Has anyone seen the Bachmann 53' TOFCs yet?

[bbussey]

I haven't seen the Bachmann 53' TOFCs advertised anywhere.  I'd like to get one of the flats with the Yale trailers.

[wcfn100]

Caboose Hobbies has them.  I can't get past the flat to even care about trailer.

Jason

[jagged ben]

There are some on Ebay for $35 plus shipping.  Not sure about the Yale one though.

[spookshow]

Is the TOFC a new model or just the old silver series flat (below) with a new deck?



Thanks,
-Mark

[sizemore]

Saw them at MBK awhile back. The flat car bodies look like the other flat cars in the Silver Series but the rails are kinda chunky, plastruct or evergreen strip would clean them up nicely. The trailers are slightly better than say CMW. At the MSRP I would have expected a much better car and trailer.

The S.

[wcfn100]

s but the rails are kinda chunky,

The rails are about the least objectionable thing about the flat car.  LOL

Jason

[sirenwerks]

Now, if we can just get the trailers without the flats...

[R L Smith]

Mainline Hobby Supply is showing the one with the Yale trailer in stock for $37.79.

www.mainlinehobby.net


I hate to say this about my very favorite LHS, but the search feature on their website leaves alot to be desired. (It took me almost two minutes to find this car.)

[bbussey]

I just checked with one of my major distributors, and he didn't pick them up because of the cost.  And if he didn't pick them up, then a lot of distributors didn't pick them up.  He also pointed out that BM probably will run a closeout on them sometime next year, and that will be an opportunity to get them at a reasonable price.

[Denver Road Doug]

I just checked with one of my major distributors, and he didn't pick them up because of the cost.  And if he didn't pick them up, then a lot of distributors didn't pick them up.  He also pointed out that BM probably will run a closeout on them sometime next year, and that will be an opportunity to get them at a reasonable price.

I was gonna suggest this....wait for the fire sale.   They are clearly not aligned--either price-wise or quality-wise--with the market.   Perhaps someday Bachmann will figure out that this is a bad thing to train your customers to just wait it out.

I do know at least one LHS that didn't order any because of the bad quality versus price.

[JMaurer1]

Here's a link to one of the cars (for those wanting to see one) and the link to all the cars offered. They do look a little crude and are crazy expensive ($42 retail). 

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=5763

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=265_392_401_961

[wazzou]

Yeah, It looks like old 3 rail Lionel.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Its too bad. The trailer is a looker and there is a real market for early intermodal out there.

[nkalanaga]

If you HAVE to have the trailer, and don't want to run the flat, use the sides for a recycled bridge.  The trucks, couplers, and brake wheel could be scrapped, replace the deck with stripwood or styrene, and add railings in the stake pockets.  A little weathering and you have a one-lane bridge.  Expensive, but if you really want the trailer it's at least not a total loss.

Maybe use the brake wheels for wagon or cart wheels?

[bbussey]

I checked with Bachmann, and (as with the Doodlebug trailer coach) there are no plans to release the trailers separately.  Unlike the Doodlebugs however, it appears a large majority of distributors balked at the cost and did not carry them.  So there is a strong chance the TOFCs will be dumped at closeout sometime next year, and that will be an opportunity to pick up multiples for the trailers at a reasonable cost.