Bachmann quality has become much improved compared to when I was buying them in the early 80's. I miss all my HO trains, and the times surrounded by them. Life was so much easier, simpler.
LOL. I upgraded my 10 years old Bachmann K4 a few years ago, with TCS Steam WoW 101 with KA. This new one look awesome. It was my very first DCC upgrade for steam loco. The JST connector is quite a pain to plug and unplugged though. As for the chuff sound.. yes Jim, it does comes and go on my version as well. According to TCS, this is how actual steam works. The chuff sound comes when speeding up or with heavy load.
hello james it''s is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks and supper cool bachmann prr k4 4--6--2 steam locomotive pre war slat pilot thanks james best friends randy
I actually have a Spectrum K4s, but it’s the older dcc ready version. It’s road number is k4-5448. I custom fitted a number board on the smokebox door above the keystone number board. The number board is styled after the ones on Japanese steam locomotives.
Thanks for your review of this locomotive. I have a couple of the first Spectrum K 4. This looks good and sounds good. On the slow speed non chuff. The Steam locomotive with the throttle closed generally doesn't make any chuffing sound. So I am guessing that this is why there's no chuff at the slow speed??? Emulating the closed throttle. Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Have an awesome day.
I gotta be honest.. Bachmanm is smoking out of their rear end for these K4 prices lately. I can get a platinum line or newer BLI K4 for cheaper or the same price and it will likely last as long or longer than the Bachmann K4. Plus, it has better pulling power, more accurate details, and a diecast boiler. I'd save your money if I were looking in the market for a PRR K4. Look for used BLI K4 engines at a good value. Not hating on Bachman, but they can do a lot better for the value they asked for.
Just wait until ScaleTrains gets into the steam game with MTHs toolings, hopefully that will give BLI a little competition and make everyone work harder to improve the models even further
Bachmann seems to have assembly problems with some steamers. I agree that this is one fancy locomotive, and the Belpaire firebox has the correct tilt at the top, downward sloping towards the cab. The BLI and MTH versions have his wrong. But I have now see two Bachmann 'Spectrum' quality locomotives whose pilots scrape the rails for being too low or they're tilted upward at an awkward angle noticeably, as in this particular case. This was a huge error in assembly, but if they're are many with the same problems from this batch, it's a design/engineering error.
Your only option for Great Northern is BLI and be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for one they aren't cheap. Soo Line is even more niche. Even more expensive is brass which is your only option for most Great Northern and Soo Line.
The only thing I don't like about Bachmann is that they charge the same as bli but none of their steam locomotives have a smoke unit. That's the reason I buy bli, plus they have better sound boards
Better sound board? What are you smoking?? Maybe once their Daylight comes out since their product demo shows a different sound decoder (ESU perhaps?) than the tinny-sounding 2000's rebranded QSI stuff of previous models but until that happens TCS is superior, and this is coming from someone with over 30 BLI steamers. The only reason to keep their boards is because of smoke and the warranty.
@@James-Railyard Isn't it funny that TCS's Keep Alive keeps the light on, and ESU, and Soundtraxx. How come BLI couldn't figure out how to make one that can retain the headlight like the others? A little bit of an oversight I would say. Also, never BLI prices for Bachmann stuff unless it is super rare like an EM-1 it isn't that hard to do. Except for the EM-1 I have never paid over $300 for a Bachmann loco including their new stuff with TCS decoders. Never pay MSRP.
So, while running, or "operating" your passenger train, and when you approach a grade crossing, do you have to scroll to "function page three", and listen to a loud female voice coming from your locomotive to play the grade-crossing sequence? I don't understand this concept...at all...🤔. In "realistic operation", why would you want to scroll through THREE PAGES, with LOUD ANNOUNCEMENTS, in order to access all of the sounds?? Doesn't make any sense...
Bachmann quality has become much improved compared to when I was buying them in the early 80's. I miss all my HO trains, and the times surrounded by them. Life was so much easier, simpler.
Bachmann has come a long way since the 70's!
I am just glad you don't have to remove the tender body shell EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO PUT IT IN THE BOX like the streamline version.
LOL. I upgraded my 10 years old Bachmann K4 a few years ago, with TCS Steam WoW 101 with KA. This new one look awesome.
It was my very first DCC upgrade for steam loco. The JST connector is quite a pain to plug and unplugged though.
As for the chuff sound.. yes Jim, it does comes and go on my version as well. According to TCS, this is how actual steam works. The chuff sound comes when speeding up or with heavy load.
Got that exact train I can say it is one amazing quality train 👍👌🏻
Complimenti. Bella loco!👍👍
Good video James awesome review thanks for sharing.
Robert
Linda locomotiva !
hello james it''s is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks and supper cool bachmann prr k4 4--6--2 steam locomotive pre war slat pilot thanks james best friends randy
I actually have a Spectrum K4s, but it’s the older dcc ready version. It’s road number is k4-5448. I custom fitted a number board on the smokebox door above the keystone number board. The number board is styled after the ones on Japanese steam locomotives.
Tried one at my local train shop and it didn't work out of the box -_-
Awesome 😊
Thanks for your review of this locomotive. I have a couple of the first Spectrum K 4. This looks good and sounds good.
On the slow speed non chuff. The Steam locomotive with the throttle closed generally doesn't make any chuffing sound. So I am guessing that this is why there's no chuff at the slow speed??? Emulating the closed throttle.
Thoroughly enjoy your videos.
Have an awesome day.
I gotta be honest.. Bachmanm is smoking out of their rear end for these K4 prices lately. I can get a platinum line or newer BLI K4 for cheaper or the same price and it will likely last as long or longer than the Bachmann K4. Plus, it has better pulling power, more accurate details, and a diecast boiler. I'd save your money if I were looking in the market for a PRR K4. Look for used BLI K4 engines at a good value. Not hating on Bachman, but they can do a lot better for the value they asked for.
Just wait until ScaleTrains gets into the steam game with MTHs toolings, hopefully that will give BLI a little competition and make everyone work harder to improve the models even further
@@austrobb I second that mate. I am hopeful to not be disappointed by Scaletrains.
@@austrobbI hope scaletrains keeps the smoke units for the k4s
Bachmann seems to have assembly problems with some steamers. I agree that this is one fancy locomotive, and the Belpaire firebox has the correct tilt at the top, downward sloping towards the cab. The BLI and MTH versions have his wrong. But I have now see two Bachmann 'Spectrum' quality locomotives whose pilots scrape the rails for being too low or they're tilted upward at an awkward angle noticeably, as in this particular case. This was a huge error in assembly, but if they're are many with the same problems from this batch, it's a design/engineering error.
Pulling power is weak on the dcc k4s i have. If it is better now i will buy one or two.
Love The Engine. Do they build them in Soo Line and Great Northern?
No
Your only option for Great Northern is BLI and be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for one they aren't cheap. Soo Line is even more niche. Even more expensive is brass which is your only option for most Great Northern and Soo Line.
The recent releases from most manufacturers have been more expensive of late and not worth the high prices new models command.
Gorgeous locomotive but with no smoke I don't want it. BLI puts smoke units in their steamers don't they?
No smoke!
The only thing I don't like about Bachmann is that they charge the same as bli but none of their steam locomotives have a smoke unit. That's the reason I buy bli, plus they have better sound boards
Considering Bachmann uses Wowsound they have the better decoders. Yes BLI has better build quality but better decoders? No.
Better sound board? What are you smoking?? Maybe once their Daylight comes out since their product demo shows a different sound decoder (ESU perhaps?) than the tinny-sounding 2000's rebranded QSI stuff of previous models but until that happens TCS is superior, and this is coming from someone with over 30 BLI steamers. The only reason to keep their boards is because of smoke and the warranty.
@@James-Railyard Isn't it funny that TCS's Keep Alive keeps the light on, and ESU, and Soundtraxx. How come BLI couldn't figure out how to make one that can retain the headlight like the others? A little bit of an oversight I would say. Also, never BLI prices for Bachmann stuff unless it is super rare like an EM-1 it isn't that hard to do. Except for the EM-1 I have never paid over $300 for a Bachmann loco including their new stuff with TCS decoders. Never pay MSRP.
Great review you the best thank you I look forward to your reviews👍🚂🚆
For the price I would at least expect glazed windows, a better fitted cab, or better molded details ( steps, class lights, or metal safety valves)
Darn how expensive is it.
@@rycn1450$330 from trainworld ( before tax & shipping)
So, while running, or "operating" your passenger train, and when you approach a grade crossing, do you have to scroll to "function page three", and listen to a loud female voice coming from your locomotive to play the grade-crossing sequence? I don't understand this concept...at all...🤔. In "realistic operation", why would you want to scroll through THREE PAGES, with LOUD ANNOUNCEMENTS, in order to access all of the sounds?? Doesn't make any sense...
Unless the price is a steal and it is 1361/3750, then I have no interest in these. BLI and MTH have filled my K4 needs.
Better to buy a Broadway Limited one. Bachmann quality is subpar and their models are overpriced