New Bachmann TOFC

[bbussey]

I just noticed that the release date for the TOFCs is "shipping now", so it's time to start watching to see at what cost these can be acquired.

[tom mann]

No need to look farther than the Crew Lounge...  Although written from a UK perspective, it still applies here in the  US.
Bachmann execs explain why prices will go up

Hourly costs going up 20% a year for the next few years...  China won't be the bargain it used to be.  Although still cheaper than US hourly wages.

It is disappointing to me to see how expensive the On30 products are.   I enjoy On30 because it is large scale at a pretty good price point.  The latest Bachmann offerings look good, but I can't justify spending what they want for them (even at the discounted prices). 

I'm not complaining, mind you.  It's just sometimes one knows when to get off the train. 

[Chris333]

There is no new On30 this year and that is odd.

[up1950s]

Well the consumers will decide just how many 42 buck TOFC's their pike really need . At 30 I would buy all except the REA which IIRC is a post 60 logo , but at 42 I will just spring for one . And I am a TOFC fan .

[Cajonpassfan]

No need to look farther than the Crew Lounge...  Although written from a UK perspective, it still applies here in the  US.
Bachmann execs explain why prices will go up

Hourly costs going up 20% a year for the next few years...  China won't be the bargain it used to be.  Although still cheaper than US hourly wages.

This should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in a reality check. N scale models are but a tiny pimple on a Chinese manufacturing behemoth's butt, and as their people rightfully demand decent wages and working conditions, it's going to get even more difficult. Time to get serious about bringing manufacturing back home...
Otto K.

[up1950s]

My reality and wallet is 1/160 scale , price balloons , volume deflates . That's my reality check for them , both foreign and domestic .

[tom mann]

There is no new On30 this year and that is odd.

 Well, last year's announcements are not out yet.  Oh, and check out that price

[peteski]

Not only Bachmann:

This is from BLW website:

On 6/25/14, Micro-Trains has announced that effective July 7th, the price of trucks, couplers and other items listed on this page will be increased by approximately 5%. Stock up now - SAVE!
Items marked with a star () are still at the old price. Limited to quantities on hand.

[wm3798]

I like the WM trailer, it's actually pretty close to proto for the early TOFC era, and a paint scheme unseen in the scale before now.  I agree with Bryan, the car looks pretty chunky, but look at the details they have added compared to the old reliable Atlas version... rub rails, ramps, and it even looks like they've put tie downs on it.  They use metal wheels and the ride height doesn't look atrocious.  And being proto length, it's obviously all new tooling.

We're already paying $40 for the handiwork of ESM and a couple other premium brands.  I expect the Bachmann car will end up streeting for about $25, and the after market will probably still sustain $20 based on the merits of the trailer alone.

Still a bit rich for my blood, and I really don't have a need for any of them based on era (and the fact that I'm still "between layouts"), but my local is a Bachmann dealer, so I expect I'll get to see one up close and personal before too long.  I'll pass final judgement then.

Lee

[asarge]

My reality and wallet is 1/160 scale , price balloons , volume deflates . That's my reality check for them , both foreign and domestic

Dealers, distributors and manufacturer's are all too aware of that equation Ritchie. Unfortunately people's disposable income have not and likely cannot keep up with the price increases.

[Chris333]

Oh, and check out that price

Yeah I'd stick with 1:29 to keep the prices down. 

[tom mann]

Yeah I'd stick with 1:29 to keep the prices down. 

I paid less for a USA Trains GP38-2! 

[Pennsy]

What exactly is the time period for these cars and trailers?

Jim

[Denver Road Doug]

Bachmann has always had stupid MSRP's.   All it usually means is a 40% standard discount instead of 20%.   I'm not sure "Run People Off With Sticker Shock" is a good pricing strategy, but whatever...in the end it's just a simple math problem.

I'm pretty happy that between Atlas, Bachmann, and BLMA....not one single item in their announce lists are on my shopping list.   My wallet needs that right now.   

[bbussey]

What exactly is the time period for these cars and trailers?

Hard to say.  The trailer prototype is from the 1950s.  The flatcar I don't recognize.  Bachmann paint schemes are not always representative of a specific prototype, so it's hard to say what they represent.  Although, the Yale scheme, other than the missing smaller data, appears to be accurate for the trailer prototype.