Product Review: Bachmann 4-4-0 American
Prototype
Mt. Gretna Narrow Gauge Railroad's number 18 was the only known 2' gauge 4-4-0 in America. Her building was complete on July 2,1889. She was built in eight days by the Baldwin Locomotive Works shop superintendent, who was Sam Vauclain (creator of the type of the type of locomotive that would be named after him). The owner of the railroad, Mr. Robert Coleman, placed the order for the loco, and had it rushed so it would make it to the railroad in time for the July 4th visitors of his railroad.
Model
This locomotive is very nice. Even though this loco is not an exact copy of #18 it was never meant to be an exact replica. Some of the differences are the model is 30" gauge not 24" (which is to be expected), it has a sand dome, and this version does not have a air compressor, but that is minor (to me at least). With that aside this is a good running locomotive. It's starting voltage is high, but this is the case with most all DCC / DC locos. It is a smooth runner, and will run a long time with out complaint (IK have run it for two hours straight). If you try to run this loco with your 2-6-0 the 2-6-0 will end up dragging the loco until you get to un-prototypical speeds. also the maximum number of cars I could run on my Christmas loop was 3 heavy spine log cars and a caboose, but I added my gondola it started slipping and could not make it around the track. Now onto details and customization, the details are very nice, even though there is room for more, but I am fine with it. The cab is nicely detailed, it has painted gauges, and a complete cab. The amount of customization you can do is very great, you can change the fuel (coal, oil, or wood), the pilot truck (spoked or solid wheels), and the loco also comes in many different paint schemes, and two eras (1890s or 1920s).
Overview
I highly recommend this loco to anyone who wants a small locomotive, but does not want a 0-4-0t or a 0-4-2t. It is a solid performer, and has nice character. Bachmann has made a very nice loco once again. Now if you put it next to Bachmann's other 4-4-0 (outside frame), it is VERY small, but for a small layout this is perfect size, the outside frame is just WAY to big for any layout on the scale of mine, or even smaller layouts, you would need at least a 5' x 9' layout for it to look at home. While you would need a large layout for the outside frame, this loco will look good on any size layout. I really have nothing bad to say about this loco, I am even thinking about getting the 1920s model, and even getting another 1890s loco and converting it to a inspection loco with a Banta Model Works inspection style cab.
Resources
http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=13551.0
http://on30annual.com/reviews/on30_review_bachmann_440-2.php
Westing, Fred. The Locomotives That Baldwin Built. Seattle, WA: Superior Publishing Co., . Print.
http://on30annual.com/reviews/on30_review_bachmann_440-2.php
Westing, Fred. The Locomotives That Baldwin Built. Seattle, WA: Superior Publishing Co., . Print.