2021 Bachmann Catalog.

[SkipGear]

I don't think either of those is remotely close to Santa Fe prototype (but as I re-confirmed the other day on another thread, where I said something similar- the easiest way to get a photo of what you think doesn't exist, is to say it doesn't exist on the Railwire), other than wheel arrangement.  2 fewer foobies from Bachmann doesn't bother me.  Who knows, maybe this ATSF hiatus means that they are re-tooling the 4-8-4, the only N model steam I can think of based on ATSF prototype.

The Bachmann 0-6-0 is a USRA 0-6-0. The prairie is the same with pilot and trailing added and is a complete foob. The 0-6-0 with the right tender and some detail makes a nice model.

[ai5629]

Agreed!

The Bachmann model (assuming that it is a scaled down version of their existing HO model), is actually a better match for the Conrail H1D (clones of N&W H12 class). The HO version is a little short in terms of overall length, so I expect the N version will be as well.

Review/analysis of the Bachmann HO version:
http://original.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/489/35737/august-1998-page-19

https://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/photos/cr-491000-class-h1d

Mark

Interesting about the NW H12 and CR H1D.  I did some searching in the Modern Freight Car Group on groups.io, and Jim Eager states that the Bachmann’s Bethlehem hopper is a match for the Reading HTG hoppers (correct length and cubic capacity) and a foot short version of the NW H12 / CR H1D.  So now the question is, when the fire sale starts, and I acquire some of these, which Conrail era prototype do I model?  Perhaps both.  Thank you.

Jeff

[nickelplate759]

I notice that they list a new NKP USRA Hopper.  Same prototype as the Bluford Shops model.  I need to check and see if it's a different road number.

Edit:
It seems that it is a different road number.  Bachmann catalog shows NKP 99027,  Bluford did 99017, 99026, 99130, 99274, 99298 and 99345.

[Mark5]

Interesting about the NW H12 and CR H1D.  I did some searching in the Modern Freight Car Group on groups.io, and Jim Eager states that the Bachmann’s Bethlehem hopper is a match for the Reading HTG hoppers (correct length and cubic capacity) and a foot short version of the NW H12 / CR H1D.  So now the question is, when the fire sale starts, and I acquire some of these, which Conrail era prototype do I model?  Perhaps both.  Thank you.

Jeff

Thanks for that info. David Casdorph vs Jim Eager faceoff! 

I'm coming around to seeing these as being based on the Reading (CR HR1D) Bethlehem built hoppers - thanks for expanding my knowledge!

Still a good stand-in for N&W H12 and H12 clones (even UP rostered some Roanoke built H12s!).

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Mark

[learmoia]

For $40 per car, you'd think they could get the logo, initial/number font size and placement, dim data placement and trucks correct...

 

[C855B]

For $40 per car, you'd think they could get the logo, initial/number font size and placement, dim data placement and trucks correct...

It was several years ago, but in visiting the Bachmann booth at a WGH show, I was chatting with an employee that by chance was their graphic artist, the person responsible for lettering and logos, etc. I was questioning him on a UP boxcar they just released, that the mix of lettering and logo were from different corporate image eras. He said he was working from a photo of a 1:1 car. I had no disputing authority on-hand so couldn't push back. However, I did my own research later, and discovered this car was a one-off while UP was flailing about for a theme shortly after the end of the "Automated Railway" marketing program.

Bottom line in this case was shallow research: find a picture, and go with it. I think most of us here and most of the manufacturers will reference several authorities to determine what is more commonly representative before committing it to a model, especially something super-generic, as was this Tuscan-red 40' boxcar. Of course there are models of one-off cars where they know it's unique. MTL does that, and I appreciate it.

(Speaking of show-floor rep surprises, that same show I had an animated chat with an Athearn rep about future N projects. He went on and on about their N scale line not meeting its costs, and future development was in jeopardy. It was eventually revealed in the conversation that he was their in-house accountant, and from that the takeaway was that was merely his opinion. )

[sd45elect2000]

OMG the stuff is expensive !!!

[C855B]

OMG the stuff is expensive !!!

Meh. Prompted by BLI's ridiculous pricing "because they had sound!", B'mann started pulling the obscene MSRP nonsense a few years ago when they introduced sound in an attempt to steer the market. Street prices are usually 50-60% of MSRP.

[Missaberoad]

Yeah, but you know what? A good entry level "most common locomotive everywhere" is a GREAT thing for the scale.

The thing that bugs me about this is that they didn't do the no-brainer modern schemes: CSX Boxcar, NS Horsehead, BNSF Wedgie and UP (the same as forever).

It's like the same thing with train sets. There's no reason train sets need to be "stupid". Give people stuff that might be fun but also stuff that'll still be useful for them as they advance their interests.

So like, no more 40' no prototype gons with BNSF 38-2s.

Sure, it's cool they're doing CSX, but why the oddball scheme? I'd get it if it was the FIRST google image result, but the one they used for that (which does show up in a cursory search) is still buried behind the far more common schemes.

I agree that there is a much needed space for a entry level lineup similar to what the trainman line was supposed to be or the lifelike proto engines from our youth...

My issue is I have trouble seeing where Bachmann fits in the market. Its products are in a premium price bracket. Especially at full hobby shop retail where I assume a big chunk of beginners would find it.

I know when I worked at a LHS the majority of our sales were because it was on the shelf and available... So they may make some sales simply by having a large available inventory.
Its been years since I've been in any position to know the LHS market tho, so take that with a grain of salt...

I'm always happy to see new product, I'm just not sure Bachmann's lineup is the entry level solution you are talking about...

On the subject of train sets I couldn't agree more... Atlas Kato and Micro‐trains have all made train sets that are affordable and have equipment that grows with the modeler...
Way better than the set I had to start with 25 years ago...

All that being said new N scale product is always a good thing...

[nscaler711]

Consider me F#@!ed.
those G scale C44-9Ws are going to hurt...