Bachmann Trains - Empire Builder Ready To Run 68 Piece Electric Train Set - N Scale

I recently got back into model trains after I got summer off from college. I use N scale because it’s small enough for limited space in small rooms. I chose this set because it has a relatively big locomotive and a lot of cars for a good value. The track was very easy to put together. The 4-8-4 Northern locomotive included in this set can haul a lot of cars. The train is quite detailed for being little. I am having fun with it so far. I know the set has some critical complaints for derails and herky-jerky movement of the train, but those instances are likely due to the track being set up incorrectly. Before you run the locomotive, make sure that all the ends of the tracks are lined up correctly. Once you do that, the train runs very smoothly. Love this set, I’m going to have a lot of fun with it.

The train itself was fine. The track was miserable. The connection between the power and the track were none existant ant did not make a good connection. This train set could not be used as supplied. This set would never influence anyone to look at model trains as a hobby. I have built two layouts before ,one a TT guage and a HO guage. This is not sour grapes as I bought the set to see if I could handle the size as my hands are not what they used to be and neither are my eyes.

This is a great N scale set for those who want a large steam locomotive. The packaging was great, the whole thing held together well during shipping. The included EZ-Track was fairly simple to assemble, a few miss alignments but that's going to happen with any track. The rolling stock looks decent and rolls well. The locomotive itself is difficult to get on the track, but that's expected given that it's a 4-8-4. Once it was set up and rolling, it ran smooth and without issue. Everything is detailed, but not crazy detailed. That's the thing with Bachmann, most of the sets are good and everything works, but you're not going to lose yourself in the details. I think with a little weathering the locomotive and tender will look much more "real", along with the rolling stock. I think a lot of the issues people experience are from poor setup and tracking issues. If the front axle is not on the track (which is hard to tell as it's mostly hidden), it will derail a lot. If the rear isn't on the track (again, hard to see), it will derail. If the tender isn't on the track, it will derail. There's a lot of alignment needed to get the locomotive on the track and running right, but once that's done it runs great. Overall it's a solid set, and for the price you can't really beat it.

An excellent train set, very well detailed and at a reasonable price. Have had it about a month and have already put a few miles on it. Assembling the E-Z track is a little tricky, but it's very stable, doesn't come apart and looks good. When everything is in place, the locomotive is smooth running. I've added the N scale track pack and currently have two concentric ovals connected by the four switches from the track pack. So the 4-8-4 locomotive has to run over the swiches. Overall, a nice train, but a few problems, one pretty serious. The locomotive front four wheel pilot truck assembly is very loose and floppy and doesn't stay on track very well, especially thru the switches. The two axles have far too much play. Seems like the whole assembly needs some reengineering. Another problem is the couplers. The instructions state: "To couple the cars, gently push them together,.. The couplers will engage automatically." Not true, they don't engage. You must pinch them together with a long tweezers or pliers. And they come apart very easily. The supplied rapido couplers aren't much, if any, better. Another problem is the poor quality of the wire connectors and plugs. They are difficult to keep in place and difficult to make a good electrical contact. And they should be marked or color coded to show polarity. I've painted a white dot on each plug to keep the switches and trains going in the right direction. Overall, this is a very nice train. If you have only a straight oval with no switches, the pilot truck assembly problem shouldn't be much trouble. This is my first set and it's a great starter set.

Great train set to start the collection

I purchased this to go around the Christmas tree- and for that it's really good. It's simple to assemble, and (provided the connections are lined up carefully) functions reasonably well. Takes about 10 minutes from the box to functional. The large locomotive and longer cars do cause some issues though- I'll get to that later. I'm glad I went with N scale; the small size is perfect for our small tree. No complaints there. Were I to purchase a Bachmann kit for this purpose again though, I would buy one of the simpler kits. The large 4-8-4 locomotive that comes with the Empire Builder kit (and what drew me to it in the first place), just doesn't work that well. It's really too long and heavy for such a small, tight track. It frequently stalls and needs to be prodded to get it running again, and doesnt function at all at less than half-speed. I picked up a second hand Kato locomotive which works ten times better. (See video) I have to say, there's a wealth of additional track pieces, details and accouterments to purchase to give the setup more realism. I had a hoot building this display out with models from Woodland Scenics. My advice to a first timer would be to start with one of the more basic Bachmann kits *with a smaller, more modern locomotive* and upgrade from there.

El set llego en buenas condiciones , y es lo que esperaba , ¡excelente producto!, el tiempo de entrega fue conforme a lo indicado en la plataforma , Gracias al personal de Amazon por todo su esfuerzo

Amazing set! A steam locomotive is awesome!! Got a lot of tracks and rolling stocks! Run a set ,everything is just perfect! The hole set is brand new, no complains at all. Some people complain ,that loco derails ,but it for 100% depends how accurate you assembled tracks, and once you put a loco on a track check the wheels-it is ready to go! I am very happy with this train set, and would recommend others,

Se detiene en cualquier falla de vía aunque sea muy pequeña, pierde contacto y es muy ruidoso. La luz de la locomotora no es de Led, por lo tanto se ve muy débil…

It was exactly what I ordered and wanted

Train is almost impossible to put on the track, spent a few hours trying to get the engine and cars hooked and then gave up, nothing enjoyable or relaxing about this set, NOT FOR BEGINNERS 👎