I was at my LHS yesterday, and found that other than a few ventilated boxcars and two locomotives, they had no Bachmann On30 in stock. I was hoping to find some undecorated box cars, but was told those have been on back order for months. Sure enough when I search this site on-line, there are no undecorated boxcars shown.
Is Bachmann exiting the On30 market?
That is an assumption on your part. I just looked at The Favorite Spot and they have the unlettered 18" boxcars in stock.
$65.92 pkg 2
Rich
Micro Mark has them also. $65.95 pkg 2
You should have looked at the New Shorty Wagons thread right nearby.
Rich
Many local hobby shops don't carry much On30 as it has limited sales compared to HO. Check on line and get them there.
On30 is still going strong. When a retailer is low on stock it does not necissarly mean that a particular item or product line has been discontinued - it probably means that the retailer hasn't ordered any lately.
I think On30 is here to stay!..Bachmann has showed a commitment by the recent entry of the 18' freight cars and don't forget that a international market has it's own set of problems.
We are still waiting for that Heisler.
Royce
"We are still waiting for that Heisler."
Amen, brother. Amen.
It is my contention that, without the involvement of Bachmann Trains, there would be very little progress in On30. Bachmann produces outstanding products and will, undoubtedly, serve as a driving force in this new facet of model railroading.
I recently purchased my first On30 equipment: the Davenport Gas-Mechanical and a ventilated boxcar. Both of these products are well made...the Davenport (after a run-in) performs like a fine watch. If you would like to dive deeper 'in the pool', check out the offerings at Boulder Valley Models [http://www.bouldervalleymodels.com/ (http://www.bouldervalleymodels.com/) I can't wait to convert one of Bachmann's fine 70-Ton locomotives into the Boulder Valley critter.
All this is possible thanks to Bachmann Trains. I have no doubt that their On30 equipment will be as noteworthy as their HO line (the GE 45-Ton is a jewel).
Regards,
Ray
I'd like to see the On30 davenport return and maybe another type of gas or diesel rendition of sorts....go ahead and bring out that heisler, but think heavily about a 3 or 4 truck shay too...at least a 3 truck!
Next...hey, why not...add some snow clearing devices- flanger/plow/rotary/jorden - and some more revenue cars....
...RK-D, search the web and/or ebay....ebay model trains has it's own class for us - "On30" and it's thick with bachmann goodies...I also second the good experiences with ebay seller "the favorite spot", I bought a pair of the new shorty boxcars just before Christmas and received them just afterwards. I posted a few pics of them in the "shorty wagon" thread.
Go to Backwoods minatures models website and check out the Camel back conversion for the Bachmann 2-6-0 mogul..This is great!..it will look great hauling the new 18' cars and one of Keith Weiseman steel outside brace 17' boxcar. this just gave me the boost I needed.
Royce
Hello,
I suggest every engaged On30-modeler to read the "Narrow gauge and short Line Gazette" www.ngslgazette.com (http://www.ngslgazette.com) and the "On30 Narrow gauge Annual" www.on30annual.com (http://www.on30annual.com) . Both are specialized for Narrow Gauge in prototype and model. There you can find locos and rolling stock for On30 from different manufacturers, kits and ready to run. And these are not few.
Also if you search in the internet, you will see that On30 is a powerful growing range under the leadership of Bachmann.
Railexpert ;)
I second Railexpert's suggestion that anyone interested in On30 purchase a copy of the On30 Annual. I have read the print off my copy of the 2012 issue; and have ordered the 2013. Within its pages, you will get to see the 'best of the best' - and the inspiration provided makes the purchase price well worth spending.
Like HO before it, On30 is a vast subject that you can go into as deeply as you wish. One can simply purchase RTR locomotives and rolling stock - and run same on standard HO track. Another avenue is to run those RTR items on On30 track (the scale changes from HO...not the gauge). Others may prefer to build all their rolling stock and run it on handlaid track components...the choice is yours. Trust me, there is a lot of room in between.
Unless you already have a layout, or are a bit experienced in model railroading, I would advise building a small shelf layout (something like 2' x 6') as a test bed and learning exercise. May I refer you to Carl Arendt's excellent mini/small layout website for track plan ideas? http://www.carendt.com/ (http://www.carendt.com/)
In any event, I wish you years of enjoyment with your trains.
Ray
Quote from: CNE Runner on January 06, 2013, 11:13:11 AM
I second Railexpert's suggestion that anyone interested in On30 purchase a copy of the On30 Annual. I have read the print off my copy of the 2012 issue; and have ordered the 2013. Within its pages, you will get to see the 'best of the best' - and the inspiration provided makes the purchase price well worth
Ray
There are several of the published on30 annual contributors posting here. http://www.railroad-line.com/
Under the on30 topics. And also active micro construction threads.
Thank you for the clarification, Yardmaster. I'm going to contact Caboose Hobbies and find out why they don't have your 27099 Boxcar on order, or even on their website.
Quote from: Yardmaster on January 04, 2013, 11:59:37 AM
On30 is still going strong. When a retailer is low on stock it does not necissarly mean that a particular item or product line has been discontinued - it probably means that the retailer hasn't ordered any lately.
Since the question specifically mentioned boxcars (27099), I checked with Walthers and they show it not as simply out of stock, but as "Discontinued". Then I checked the Bachmann products list, and while the directory listed the Boxcar category as having 15 items, only one page came up, showing 6 ventilated cars and only two commemorative boxcars with special paint. No other boxcars were even listed, none with typical railroad roadnames, nor undecorated either. Since the Bachmann site itself doesn't even show the standard boxcars any more, have they been discontinued like Walthers says (and like the Davenport switchers which also disappeared from the Bachmann website sometime before it was announced that
they had been discontinued)?
Bill in FtL
Some observations. Sometime ago I raised the question here of the future of On30 and received an assurance that Bachmann remained committed to On30. Since then Bachmann have announced a number of new On30 items and delivered most of them (the exception being the Heisler). So I have no reason to doubt that Bachmann remains committed to On30. Tooling for a whole new range of freight cars is clear evidence of this.
It is true that some local hobby shops, including mine, have ceased stocking On30. Current economic conditions, and internet sales, have caused my local hobby shop, and no doubt others, to concentrate on their best selling ranges only. This trend is likely to continue.
I expect that a number of existing On30 items will cease to be available over the next few years. New items are essential to keep interest in the scale high and no manufacturer can afford. or has the capacity, to keep all of an expanding range in production all of the time. Bachmann, and other train manufacturers, manufacture in batches, a run of a particular item is made, and then that production line used for a different item. An item may be rerun if there is sufficient demand. It is inevitable that some items will not be rerun in order to provide capacity to make new items.
I am confident that Bachmann On30 will continue, but expect the range to gradually change. In what directions, I have no idea. The Bachmann. or Yardmaster, might like to can comment on the future availability of the standard box cars.
Hamish
My only LHS is either Hobby Lobby or Hobbytown USA...neither of which carry much though HTusa carries HO but will never wind up carrying anything in On30...luckily I have the internet{or I wouldn't be here!-lol}
Hamish, I believe there is a difference between folks interested in standard gauge HO and On30. In HO, the product offerings do change and people who model HO Standard gauge are ok with that.
People in narrow gauge tend to model a certain line or locale. I bought the shay and other loco's to model rocky mountain logging. I didn't expect that Bachmann would stop production of certain narrow gauge rolling stock in favor of other equipment.
Fortunately, there are other manufacturers who understand the narrow gauge modeling scene and continue to supply rolling stock - perhaps with different numbers (which is good), but still basically the same equipment.
There are undoubtedly people who are happy now with the 18' equipment who will not be so happy when Bachmann "moves on."
r_dave
I agree that many narrow gauge modellers model a particular line or theme, and may want particular models to continue in production. I was observing, not advocating. The problem as i see it is that Bachmann has many demands on them to make new models, as this board shows. They do not have the capacity to keep everything in production and also make new models. Something has to give, and some people will be unhappy. I do not know their intentions for rolling stock, and I would like to see both the new 18 foot and the older rolling stock continue in the future. Whether this will happen I do not know. I believe that they do understand the narrow gauge modelling scene, but it is not possible to make everything all of the time.
Hamish
Guys,
This still doesn't answer the question of whether or not the original 25' boxcar has gone the way of the Davenport, has it been discontinued as the Walthers website openly states and the Bachmann site seems to indicate? I suppose if it were in the process of being retooled (perhaps with a right-hand sliding door this time), that could explain it, but it seems like a boxcar (not just an 18 footer) is a necessity for On30.
Bill in FtL
I asked this same question a while ago:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,20020.0.html
I've bought all the 27099 unlettered boxcars I can find, and have a grand total of 3. The new shorty ones are neat and all, but my layout is built for the bigger engines, and I just don't envision them looking quite right behind a 4-6-0. :-\
Thus the dilemma for Bachmann. A lot of On30ers like the smaller, quaint items that will fit in a small layout. Then you have people like me that have a decent space and just want something bigger than HO.
Considering most layout articles I see in the Gazette and On30 Annual are more "scenery showpieces" than "operational" layouts, I'm thinking I'm in the minority.
I haven't had a chance to see the "other manufacturer's" boxcars in person, but they are not priced much different than Bachmann's offerings, so I might have to go that route. Not the cheapest way, but they at least exist. (I recall the days of $12 freight cars at St Aubin's - unfortunately it was before I was "sold" on On30!)
Here's hoping Bachmann reintroduces the most important (and common) freight car! ;)
Scott
I think narrow gauge modeling presents some interesting problems to the manufacturing sector. In standard HO scale, one can run a plethora of rolling stock - as ones layout is merely a segment of the 'outside world'. Narrow gauge railroads, on the other hand, do not (usually) connect to any other road. This means that the modeler will tend to run only one railroad's marque (his own in many cases).
Secondly the number of car types is quite limited...when compared to standard gauge. With a few exceptions, rolling stock is limited to the most basic AAR Classification Codes. Again, a limitation on the number/variety of new products.
Lastly, On30 seems to remain the perview of the craftsman ('flip through an issue of the On30 Annual). Yes, Bachmann locomotives and rolling stock are well represented...albeit kitbashed and detailed. I, myself, intend to build all my rolling stock from craftsman kits and will detail my Bachmann Davenport. I am not suggesting that On30 is only for the experienced craftsman...there is plenty of room for everyone.
I guess what I am trying to point out is that the market isn't anywhere as large as HO...and never will be. While others would love to see more in the way of larger steam/diesel locomotives; I would like to see more 'critters'. [Mr. Bach Man, since the demise of your excellent Davenport...could we possibly consider production of a Plymouth WDT?] We all have our 'wish lists' don't we? Bachmann (and others) are trying their best to make a profit is a very difficult market.
Respectfully,
Ray
How about a 45ton critter like the one in Fn3 that has fly cranks.
Royce
The 8-18c/d 4-4-0/2-6-0 still sounds like a nice idea.
Rock On!
~Dusten
Quote from: Dusten Barefoot on January 11, 2013, 08:27:54 PM
The 8-18c/d 4-4-0/2-6-0 still sounds like a nice idea.
Rock On!
~Dusten
agreed.
logging and mainline rrs ran them and they ran from the 1870s to the 1940s, with modifications. Everyone should be able to justify one of them on their layout.
Quote from: Skarloey Railway on January 13, 2013, 08:15:22 AM
Quote from: Dusten Barefoot on January 11, 2013, 08:27:54 PM
The 8-18c/d 4-4-0/2-6-0 still sounds like a nice idea.
Rock On!
~Dusten
agreed.
logging and mainline rrs ran them and they ran from the 1870s to the 1940s, with modifications. Everyone should be able to justify one of them on their layout.
Not if you regard your line as 30 inch gauge, nothing very close to the 8-18c/d seems to have run on a 30 inch gauge line anywhere in the world. Bachman's existing OF ON30 4-4-0's a typical 30 inch gauge 4-4-0.
This highlights the problem for Bachmann in choosing prototypes for On30, On30 modellers are very diverse, modelling 3 foot, 30 inch and 2 foot gauge lines (and probably others) as well as different types of layouts. No single model will suit everyone.
Hamish
Quote from: Hamish K on January 13, 2013, 08:49:08 AM
Quote from: Skarloey Railway on January 13, 2013, 08:15:22 AM
Quote from: Dusten Barefoot on January 11, 2013, 08:27:54 PM
The 8-18c/d 4-4-0/2-6-0 still sounds like a nice idea.
Rock On!
~Dusten
agreed.
logging and mainline rrs ran them and they ran from the 1870s to the 1940s, with modifications. Everyone should be able to justify one of them on their layout.
Not if you regard your line as 30 inch gauge, nothing very close to the 8-18c/d seems to have run on a 30 inch gauge line anywhere in the world. Bachman's existing OF ON30 4-4-0's a typical 30 inch gauge 4-4-0.
Hamish
how about this then: the 8-18c/d 4-4-0/2-6-0 would fit in on the
VAST majority
North American narrow gauge railroads between the 1870's and 1940's?...and I suspect that this being the Bachmann USA website most modelers here fall into that category
nothing against those that want quirky/funky/dinky/odd On30 loco's, but how about something for those of use that want common/standard locos?...maybe even something else ran in Colorado :o
I agree with Mike. My vote would be for this 2-8-0 that operated on the Death Valley Railroad.
http://www.virtualtransportationmuseum.com/gallery2/v/mining/nonmetalic/borax/HOLG-10.jpg.html
Travis Handschug
Tempe AZ.
Porter made catalog small locomotives in various wheel arangements and with tenders also and in any gauge you wanted to include 30" .Think of the 2-6-0 Porter mogul it would be about the same size as the Bachmann IF 4-4-0.
Royce
I expect that On30 does have a brighter future than some scales. The guys who thought up the line did come up with an agreeable size that does fit non-rail things like Department 56 Christmas villages and some dollhouse/miniaturist activities.
I suspect that a lot of future On30 activity might be more international than US or Canadian. IMO, British and European narrow-gaugers have not been well-served, and I wouldn't be surprised if Bachmann might come out with stuff for the German and Austrian narrow gauge markets, and also for the sorts of locomotives built for the former British and former French empires' colonies.
Maerklin and Fleischmann didn't do much for the potential German/Austrian/whatever narrow gauge market, and I suspect that the doors might still be open for a lower-cost line of locomotives and rolling stock by somebody else.
If Bachmann were to produce a 1:43 scale (ie, British O scale) Baldwin 4-6-0 as produced for WW1, they'd just about sell one to every On30 modeller in the UK. Whether that would be enough sales for them is another matter.
Everyone has a layout that they would like to build; but for various reasons cannot or will not. For me it is Graham Lightfoot's Engelsdorf Rangierbahnhof featured in the March 2012 issue of Continental Modeller. One of the most interesting aspects of this plan is its dual-gauge design (ie. HO & HOe).
The other day I was looking over the plan and began wondering why there aren't any dual gauge track components available for O & On30. True, one can handlay their track for the desired results. Unfortunately many of us have neither the: ability, desire, or time to do so.
Why is Tillig one of the few manufacturers who offer dual-gauge track components (HO & HOe)...wouldn't this add yet another component to the On30 'scheme'? One could model the interchange between narrow gauge and standard gauge. What are your thoughts?
Regards,
Ray
When dual gauge O/On30 has been raised in the past people have objected that the near dead centre third rail would make it look like 3 rail O gauge track (Lionel etc) and thus have regarded it as unacceptable, at least where the layout is representing 3 foot narrow gauge. Prototype dual gauge standard/30 inch or 750mm gauge track does look a lot like 3 rail O gauge track, so this is not a problem if a 30 inch or 750mm gauge line is being represented. However sales of such track are likely to be limited in the USA, where representing 3 foot narrow gauge is quite common.(although 30 inch and 2 foot gauge lines are also modelled using On30).
Commercial dual O/On30 track would probably need to come from Europe, but currently there is very little ready to run in Oe or O16.5 (the European and British versions respectively) since the demise of the Fleischmann Magic train line. So the demand for dual gauge track would not be high. I would have thought there was scope for Bachmann's European branches to make O scale narrow gauge locos and rolling stock, but so far they have shown little interest, despite Bachmann On30 selling quite well in Britain and Europe.
Hamish
I suspect you are right Hamish...there is probably too small a market for dual-gauge to make it worthwhile producing. I never gave a thought to dual gauge (O/On30) as being 'Lionel-like'; but you again make a good point (HO, the gauge of On30, would be half the distance between the rails of O gauge track).
I was looking for a way of having standard gauge interact with narrow gauge. I believe there was a railway, in Canada, that had a facility which lifted up a standard gauge boxcar (for example); rolled the standard gauge trucks out of the way; replaced them with narrow gauge units and sent the car on its way down the narrow gauge line. The reverse operation was performed when the car was returned. [I'm not sure, but I think this operation was done on Prince Edward Island.] My thought was that this would make a very interesting theme for a standard/narrow gauge layout.
Thanks for the insight,
Ray
Quote from: CNE Runner on January 25, 2013, 09:42:58 AM
I was looking for a way of having standard gauge interact with narrow gauge. I believe there was a railway, in Canada, that had a facility which lifted up a standard gauge boxcar (for example); rolled the standard gauge trucks out of the way; replaced them with narrow gauge units and sent the car on its way down the narrow gauge line. The reverse operation was performed when the car was returned. [I'm not sure, but I think this operation was done on Prince Edward Island.] My thought was that this would make a very interesting theme for a standard/narrow gauge layout.
FWIW, I have read--somewhere--that this sort of operation was done in the U.S. in the mid-nineteenth century, when the Erie Railway (NYLE&W) was originally built to the enormous gauge of six feet (!). :o
You don't need to go to Canada to find a prototype for SG to NG car interchange. It existed at Mt. Union on the East Broad Top Railroad. A large timber structure was used to lift a car, one end at a time, and the trucks were replaced. I am not an EBT expert, but from what I have read, it was a fascinating operation.
See:
http://railfan.com/archive/rf_archive_winter75_ebt.php (http://railfan.com/archive/rf_archive_winter75_ebt.php)
for more information. Lots of other results on Google.
As to narrow gauge / standard trackage common trackage, I have put a couple of feet of 0n30 gauged rail on some 0 gauge track. As suggested above, it does look like 3 rail. I am not certain I will continue with that effort.
Otherwise, my 0 SG will be on one side of a freight transfer platform / freight house structure and the 0n30 will be on the other side. I also plan a large overhead lift structure for moving heavy stuff between two (different gauge) parallel tracks.
Happy (Dual Gauged) RRing,
Jerry
In the UK the Leek and Manifold Rly (30" gauge) used transporter wagons to move sg cars on its line. It's also quite common practise in Continental Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transporter_wagon