Bachmann 2022 Catalog is out

[Maletrain]

The "index" I'll use is the "Micro-Trains boxcar index".  When I got into N scale in the late70s, a MTL boxcar cost 3.98 (per the price tag on one of my boxes.  A Bachmann boxcar at the time sold for half that.  Now, the Bachmann MSRP is 1.5 to 2 times the price of a Micro-trains car.  And while I acknowledge that the MTL car is not perfect, it is a whole lot nicer than a Bachmann.  So, I used to be able to buy 2 Bachmann boxcars for the price of 1 MTL car, now even at internet discount price, I would be lucky to get a Bachmann for the same price as a MTL or comparable car.

Essentially, if Bachmann wants me to pay more for their boxcar than I would pay for a MTL car, they need to show me a better product. And I can't begin to explain why Bachmann would even bother with a USRA 2 bay hopper with an MSRP substantially higher than Bluford. And in both cases, the MBK price (substantially discounted from Bachmann MSRP) for the Bachmann is higher

In "MBK pricing"- a Bachmann boxcar is $24.99 https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-N-17061-AAR-40-Steel-Box-Car-Pennsylvania-Railroad/
                            a MTL boxcar is $22.99 https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/micro-trains-n-02400480-40-standard-box-car-with-single-door-and-no-roofwalk-new-york-central-207580/
                           
                            recently released hopper from Bluford- 22.99 https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/bluford-shops-n-64098-2-bay-rebuilt-war-emergency-hopper-illinois-central-73279/
                            the soon to be released Bachmann USRA hopper 23.99 https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/bachmann-n-19562-usra-55-ton-2-bay-hopper-erie-159100/

I'll definitely second the notion that Bachmann has grossly over-priced their rolling stock.  It seems even more irrational when you realize that Bachmann stuff is made in China and assembled in China, while much of the MTL stuff is assembled here in the US of A.  Bachmann's list prices for passenger cars now rival Lowell Smith's but the quality certainly does not compete.  Their marketing strategy seems to be oblivious to quality issues - sort of "Hey, people are now paying as much as $X for that, let's increase our prices to match - plus some additional mark-up so sellers can give "discounts".

But, their strategy for locos seems much different.  Much improved quality of steam offerings, and even more road numbers per item in a specific road name.  It is almost like 2 separate companies.

[mike_lawyer]

I wish they would do another run of the original K4.  I really want to pick up a couple in new condition, and they are hard to find.

[OldEastRR]

Easy -- they're using their N scale stuff to use as tax loss write-off, since obviously everybody knows N scale is just a fad.

[bbussey]

To be fair, regarding the USRA hoppers, the Bachmann model was on the market over a year before the Bluford model.

[ncbqguy]

Compare the British Bachmann range with the North American……
Charlie Vlk

[CBQ Fan]

To be fair, regarding the USRA hoppers, the Bachmann model was on the market over a year before the Bluford model.

The disadvantage of not having a local hobby shop to see one in person. Although the CP hopper I got as gift looks very nice, but I have no real knowledge of CP and no real interest in researching the paint scheme. Feels too modern for my layout.

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-Silver-Series-N-19177-Cylindrical-4-Bay-Covered-Grain-Hopper-CP-Rail/

[JMaurer1]

IMHO the other problem with Bachmann (other than silly MSRPs) is the varying QUALITY of the rolling stock. I model the NWP which had several wineries on it so I usually order any (usually tank) cars that were for wine service. I have two (by accident) of the Bachmann Northern Calif Wine Assoc. three dome wine cars, and as I recall they have a wire handrail for the hand hold going around the car. The two new cars (L. Foppiano Wine and Ambrose Wine)...well, I can't tell if that is a wire handrail or just black printing on a molded plastic hand rail going around the car. And knowing Bachmann, it could be either...

[Mark5]

To be fair, regarding the USRA hoppers, the Bachmann model was on the market over a year before the Bluford model.

Yup. I bought one to foob up in Virginian. Very nice model, but I won't be buying any more (Bluford rocks!  ).

[sd45elect2000]

IMHO the other problem with Bachmann (other than silly MSRPs) is the varying QUALITY of the rolling stock. I model the NWP which had several wineries on it so I usually order any (usually tank) cars that were for wine service. I have two (by accident) of the Bachmann Northern Calif Wine Assoc. three dome wine cars, and as I recall they have a wire handrail for the hand hold going around the car. The two new cars (L. Foppiano Wine and Ambrose Wine)...well, I can't tell if that is a wire handrail or just black printing on a molded plastic hand rail going around the car. And knowing Bachmann, it could be either...

The newer 10,000 gallon tank cars are really nice.. at least the tank portion is . I have the same cars you have and they all have wire hand rails that look pretty nice. The under frames kinda suck…

[JMaurer1]

Dang it, now it looks like I have to get them. At least I know now instead of finding out later after they have gone.

The underframe is not the best but the biggest issue with them is they just don't hold that much wine. It takes several tank cars full to equal a normal glass

[bbussey]

The newer 10,000 gallon tank cars are really nice.. at least the tank portion is . I have the same cars you have and they all have wire hand rails that look pretty nice. The under frames kinda suck…

The underframes aren't that bad, and they have body-mounted coupler pockets that can take Accu-Mates (drop-in) or be adapted to take MTL 1015s.

On the "newer" rolling stock tooling, Bachmann has hits a misses.  The two tank cars, USRA hopper, Northeastern caboose, P70 heavyweight coach and the trailers on the TOFC 50' flatcar all are high quality tooling.  Some of the paint schemes are suspect, but the tooling is strong.