Rumors of Bachmann N Scale K4

[Joetrain59]

I wonder if Bman will do just a DC version, at a lower price?
 Joe D

[Blackout]

I wonder if Bman will do just a DC version, at a lower price?
 Joe D

That would be ideal for a bunch of us who dont have a DCC system and dont care for sound. But thats not what Bachmann will do. Look at BLI when they finally decided to revive the M1 project, ohhhh drop the DC versions previously planned, only preorders for the DCC/sound units. No cheaper option for some reason.

[strummer]

Yea, I see Lionel does the same thing; only offers the nice locos with all the bells and whistles, at a very high price, leaving those who may not want all that stuff, and pay less, SOL...

Mark in Oregon

[packers#1]

Considering that Bachmann has lately only released their diesels with DCC, I highly doubt it; it's a shame too, the updated B23-7 they put out with straight DC streeted at $40, so I'd guess a DC K4 would be <$200 street price. I do wonder why some manufacturers are going this route, although I suspect it's a way to keep manufacturing costs down (less training for employees, consolidates the assembly line so you don't have some units jumping the DCC installation, etc)

[peteski]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Bachmann decided to produce all their new N scale models with DCC decoders.  They call the CD-compatible DC-compatible since they will run on DC.  But no more decoder-less models.

[up1950s]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Bachmann decided to produce all their new N scale models with DCC decoders.  They call the CD-compatible since they will run on DC.  But no more decoder-less models.

CD ..... well that's just wrong way thinking !

[peteski]

CD ..... well that's just wrong way thinking !

Even when proofreading I didn't pick that up. Duh!   

[Mike C]

  I just wish that they would put the full Soundtraxx decoder into it instead of the "sound value" version .  There is a world of difference between the two .

[peteski]

  I just wish that they would put the full Soundtraxx decoder into it instead of the "sound value" version .  There is a world of difference between the two .

...and add another $50 to the MSRP?
There are modelers already unhappy that they forced to buy a DCC/sound equipped loco for their DC layouts.  Personally I also prefer buying DC-only locos and installing sound decoder of my own choice  (not a Soundtraxx), but I realize that I'm in a very small minority.

[VonRyan]

I hope the K4 at least runs as well as the Berkshire. I'm not holding my breath on the sound quality, but if it's as good-running of a model as the Berkshire is, I'll be buying more than just one... And I don't even run passenger trains.

I really don't get all the pouting about the supposed flaws of the Berkshire... Every Bachmann Berkshire I have seen is a well running model right out of the box. And of the six or seven that I've seen running, only one had a slight wobble, but it was more than likely just some iffy trackage causing it.

At least now I can start hollering for a B6 or an H8/H9/H10sa.

[eric220]

At least now I can start hollering for a B6 or an H8/H9/H10sa.

Both of which could be reasonably approximated with a new shell over an existing Bachmann mech.

[Mike C]

...and add another $50 to the MSRP?
There are modelers already unhappy that they forced to buy a DCC/sound equipped loco for their DC layouts.  Personally I also prefer buying DC-only locos and installing sound decoder of my own choice  (not a Soundtraxx), but I realize that I'm in a very small minority.

  Yea but it will cost another 100 bucks to replace the stock one LOL . And I do get why people complain about paying for something they don't want . But I'm guessing that putting decoders in all the locos drops their decoder cost enough so that they are able to do sound instead of just straight DCC decoders .  Heck , someones going to complain no matter what they do . I'm just happy to have another new steamer .

[Bob Bufkin]

I'm wondering if they will have the proper PRR whistle sounds.

[jdcolombo]

  Yea but it will cost another 100 bucks to replace the stock one LOL . And I do get why people complain about paying for something they don't want . But I'm guessing that putting decoders in all the locos drops their decoder cost enough so that they are able to do sound instead of just straight DCC decoders .  Heck , someones going to complain no matter what they do . I'm just happy to have another new steamer .

Bachmann's decision to go with DCC/sound in these locos is virtually certainly the result of a very considered decision based on internal cost assessments vs. market share.  I'd prefer a "bare" DC version, because I stripped out the sound decoder from the Berk to install my own.   But I get the fact that they have presumably made a sound business decision that there aren't many Colombo's around, and most people would prefer the "off the shelf" DCC/sound version than rolling their own.   As for the DC folks, again, the business decision is that the Sound/Value decoder works on DC, it probably doesn't add so much to the price that it makes much of a market difference, and so . . .

Remember that the cost to Bachmann of installing the DCC/Sound decoder isn't anywhere near what it would cost after-market.  I'll bet it doesn't add more than $50 to the overall price, if that.  We're talking Bachmann here, folks - this is like Ford deciding to make a radio standard equipment on their cars back in the 1940's.  The market just didn't care that it added $10 to the price.  Individuals might care, but not the market as a whole.

John C.

[mmagliaro]

Adding the decoder cannot be adding $50 to Bachmann's cost on this.
If it adds more than 10 bucks to their expense, I'd be surprised.

But how much does it allow them to raise the price to the consumer?   I think that's where the business
decision comes in. 

Even at the "street price" level, the differential between DC and DCC pricing would have to be at least
$50 (say, $150 vs $200).   And that's a mighty good markup on a $10 investment.