Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains
Road numbers: (all Union Pacific) No. 6915, 6927, 6932, 6943
Bachmann’s N scale Union Pacific DDA40X shares many features with its larger cousin. The model’s dimensions are correct, the plastic body is nicely molded, and the paint job is sharp. Twin can motors with flywheels power all eight axles. The model has enough drawbar pull to haul a good-sized train.
But there are differences that add up to make the N scale version a better model. The mid-body gap in the shell is blocked with a black panel, a better compromise than the HO unit’s exposed flywheel. There are 12 shorter doors on each side of the long hood, matching prototype photos. And the frame doesn’t intrude into the cab.
Under the hood. Nestled in the model’s split frame are two can motors. The motor-only DCC decoder rests in a notch in the center of the frame, just above the flywheels. The fuel tank is designed to accommodate a speaker.
rather noisy. It also took some tweaking of the decoder’s configuration variables (CVs) to smooth out its low-speed performance.
The model weighs 61/2 ounces, giving it a hefty 1.6 ounces of drawbar pull. This is enough to pull 38 freight cars on straight and level track. Because of its long wheelbase, this model performs best on 11″ radius or broader curves.
I just purchased one of these from Trainstuff and decided to check out your reviews in the archive. Glad I did rather than wait to see what I bought. Very impressed.
I decided not to purchase as soon as I saw a close up of the trucks and moving pilot. I still don't quite understand the reasoning of the short, table top radius set when we are talking N-Scale. If a pilot/body mount coupler conversion is made available or I get to see what it would take to modify it myself, I would consider purchasing one if not all road numbers. Until that happens, I'll just get more detailed Atlas models.
I own two of these handsome brutes and their pulling power is phenomenal. They run flawlessly in DCC and DC. I have not had any noise problems with them. I also owned the first and second iterations from Bachmann, the first of which had only one powered truck! It could barely pull its own weight. The painting is crisp, but in the Bachmann tradition of getting the color accuracy a bit off. UP's Armour Yellow is a tad lighter and yellower than the Bachmann version and the prototype's Harbor Mist Gray is decidedly too dark. The red striping is right on, though. While I'm being picky, I noticed that the O in UNION PACIFIC is a shade too short and looks smaller than its neighboring letterforms. Because the letter O is round, it has to extend a tiny bit higher and lower than U, N, I and N in order to look to be the same height as them. This is easily corrected with Badger ModelFlex UP Yellow paint and Microscale Decals, who make a lettering set for this great locomotive.
A modification of an earlier comment: I meant to say that the DDA40X prototype's Harbor Mist Gray is decidedly lighter (not darker) than the Bachmann version of it. On the plus side, kudos to Bachmann for weathering the grilles for a realistic sooty appearance.
One additional comment on the new Bachmann DD40AX: The apparent lack of detail on the big silver trucks can be remedied with a light wash of black, but the rear platform looks to be way too skinny. It looks like only very thin N people can stand there.
As for the complaint about the pilot coupler moving with the pilot – that's exactly what the prototype does!
Yep,
This turned out to be a winner. I was not sure how it would perform before I bought the Loco, now I'm very glad I did. I examined a friend's HO version of the same Loco and I have to agree, the N scale model runs better and is relatively quiet. BIG TIME UP FANS don't overlook this one.
I bought 2 of them and they work very well. I plan to add a sound decoder and rewire the strobe with a smaller LED at a later date. I 2 wish the truck detail was better I suspect I may give it a wash of grime to bring out the detail as much as I can. Both of mine are not noisy but are pretty quiet and smooth running out of the box. Overall very happy.
Hi Steve,
Dennis Murphy here, and I just wanted to say NICE REVIEW. I find it interesting that we both reviewed the same locomotive (mine is in the "reader reviews" last month), but we each focused on different aspects. What good fun!!
I look forward to seeing more of your reviews, and follow how you focus on different things than I do.
Thanks,
D
Hi, Just a comment on the review…
you mention the HO model's motors are very noisy..
I beg to differ, the noise comes from the Bachmann decoder installed in the HO models… I removed the factory decoder and replaced it with a TCS T1 decoder with BEMF and the model now runs silently and smoothly.. I would have to say it runs almost (not quite) as well as an Atlas Gold Series Locomotive..
Replace the standard decoder in the HO model and you will have a FAR superior engine, one further bonus is that it gives you independant control of the strobe light on top..
urchased several of these very good running and powerful locos last month BUT,,,, having complained to Bachman twice and still no satisfation,, PROBLEM is having swapped the factory fitted dummy knuckle couplers for the alternative factory supplied Arnold-Rapido type couplers, I find they are mounted too high to couple with my fleet of over 400 N scale rolling stock. Examining the coupler socket I find that it is moulded in, and apparently custom for this particular loco, there does not seem to be any way to adjust height, shims are not practical as the coupler bionds on its small pivot pin. The socket is triangular sort of shape, unlike any other coupler socket. Can anybody help?
I bought 2 of them and they work very well. I plan to add a sound decoder and rewire the strobe with a smaller LED at a later date. I 2 wish the truck detail was better I suspect I may give it a wash of grime to bring out the detail as much as I can. Both of mine are not noisy but are pretty quiet and smooth running out of the box. Overall very happy.
Purchased this model last month and it's performance mirrors everything covered in this review and more….pulling power is exceptional, as is the lighting system…one of my favorite locos.
I beg to differ with Richard Salcer, on the subject of the DDA40X prototype having a moving pilot. Its stationary, just like every other EMD locomotive. I believe you are confusing it with the GE U-50 which did have a moving pilot. The first UP Gas Turbine locomotives also had a moving pilot, and these were traded in to GE, and the frames were used to build the U-50's The one off Alco 855 was another engine that used a moving pilot just like the U-50
I recently bought the Bachmann DDA40X. A big improvement over the earlier versions that Bachmann offered. However, there is always room for improvement.
First the truck detail is seriously lacking, I almost think the earlier versions had better detail. Second, I wasn't happy about the truck mounted couplers, and moving pilot. I know Bachmann tends to cater to the train set crowd, who wants everything to operate on a 9" radius..no matter how bad they look. But this a a BIG locomotive, designed to run on large mainline layouts. Its not that big a deal to cut off the truck mounted couplers, and using styerne to mount the pilot to the body, then add body mounted couplers…..I just wish Bachmann could have done that for us.