39 - O Scale Trains Magazine Online

REVIEW: DCC-equipped On30 4-4-0, P/N 2830X;
MSRP: $290
Bachmann Industries, 1400 East Erie Ave, Philadelphia,
PA 19124
215-533-1600 • www.bachmanntrains.com
Reviewed by Harv Keck
The Prototype
When I first took this model out of its box I did not
think it had a prototype. It is so diminutive that I did not
believe a prototype 4-4-0 could have had such small drivers.
Well, I was wrong because on pages 106 and 107 of
the MR Cyclopedia-Vol. 1 are the plans for a Mt. Gretna
narrow gauge 4-4-0 that is the spittin’ image of the Bachmann
model. The Cyclopedia does not give much information
about the prototype other than it is a 2-foot gauge
locomotive built by Baldwin.
The Model
The Bachmann On30 4-4-0 is tiny! The locomotive
and tender together weigh only one pound. The locomotive
is diecast with the motor installed in the boiler
(although exactly where is a mystery!) and I am told it also
has a flywheel. The tender is plastic with the DCC receiver
tucked inside with room to add a speaker for sound.
The model I reviewed was unlettered and finished in a
matte black with a graphite smokebox and gold accents.
The cab has interior details added.
The model comes with a host of accessories. There
are options for the tender that include a real coal load, a
wood load with etched brass extension rails, and an oil
bunker. There are two stacks (straight and capped), two
lead trucks (spoked and plain wheels), and a pair of tool
boxes for the tender. You also get two pilots, one with
footboards and one a “cowcatcher” style.
Fidelity
The model compares well with the plans in the MR
Cyclopedia cited above. Except for the gauge, it seems to
be an exact duplicate. The model comes with Bachmann’s
HO Scale couplers mounted at HO Scale height which is
standard for Bachmann’s On30 equipment.
Compatibility
I did not have an NMRA HO Standards gage to check
the wheels with but there have been no reports of problems
with Bachmann On30 equipment in the past, so I
don’t think there will be any problems with this model.
Coupler height, as mentioned above, is set to HO standards.
This could be a problem if you model On30 to O
Scale standards which may require a coupler change.
The model comes with dual-mode DCC installed. It
runs on both straight DC as well as DCC. I had no problems
operating the model on either system.
Performance
I tested the 4-4-0 on several sections of HO Scale flextrack
laid inside several sections of O Scale flex track. This
allowed me to have the locomotive pull standard gauge
rolling stock to test its performance.
On straight DC, the headlight began to glow at 4.75
volts and the locomotive ran slowly at 5 volts drawing
100 mA. The slow speed at these settings was 4 scale
mph. Under no load at 20 volts the locomotive drew
200mA, and with the drivers stalled it drew a maximum
of 600 mA. On level track this tiny flea was able to pull
six full-size O Scale freight cars (about six pounds) without
slipping. I consider this excellent performance. Those six
full-sized cars would translate to maybe a dozen plastic
On30 freight cars.
Running under DCC the slowest speed attainable was
about 4.5 scale mph. This was rated fair but could be
better. I expected better control under DCC than DC. Perhaps
it will improve with age.
Conclusions
The Bachmann 4-4-0 is an amazing piece of model
railroad technology; a flea-sized locomotive that has the
pulling power of a unit two or three times its size. With
all the options included for customizing this engine at this
price, other manufacturers should hope Bachmann does
not decide to offer standard gauge O Scale locomotives.
Bachmann could sweep the market. This is an excellent
value if you are interested in On30 modeling.
July/Aug ’08 - O Scale Trains • 49