02-09-2012, 09:14 AM
I'm not a Bachmann expert, but the box suggests this isn't current production, and it may be 20 or more years old. In addition, it looks like they had different production runs with different paint for Canada. The Bachmann models I've gotten in the past 20 years or so have never had traction tires -- biggest problem with some is the wheels, which get dirty quickly. This looks like a B23-7, though, and I'm not sure if that's in their current catalog. $25 for a loco that runs at all isn't a bad price these days, anhow. If it runs and you're more or less satisfied, great! You might try lubing the motor bearings, which will probably quiet it down some. If it's that old, it probably needs it.
Bachmann models have steadily improved over the years. They had a bad reputation starting in the 1960s and 70s, when they were cheap junk. They've had a long way to come, but they've definitely been working on it, and their latest models, GP7, FA-2, RS-3, and S-4 are in the B to B-plus range at least.
Bachmann models have steadily improved over the years. They had a bad reputation starting in the 1960s and 70s, when they were cheap junk. They've had a long way to come, but they've definitely been working on it, and their latest models, GP7, FA-2, RS-3, and S-4 are in the B to B-plus range at least.