Micro-Trains is now selling Bachmann locomotives?!

[peteski]

I just checked out the new Civil War offerings coming from MT.  The ad shows that a 4-4-0 locomotive will be included in the set.  At a first glance I suspected that it would be then new Atlas 4-4-0. But when I got to the the small print I was shocked to see that this would be a Bachmann 4-4-0!!  A Bachmann 4-4-0 ?!

The Cadillac of N scale trains is now selling Yugos!?  I can't believe that they would stoop that low.    In the past MT offered steam locos from Model Power. I could accept that as those are actually pretty decent models (they look good, run fairly well and they are built well).

I'm also not basing Bachmann in general either, as some of their current models are actually pretty good.  But 4-4-0 is definitely not one of their good models.  I actually own couple of them and got one to run pretty well for a small loco but it tool a lot of fine tuning.  The tender trucks and wheels (if one can call those metal rollers wheels) are especially poorly done.

I must be getting really old as I never imagined that during my lifetime I would see the names Micro-Trains and Bachmann together! 

[DKS]

They also offered the Botchmann (or was it Model Powerless?) crane with goofy boom car (the one that rides on stilts) as part of their MOW sets some time ago, so this comes as no surprise. Wonder why they wouldn't wait for the new Atlas 4-4-0...

[peteski]

From your description, that boom car sounds exactly like Bachmann. I must have suppressed my memories of that offering because I didn't remember that one at all. 

Hey, they could have even used the Atlas/MicroAce 2-6-0 rather than the Bachmann 4-4-0.  Assuming of course that Atlas still has some of them left (BLW still shows some in stock).

[pmpexpress]

Given the firm's previous (and financially successful) inclusions of Bachmann and pre-Walthers era Life-Like products (e.g., Bachmann's 2-6-2 Prairie steam locomotive and MOW Boom Car and Crane, along with Life-Like's GP-20 and SW-9 diesel locomotives) in various "Tabletop Railroading" sets, there is no compelling reason for Micro-Trains Line to avoid the use of an existing item, that has been successfully marketed for years, to fulfill the needs of a specific product application.

It is foolhardy at best for a firm to wholly base its decision on whether or not to use a competitively priced component that is required to complete their final product on potential buyers, rather than verified customers, and/or a previous sales history.

While model railroading is indeed comprised of train operators, the aforementioned individuals are simply a part of the greater picture.

As there are all kinds of people in the world, different tastes and opinions prevail.

So it is with model railroading.

[mecgp7]

MT announced an SP/SSW set with a Bachmann GP7. Me thinks something happened a while back between Atlas and MTL. For a short period Atlas cars came with MT couplers (I wish they still did) and I believe some of the table top sets had Atlas locos.  Neither exist now. This is pure speculation on my part, but one wonders why each manufaturer would shy away from each other being that they both are on the top of the list when it comes to quality?

[spookshow]

Peteski, when did you buy your Bachmann 4-4-0? Like most of their trainset-style locomotives, it has received numerous upgrades over the years and the current version is actually not a bad running model at all. Further, I'm told that they get even better after a lengthy break-in period (something I can neither confirm nor deny since I don't model the 19th century, and thus have no need to run one on my layout).

Cheers,
-Mark

[rogergperkins]

I think based on several DC - DCC dual mode Bachmann engines I have purchased is the recent two years, that one chould not despair  about MTL choice of engines for their Civil War era sets.

[asarge]

Well let's see here. First, the Bachman engine is available. Atlas is not and they cannot guarantee MTL when it will be available.

Second, price. The Atlas model is $20 more on the MSRP and the difference is probably even greater on the price quoted to MTL. This difference is important to MTL in order to keep the MSRP of the set down to attract a wider market.

Which brings us to the third reason. These sets are not targeted just towards modellers and collectors, probably the N scale modellers are somewhat of an afterthought. That beiung the case, many of the people who might buy this set may never actually run it.

[SkipGear]

As Asarge noted, the Bachmann loco's are available. That is more than likely the primary reason for choosing it. It's hard to advertise a delivery date when you don't have a finished product in hand. Remember, MTL has to get them from Bachmann, then paint and decorate them. It is not as simple as throwing an existing loco in the box with their cars.

As Spookshow mentioned, the latest run of these things are pretty good runners considering their size. I know a lot of people have a mental block when it comes to Bachmann but they are getting much closer to being right there with Atlas and others in quality. I have a friend that is now using a dozzen of the Bachmann GP7's on his large operations based layout because he got fed up with the Atlas locos stalling and having decoder issues.

Remember, the Atlas product used to come off of the same assembly line as Bachmann. Not to knock on Atlas but who says their new 4-4-0 will run any better? In the pictures it doesn't look like it has broken any new ground over the Bachmann model except maybe the tender trucks. Yes Atlas has a good track record but this is a tiny loco and Bachmann has been doing quite well with tiny locos recently. This is new grounds for Atlas who has farmed out their previous offering (Micro-Ace 2-6-0) from another source.

[Ian MacMillan]

No different than when offering CC cars in the circus series.

[rogergperkins]

Tony, thank you for sharing your insights and balanced view of the situation.
If one wishes to see reviews, here is one source.  Note two different series of 4-4-0s from B'mann
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-4-4-0-American-s/1735.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1735&show=30&page=1&brand=Bachmann

I do not know any of the people you wrote these reviews.
I know that I am candid in my review of purchases from this dealer who asked after each purchase for feed back.
Happy 4th!

[TiVoPrince]

Bachmann 
quality has been improving based on reports here and elsewhere.  I have no firsthand knowledge, but if you wanted something in an early 4-4-0 locomotive, Bachmann is currently 'the only game in town' so it is the only reasonable choice.  Sometime in the future Atlas or others may climb on the bandwagon wth more products that fit this under represented era.

Choosing the Civil War era is a bold move by MT in an increasingly homogenous world.  Bringing more options to N scale certainly is a good thing.  While I won't be buying Civil War era stuff myself.  But, I appreciate the effort and celebrate the diversity...

[JoeD]

Love these discussions   Correct, the Atlas engine is on the radar but not available a year ago when we made committments.  Paul mentioned to us that it will be an option and I plan on taking advantage of it as the series matures.  I have both the new and the old issues of the Bachmann 4-4-0 and there is a difference in performance.  Price is an issue as well keeping in mind the overall retail set for the set.  And no, there is no problem between Atlas and MTL.  I would love to put their stuff in our sets, but we both had issues with the same factories and in the past could use our FT.  When Atlas began having issues our drive train dissappeared so we had to look elsewhere.   Looks like we are moving towards getting our FT back in issue next year.

You guys have a great 4th...looking forward to a day off!!!

Joe 

[asarge]

I'd be willing to bet more Confederatesets sell than Union sets.

[Dave V]

Joe,

Besides the FT, does MTL have any plans, even abstract ones, to consider doing another N scale locomotive in the future?  I should think having done so many in Z as well as the N scale FT you have experience doing it.  There are still a number of common diesel switchers that could be run in dozens of paint schemes that either have not been done in N or at least not well or recently.  If it starts with "SW" or "S," it will be very welcome!

Sorry for the thread hijack!