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<DIV>I have done a pulling capacity on the Bachmann J, non sound about 4 years old, on</DIV>
<DIV>my prior layout on level curved track. I pulled the equivalent of 14 cars. On my 1.5%</DIV>
<DIV>grade with 39" radius curves, I pulled 9 cars. These were weighted to NMRA standards.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Kurt S. Kramke<BR><BR><BR>Apr 1, 2009 08:46:31 PM, <A class=parsedEmail href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org" target=_blank>nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org</A> wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(102,153,204) 3px solid">Bob<BR><BR>Regarding the Spectrum J; what is the pulling power on a flat straight track, and how much could they drag up your 1.6% ( 1:60 I think on this side of the Atlantic!) banks?<BR><BR>I have one on order, and though I will have no line for a long while I have long term plans for an outdoor line , using Peco code 83 rail, and would like it to pull at least 8 up a 1.5% (1:75) grade.<BR><BR>I see the new spectrum J's come with the Soundtraxx DCC system so they should at least sound good.<BR><BR>Barry Reeves<BR><A class=parsedLink href="http://www.northwestlondonblues.co.uk" target=_blank>www.northwestlondonblues.co.uk</A><BR><BR>> Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 10:38:12 -0400<BR>> Subject: MTH class J<BR>> To: <A class="parsedEmail parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org" target=_blank>nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org</A><BR>> From: <A class="parsedEmail parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org" target=_blank>nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org</A><BR>> <BR>> Hello everyone,<BR>> <BR>> I just received my MTH class J locomotive and can share a few initial<BR>> observations. It has many features that I haven't tried yet (including<BR>> smoke, playable whistle, etc.), so I will mention some basics. I recently<BR>> sold my Bachman Spectrum J's so the only comparison I will make there has to<BR>> do with operation. I have 2 BLI J's and 2 brass J's for comparison. The<BR>> overall appearance is very good. BLI's drivers are totally black whereas<BR>> the MTH has unpainted tires. Likewise for the pony trucks. I think the MTH<BR>> trailing truck and tender trucks have better detail than the BLI. The paint<BR>> is flatter on the MTH than the brass locos, and the BLI is the shiniest. I<BR>> think the space between the loco and tender is too far on the MTH compared<BR>> to BLI (and the brass have prototypical space if you can manage your curves<BR>> that way). The headlight has a good slightly yellowish tint to it - looks<BR>> realistic. The MTH has a beautiful coal load in the tender - piled high and<BR>> with lots of texture. The BLI coal pile is flat and with an obvious cast<BR>> plastic appearance. At least they have coal. I haven't yet gotten around<BR>> to putting coal in the tenders of my brass locos! Both the BLI and MTH have<BR>> a traction tire and spare driver set. This is where they both outperform<BR>> the brass locos - more traction. In my situation, traction is the most<BR>> critical element because I needed locos that could haul a 14-car Birmingham<BR>> Special up a 1.6% grade, and the brass J's were not able to do that. After<BR>> that, sound and operation are high on my list of attributes. Both brass<BR>> locos have cams and were retrofitted with Soundtraxx DSD 150 (SP GS4)<BR>> decoders. They perform superbly. In my estimation, nothing comes close to<BR>> this combination. The brass locos can start up or come to a stop with<BR>> ultimate realism, and the chuffing sound at speed is very realistic,<BR>> coordinated exactly with the driver RPM's. This is a big plus for the MTH -<BR>> the exhaust matches the driver RPM at all speeds. This is not true for the<BR>> BLI. Also, the overall sound package on the BLI ranks last. The whistle is<BR>> horribly raspy, and the exhaust sound at speed is ridiculous and has no<BR>> relation to the RPM's of the drivers. The whistle sound of the MTH is<BR>> better, but tends to sound a little bit like an automobile horn. The<BR>> control of both the BLI and MTH is spasmodic. On the BLI's, you keep<BR>> turning up the throttle, and then suddenly the train lurches forward. It is<BR>> very hard to make a smooth start. Likewise, the MTH does nothing at first,<BR>> then jumps forward, and even worse, increases in huge increments at each<BR>> click of a Digitrax throttle. Maybe this can be adjusted. The MTH also<BR>> makes a grinding sound at speed which worries me - I will contact them about<BR>> that. The Bachman Spectrum locos ran very smoothly and quietly. I would<BR>> have retrofitted them with Soundtraxx decoders, but they didn't have the<BR>> pulling power, and of course had the bright red stripe instead of the N&W<BR>> red as is the case on both the BLI and MTH. Personally, I like the<BR>> lettering on the MTH better than the BLI, however it is more muted. Well,<BR>> that's it for now. When I can work more with it, I will make another<BR>> report. If anyone else has an MTH, please share your observations.<BR>> <BR>> Bob Folsom<BR>> Clemson SC<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> ________________________________________<BR>> <A class="parsedEmail parsedEmail" href="mailto:NW-Modeling-List@nwhs.org" target=_blank>NW-Modeling-List@nwhs.org</A><BR>> To change your subscription go to<BR>> <A class=parsedLink href="http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list" target=_blank>http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list</A><BR>> Browse the NW-Modeling-List archives at<BR>> <A class=parsedLink href="http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/" target=_blank>http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/</A><BR><BR>
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