New Bachmann 40' reefer: PFE R-40-21?

[cjm413]

Otto,
Those cars Randy shows listed on EBay are wood sided. I have all three of them and can give you any info you need on these cars by PM.




Hope this helps.
Jon

Looks like Precision Masters gave them 3/3 Improved Dreadnaught ends that were used on the later R-40-23 rather than 4/4 Dreadnaught ends that were correctly used on the Bachmann HO model.

If Bachmann opts to reuse their existing N scale reefer rather than making a N scale version of their HO model, two possible sources for the correct 4/4 Dreadnaught ends would be the Atlas 1932 ARA box, or a cut-down pair of 4/5 Dreadnaught ends from the IMRC 1937 AAR box.

[cjm413]

CJM413:  No, IM doesn't have a separate floor, but that didn't bother me.  I glued the roof on, then cut the sides off, saving the top rivet strip.  IM does have separate ends, and "sub-end" cast to the floor, so all I had to do was match the side length to the floor/sub-end length, and glue the outer ends on.

I imagine the two methods are about the same amount of work, and would largely depend on what kind of work the builder wants to do, and the resources available.

Leaving the IMRC floor in place allows me to reuse the leftover sides and floor for a post-war 10' IH car with 10 side panels and 3/4 Improved Dreadnaught ends:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/314608/1101326880/name/mstl%2Bboxcar%2BGreen%2Bpaint%2BPropst.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjMztyd4qLRAhUG4IMKHcW8DpAQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNE7uvMO9B3XBFKnnTUoXkwf7SZ-jA&sig2=vTYeJS4h85fe1pfVPQ6ffw

[nkalanaga]

In that case, where you're getting 2 cars from 2 cars, you're definitely ahead to use the CC sides. 

[cjm413]

In that case, where you're getting 2 cars from 2 cars, you're definitely ahead to use the CC sides.

I also noticed that the CC model has a diagonal panel roof like the PFE R-40-25 (including any "clones" built for NP)

[Cumbo2000]

Here's a brief review of the Bachmann HO scale model by Tony Thompson one of the co-authors of the book on the PFE. This was posted on the Yahoo Group STMFC in 2015.

"It has the right major features for Class R-30-21, for which it is lettered: 4/4 Dreadnaught ends, straight-panel steel roof, wood sides. Ends however do not appear to be the correct W-corner-post ends, doors are too short, and running board is molded into the roof. I can't tell if the running board simulates wood or steel grid; the latter would be correct. Not a great model, but certainly a stand-in for those who need one."

The comments posted on TRW mostly agree.

Bob Witt

[cjm413]

Here's a brief review of the Bachmann HO scale model by Tony Thompson one of the co-authors of the book on the PFE. This was posted on the Yahoo Group STMFC in 2015.

"It has the right major features for Class R-30-21, for which it is lettered: 4/4 Dreadnaught ends, straight-panel steel roof, wood sides. Ends however do not appear to be the correct W-corner-post ends, doors are too short, and running board is molded into the roof. I can't tell if the running board simulates wood or steel grid; the latter would be correct. Not a great model, but certainly a stand-in for those who need one."

The comments posted on TRW mostly agree.

Bob Witt

Tony Thompson would probably transform into the Incredible Hulk if he saw Bachmann's old N scale reefer being passed off as a R-30-21.

[Cajonpassfan]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread since it's now been a while since these new Bachmann reefers have (presumably) been available.  Unfortunately, I don't have a hobby shop nearby and the only photos available online are of the HO version (see below).
 So back to my original question: has anyone actually seen these or have access to photos of the N scale version?
Thanks, Otto K.

[cjm413]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread since it's now been a while since these new Bachmann reefers have (presumably) been available.  Unfortunately, I don't have a hobby shop nearby and the only photos available online are of the HO version (see below).
 So back to my original question: has anyone actually seen these or have access to photos of the N scale version?
Thanks, Otto K.

For whatever it's worth, most of the brick and mortar stores that I go to typically don't sell Bachmann freight cars.

I'm still curious to see what they look like, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Mark5]

MBK stocks all Bachmann N releases - these are not out yet.

Mark

[Cajonpassfan]

Mark, that's the point of my query, they have them listed for sale, see below.
I just don't want to spend the money unless I see the product.
You know for a fact the cars are not out yet?
Otto K.

[Mark5]

Well MBK gets their stock directly from Bachmann, so I would say no (but maybe there are some out there somewhere!) I am in the store a bunch so will check them when they come in.

Bachmann also lists the "new" PS-2 covered hoppers as in stock as well - haven't seen them yet either. I would suspect they are either on the water or about to hit the stores any week now. <--- this is only a guess!

Mark

[Mark5]

What website is that image from Otto?

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Mark, much appreciated. The image is right off the Trainworld ad I get multiple times a day it seems
They and MBK are related I presume?
Otto

[Mark5]

Thanks Mark, much appreciated. The image is right off the Trainworld ad I get multiple times a day it seems
They and MBK are related I presume?
Otto

They are very unrelated.

[cjm413]

Well MBK gets their stock directly from Bachmann, so I would say no (but maybe there are some out there somewhere!) I am in the store a bunch so will check them when they come in.

Bachmann also lists the "new" PS-2 covered hoppers as in stock as well - haven't seen them yet either. I would suspect they are either on the water or about to hit the stores any week now. <--- this is only a guess!

Mark

Pictures on the Bachmann website are up - it looks like the old PS-2 with new coupler boxes that stick out too far:

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=265_392_393_1066