The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
C80
1:87 Scale
Rating
7/10
C80 Class Gondola
Bachmann China
Prototype Information
The C80's are amongst the most modern gondolas to be used on China's mainlines. These differ from the majority of China Rails other hoppers for having drop-bottoms, incorporating stainless steel construction and designed for high speed. They are used solely for coal transportation and are found exclusively on the same train, i.e. not mixed in with other types of freight. The majority of these wagons run on dedicated lines built between the coal mine and a power station and are unloaded on a rotary dumper. They have a load capacity of 80 tonnes.
General Information
The C80's are one of the most modern Chinese freight car models available. When the models were released, the real C80's were very new which may have made them harder for them to sell. They were and still are relatively easy to acquire to this day. The models are a plastic shell with plastic detail parts and metal wheels.
Packaging
The C80's come in a two piece plastic cradle which slides inside a thin cardboard box with display window.
Details
The models do good justice to the real models in general appearance. The major disappointment to the car is the thickness of the car walls, similar to the C64 gondola's but being a smaller car and a lighter color, is much more noticeable. The severity of this can be toned down by adding real coal on top of the (removable) plastic coal 'load' and spreading it more to the sides. Those who run these cars with no load will probably also be disppointed in the interior itself, where the angled base of the car's ends are not angled at all, but rather a step.
The paint is applied very nicely and the metallic stainless-steel body has a nice 'grain' to it and the lettering is razor sharp, typical of Bachmann China products. Interestingly, this is the first Chinese model to have any form of high visibility features for crew safety. The steps, grab irons and hydraulic/braking gear are very nicely made. These also feature airhoses, which is the first to incorporate these details, albeit a very simplistic design.
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Performance
The cars have a nice weight and roll very freely. The deep wheel flanges don't like Peco code 83 turnouts, but I think we're all getting pretty used to these shenanigans. Bogies are mounted to the chassis via plastic clips, like many of Bachmann China's freight cars.
Couplers
Bachmann EZ mates can be replaced with Kadee #5/58/158 (medium) or #56/156 (long).