Re: (erielack) Bachmann HO scale Decapod - review and photo

[Donald Kern <doubletrack_@_home.com>]

I Totally Concur  I Had a Sunset Russian (now Sold)  and paid about the
same as for the new Spectrum  This New "Baby"  outdoes it in Detail and
Running
Performance......BTW  and slightly OT the Athearn Genesis Mikados and
Pacifics and the Spectrum Lt 482s ALL also outperform the Sunset Brass
cheapos of the
mid-late 80s

"Paul R. Tupaczewski" wrote:

> NOTE: This message had contained at least one image attachment.
> To view or download the image(s), click on or cut and paste the following URL into your web browser and click/select the index or matching subject link.
>
> http://www.railfan.net/lists/mplist.cgi?erielack-photo
>
> decapod.jpg (48209 bytes)
>
> Howdy folks,
>
>         As promised, I got my Bachmann Decapod - I purchased an undec
> (to be lettered for NYS&W) and picked up an Erie one for a buddy of
> mine. The link within this message contains a quick scan I did of the
> Erie version.
>
>         Let's start with the Erie version, shall we? :)
>
>         It's done up as Erie #2461, and features most of the correct
> details for that number, from what I can tell. This particular model has
> the high-mounted headlight with the centered numberplate (IMHO, UGLY!)
> Unfortunately, most of the Erie high-headlight J-2s had the numberboard
> hung off the headlight bottom, and the smokebox front was completely
> "bald." If you want the centered headlight version, go with the undec.
> Lettering is pretty good - it seems a tad bit on the heavy side (font
> weight), and the Erie roadname seems slightly too large, but otherwise
> is fairly close ("more than acceptable," as I'd say :)  It even uses the
> correct older-style Erie diamond. The smokebox is graphited, and the
> running boards *and* driver tires are white-edged - VERY nice! Cab
> figures are painted, too. There are two large plugs to connect the
> engine and tender (a lot of that is for DCC). Tender detailing is modest
> but satisfactory (the tenders were plain to begin with!). The only other
> thing in the box are Andrews trucks to go under the tender if the
> modeler wants to change 'em from the stock arch-bar variety.
>
>         On to the undec... It comes painted the same was as the Erie,
> sans lettering or white edging. (to correct it for NYS&W, the cab roof
> needs to be painted oxide red, and if you're a real stickler, the black
> boiler needs to have a slight "blue" tinge to it to simulate the
> "Russian iron" color). Conveniently,  this kit comes with two smokebox
> fronts (centered or high headlight), three different types of headlight
> castings for front and back, a doghouse for the tender (Frisco, I
> think?), and the two different styles of tender trucks. Of note: The
> undec body comes with two ladders alongside the boiler near the sanddome
> (easily removed), and the tender comes with "tall steps" at the front
> (not quite what the Erie had, but these appear to have the ability to be
> easily removed)
>
>         Notes about performance: This thing is HEAVY for a small engine
> (and the Russian Decs were tiny in comparison to other road's 2-10-0s,
> such as the Pennsy's I-1 class) - it's almost entirely cast (the cab
> being plastic). It runs like a Swiss watch! Compared to my Sunset brass
> Erie Dec (purchased around 12 years ago now!), it puts the brass model
> to shame.
>
>         Recommendation? Get one - the decorated version is quite nice,
> if you're one of the people who doesn't mind the high (and less common)
> headlight on the front. It does a great job representing the "small
> huskiness" of these beasts - it really puts these engines into
> perspective, size-wise.
>
>         - Paul
>
> --Boundary_(ID_tzmWRrR3LQiOn7G1+0Yt7Q)

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