Opinion - Broadway Limited Engines and Bachmman

I have two Bachmann N Scale engines with sound decoders installed.  Both have scaled down SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders (called "Econami" or "Sound Value") which have some limited programming ability.   There are enough commands built in to suit many people though.

The steamer runs very well, but the diesel can barely pull four Overton coaches with a top speed of molasses.  Why?  I have no idea.

Build quality of the Bachmann is OK these days and the company honors their warranty.  If an engine fails under warranty, they replace it (or repair it), but mostly replace it.  If it is beyond warranty they charge a flat fee (usually around $65) to repair or replace it.  The steamer I have was a $65 replacement for an older steamer that was non-DCC, but since they didn't have any like it they gave me the DCC sound equipped one for that repair fee ($65).  It retails for hundreds.

I haven't heard that Broadway Limited are any better than Bachmann.  The only standout on terms or reliability and build quality are the Kato engines.  Atlas engines are a close second.  Both have limited selection and availability.

In terms of appearance, the Bachmann engines are usually beautifully detailed.  I haven't seen the Broadway Limited up close.  Intermountain are nice, but hard to find and overpriced.

Finally, go to the Spookshow website and look them all up.  It is second to none.

John

I played around with one of the newer Hudsons from Bachmann. It had plenty of detailing and the sound system was quite impressive. Not sure on the pulling power. But, I was impressed with the locomotive otherwise.

@gladstone23 posted:

I am  building a very small Scale layout  40x80 with Kato Unitrack  so I can basically display N scale models my Dad built in the 1970s  and run the freight cars he used to stuff our stockings with at Christmas time when I was a kid. I have been running MTH trains for the last 25 years or so and have not really followed the N Scale Market at all..... I love the DCS system and  really enjoy the sounds in the engines and subways.    So, I have two questions:

1-  Can anyone give me an opinion about  the running quality  of Broadway Liimited Engines? I read mix reviews online...jerkey movement, overheating after running for and hour and sound cutting out etc.

2- Does anyone have an opinion on the new Bachmman engines  they are producing that have sound decoders installed already?

2- I purchased the new version of the Bachmann EZ Commnder Plus  to run  a couple of DCC equipped locals I own  that don't have sound.  Can I run  a Broadway Limited engine  with my Bachmann Controller?

Thanks in advance for any replies,

Robert

My friend runs both and the sound from Broadway Limited is fantastic. They are heads and shoulders above Bachmann Now to be fair Bachmann does offer more and has different levels to their engines in terms of quality and sound.

Check out www.spookshow.net

It's a jewel for n scale motive power as he breaks down locomotives from all manufacturers including down to different eras and versions of manufacture. It's a fantastic resource and one I always consult when looking at n scale locomotives I want.

I have a Broadway Limited steamer and Bachmann diesel.  Not enough runtime to speak to durability, but the BLI has nice sound (for N), and the price of the Bachmann ($125) can't be beat for DCC with sound and it has plenty of commands for my needs.

My wife has a couple of the broadway engines with sound (chessie sd40, bnsf es44ac, and great northern steamer 2-8-2).  I was surprised on the sd40 that when you blow the horn, the ditch lights change from solid to flashing.  Her layout is small, but has steep grades.  The engines are all fun, run nice and have nice sounds on them.

We use the Bachman ez commander plus and run two trains at once.  The commander is limited in it functionality though, where you can only access a limited number of features on the engines and I am not sure you can have multiple engines in the same consist.  One thing it cannot do is operate switches using dcc.    

I can post a video of a specific engine if  interested.

Do you not have any interest in Kato locomotives? I don't have any Broadway limited but my Kato locomotives are far better in quality and smooth running then my Bachmann locomotives. Kato is limited in their steam options. I have several diesels along with the FEF-3 greyhound steam engine which is a super nice locomotive. I have the new Kato Big Boy on preorder. My N scale is DC only so I cannot speak to the quality of the sounds. I am primarily O gauge but have a large loop of N scale track inside my O track.

Brad