Hey Mr. Bachmann,

Any chance of the Doodlebug trailer cars becoming available for separate purchase (undecorated would be fine) for those who have the previous run of Doodlebugs that came only as single units? These would also be excellent for use in a commuter train behind the new 2-6-0's, 4-4-0's or 4-6-0's.

Bill in FL

Hello Everyone,

I just received this note from John Degnan via the Proto64 Yahoo Group. It looks like the improved, die cast version of the Sergent coupler in S scale is a go, finally. This is good news for On30 modelers as well, because a scale coupler in 1/64 will work out to a 3/4 size coupler in 1/48 scale. This coupler design is quite popular in HO scale because it has an accurate scale profile, doesn't use a visible spring on the knuckle, and is magnetically operated without the non-prototypical looking piece of curved  wire hanging below the coupler head.

Regards,
Bill in FL



QUOTE:

I believe the following e-mail that I just got from Frank Sergent will put to rest ALL fears that S scale may never see a new-and-improved S scale Sergent Engineering coupler!  It might do quite a bit to RAISE the anticipation level as well...
 

Hi John,

  The convention in Chattanooga sounds very interesting – especially since its only a 90 minute drive for me.

  I got a lot of good information from S scalers when you relayed my concerns about the SHS manufacturing issues. What was very interesting was that at least half seemed to be interested in narrow gauge (Sn3, On30, or On3). I think I'll miss the boat if I don't address their interest as well, so I think a Sharon coupler would be a better choice than a type E coupler. The Sharon coupler would be accurate for most narrow gauge as well as steam era standard gauge, but not so much for modern equipment. If the Sharon turns out to be a success, I can do the type E later. Anyway, that's what I'm thinking right now.

  The August date for the convention will be difficult. My toolmaker is very busy right now as I'm moving some of the HO stuff from investment cast to diecast. The investment cast stuff is a real pain to manufacture so I'm looking at diecast for the S scale coupler as well.

  I'm curious what your plans are for your box design. I'm not crazy about doing a injection molded box for the S scale coupler, but I think I'll probably be pushed in that direction – unless of course that is something you want to take on. I am looking at doing a tool with swappable inserts to create different style shanks.

  That's pretty much where I am...

  Thanks,

  Frank


So there you go, folks!  We are definitely getting a new S scale Sergent coupler... TWO new couplers, in fact, if we play our cards right!

Looks like my new draft gear box will become a reality as well.  More news on the RE-development of this coming soon.


John Degnan
Scaler164@comcast.net


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

END QUOTE

Did I imagine this, or is it possibly true? I seem to recall reading somewhere that the new Bachmann locos available with Sound Value sound decoders or in DCC-ready configuration all have come with speakers installed. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me given the fact that speakers cost money, and given the fact that the price on all versions of these locos is pretty low. Is there anyone out there who has a DCC-Ready version of these locos and can confirm or deny this? I know of at least one other company whose non-sound locos came with a speaker installed, but it's certainly not the norm. Also, do any of the Tsunami (or other brands like ESU's Lok-sound or QSI's Titan) sound units come with the DCC plug so that all you need to do is plug it into a DCC-ready unit and then connect the speaker separately (not quite plug & play, but close)?

Bill in FL

Has anyone here looked at the HO Alco 2-6-0 with an eye towards converting it to On30, or is it too small to be believable? I read on one of the lists that it's drivers are 5/8" diameter which would be a scale 30". Seems like it might make a good stablemate for the I.F. 4-4-0 which is also pretty small.

Bill in FL

Hi Mr. Bach-man,

The information I have been able to find states that it refers to rules requiring the dimming of the headlight in certain situations. My new Bachmann HO Alco S4 switcher's documentation states that it has "Rule 17 Lighting", and that function key 7 controls the dimming. When that function key is activated, I can see no difference in the brightness of the headlight in either direction. I do notice also that the front light stays on when the unit runs in either direction, while the rear light only comes on in reverse, which I think is better than having the headlight go completely dark in reverse, but I would like it to dim rather than stay at full brightness. Is there a separate control to adjust the voltage for the dimmed setting on the Sound Value Decoder, or was this a feature that was left off, like the brake squeal? I have already discovered that this unit has no automatic brake squeal upon deceleration, and after I asked why it needed function 196 (Brake squeal sensitivity) as was indicated on the CV list, the notation about that function was quietly removed from the list, but there was no answer to my question posted.

Thanks,
Bill in FL

Hello Mr. Bach-man,

I just ordered a new Bachmann S4 with factory installed Tsunami sound, and while I'm waiting for the postman, I have begun to wonder if the sound file that comes with it will be for the correct Alco 539 Turbocharged 6 cylinder diesel engine, a generic diesel noise, or an incorrect Alco 12 or 16 cylinder engine. I ask this because Soundtraxx doesn't list the correct 6 cylinder engine on their website as being available. The S4 supposedly used the same Prime Mover as the RS1, a turbocharged six cylinder diesel with a monstrous displacement of 1595 cubic inches per cylinder!

Thanks,
Bill in FL

This note from Ray at The Favorite Spot was found over on the Texas Outlaws On30 group, posted on Dec. 6:

--- In TexasOutLawsOn30@yahoogroups.com, "raycozzatfs" <favorite.spot@...> wrote:
>
> Sadly, the On30 Stearns Heisler (#'s 28801-28806)will not be available until 2012 due to a production related issue.
> Thank you!
> Ray
>
> --- In TexasOutLawsOn30@yahoogroups.com, "raycozzatfs" <favorite.spot@> wrote:
> >
> > The latest release date that I received on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving from the factory for the Bachmann Heisler is "mid-December".
> > Thank you!
> > Ray
> >

Since everything in China shuts down for extended time to observe Chinese New Years, and Bachmann also usually closes here for inventory during most of January this is bad news for Heisler fans. Lets hope they get here before any major price increases are announced (which also usually occurs in January.

Bill in FL

Dear Mr. Bach-man,

I saw a post on another group yesterday, stating that the new O/On30 log skidders were available but quickly sold out at the NNGC in Hickory, NC last week. The last I heard, I thought they weren't due until November. Since I don't see them listed yet at Walthers or TFS, I'm now wondering if the Convention supply may have just been a few advanced pre-production samples, or have they actually arrived ahead of schedule? If it's the latter, it's certainly a case for the record books! Can you clarify?

Bill in FL

Mr. Bach-Man,

I have looked on both the Bachmann and Soundtraxx websites and it doesn't clearly state whether the sound version will also run on DC, and if so, what limited sound functions it may have. I know the DCC-Onboard version will also run on DC, but what about the sound equipped versions?

Bill in FL

For what it's worth, Walthers online shows the unlettered 0-4-0 Porter (sku # 28098) and the Greenbriar 0-4-2 (sku #28257), both DCC-no sound, as being in stock today (08-17-2011), with all others still listed as unknown delivery dates. No word yet from the Favorite Spot...

Bill in FL

Did anyone attending the NTS in Sacremento notice whether Bachmann had any advance models of the new On30 Porters with sound operating on their display layout? I'm curious to see how they ran in comparison with the older versions, and what the sound was like. I realize that a convention or train show is not the best place to evaluate the sound system because of all the surrounding noise, but if it could be heard at all under such conditions, it would be a good sign.

Bill in FL

Hi Mr. Bachmann,

Especially now that Bachmann has released some of it's N scale locos with the new operating knuckle magnetic couplers, one issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible is making those couplers available separately for converting items that are still only available with the older Rapido or Dummy Knuckle type couplers. Making body mount draft gear boxes for these couplers available at the same time would be very helpful to those of us that don't want to run only unit trains (dependent on which couplers the cars have) on our N scale layouts. because Bachmann's new coupler is slightly larger than the existing MTL couplers, they might also appeal to the HOn3 guys as well if they come with draft gear that can be screwed onto the cars under-body. Because of variations in design and size, it's also usually better to stay with the same brand of coupler on all of your equipment if you can, so there should be an adequate market for separate couple sales.

Thanks,
Bill

Mr. Bachmann,

Since the deadlines have come and gone for all previous ETA's on the updated On30 Porters, has there been any news on when we might actually see them? Last estimate was April (2011?) and we are now into May...

Thanks,
Bill in FL

I just had a chance finally to run my new 2-6-6-2 with sound that I purchased last summer, and I must say that it is a sweet running little locomotive. Our On30 module club had set up for a train show this past weekend, and while my Forney had some issues with derailments and couplers due to some slight misalignment between some of the modules, the little articulated ran right through the same spots without any problems. I guess the Forney is not the best choice for running on modules unless all of the members are very careful about their track work and how well they level and align their modules at a meet (but the Forney is still my personal favorite loco). I used to say that the O.F. 2-8-0 was probably Bachmann's best operating On30 loco, but after running the 2-6-6-2, I think it may be a toss up between the two for best runner.

I really love the sound of the brakes squealing when the loco slows down, even though a train show is usually too noisy to really appreciate the Tsunami sound.

Regards,
Bill

Since some of the new N Scale items are now in country (haven't seen any in So. FL yet!), I'm sure I'm not the only one who is anxious to hear feedback from about how the new Geeps, Peter Witt trolley, and the GE 70 ton diesels perform on a layout using both DC and DCC. I guess we'll have to wait 'til March to hear about the 4-6-0's.

Thanks,
Bill
Oakland Park, FL

Hi Mr. Bach-Man,

It's all but impossible to tell from the posted photos on the web what the color difference is between 'Oxide Brown' and 'Oxide Red' as used on the side door cabooses, and my LHS doesn't have them all on display, either. I already have the SR&RL lettered version, and I'm considering getting a second, unlettered version, but I need to know which base color the SR&RL one is, 'Oxide Red', 'Oxide Brown', or some other shade altogether? The pictures available on the web of the restored prototype Maine two footer cabooses definitely seem to be a much brighter shade of red than the Bachmann SR&RL model, perhaps closer to the bright red unlettered version.

Thanks,
Bill

A friend just returned from the big E show in Springfield, MA. and said there was a nice group of Bachmann On30 cars on display there. He's an HO scaler, and is not involved in On30 (other than to hear me talk about it), so he wasn't sure if there was anything new at this show, or if the cars on display were simply showing off what's already available in On30. Did anyone from this group happen to see this display, and notice if there were any new items or paint schemes?

Regards,
Bill 

Now that the 4-6-0's are available, how long will it be before some ET&WNC rolling stock is made available? Just lettering up some of the existing freight and passenger cars would be welcome even if they are not exact prototypes (especially if Bachmann could break away from the black roof on box cars), but what I'd really like to see is the release of  the Tweetsie TOFC Piggy-back cars with period trailers as were done by Bachmann a few years ago in their "G" line (easy there, Dusten!). If I remember correctly, the G pieces were well done and had good proportions, so the R&D should already be there. These could be like the potato chips, you couldn't have just one! How about it Mr. Bachmann, can you put the bug in Lee Riley's ear?

Also, a few years back, I heard that a side dump gondola based on the current hi-side gondola body was in the works, will this be seen any time soon?

Regards,
Bill
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Hi Mr. Bachmann,

I need to know if there is any difference in the molded components of the five On30 camp cars (item #26994, 26995, 26996, 26997, & 26998). From the pictures I have seen, they all look pretty much the same, except possibly the dining car which has 4 side windows (but I'm not sure this picture isn't just the backside view of the same body as the others). From the fact that the first three digits of the sku numbers are all the same, it would seem that they are all the same body style, with the differences being in the signage and paint. It's hard to tell for sure though, because the pictures are small.

Regards,
Bill Nielsen
Florida On30 Renegades

Mr Bachmann,

I looked on the Bachmann site for the Spectrum 0-6-0T w/DCC Onboard that was announced in the 2009 catalog and I don't see it. I also couldn't find it on the Walthers site using a search for 0-6-0 and 0-6-0T under mfr #160 (Bachmann). Has the production of this loco been quietly from the 2009 lineup due to the ongoing economic downturn or some other reason?

Bill