The Bachmann N Amtrak ALC-42

I was interested in getting the Bachmann N ALC-42 and bypassed the Kato model, which has been out for quite a while, even though even at discount, the Bachmann is three times the price of the Kato model. But in comparison to either the Kato P42 or SC-44, which I do have and which are mechanically and electricslly similar to their ALC-42, I think the Bachmann is worth the money.

For one thing, it's possible to get Kato ALC-42s with DCC and sound installed from a few vendors, but the price is comparable to the Bachmann, but the Katos don't have the Bachmann level of detail, nor the added lighting features of the Bachmanns. (I don't know if the Katos, even with DCC and sound, have the corridor lighting installed, which is standard with the Bachmanns.) There are also numerous detail features like free-standing grab irons that are visible in the photos.

Below are two shots of the Bachmann up and running on my small layout:

The ditch li9ghts are always on with the loco in forward. You can turn the main headlight off and on with F0. The ditch lights will alternately flash when you press F1, the bell, or F2-F3, the long and short horn. In reverse with F0 on, a rear headlight will go on:

In forward, two red rear marker lights illuminate.

In reverse, two red marker lights illuminate at the front of the locomotive.

The loco has a capacitor that lets the sound and motor run for a few seconds after power to the track is switched off.

The ALC-42 has illuminated numberboards on the front that, like the ditch lights and corridor lights, illuminate whenever power is in the track. However, the ditch lights turn off automatically with the headlight in reverse. The DCC and sound decoder is TCS version 5. The loco prime mover sound starts whenever power is applied without the need to address the loco or press a startup key. However, you can mute the prime mover sound with F8. You can also run a prime mover start sequence with F6. F7 dims the headlight.

There are more advanced TCS features that allow you to control the numberboard and ditch lights, along with many other options, in the loco documentation.

So far, I like the sounds that come with the loco a lot, but questions like the volume or the precise horn sound are individual preferences.