The Bachmann Spectrum three-truck Climax geared locomotive includes a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Watch us run the HO scale model on the Model Railroader club train layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. You can also read a complete review of this locomotive model.
Video Bachmann HO three truck Climax
By Angela Cotey | April 6, 2011
| Last updated on November 3, 2020
Thanks Ken Olson – went to run my original Climax today after several weeks of no running. Gearbox turned but no drive to the trucks. Decided to check out the new model on line and here were your remarks so now I know what the problem is! Again it had probably run less than 3 hours total since new!
Great looking Climax. Will it become available in HOn3? If not, Can the trucks be narrowed in any way?
A great work of art. Dear, Bachmann:Please make an N-Scale virson.I know you can do it.
A very nice little Climax , I like it so well I ordered a second one with a little different paint sceam . Loggers , Mining operators , scrap yard Tycoons or what ever your needs, you will not be disappointed with this Loco . Forget the $500.00 dollar price , I found both mine on line for #285.00 plus shipping , well worth it and they may be available even less, shop around . I've fine tuned the first Climax, starting with Dana's recommendations of CV's and worked from there , the sound system is great ! Tractive effort is also good , I may add some weight later on. For once I have no negitives to report . Oil Burner Jim
Impressive sound effects!
I have an old friend who has gone, but not forgotten, he would have loved this locomotive. Runs very well and smooth, sounds fantastic, what more needs to be said.
GREAT LOOKING LITTLE LOCO. ORDERED MINE TODAY.
Great locomotive. Keep up the good work Bachmann.
Keep up the good work.
Any opinions on drive line durability???
I got rid of my original Climax after it quit moving due to split gears – for which Bachmann couldn't supply replacement parts. Considering what I paid for it to begin with, I didn't feel that I should have to pay for replacement parts from a third party.
BTW, mine split it's gears while sitting in the box. It ran well when put away for a change of location and wouldn't move when put back on the track about 8 months later. It had less than 4 hours total running time.
Unless these things come with an iron clad, notarized warranty, I wouldn't go near it.
The sound quality on this video is the best to date. MR must have changed its technique on capturing the sound. Past videos did not produce nice crisp sound quality. This video gives a very good representation of what, I think, one could expect on your home layout. Good job MR.
Great video. Could have been a little more onformative.
I had major problems when received in Nov of last year, balky at all speeds even after lenghty run in.
Returned it via UPS to Bachman on Jan 7, 2011. UPS reported it was signed for on Jan 13, 2011. Followed up on Jan 28, service says "it wasn't entered into their system till Jan 25, will take 6-8 weeks to repair." On Mar 16 I got strange call saying loco wasn't repairable and offered me a On3 as replacement, told them I had sent in a HO Scale loco, "Oh I screwed up…Tom will call from repair shop". I have now left 3 phone messages-3/23, 3/30 and again on 4/6….have heard nothing from anyone.
VERY DISAPOINTED with their service and communications…
Great job! Videos are really good. Thanks for the effort.
I enjoy watching&learning from your videos But I just don:t care for dcc I guss I;m old school thank you ken.
nice looking engine.thk u . we are looking forward to jim kelley and his n-scale tips.please crt/friends
Hi Jim,
Our Climax ran very well. As you'll see in the review, I had to adjust the starting voltage for DCC, but that isn't a big deal. You'll also want to check out the manual for the SoundTraxx decoder. Adjusting CV116 lets you fine tune the synchronization of the chuffs to the motion of the valve gear at a specific speed.
Have fun with your locomotive.
Dana Kawala
Senior editor
Hi Berle,
The slight jerking at one point in the video is me turning up the throttle a little too abruptly. After I adjusted its starting voltage (see the review) it runs very smoothly throughout its speed range.
Thanks for reading and watching
Dana Kawala
Senior editor
it,s goood !
Would that such sound steam locos were available in N.
cat
Looks good, Sounds good. My only questions are does the decoder fit into the 2 truck Climax as well and if it does, is it available seperately?
Looks like another great product from Bachman.
Great looking loco,sound was fantastic,keep up the good work Dana.
What an awsome loco, cant wait to get one for my colection, a bite pricer than others though. Thanx for shareing.
I just have to get one of these models. I just started modeling a lumber mill on my layout and this climax would be just the right thing to make my lumber mill complete. great presentation dana. keep up the good work. also is there any way I can get this climax in a weathered paint scheme?
Fantastic locomotive, and the sound is super. This just occurred to me: could a model steam loco (with sound) be equipped with swivel detectors in the truck(s) to sense track curvature to summon the squealing flange sound automatically? That would be the ultimate sound effect. This way the operator wouldn't have to summon the effect manually – it would occur just as it would in the real world. Just a thought. Any manufacturers listening?