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Author
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jbaakko
Diesel Detail Freak
Registered: June 2005
Location: San Diego, CA / Hancock, MI
Posts: 7009
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Review Date: Wed November 7, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: $20.00
| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Undec! heavy chassis, operators in cab metal grabs included
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Cons:
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Split frame, not DCC ready like newer runs, chunky details, sady excuse for Blomberg sideframes
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Very sad, I was hoping this Spectrum unit would be from the current run, that was DCC ready, and has see through fans & grills. 
Its just a normal, early model Spectrum. Split frame, so it weighs allot, which I DO like, however the motor is extremely loud. Much louder then my Athearn RTR F59PHI. *Edit* Well, after a little testing, and complaining about the shell not coming off, I've discovered that one gear tower was over tightened! It was tough rotating the forward truck, now that I've loosened it a bit, the unit is much quieter, yet still comparable to the F59PHI. I'll have to pick up a new bottle of gear lube, and see if that will quiet it down some.
The kit comes with the strobes installed, however they left off the grabs, window glass and light bars. The shell, over all is nice, however, by my eye, the holes for the grabs are about twice the size of the grabs! Fan & grill detail on the older shells are molded on, very poor looking. Step detail is very lacking and very flat over all. Pilot detail is even worse, they added molded on MU lines, and a very dumb looking plow (also molded on). The fuel tank looks ok, but not the best. The side frames are a sad excuse for Blomberg side frames, and should be replaced with Athearn ones.
In order to get a good looking, and better running chassis, I'd recommend replacing it with one from an Athearn unit, or maybe a Kato, or Walthers F40PH.
Overall, if you're looking for an undec F40PH, I recommend you buy a decorated Kato, or even Walthers one, and strip the shell. You'll be more satisfied then if you had bought this Bachmann one. Maybe the newer Bachmann F40PH's are better? I'll probably never know, as I think I'm going to pick up a Walthers unit now.
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Josh
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CP9302
Engineer
Registered: June 2004
Location: Windsor, Ont.
Posts: 623
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Review Date: Fri November 16, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Can be found cheap at shows, good for DC users
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Cons:
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hard to add DCC to due to split frame, poor detail
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When originally released, it was the only model of an F40, and desperately needed to model current passenger trains. The model was ok in its day, but with the advent of DCC and better models from Walthers and Kato, it has fallen from grace.
You can usually find the Walthers F40 for about the same price at shows, and it is cheaper to order new.
If you want ready to roll, look for a Kato. If you don't mind adding some details your self, the Walthers unit is a better deal.
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-- Fred Barkhouse Jr.
Member of the Windsor Modular RR Club www.windsor-modular.com
WMRC Fast Tracks Reseller Site wmrc.fast-tracks.net
You can't spell GarbagE without GE
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Review Date: Tue September 9, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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it runs
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Cons:
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too many to list here. Read the review
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Plow is too flat, radiator fans not prototypical. Front truck incorrectly positioned (should be centered under cab ladder) Incorrect number of stanchions in the back. Molded on details.
Forget Bachmann... go with Kato! You get what you pay for!
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