I'm a little disappointed that the GP7s Bachmann has announced in sound versions for ACL and RI are overdue. On the other hand, I did get one of their D&RGW GP7s:
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Unlike the various discrepancies Matt has found for the CN GP9, which Bachmann numbered and lettered (twice) for GP7s, and unlike the L&N GP9, also numbered for a GP7, the D&RGW version is pretty good. Among other things, it's numbered for the first few D&RGW units, which had the plain side sills, unlike the slotted side sills on the GP9s. Also, the shade of yellow is good for the earlier bumblebee scheme.
As a next step in DCC conversion, I installed a TCS decoder in an Atlas yellowbox D&RGW GP7 in the later paint. I wanted to see how well consisting worked.
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Based on what I've read, I agree with anyone who says adjusting the motor control CV values is no picnic, and you can only come so close in getting the locos to run together. It turns out that the Atlas loco, at least with a TCS decoder, starts at a much lower voltage, so I had to tweak that. Then I found the Atlas loco had more momentum than the Bachmann, so I had to increase the Bachmann momentum values. Then I found the Atlas decelerates more slowly than it accelerates, so I had to work around that. The two locos will in fact run together now, but it was a fair amount of work!
Gotta love those high-nose diesels...
Thanks for posting...
Thanks for post jwb. This locomotive definitely looks pretty good! Nice to see Bachmann didn't fudge the paint scheme on this one. Are you planning some improvement in the future like addint grabirons?
I should start working again on mines during the holidays.
Matt
What I'm realizing is that I don't notice the missing grabs when the loco is on the layout. My move to DCC in particular is to operate the layout, so you can sort of see the direction! Also, some people have what they call "company china" and then the "everyday china" to use when company isn't around. That means it can be put in the dishwasher, and It isn't such a tragedy if it breaks. I think these Bachmanns are sort of "everyday china". If I waned to upgrade one thing, I'd have to upgrade others, like the fans, and then I'm not sure where I'd want to stop. I can see changing the lettering on the CN locos, adding details like sunshades, spark arresters, and winterization hatches, because they're really noticeable. But the grabs I just don't think about on these.
jwb Wrote:What I'm realizing is that I don't notice the missing grabs when the loco is on the layout. My move to DCC in particular is to operate the layout, so you can sort of see the direction! Also, some people have what they call "company china" and then the "everyday china" to use when company isn't around. That means it can be put in the dishwasher, and It isn't such a tragedy if it breaks. I think these Bachmanns are sort of "everyday china". If I waned to upgrade one thing, I'd have to upgrade others, like the fans, and then I'm not sure where I'd want to stop. I can see changing the lettering on the CN locos, adding details like sunshades, spark arresters, and winterization hatches, because they're really noticeable. But the grabs I just don't think about on these.
I understand perfectly! That's more or less the role of Bachmann new generation of diesels: a relatively reliable, relatively correct locomotive for a decent price. I had to do the same thing for the layout, using everyday china cars to ensure the would end up beaten up! Using old prototypically repainted train set Bachmann hoppers and Model Power gondolas.
I must agree I also didn't notice the grab on mines after a while!!!
When they say the brain selects what you see, that's so true. And the brain is more annoyed by spark arresters and sunshades, that's true. For the fan, I decided to live with Bachmann minimalist ones. Honestly, I like to see my locomotives from the side, not from the top, anyway, once weathered, they kind of disappear from sight!
It's also one of the reason I hate to run steamers at the club. They need some care, even more when kitbashed... And also why my future RS-18 bashes with try to get most details correct, but not overdoing it. If I was a one-man operation on a very small ISL, I wouldn't bother!
Matt
sailormatlac Wrote:jwb Wrote:What I'm realizing is that I don't notice the missing grabs when the loco is on the layout. My move to DCC in particular is to operate the layout, so you can sort of see the direction! Also, some people have what they call "company china" and then the "everyday china" to use when company isn't around. That means it can be put in the dishwasher, and It isn't such a tragedy if it breaks. I think these Bachmanns are sort of "everyday china". If I waned to upgrade one thing, I'd have to upgrade others, like the fans, and then I'm not sure where I'd want to stop. I can see changing the lettering on the CN locos, adding details like sunshades, spark arresters, and winterization hatches, because they're really noticeable. But the grabs I just don't think about on these.
I understand perfectly! That's more or less the role of Bachmann new generation of diesels: a relatively reliable, relatively correct locomotive for a decent price. I had to do the same thing for the layout, using everyday china cars to ensure the would end up beaten up! Using old prototypically repainted train set Bachmann hoppers and Model Power gondolas.
Matt
I usually do that when I have visitors, usually kids, that want to run trains. Take all the good stuff off, put the less expensive, less breakable stuff on. But even with companies that all us serious modelers use to consider "inferior", such as Bachmann, stepping up to the plate and releasing better products, its getting harder and harder to find new stuff fo the kids and grandkids to run.
@88: I use mainly this stuff when I'm not there to supervised operation.It's sometimes strange how serious people can get werid ideas when they flock together as a group.
That's right, it's getting hard to find affordable everyday rolling stock these days, even for cheaper ones. I can understand why I pay about 30$ for an intermountain grain car, but have a little problem with 16$ or more one-piece injection model of a dubious prototype!
Matt