steered me away from them, most of them I've bought have broken, even after brake ins, and oiling. I won't ever buy bachmann US trains. Bachmann U.K. Locomotives however are some of the best in the business.
Build quality for the price .Not just a better price then others because it has a cheep sound decoder. That is the best part.These things look good so the cut in cost is in how it was made with cheep parts in the frame and drive mechanism. Cheep recycled China brass wire that is against electrical standards in the U.S. Makes the wire brittle and breaks. All my newer Bachmanns had to be rewired with quality wire made in the USA. If you like to work on them to fix them more then running them Bachmann is for you. You get what you pay for right. Not in many of Bachmann products because they cut corners in the wrong areas,but put a top notch paint job on them to give it some value . Otherwise garbage.
You've given me good reason to be pissed off at your uneducated remarks. If you have to rewire them and the mechanisms aren't working well, maybe you should quit going to yard sales and buying those that are already run out. I have the first HO loco I ever bought, a Bachmann F unit, and other than small detail parts being missing now, it still runs very well, after more than forty years.The only thing I've had to do to it is lube it and replace the traction tire. I have quite a few other Bachmann locos, all of which run well if I don't expect something they were never designed go do. If you don't like Bachmann that badly, then I suggest you don't buy them, send your money to someone else that will be only too happy to take that extra hundred or more bucks, for something that doesn't serve the purpose any more. Use your head, you're not paying MTH prices and you're not getting MTH. But your derogatory comments aren't needed. People like you are the reason hobbies are dying.
For the price, they should give you a smoking engine, and have the bell in the correct place!!! The bell on #611 is under the front skirting of the Fireman's side. The sounds, the look ... not doing the real "Queen of the Rails" justice. What a shame!
Yes, this model is based off of Bachmann's early version, which is closer to the N&W J-602 ... and not the N&W J-611. Again, for what they are charging nowadays for this Locomotive - $429.00 MSRP - they could have, and should have easily, made this model more correct. A better model N&W J-611, for a comparable price comes from MTH. Coming with a die cast body on both engine and tender, smoking unit, and sound that is crisp, clear and correct. it is my first choice ... www.modeltrainstuff.com/MTH-HO-80-3265-1-4-8-4-J-Steam-Locomotive-N-W-p/mth-80-3265-1.htm?CartID=5 mthtrains.com/80-3265-1 Even Broadway Limited's N&W J-611 is more correct than this, and for an even better price. At $429.00 MSRP, this locomotive is not priced for like earlier Bachmann's, probably for the very reason the the real N&W J-611 is as popular as it is right now. That being said, they could have done a better job with this re-release!
I'm not disagreeing with you, but the MTH at modeltrainstuff is $424.99 and the Bachmann is $249.99 at modeltrainstuff. Nobody charges MSRP for stuff, esp Bachmann stuff. So there are going to be some things lacking at a $250 price tag.
The front coupler DOES exist, and can be taken out simply by rotating that front coupler cover piece. ------------------- this video is pretty biased against bachmann... although the model obviously not as good as BLIs model, you really cant compare Bachmann's standard line to BLI. Biased on the way he dosent seem to actually know much about the model itself, nor the prototype. The bell was mounted there on the prototype. On the prototype it was later hidden. His overall tone and seemingly lack of knowledge on the model and prototype really puts this model unfairly under a bad light.
The Class J is, in person, one of the most stunning steam motive power on US rail. The models don't translate that, especially as one goes down in size. A Hudson or Pacific without the streamlining is much more visually like the prototype. It is just a trick of the eye, with the smooth surfaces.
The Bachman still seems to use the casting, running gear and finish of their earlier models from the 1970s with this model, just installed the decoder and speaker. They have greatly improved many other models, but this J still looks like one a friend gave me in 1982 to just sit in the background on a N&W static scene line on my layout.
Again with discounts it is much less than other models of the J, but note how the running gear has so much play in it that the model can be moved almost 5mm on a table, as you showed.
You put it in perspective and it is a good review.
The bell on this locomotive is right behind the pilot. Bachmann put the bell near the valves because it was like that when it rolled off the factory. The bell being behind the pilot is an upgrade. Broadway limited has it like that.
Pinchie08 same with the cowcatcher. Nowadays its round but it used to be that shape.
I appreciate that you review this considering the price. I find it funny how so many people would call this thing garbage because they are comparing it to an $800 locomotive..... I think $250 for this is a steal, especially considering Bachmann has improved on their products over the past few years....
Thanks for the review James. Bachmann makes some good steam I have 3 that have no problems what so ever. I also have about 10 diesels, all you have to do is adjust the cvs just everything else and they run great!
Great review, James, and I agree with everything you said. I bought this 611 because of the price and my past good experience with Bachmann steam locomotives. I am pleased overall, except I have a slight dip/rise on one section of my layout's track, and this locomotive sometimes gets "beached" on it and spins its drivers. This hasn't happened with any other locomotive I have, including another Bachmann 4-8-4.
great review, I can live with the small flaws, but the price to me was a key concideration, I don't have a layout, and still have engines I purched in mid 90s that are still waiting there turn, but now I do have a great comprise, of my favoret steam engine, thanks for your honest review
thank you for the review,also thank you for all the time and cash you put in to help us along out here in the subscriber world,I have been a sub since you began with your first layout and will continue as I absolutely enjoy your channel
The hook on the front does open NO joke man it does
This is a decent and attractive model of the N&W j class type, I would really like to get a BLI or an Mth model of the j class but their models are in the price range of $400-$500. I will most likely pick up the Bachmann model since it is far less expensive and I would really like to have a 4-8-4 in my locomotive fleet, the Bachmann j class model is great from a price viewpoint observation and this will attract a certain crowd of modelers.
That's a real good looking locomotive, I'll be getting this one instead of the BLI one.
TheBrantfordRailfan its a great locomotive for the price BLI is unreliable and overpriced but they make good models though, so i cant complain
P
Just letting everyone know. This is the exact same model as the spectrum version, when it says 22” radius it means 22”. Mine when around a 20” w/o pulling something and kept derailing, then I put coaches behind it and it stayed on the track.
Yes I got the engine and had to buy 22" radius curves because it kept dearailing on 18"
I love this video of your review there, James. I looked nice.
Nice review James!
The problem here is it looks to plastic-y.
She’s pretty
That whistle is on point perfect with the real emgine
Engine
As much as I like it, the color on the red striping is the wrong hue...kinda bothers rivet counters like me...
Nice Review.Well Done! Like the Rocket. Is that a model .Or is it a operating model that you can launch ?
it's a really good looking train!
Just ordered one with my birthday money, one of my favorite steam trains got it for 205$
Was there ever a time when the bell was there? Because on the Bachmann daylight with the large letters, #4449, it is correct. There was a time when #4449 had centered number boards with white trimmed wheels and large tender lettering. So I was just wondering if you knew if #611 ever had its bell in the place that the model has it?
Is there a way to attach a coupler on the front so you can have it pull the coaches in reverse, like it does on the Strasburg Railroad? I'd like to see a tutorial for that...
Mine has a swing out coupler in the front. I thought the piece there was broken, so I tried pushing it around a bit and the coupler swung out. turn yours upside-down with a flashlight and check
I love this style of this train noice
The one thing I noticed was the wire bundle hanging down between the tender and locomotive, it will catch on switches and other scenery items in the tracks, probably. Looks out of place to me. Good review.
The wires may just go over the rails so it’s touching the ties until the switch it may just silde above
Awesome! Thank you!
I Have That same One It Just Doesn’t Run anymore :(
Hey! I got the exact same thing 3 days ago!
hi James... you always do great reviews but i was wondering why you don't dive into "N" scale reviews... Bachmann also. produces this loco in "N" scale.. thanks for sharing.. vinny
Detail wise, I like it. VERY inflated price, and I’m not a huge fan of their sound, nothing a new decoder can fix though.
Hi James, I have been following your channel for quite some time and I have a few requests. On your initial review of details, Would you consider using a pointer to show details instead of your finger? thanks.
I actually have a model of it now but it needs a new tender because im clumsy af.
I love this engine I have 613 but I wish you could turn the sound up because when this thing gets up to speed it half way all you hear is the side rods if anyone knows how to turn up the volume please give me a video how or tell me please
Id like to get the mth version of this, but i can never find one anywhere. Might have to get this instead, which is fine, since 95% of my trains are bachmann anyway.
The bell 🔔 is supposed to be on the front
MTH with a 3 way comparison next!
In my opinion, Broadway Limited did a way better job.
How so? I think they're both equal.
Chicago Line Railfan well no shit sherlock bachmann isnt supposed to be "high end models" its supposed to be geared toward people with a budget
Bachmann has very deep pockets and could mess a little with a Company like Broadway limited when it comes to Steam. Bachmann can afford to put out something that could rival Broadway in detail and performance at a better price because of the deep pockets. Not sure they want to step on there toes . But maybe a little to show off a little. Keeps the quality up that way with competition ,only for us to benefit!
Chicago Line Railfan 100% agreed
Yes but this is cheap
I can't believe they still use that horrible swiveling drawbar they used when the J first joined the Spectrum line. There were SO many complaints about that, yet they still use it.
That sounds like my grandfathers 611
Could you do the different whistles/horns on bachmann sound value stuff? Btw nice video! Keep up the good work!
TrainFanatic I think the decoder comes with 3 different whistles, you just have to go into the cv's and pick the one you want. You could purchase a different decoder with more whistles & install it should you want to.
Well, being a model railroader I already know CVs and that Bachmann Sound Value come with three whistles. I always like programming with Decoder Pro. If I would get a J Class I would definitely put in a Tsunami 2 Decoder I have one and it is AMAZING!
TrainFanatic I see what you meant now, this was at like 2 am last night when i read what you typed. 😃
Do you think the recent release is the exact same?
How are the bearings? I'm looking at getting this as a birthday gift for my dad, and I'm a little cautious. We have the old Bachmann Limited Edition 611 and it's just awful so I want to make sure I get him one that actually works
Has anyone had issues with these locomotives stripping gears?
Can u review diff control boxes? Idk how to wire my set up good
Would u recomend it?
Can you do a review of the bwl n&w water tender
Past experience with bachmann has steered me away from them, most of them I've bought have broken, even after brake ins, and oiling. I won't ever buy bachmann US trains. Bachmann U.K. Locomotives however are some of the best in the business.
Every one i've had is fine. I've had a bachmann 4-8-4 for years and it runs great to this day
I just got my bli #613 and im in dc not dcc. Mine works better in dc than that works in dcc. Bli is so much better
Does this train require a controller?
If i ask an receive ill keep coming back to channell
why dont train world use paypal still?
dajavu71 maybe a contract issue?
Is it DC or DCC
Hey James i have n&w class J cab. Number 613
Does the whistle sound better in irl?
Awesome engine! What’s the minimum curve radius?
I think 22'
My darlin
hey James I have N&W 613 I want add my 2nd N&W class J 611 where did you find it at
Ebay would be your best bet
Could it be run outdoors?
The whistle is not made well or the bell
Build quality for the price .Not just a better price then others because it has a cheep sound decoder. That is the best part.These things look good so the cut in cost is in how it was made with cheep parts in the frame and drive mechanism. Cheep recycled China brass wire that is against electrical standards in the U.S. Makes the wire brittle and breaks. All my newer Bachmanns had to be rewired with quality wire made in the USA. If you like to work on them to fix them more then running them Bachmann is for you. You get what you pay for right. Not in many of Bachmann products because they cut corners in the wrong areas,but put a top notch paint job on them to give it some value . Otherwise garbage.
You've given me good reason to be pissed off at your uneducated remarks. If you have to rewire them and the mechanisms aren't working well, maybe you should quit going to yard sales and buying those that are already run out. I have the first HO loco I ever bought, a Bachmann F unit, and other than small detail parts being missing now, it still runs very well, after more than forty years.The only thing I've had to do to it is lube it and replace the traction tire. I have quite a few other Bachmann locos, all of which run well if I don't expect something they were never designed go do. If you don't like Bachmann that badly, then I suggest you don't buy them, send your money to someone else that will be only too happy to take that extra hundred or more bucks, for something that doesn't serve the purpose any more. Use your head, you're not paying MTH prices and you're not getting MTH. But your derogatory comments aren't needed. People like you are the reason hobbies are dying.
Dude my grandfather's 611 died tonight
What's the minimum curve for this?
Website says 22"
@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC thanks but since then I got the radius for it
@@detectivehoovy7087 Yeap old review, my bad.
Does this smoke? I gotta get smoke 1
No it doesnt, MSRP over $400 and no smoke or class lights or lit number boards or operating couplers.
So why does the model have a dual headlight but no enlarged coal bunker?
+
For the price, they should give you a smoking engine, and have the bell in the correct place!!! The bell on #611 is under the front skirting of the Fireman's side. The sounds, the look ... not doing the real "Queen of the Rails" justice. What a shame!
Yes, this model is based off of Bachmann's early version, which is closer to the N&W J-602 ... and not the N&W J-611. Again, for what they are charging nowadays for this Locomotive - $429.00 MSRP - they could have, and should have easily, made this model more correct.
A better model N&W J-611, for a comparable price comes from MTH. Coming with a die cast body on both engine and tender, smoking unit, and sound that is crisp, clear and correct. it is my first choice ... www.modeltrainstuff.com/MTH-HO-80-3265-1-4-8-4-J-Steam-Locomotive-N-W-p/mth-80-3265-1.htm?CartID=5
mthtrains.com/80-3265-1
Even Broadway Limited's N&W J-611 is more correct than this, and for an even better price.
At $429.00 MSRP, this locomotive is not priced for like earlier Bachmann's, probably for the very reason the the real N&W J-611 is as popular as it is right now. That being said, they could have done a better job with this re-release!
I'm not disagreeing with you, but the MTH at modeltrainstuff is $424.99 and the Bachmann is $249.99 at modeltrainstuff. Nobody charges MSRP for stuff, esp Bachmann stuff. So there are going to be some things lacking at a $250 price tag.
Agreed ...
The Bachmann class j are the as deliver model of the 611 in 1950. The bell was relocated in 1952
100 DOLLAR STEAMER WITH A 30 DOLLAR SOUND DECODER.
Great video. i run N&W ho scale trains to, see my channel.
The front coupler DOES exist, and can be taken out simply by rotating that front coupler cover piece.
-------------------
this video is pretty biased against bachmann... although the model obviously not as good as BLIs model, you really cant compare Bachmann's standard line to BLI. Biased on the way he dosent seem to actually know much about the model itself, nor the prototype. The bell was mounted there on the prototype. On the prototype it was later hidden. His overall tone and seemingly lack of knowledge on the model and prototype really puts this model unfairly under a bad light.
The sound is Horrible on this engine
James you did a nice review but I'm not impressed with the product :(
Why aren't you impressed with it? It's fucking fine!
@@canadianfoamer2052 For the money no its not.