Bachmann Proto N Alco RS2

Bachmann Proto N Alco RS2 - Buy or avoid?

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Mike Smith - 09 Feb 2010 16:09 GMT

Proto N - 75118 - Alco RS-2 "Union Pacific" #1295.
On sale but I cannot get to the shop so it'll have to be mail order. However
I wanted an RS2 and the Athern one is probably about twice the price.

Spec seems good (although I am slightly concerned about body mount couplers
as I am of necessity going to have curves down to 10.5 inch radius). Plan
is a re-paint for my own short line.

Good? Bad? Buy or avoid?

Any comments welcome on this.

Regards

Mike

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Wolf K - 09 Feb 2010 16:23 GMT

> Proto N - 75118 - Alco RS-2 "Union Pacific" #1295.
> On sale but I cannot get to the shop so it'll have to be mail order.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Mike

I rate Kato, Atlas and Lifelike N at 9 to 10/10, and Bachmann at 8 to 9/10.

The RS-2 is short enough that its body-mounted couplers won't have much
of a problem with truck-mounted couplers on sharp curves. But do make
sure that a) you use easements into the curves (ie, a section of large
radius track at each end of the curve), and b) have a good track base.

cheers,
wolf k.

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Mike Smith - 09 Feb 2010 16:48 GMT

>> Proto N - 75118 - Alco RS-2 "Union Pacific" #1295.
>> On sale but I cannot get to the shop so it'll have to be mail order.
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> cheers,
> wolf k.

Thanks Wolf, I am new to US outline and still finding my way.

I did try what I have (mixed Atlas and MP freight stock with a Bachman and
an MP loco) and to my surprise they managed on a rather tortuous test track
made up of Fleichmann 7.5 inch radius curves, including their curved points
with no breakaways. They even pushed smoothly (well with a bit of a bump)
over a Fleichmann double slip, one of the old kind known to cause problems
due to its proprietary flange ways.
I am not suggesting this was a good thing, and I will be using Peco track
for the layout with minimum 10.5 inch radius curves, but it suggests I
should have smooth running.

I'll buy the RS 2 - I just like the look of them and it seems to fit with a
run down short line.

Regards

Mike

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / February 2010

Bachmann Proto N Alco RS2 - Buy or avoid?