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Thanks to all who gave examples of pulling power of the Bachmann Spectrum J. Very m,uch appreciated.<br><br>Barry Reeves<br>Pinner UK<br>www.northwestlondonblues.co.uk<br><hr id="stopSpelling">Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 21:36:19 -0500<br>To: nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org<br>Subject: Re: RE: MTH class J<br>From: nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org<br><br>
<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="EC_parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org">nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org</a> wrote:<br></div>
<blockquote style="border-left: 3px solid rgb(102, 153, 204);">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="EC_parsedLink" href="http://www.northwestlondonblues.co.uk">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="EC_parsedEmail EC_parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org">nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org</a><br>> From: <a class="EC_parsedEmail EC_parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org">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="EC_parsedEmail EC_parsedEmail" href="mailto:NW-Modeling-List@nwhs.org">NW-Modeling-List@nwhs.org</a><br>> To change your subscription go to<br>> <a class="EC_parsedLink" href="http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list">http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list</a><br>> Browse the NW-Modeling-List archives at<br>> <a class="EC_parsedLink" href="http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/">http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/</a><br><br>
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