I want one...

I have a feeling this will be the next locomotive I buy...

EDIT

Ok, $112 after shipping for a Steam locomotive with a Soundtraxx DCC sound decoder?

I'll let you know how it runs on Saturday...

Waiting in

Alco 2-6-0

One fellow in the Bachmann forum got one. He had to do a little reprogramming as the speed was a little low. No mention of sound but he is happy so far it seems. The loco with SoundTraxx sound is around $100.00.

The new value series use only SoundTraxx sound and non sound decoders now.

There is a lot of discussion about the EM-1 2-8-8-4 going on in those forums also with pictures and videos. The EM-1 is on You Tube a lot also.. Seems the whistle might not be correct.

Rich

Alco 2-6-0

I am interested in the Alco 2-6-0 as i am looking for a reasonably priced but good running loco for my branch line operations.( exchange rate kills us in South Africa)

I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 specifically for my branch but struggles a bit on my 18" curves. Thought 2-6-0 might be better.

Great to hear that Bachman using soundtrax decoders now. The standard decoders that Bachmann installed in their basic lines have been terrible. I have replaced mine with Digitrax decoders. 

Keen to hear comments on sound.

Peter

caution

I do not know what the decoder is in this particular case, but I an a little wary.  First of all, if it were a Tsunami, I assume they would say so.  I have a Soundtraxx DSD-LC, and while it's tolerable, it's definitely no Tsunami.  More importantly, however, Bachmann has a reputation for using a special non-standard component that is of inferior quality.  For example, the large scale folks refer to the "Tsunami" which comes in many Bachmann locomotives as a "Quasinami" - it's close, but it does not work as well, has features missing, non-standard wiring, etc..  In other words, the Soundtraxx decoder in the 2-6-0 may not be remotely like anything that you or I could buy off the shelf, and may not be anything that you or I would want to buy.

Bachmann 2-6-0 decoder

You never looked at the Bachmann site. Don't depend on, They Say or I Heard. Go look. There are a couple Bachmann reps there.

They have a new series, S-4, FA2, FB2, HO scale all with SoundTraxx decoders. The non sound are SoundTraxx also.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,19037.0.html

The EM-1 2-8-8-4 is huge and has a non sound Soundtraxx for the loco and  SoundTraxx sound module, for sounds only.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,18857.0.html

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/2011_NMRA.pdf

I have a two year old HO 4-6-0 with factory Tsunami on board.

All the Bachmann factory equipped CV's are available at the SoundTraxx site.

The non sound ones with the Lenz low end decoder will no doubt stay that way. At least I have not seen any indication Bachmann will change that.

Rich

Soundtrax be Soundtrax...

It ain't MRC nor is it Digitrax Sound.  The 2-6-0 altogether has this street price of $112 after shipping with DCC Sound...What's to cry about?

Yes, its not a "Full Feature" Soundtraxx sound decoder.  For that, you're going to have to pony up $99 for the decoder itself.  Now tell me why on earth Soundtraxx would let any company sell their flagship decoder for peanuts?  It would compete against their regular sales!

Yes, you probably want Bachmann to package in a Full Decoder in there, and bring the MSRP up to $275 instead of the $175 that it is.  Don't you see that's precisely how we've gotten into the "The new release is just TOO expensive" debacle?? 

No, I think this works out perfectly fine.  We're getting quality sound from a reputable sound decoder manufacturer and at a price even the scoogiest of connoisseurs can afford!

Saturday here I come!

Alco 2-6-0

ok guys. I really appreciate the cautions /pros and cons.

I also realize that we are not dealing with a high range decoder with a lot more to give so far as the sound  etc

The price for me is manageable, so i just want to know if anyone has one  and how it performs.

However ,if it sounds like a toy train? Then i will have to reconsider.

Benny i will wait for your report back.

regards

Thank you Benny

You already said what I was needing too. 

It's a $113.0 sound equipped loco for crying out loud!

It's here, it's

It's here, it's pretty...I'm going to the club now to see it run!!

Pictures please!

Reprint...

I just got back from the club. for those of you who have it, I think a trip through decoder pro will be very helpful.  The full decoder CV map is here at the soundtraxx site;

http://soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM%20pages/bachmann/ho_2-6-0_sv.pdf
 

Overall, I am very satisfied with this locomotive.  The pilot truck did not jump the tracks a single time around the layout.  I only threw two coaches behind it, but it looked happy.  The throttle response right now is very quick, so there's where decoder pro would be handy to even things out a bit.

Sound wise, well, it's sound...

It looks like it's supposed too...

I'm not crazy about the the tender.  That part, it's just...well, it doesn't feel the same as the engine.  A bit wide. I might retender this someday soon...

Moves well enough...

Runs well too...the noise might be attributed to the gears, whereas this unit does NOT have a rubber drivebelt.

I think it looks and runs about as good as my Spectrum 1900's 4-4-0...

I thought I'd get in there and highlight the cast on sand lines.  They look good.  My front cut lever won't stay down, it's need an adjustment.  I think here in this pilot would be a perfect place for a whisker #58.

Anyhow, that's what you get for $113, post paid...

Alco 2-6-0

Thanks Benny.

Pictures are great.

For starters I don't have Decoder Pro.I am using NCE system?

Certainly looks like a nice loco.

I see what you mean re the tender not quite fitting with rest of loco. still, doesn't look too bad hey.

How do you think she will do pulling 6 freight cars up a 3% grade?

Is the noise really that loud? This may probably get better with some wear and tear i think.

Well decision time for me. Is it going to be the 2-8-0 consolidation or ????

Value for money and performance......

Have a blessed next year!!!

Pulling performance...

The club has this nasty grade on it...it went up fine with the two coaches.  I didn't try much else with it...  I think you'll get 6 cars, no problem...unless they're 6 50+ footers!!

Decoder pro requires a PC connection to your NCE system, as well as I understand.  if you don't have it you'll have to adjust the CVs manually through your NCE programming setup.

I only mentioned noise because it is audiable.  Breakin, yes, it should go away.  It's not that bad.

The biggest thing on mine is the quick response - hence, the speed table needs to be smoothed out.  In the first speed tick, it showed a little momentary action which some may like and some may dislike.  You get very little motion from the drivers until it's in 1/2 revolution, then there's a quicker second half to the revolution.  Again, that too will probably diminish with breakin.  As it is, it's almost in time with the strong side of the drive rods...

it'll Do!!

Another possibility....

Regarding sound quality.

Might sound like a stupid question.,but would it not be ok to purchase the DCC equipped with no sound and then later fit a better quality sound decoder. This obviously defeats the object of the value for money buy, but at the end of the day would end up with a good running/sounding loco?

Is this feasible?

Or is the sound reasonably authentic in your estimation?

Sorry for all the questions ....

From what I understand...

This is per the Bachmann site: there is no Alternate board in the tender on the sound equipped version- it's a single all in one built in unit.  So if you want a "better" sound decoder [one with more features, I'd say] you'll have to gut the tender completely.

I wouldn't know about the DCC only unit.  I took one look at the DCC/Sound and it was a nobrainer for me.

The stock DCC version is currently selling for about $68, the DCC/Sound is $103, shipping being about $10.00 either way [but shipping is going up like 25% in the Spring] That means if you want to add sound to your DCC silent, you have $35 including the cost of shipping to get to the DCC+Sound option.  In all honesty, I do not think you will find another sound decoder that matches this one for less than $50, with the regular Tsunamis being what, $100?  You'll get brake squeal with the Tsunami, which this one unfortunately does not have.  But you have to ask yourself if those additional features are worth $65.

The sound is reasonably good for me.  It IS Soundtraxx, for one, and it sounds nice...I need to experiment with changing the whistle, if it has more in there, because the stock whistle is a very low tone, and I prefer high pitched screamers on mine.

Whistle...

Thanks .Keep posted on success/failure on whistle change....

I think i will put my order in...

2-6-0 sound

I have read in the Bachmann forums that the brake squeal sound is not in the decoder, though the SoundTraxx CV list for this loco says it is.

A Bachmann rep has said they will have a meeting with SoundTraxx reps.

Can anyone here verify this brake squeal issue in their Mogul?

Rich

No brkes...

No brakes, but all the sounds in it are nice and clean.  I showed it at the club tonight, and I got a number of comments on the whistle.  8-10 cars on a flat plain, 4 cars up the attrocious ruling grade on the layout...

I am getting one..

I found a  rather amateurish You Tube clip yesterday of a youngster "showing off" his newly purchased Alco 2-6-0.

This convinced me . I will be ordering soooon.!!Really sounded pretty clear and defined for me.

Also picked up no brake squeal. That's ok for me...

^ Phew, for a minute there

^ Phew, for a minute there thought you were talking about a vid of the Alco I just put up on you tube lol.

Chuff & whistle(short/long) are pretty good, bell is a bit quite, also has blower, air pump & steam release. There is no brake squeal on this decoder. It has the Soundtraxx value sound decoder. Good runner, found it will pull 6 cars up a 2.25% grade(40') any more & it spins (no traction wheels)

Hopefully slightly more professional vid here  

May order another one from modeltrainstuff.com for $109.99 (few items already in my cart)

Best price of 106.99 at caboosehobbies

http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?scales_name=&roadnames_name=&alpharoad=&categories_id=&inc_subcat=1&manufacturers_id=85&sku=&keyword2=2-6-0&maxrow=50&Reset=Reset%21&x=53&y=9

Blair

Thanks pal

Thanks Blair. Had a look at video. Really great . I have ordered mine and should be here in a week or two.

Hope my gradients are going to be ok. Also looking at about 7 cars...