Which to buy: Bachmann's Class 2 Ivatt or Collett Goods?

[signalmaintainer]

I've got my eye on purchasing either Bachmann's Collett Goods or Class 2 Ivatt. Both OO models are pleasing from the standpoint of price, appearance, relative ease of converting to DCC, fit with the overall theme of the layout, etc.

 

My questions pertain to performance and reliability: Does one have an edge over the other in your experience? I'm certain the Collett Goods will handle my sole 21" radius curve with ease (my Jinty fairly waltzes through it). But will the Class 2 Ivatt stub her toes on them?

 

Do either have tender pickups? (And why didn't Bachmann, like Hornby, include these on their 5MTs? Oh well, not too difficult to retrofit them.)

 

Are there any other considerations I'm overlooking?

 

Thanks for any guidance and recommendations you can provide.

[gwrrob]

I've got my eye on purchasing either Bachmann's Collett Goods or Class 2 Ivatt. Both OO models are pleasing from the standpoint of price, appearance, relative ease of converting to DCC, fit with the overall theme of the layout, etc.

 

My questions pertain to performance and reliability: Does one have an edge over the other in your experience? I'm certain the Collett Goods will handle my sole 21" radius curve with ease (my Jinty fairly waltzes through it). But will the Class 2 Ivatt stub her toes on them?

 

Do either have tender pickups? (And why didn't Bachmann, like Hornby, include these on their 5MTs? Oh well, not too difficult to retrofit them.)

 

Are there any other considerations I'm overlooking?

 

Thanks for any guidance and recommendations you can provide.

 

 

Hi Paul

 

I might be GW biased but I'd recommend the Collett Goods although its not up to todays high standard its a nice model.There are no tender pickups and I don't know about DCC.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

They will both go round 21" radius with no trouble. There will be nothing to choose between them in terms of running and reliability, although the Ivatt will demand the extra care for any loco with outside valve gear. As for DCC, the Collett model was introduced before a socket became de rigeur, whereas the Ivatt not only has a socket but it is positioned in the tender. Easy to get to and install the decoder, wiring in place if tender pick ups are to be added.

[LN Lancs]

Hello,

I don't have a Collett but I'm very pleased with my Ivatt class 2, runs like a peach, will go round 21" curves and is nicely detailed. I can't comment on DCC being a DC dinosaur, but it has no problem with Peco code 100 track and never stalls over the points.

 

Hope this helps,

[Wacol]

Just to help, the latest Collett version, which is lightly weathered, does have an 8 pin decoder socket fitted. Easily opened to fit a decoder. It's a nice enough model, not fancy, with no delicate bits to knock off. Coal load in tender is not removable. Loco - tender connection is a simple pin and slot. Runs smoothly.

 

Wacol

[JZ]

I have both and like others have said, they will both handle 21" radius with ease. Neither have tender pick up. My 2251 had no socket so I had to fit the decoder into the tender. As for which to buy, well that depends on where you have your layout set. But the Ivatt's were pretty widespread.

[signalmaintainer]

Gents, thanks for taking time to provide your insights! Much appreciated.