Comparison of Minitrains & Bachmann Baldwins

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I have recently purchased the Bachmann OO9 Baldwin Peggy. (Couldn’t resist.) My interest is generally in HOe and I already have a Minitrains Baldwin and thought it may be of interest to others to post some pictures comparing the two. Obviously the main difference is size, the Bachman being OO scale and the Minitrains HO scale, although if the two locos are some distance apart, the size difference is not so obvious.

 

I have had the Minitrains 2-6-2 for some time and, although my HOe layout is still in its early stages, it has had many hours running. The only problem I have had is the motion falling apart on one side. This was a little disappointing but I have managed to repair it using cut down Peco track pins as replacement rivets. (Never did find the originals-they are so small!) The Minitrains Baldwin runs extremely smoothly with its flywheel.

 

The Bachmann Baldwin tends to run a little faster probably due to the gearing. Initially I tried running it with a Minitrains controller, but it was totally uncontrollable, either stuttering or flying off at high speed. Changing to a Gaugemaster Combi, it runs perfectly. Slow running is not as good as the Minitrains, but it probably needs a little more running in.

 

I purchased Peggy for £123.20. The Minitrains Baldwin cost a little less when it was purchased, but now sells for around £130 to £145, which seems to make it a little expensive compared to the Bachmann. I have had quite a few minor quality control issues with Minitrains stock in the past, whereas the few Bachmann wagons I have purchased have been excellent. Only time will tell with the Bachmann loco.