The Bachmann Durango & Silverton No. 179 is a Large Scale 4-6-0 steam locomotive from Bachmann’s Big Haulers line. Decorated in the distinctive yellow-and-black “Bumble Bee” scheme, No. 179 was supplied with Bachmann’s Durango & Silverton freight train set and features an operating headlight, smoke and synchronized steam sound.
The TrainReference photographs show the No. 179 locomotive and its matching Durango & Silverton tender from several angles.
At a Glance
- Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries
- Product line: Big Haulers
- Road: Durango & Silverton
- Road number: 179
- Wheel arrangement: 4-6-0
- Scale: Large Scale / G Scale
- Color scheme: Yellow and black “Bumble Bee”
- Associated train set: Durango & Silverton Freight Set No. 90057
- Features: Operating headlight, smoke and synchronized sound
Bachmann’s Durango & Silverton No. 179
Bachmann produced No. 179 as part of its long-running Big Haulers line of Large Scale trains. The locomotive uses the familiar American 4-6-0 wheel arrangement found on many Bachmann Big Haulers train sets.
This version carries Durango & Silverton lettering and the road number 179. Its yellow boiler jacket and cab contrast with black running gear, smokebox and other components, creating the colorful scheme often described by model railroaders as the “Bumble Bee” paint scheme.
Durango & Silverton Freight Set No. 90057
No. 179 is associated with Bachmann’s Durango & Silverton Freight Set No. 90057. The complete ready-to-run set paired the locomotive and tender with freight equipment, track and a controller.
Because complete sets have often been separated over the years, the No. 179 locomotive and tender are also encountered by themselves, as shown in the TrainReference photographs.
Features
The locomotive includes an operating headlight, smoke unit and speed-synchronized steam sound. These features were characteristic attractions of Bachmann’s ready-to-run Large Scale steam train sets.
The model uses conventional track power and is designed for Large Scale layouts.
Identifying No. 179
The most useful identifying features of this version are the Durango & Silverton lettering, No. 179 road number and yellow-and-black decoration.
Bachmann produced several similar Durango & Silverton 4-6-0 locomotives with different road numbers, and collector documentation records some packaging and tender-lettering variations. For that reason, the road number, locomotive lettering and tender lettering should all be checked when identifying a loose locomotive or incomplete set.
No. 179 is most closely associated with the Durango & Silverton Freight Set No. 90057. Other Bachmann Durango & Silverton sets used similar 4-6-0 locomotives with different numbers.
About the Prototype Inspiration
Bachmann’s model evokes the narrow-gauge steam railroading associated with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado. The railroad preserves the appearance and operating tradition of former Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow-gauge lines through the San Juan Mountains.
The Bachmann No. 179 should be understood primarily as a model-train representation rather than a scale reproduction of a specific Durango & Silverton locomotive carrying that number. The road name and colorful decoration provide the connection to the Durango & Silverton theme.
Original Photos
The photographs below show the Bachmann Durango & Silverton No. 179 locomotive and tender originally documented for TrainReference.
References and Further Reading
- Bachmann Trains – Big Haulers Set Reference
- Bachmann Trains – Durango & Silverton 4-6-0 Number and Version Discussion
Related Bachmann References
- Bachmann 4-4-0 American G Scale Steam Locomotive
- Bachmann Hogwarts Express 00646 – Chamber of Secrets Set
- Browse all Bachmann model train references
Current Bachmann Durango & Silverton Listings
Current eBay listings related to Bachmann Durango & Silverton Large Scale trains are shown below. Check the road number, locomotive lettering and tender lettering carefully because Bachmann produced several similar versions.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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