Bachmann 91199 - Big Hauler Baldwin 2-4-2T 'Lyn' Review

[SDJR7F88]

A review of the Bachmann G Scale Big Hauler Baldwin 2-4-2T 'Lyn' in smart Lined Green Livery.
Constructed by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1898 for the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, Lyn was the only example of her class. After construction in Philadelphia, the loco was disassembled and shipped to Barnstaple, to be reassembled by L&B staff in their Pilton workshops.
A number of modifications were made to LYN over her working life including the fitting of coal rails to the bunker, changes to the smokebox door and re-boilering in 1907. In 1928 the loco returned from a major overhaul at Eastleigh Works Southern Green, which it carried until it’s withdrawl in 1935, when the line closed.
Though the original locomotive was scraped, a full scale replica is being constructed by The 762 Club, to run on restored Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.
This version of the model has been adapted for the US market, creating a what could of been, if Baldwin constructed versions of 'Lyn' for use in the USA.
Featuring a high level of detail, superb cab interior, Operating Head Lamp, Smoke Generator, plus smooth and powerful running straight from the box, this model is a great addition for any Garden Railway.
Hope you enjoy!

 

[simon@mgr]

I have one that is about 4 years old now, very smooth & reliable runner.

 

[SDJR7F88]

View attachment 217332 I have one that is about 4 years old now, very smooth & reliable runner.

They really are superb bits of kit. Managed to get hold a a proper 'Lyn' too, shortly after film this review a few months back. Will have to get the pair running together out on the railway next year

 

[spoz]

I've got two of these, both converted to battery using Cliff Barker's system; and otherwise modified to make them look more "Australian". One now about 6 years old, the other about three. Both are excellent runners and in many ways are the mainstays of the railway. I've just had to replace the battery pack in the older one for the first time; and a little while ago had to repair the relatively minor damage caused by a 5 foot fall onto a wooden floor, but that aside have had no problems with them at all (touch wood). Both were imported direct from Trainworld - regarded as value for money they are hard to beat.

 

[SDJR7F88]

I've got two of these, both converted to battery using Cliff Barker's system; and otherwise modified to make them look more "Australian". One now about 6 years old, the other about three. Both are excellent runners and in many ways are the mainstays of the railway. I've just had to replace the battery pack in the older one for the first time; and a little while ago had to repair the relatively minor damage caused by a 5 foot fall onto a wooden floor, but that aside have had no problems with them at all (touch wood). Both were imported direct from Trainworld - regarded as value for money they are hard to beat.

They certainly are superb value for money! Managed to get myself a proper 'Lyn' a few weeks later. Now that really is a stunning model and can't wait to get her out in the garden! It is much to import them from there, as I've seen a few items I've been looking for on their site?

 

[spoz]

q

It is much to import them from there, as I've seen a few items I've been looking for on their site?

Well, it isn't cheap in terms of postage to Australia but we're helped by the fact that (at the moment) we don't have to pay any Australian taxes on items worth less the $A1000 - although the politicians are threatening to change that because local retailers are whinging about people buying from overseas! The price I end up paying is about 50-60% of what it would cost me to buy the same items from a local retailer; for example the black 2-4-2 was quoted at $A395 from a supplier here I got from Trainworld for about $A220 total. A Piko BR218 quoted at $A699 I landed just before Christmas for $A460. But that's typical of anything imported into this country, the importer (but nobody else) makes a fortune and things are more expensive than they should be.

 

[Moonraker]

I've had my Lyn for about four years. Converted it to battery radio control plus (no surprise here) MyLocoSound. Has always run very well but, with only two driving axles, has limited traction. Mine will pull only two coaches up a 1 in 10 gradient.

I found it was easy for the cylinder covers to get lost and have had to 3D print replacements for both of mine.

Regards
Peter Lucas
MylocoSound

 

[stockers]

two coaches on a 1 in 10 cant be bad though - can it?

 

[Highlander]

I have the "Lyn" Southern version. Can someone please advise me of the availability of suitable coaches/ rolling stock which might be readily available in the UK. Many thanks

 

[PaulRhB]

I have the "Lyn" Southern version. Can someone please advise me of the availability of suitable coaches/ rolling stock which might be readily available in the UK. Many thanks

Accucraft make a good range, see wagons and coaches here
http://www.track-shack.com/acatalog/Lynton_And_Barnstaple_Garden_Railway_Rolling_Stock.html

 

[Tony Walsham]

Bearing in mind of course the Acucraft rolling stock is all 16 mm scale (1:19).
The Bachmann Lynn is 1:22.5 scale which is smaller than 1:19th.
I run mine with the slick Thomas and friends EMILY coaches. They look really good together and way way less expensive.

 

[PhilP]

Doesn't Swift Sixteen do some L&B / Southern stock now??

 

[Highlander]

Thank you both very much for the information. I think that for now I will go for the Emily option and they seem to be quite readily available. Could someone please tell me exactly what track would be best and that is readily available in the UK?

 

[Zerogee]

Thank you both very much for the information. I think that for now I will go for the Emily option and they seem to be quite readily available. Could someone please tell me exactly what track would be best and that is readily available in the UK?

If you go with Code 332 track, you can freely mix-and-match from most of the manufacturers - LGB, Piko, Trainline45, Aristocraft, AMS, Theil and others; the alternative is the finer-profile Code 250, which pretty much limits you to Peco and a very limited range of points and set curves. Of the Code 332 brands, there isn't really any one that is "best", although some folks prefer particular brands of points over others. LGB and Piko are probably the most readily available, and there is usually plenty of second-hand stuff available either on evilBay or from dealers. Second-hand track is fine if it's in good physical condition, even the most tarnished and garden-weathered stuff will normally clean up very well.

Jon.

 

[PaulRhB]

Bearing in mind of course the Acucraft rolling stock is all 16 mm scale (1:19).
The Bachmann Lynn is 1:22.5 scale which is smaller than 1:19th.

Looks pretty good size wise with the 1/19 L&B coaches though

 

[Highlander]

View attachment 225772
Looks pretty good size wise with the 1/19 L&B coaches though

Those coaches look similar to some I have seen on Ebay UK - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-gauge-4...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 -but I have no idea if they are the same scale or gauge as the Bachmann "Lyn

 

[Highlander]

If you go with Code 332 track, you can freely mix-and-match from most of the manufacturers - LGB, Piko, Trainline45, Aristocraft, AMS, Theil and others; the alternative is the finer-profile Code 250, which pretty much limits you to Peco and a very limited range of points and set curves. Of the Code 332 brands, there isn't really any one that is "best", although some folks prefer particular brands of points over others. LGB and Piko are probably the most readily available, and there is usually plenty of second-hand stuff available either on evilBay or from dealers. Second-hand track is fine if it's in good physical condition, even the most tarnished and garden-weathered stuff will normally clean up very well.

Jon.

Thank you very much - that is very helpful

 

[maxi-model]

Those coaches look similar to some I have seen on Ebay UK - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-gauge-45mm-GRS-Lynton-Barnstaple-Brake-Coach-in-Southern-SR-Green-BOXED/322569651139?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 -but I have no idea if they are the same scale or gauge as the Bachmann "Lyn

The ones you are looking at on Ebay would have been made from Garden Railway Specialist (GRS) kits. The kit boxes are for a flat pack not built items. GRS did supply some of their kits in RTR form but to my eye the finish of their stuff built, shall we say, lacks consistency. I'd ask for pictures of the box label to verify if it is shop built, the lack of decals seem to say otherwise. You also have the problem that if you want more you are going to have a problem of getting something to match. Most on offer are home built from kits and there will be detail variations in colour, build quality and even length (modular construction - some will have been shorter to navigate tighter radii curves and points).

The GRS kits are a mixture of injection molded parts, modular sides, both molded,vacuum formed and sheet, all from styrene. They lack the detail, crispness and, dependent on build quality, finish of the Accucraft RTR items. They also have fixed sized bogies, either 32 mm or 45 mm unlike the Accy' items that are supplied with both alternate gauged axle sets as standard.

I have a set of the GRS cars and perfectly acceptable they are too (I built them ). They look a tad larger than the Accucraft items and would exacerbate the scale difference between them and the Bachmann Lyn. I would say the Accucraft items offer far better value. If they had existed 10 years ago i would have bought them instead.

I had one of those Lyns to start 12 years ago and then got an Accucraft live steam 16 mm scale version. If you don't know what size the real life Lyn is in relation to it's rolling stock then you won't mind. However......... Max.

 

[Highlander]

The ones you are looking at on Ebay would have been made from Garden Railway Specialist (GRS) kits. The kit boxes are for a flat pack not built items. GRS did supply some of their kits in RTR form but to my eye the finish of their stuff built, shall we say, lacks consistency. I'd ask for pictures of the box label to verify if it is shop built, the lack of decals seem to say otherwise. You also have the problem that if you want more you are going to have a problem of getting something to match. Most on offer are home built from kits and there will be detail variations in colour, build quality and even length (modular construction - some will have been shorter to navigate tighter radii curves and points).

The GRS kits are a mixture of injection molded parts, modular sides, both molded,vacuum formed and sheet, all from styrene. They lack the detail, crispness and, dependent on build quality, finish of the Accucraft RTR items. They also have fixed sized bogies, either 32 mm or 45 mm unlike the Accy' items that are supplied with both alternate gauged axle sets as standard.

I have a set of the GRS cars and perfectly acceptable they are too (I built them ). They look a tad larger than the Accucraft items and would exacerbate the scale difference between them and the Bachmann Lyn. I would say the Accucraft items offer far better value. If they had existed 10 years ago i would have bought them instead.

I had one of those Lyns to start 12 years ago and then got an Accucraft live steam 16 mm scale version. If you don't know what size the real life Lyn is in relation to it's rolling stock then you won't mind. However......... Max.

Thank you very much Max. Its very kind of you to take the time and trouble to give me the low down. all the best, David

 

[Ozymandius]

I built a pair of the GRS kits for a friend about 10 years ago. Not a complicated kit to build but the side panels were fiddly to get right and there is plenty of opportunity to add additional detail, especially inside. I believe they now live in a glass case, along with Bachmann "Lyn".

The photo below was taken hurriedly between showers just before I delivered them and they went off to their new home.