New Bachmann loco cradle

[mmagliaro]

Just saw this in a Bachmann email announcement:

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_272&products_id=6480

It actually looks like a pretty good idea.  The padded clamps can adjust for depth of grip and the two supports can slide in/out
so this ought to even work on a steam locomotive because you could position the two clamps to a spot where they can grip without damaging anything.

It's important to be able to slide the two supports closer/further apart.  For HO or larger, it looks like they would not be very stable if they weren't screwed down to a board or something, which defeats the whole purpose.    But for N Scale, I bet those supports are quite wide and stable for the job.

However, $99 for an all-plastic thingy is steep. 

Has anyone actually seen one of these?

[eric220]

Very interesting. Unless you're trying to hold something with a tender, or two drawbar'd units.

[central.vermont]

Very interesting. Unless you're trying to hold something with a tender, or two drawbar'd units.

Then you would have to buy two. 

Jon

[eric220]

Then you would have to buy two. 

And be sure that you rotate them in the same direction at the same rate.

[central.vermont]

And be sure that you rotate them in the same direction at the same rate.

Are they DCC equipped, then you could speed match them. 

[C855B]

A $100 solution for a $5 problem. I'll keep on keepin' on with my li'l foam nest.

[thomasjmdavis]

Given that it is supposed to be able to hold an O scale loco, it is certainly big enough to hold an N scale steam loco with tender, or for that matter, 3 if not 4 F units at one time.  However, they would need to think through the rack/clamp for that. Probably show up in 4 years as a $50 add on. 

It leaves me wondering what routine maintenance Bchmann locos need that requires the ability to rotate through 180 degrees. 

At close to $100, with the way things are going, I think I will just wait until Kato or Tomix comes out with a working Backshop facility, and let the little N scale crew take care of it.