Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => On30 => Topic started by: PadreCraig on July 25, 2013, 05:06:56 PM

Title: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: PadreCraig on July 25, 2013, 05:06:56 PM
 :-\ The news released today regarding Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement shows only a Whitcomb 50-ton, Center Cab DIESEL in On30. No steam engines!!!! - no Coloradio Narrow Gauge!!! - especially disappointing - no RGS #74!!!!!!!  I guess that the company that gave us On30 scale has abandoned us for "Thomas the Train" and "Chuggington" Toys.  I expected the HO guys would get most of the attention - but come on Bachmann - throw us a bone we can get excited about.  Can't tell you how disappointed I am in Bachmann at the moment.  It's a sad day in Mudville.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Royce Wilson on July 25, 2013, 05:20:19 PM
Padre,I am hoping that the HO Porter 0-6-0T that Bachmann has announced is bashable to On30 as a small porter,National;ect.On the HO board they don't seem too excited about it.

Royce
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Bucksco on July 25, 2013, 05:55:00 PM
Guess you can't please all of the people all of the time..... ::)
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Royce Wilson on July 25, 2013, 07:44:58 PM
Yardmaster,That 45 ton diesel looks nice even though I will not buy one because I model the 1880's..I can see where it will be pouplar and I think it is probably just the thing to attract new and younger modelers. ;D

Royce
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: railtwister on July 25, 2013, 09:45:15 PM
I was happy to see the new Whitcomb On30 loco at Bachmann's booth in Atlanta, it looks like it will be a good addition to the line, though it seems rather large. I have been hoping for several years now for some freight cars in some new road names like SR&RL to compliment the Forneys (which remains my favorite On30 loco), as well as an upgrade for the Mogul that would include all wheel (loco & tender) pickup, plus DCC & sound. I guess I'll just have to keep on hoping...

Bill in FtL
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: ksivils on July 26, 2013, 01:38:41 AM
I think the Whitcomb is a great addition to the On30 line! It is precisely the kind of locomotive common carrier narrow gauges would have purchased if they had survived into the 1950s and 60s.

It is also a typical industrial line type of motive power. Great for modelers who want to model an industry and its physical plant. It will look good in front of a string of the On30 steel hoppers!

Rather than naysay, I think this broadens the scope for On30!

Thanks for adding a big locomotive that is "modern."

I do sympathize with Royce about an 1880 locomotive that could be modernized by kitbashing, but there's always hope!
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: oljonb on July 26, 2013, 03:27:59 PM
When one considers the cost of developing new models and the fact Bachmann produces them in four different scales and for both steam and diesel periods, I suspect trying to keep everybody happy is a significant challenge. There is part of me that is thankful for all they have done so far. I LOVE my On30's with sound.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Royce Wilson on July 26, 2013, 08:16:13 PM
This 45 ton Whitcomb has so much potential for modeling.The engine was manufactued during WW2 and would be a perfect war engine for any of the failing narrow gauges railroads.I can't wait to see one letterwed for the EBT or the RGS and the Rio Grande even looked into these.

Royce
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Mister Lee on July 28, 2013, 09:57:33 AM
I may sound like a contrarian here, but I'm rather pleased with Bachmann's announcing a new 45-tonner. The 50-tonner is perfect for my model railroad's era (World War II).  It's also the right size--not too big, not too small, and breaks away from the Oh-dear-another-44-tonner trope that bothers our O scale brethren modeling a slightly-wider narrow gauge (I expect there'll be a flurry of articles about how to widen the wheel-spacings).

My quibble with the announcement is that I'd like mine unlettered and painted black with silver ends (a la Southern Pacific), but it's a minor one.

My sympathies to those hoping for a DB&W/C&S/RGS 2-8-0 or a three-axle Porter; maybe they'll luck out later.

Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Royce Wilson on July 28, 2013, 03:03:49 PM
I think the Southern Pacific had a lot of success with their deisel number 1(little giant) you could easily justify this as number 2. The war years is a grat era to model the only mistake most modelers make is they leave out the horses and mules.

Royce
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Stevelewis on July 29, 2013, 02:15:10 PM
I too support  the  new  diesel  100%  I may  buy 2!!

It  should  be  pointed  out  that  as  well as  all Bachmann's   investment  in USA  trains in several scalesThey do an extremely large  range  in  UK  00  and  N  gauge  ( this  years  00 catalogue  is  198 pages  and  the  N gaue  one  is around  160 pages).

The  devlopment  of  new  UK outline is  really  good with  several  new  items  in  the 'pipeline'

Bachmann  should be  praised  for  the  investment  they  make in our  collective  hobby
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Skarloey Railway on July 29, 2013, 04:46:46 PM
Yes, that has me thinking. If anything, in terms of new ready-to-run products, the UK scene seems healthier than the US  scene. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/69149-bachmann-announcements-20134/ shows 4 new steam locos and 2 new diesels plus an inspection trolley and the upgrade of an old model with a new chassis in OO, which is the UK equivalent to HO.

I'd have assumed the UK market is smaller so why this should be is a puzzle.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Bucksco on July 29, 2013, 04:54:23 PM
The U.K is not producing as many scales as Bachmann U.S. If you count up all the new locos in N, HO, On30, 3 rail O and Large Scale you will get an idea of how much new product is actually being produced. Don't worry - the sky isn't falling ::)
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Royce Wilson on July 29, 2013, 06:56:09 PM
That British Wickham trolley looks very nice and would make a nice speeder on our On30 with very minor modification.

Royce
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Hamish K on July 29, 2013, 08:50:07 PM
As I have posted on other threads, in the current circumstances one new On30 locomotive a year is all that can be reasonably expected. This years offering is not to my taste, but that's life.  However in recent years there has usually also been an item or two of rolling stock, so I do consider the new items to be a bit light on.

I am still hoping for an excursion car!

Is the reason that there were no new rolling stock items announced this year that Bachmann are having trouble keeping up with the demand for the 18 foot cars announced last year, so have deferred further new items in order to meet the demand for the 18 foot cars?

Hamish
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Bucksco on July 29, 2013, 09:01:26 PM
Perhaps if the On30 demographic grows a bit there will be more new products next year.....
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: GG1onFordsDTandI on July 31, 2013, 07:44:49 PM
Took me a while to even find it  http://www.bachmanntrains.net/Catalogs/2013/NMRA_2013.pdf
Not my first choice, even for a diesel but better than nothing! 
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: on30vince on August 11, 2013, 07:49:25 AM
I;m with you on the RGS #74 ridgeway spark arrester buttyerfly snow plow and all, would die for !Vince
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Dusten Barefoot on August 11, 2013, 10:38:17 AM
I'm very disappointing there was no 8-18c 4-4-0 but I'm not complaining lol, but then again. I've gone to computer modeling.

Rock On!
Take Care
~Dusten

"Please disregard my comment above. I am now reading over it, and it sounds a little rude. I was actually trying to humors. I guess I was still lacking my coffee this morning."
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: SHABBONA_RR on August 26, 2013, 10:35:40 AM
Also, still no S scale 4-4-0 - Ah, well, there's always hope. I think S is the only scale Bachmann doesn't offer anything in, yet.

SHABBONA RR
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: PadreCraig on September 05, 2013, 11:48:32 PM
Yard Master - How can the On30 demographic grow if Bachmann doesn't drive the demand?  Who else is producing On30 trains?  If Bachmann doesn't produce it, where does that leave the On30 community?  You guys started strong and created the "On30 phenomenon" for all intents and purposes.  And then you all but abandon us who converted to On30 and began buying your products.  So where does that leave us now?
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: 2foot6 on September 06, 2013, 05:38:29 AM
Shabbona,here in Australia there appears to be very little interest in S guage,is there much interest these days in America? I don't hear much about it. I think it would be an interesting scale to model providing there is rolling stock available  cheers Peter.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Bucksco on September 06, 2013, 08:22:59 AM
Quote from: PadreCraig on September 05, 2013, 11:48:32 PM
Yard Master - How can the On30 demographic grow if Bachmann doesn't drive the demand?  Who else is producing On30 trains?  If Bachmann doesn't produce it, where does that leave the On30 community?  You guys started strong and created the "On30 phenomenon" for all intents and purposes.  And then you all but abandon us who converted to On30 and began buying your products.  So where does that leave us now?

When did Bachmann abandon the On30 market...did I miss something. Bachmann has produced many new On30 items over the last few years.There is plenty of product available out there for folks who are just starting out. All of the items that you guys consider old are brand new to the novice. Unfortunately the model railroad industry tends to be "New Product" driven. In other words we are not seeing new modelers just the demand for new items every year from a core group of enthusiasts that is getting smaller. We all need to make an effort to introduce the scale to new potential enthusiasts so that Bachmann can justify the investment in new items.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Skarloey Railway on September 06, 2013, 03:26:21 PM
Quote from: Yardmaster on September 06, 2013, 08:22:59 AM
Quote from: PadreCraig on September 05, 2013, 11:48:32 PM
Yard Master - How can the On30 demographic grow if Bachmann doesn't drive the demand?  Who else is producing On30 trains?  If Bachmann doesn't produce it, where does that leave the On30 community?  You guys started strong and created the "On30 phenomenon" for all intents and purposes.  And then you all but abandon us who converted to On30 and began buying your products.  So where does that leave us now?

When did Bachmann abandon the On30 market...did I miss something. Bachmann has produced many new On30 items over the last few years.There is plenty of product available out there for folks who are just starting out. All of the items that you guys consider old are brand new to the novice. Unfortunately the model railroad industry tends to be "New Product" driven. In other words we are not seeing new modelers just the demand for new items every year from a core group of enthusiasts that is getting smaller. We all need to make an effort to introduce the scale to new potential enthusiasts so that Bachmann can justify the investment in new items.


I agree with you and certainly do not feel that Bachmann are 'giving up' on ON30. Indeed, as we've recently had two mallets and are now being offered a NG diesel it seems silly to suggest that they are.
But ON30, along with all the narrow-gauge scales, has a problem reaching the new modeller that O, HO, and N do not have - namely that narrow-gauge isn't familiar to the average person. No one can be unfamiliar with railroads or railways, albeit what they'll see is almost always modern-era equipment and operations. It follows that if you have a RR operating in your town it might spur an interest in modelling but if you''re a young person you'll likely want to model whatever you see running now or if you're an older person you'll likely want to model what you saw when you were a child.

What you're rather less likely to do is leap from having an 'entry-level' interest in modelling railroads to choosing to follow an obscure prototype (and all NG railroads are obscure!) that had mostly disappeared before 1945. 

I suggest that On30 in particular needs to be marketed at existing RR modellers who wish to downsize to something that is potentially more compact than standard gauge in HO or N while up-scaling to accommodate ageing eyesight. I'd also see merit in focusing more on surviving NG engines and stock simply because an engine still operating or preserved intact must be familiar to a far greater number of people than something long gone for scrap.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: TimR on September 06, 2013, 11:10:04 PM
"I'd also see merit in focusing more on surviving NG engines and stock simply because an engine still operating or preserved intact must be familiar to a far greater number of people than something long gone for scrap."

Such as the K-28 and K-36 examples being used on the Durango & Silverton. Add in some of their passenger cars to that [shameless] wish list. I would buy several of each of those in On30 if Bachmann made them available.  :)
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Joe Satnik on September 07, 2013, 10:19:12 AM
My $0.02

They should think of making the larger locos semi-scale (e.g., to Harold Minke's 1:55) so as not to be awkwardly over-wide compared to the track gauge.

If they must stick to 1:48 scale, then they should make the chassis easily convertible to On3. 

Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Royce Wilson on September 10, 2013, 03:26:20 PM
When will the new diesel be ready for purchase?

Royce
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Bucksco on September 10, 2013, 04:57:09 PM
Soon.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Stevelewis on September 11, 2013, 02:44:00 PM
Quote from: Yardmaster on September 10, 2013, 04:57:09 PM
Soon.

We wait  over  here  with  bated  breath!

I wonder  if  we  will get  stocks here  first  as  we  did  with   the  2-4-4-2?
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Skarloey Railway on September 11, 2013, 06:31:31 PM
Quote from: Stevelewis on September 11, 2013, 02:44:00 PM
Quote from: Yardmaster on September 10, 2013, 04:57:09 PM
Soon.

We wait  over  here  with  baited  breath!

I wonder  if  we  will get  stocks here  first  as  we  did  with   the  2-4-4-2?

It's 'bated breath'.
Unless you're fishing, in which case best of luck. ;D
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: ryeguyisme on September 16, 2013, 08:43:45 AM
Quote from: TimR on September 06, 2013, 11:10:04 PM
"I'd also see merit in focusing more on surviving NG engines and stock simply because an engine still operating or preserved intact must be familiar to a far greater number of people than something long gone for scrap."

Such as the K-28 and K-36 examples being used on the Durango & Silverton. Add in some of their passenger cars to that [shameless] wish list. I would buy several of each of those in On30 if Bachmann made them available.  :)

I would love for a K-36 or two, even a K-27 would have gotten me into On30 but I'm still not enthusiastic enough to dive into On30 with the lack of such engines. The fact that Bachmann hasn't at least produced a C-18 or K-27 in On30 yet is mind-boggling.  There were a lot of people talking in great numbers about how Bachmann should produce a K-27 at least and it's like your design team has all the specifications from when you made the engine in 1:20.3 so it shouldn't be all that hard.

I'm hoping it's just you ran into design errors and you're trying to fix them so we have a better product ;D
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Joe Satnik on September 16, 2013, 11:31:52 AM
Isn't 'baited breath' what you get when you eat sushi?
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: SHABBONA_RR on September 20, 2013, 12:37:43 PM
Quote from: 2foot6 on September 06, 2013, 05:38:29 AM
Shabbona,here in Australia there appears to be very little interest in S guage,is there much interest these days in America? I don't hear much about it. I think it would be an interesting scale to model providing there is rolling stock available  cheers Peter.

Peter:
S has quite a following in the U.S. Old time rolling stock is easy to come by via Bachmann's On30 line. There was probably more of a following in S than there was in 0n30 when you consider that Bachmann had to invent it then develop a market for it. I just keep thinking what I could do with an S scale JUPITOR old time 4-4-0. I'd enclose a photo of a boxcar I temporarily converted with S scale trucks, but I haven't figured out how to enclose a photo.

SHABBONA RR
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: SHABBONA_RR on September 20, 2013, 01:02:24 PM
Quote from: SHABBONA_RR on September 20, 2013, 12:37:43 PM
Quote from: 2foot6 on September 06, 2013, 05:38:29 AM
Shabbona,here in Australia there appears to be very little interest in S guage,is there much interest these days in America? I don't hear much about it. I think it would be an interesting scale to model providing there is rolling stock available  cheers Peter.

Peter:
S has quite a following in the U.S. Old time rolling stock is easy to come by via Bachmann's On30 line. There was probably more of a following in S than there was in 0n30 when you consider that Bachmann had to invent it then develop a market for it. I just keep thinking what I could do with an S scale JUPITOR old time 4-4-0. I'd enclose a photo of a boxcar I temporarily converted with S scale trucks, but I haven't figured out how to enclose a photo.

SHABBONA RR

Peter, Also Mr. Bachmann if he is here.

I have a COLORADO & SOUTHERN 2-6-0 that I bought last summer. It is a beautiful litttle engine, and I considered using it for an Sn42 layout. However, it is a little large for that, but a simple re-gauging would put it right on target as an S scale standard gauge locomotive. Any chance of seeing something like that in an S scale format?

SHABBONA RR
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: GG1onFordsDTandI on September 20, 2013, 02:17:04 PM
Quote from: SHABBONA_RR on September 20, 2013, 12:37:43 PM
but I haven't figured out how to enclose a photo.

SHABBONA RR

You cant upload photos directly to this site. If you use an online photo service like Photobucket (free), you upload your picture to your account, then look for link options. You want to click IMG file to get it copied, then paste it into the text of your post. Its really very simple.
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Mister Lee on September 22, 2013, 10:41:29 AM
All valid points.

My two cents is that On30 is a fine gauge and scale for people who want a certain level of realism and detail, whose eyesight perhaps isn't the best, but who know they lack the wide-open spaces needed for full-dress O or HO standard gauge or even On3.

I like the idea of big engines myself, but after seeing MMI's impressive K-28s and K-36s, I've been forced to conclude that those engines are too big for many On30 guys' layouts. Even many of the Mexican and Central American 36 inch gauge prototype engines are too large for many of our curves. I'm hopeful about the Unidos de Yucatan's 4-6-0s or a T-12 but I'm not that optimistic (I do like the idea of #74).

The trouble with US-outline narrow gauge rolling stock is that it isn't as varied as the stuff on the broad gauge, and some of the interesting stuff that hasn't been made yet might not appeal to American and European modelers. I might be interested in banana cars and double-truck sugar cane cars like the Cubans were running up to a couple of years ago, but I don't know how many other folks are.

I don't have any magic nostrums. I do know that Bachmann tries harder than the folks who made and marketed the "magic trains." I do hope that Bachmann's On30 line stays profitable and stays in production.

--E. Lee DeGolyer

Quote from: Yardmaster on September 06, 2013, 08:22:59 AM
Quote from: PadreCraig on September 05, 2013, 11:48:32 PM
Yard Master - How can the On30 demographic grow if Bachmann doesn't drive the demand?  Who else is producing On30 trains?  If Bachmann doesn't produce it, where does that leave the On30 community?  You guys started strong and created the "On30 phenomenon" for all intents and purposes.  And then you all but abandon us who converted to On30 and began buying your products.  So where does that leave us now?

When did Bachmann abandon the On30 market...did I miss something. Bachmann has produced many new On30 items over the last few years.There is plenty of product available out there for folks who are just starting out. All of the items that you guys consider old are brand new to the novice. Unfortunately the model railroad industry tends to be "New Product" driven. In other words we are not seeing new modelers just the demand for new items every year from a core group of enthusiasts that is getting smaller. We all need to make an effort to introduce the scale to new potential enthusiasts so that Bachmann can justify the investment in new items.

Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: ScottyB on October 05, 2013, 10:15:17 AM
As far as the new products - I'm mostly looking forward to the freight cars. Stock around the internet is wearing pretty thin, and I still need quite a few "full size" boxcars. I hope they start showing up soon. One thing I've learned in this scale is to stock up when it's available. I've waited a bit too long and have missed out on a few products in the past that I've wanted. Kudos to Bachmann to producing more - I am patiently waiting to see them on the virtual shelves!

As far as getting others involved in this scale - it's tough. Fortunately my 6 and 3 year old love my On30 stuff and have never wavered from the desire to work on our On30 layout. We tour a lot of home layouts but my six-year-old maintains that HO is "too small" and the cool steam engines we own in On30 are more fun to run.

Unfortunately, On30 is near invisible at every train show I go to. Trainfest (a great, great show) is coming up in Milwaukee next month, and Bachmann always has a strong presence, with their full On30 line on display. But that's it. There are little to no On30 products to be found at the floor retailers, no layouts, and really no information at the Bachmann booth as to what On30 exactly "is." (I like the phrase O scale trains at HO prices.)

So newcomers to the hobby really have no idea what On30 is. Heck, most seasoned model railroaders I know have never heard of On30 or can tell you what it is. ("It's on HO track? Well, then it's HO...")

To be honest, it makes me want to work extra hard on completing enough of my layout to be worthy of a layout tour, just for a bit of On30 exposure. Bigger than HO trains in a smaller than HO space! Amazing! It's the cure all for most people's lack of both keen eyesight and layout space!

Enough typing, it's cold and rainy, indicating the beginning of layout construction season. To the basement!

Scott
Title: Re: Bachmann's 2013 New Products Announcement
Post by: Mike_PRVR on October 10, 2013, 04:26:21 PM
Personally, I would love to see the Forneys reissued.