Scott

I guess if you are being really pedantic you could argue it was not a Mason as it was built by ALCO (Schenectady Works), but it is a Mason Fairlie or Mason Bogie type.

Mason acquired a licemce for the Fairlie articulated locomotives from Robert Fairlie and developed the Single Fairlie design into the locomotive we all know and love. Hence Mason Fairlie is the most accurate term, even if mason Bogie is the common term.

Hamish

Quote from: HOplasserem80c on February 26, 2007, 10:16:14 PM
Nice pic of a Mason boogie!!! 

A Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn RR Mason-Fairlie (AKA Mason-Bogie)  to be exact.

I don't have a picture ready, so I will pass on posting.

Hamish

The Disney loco is a minature replica based on a standard old time American 4-4-0. My guess is that the Bachmann set will use a repainted version of its exisiting old time 4-4-0 (NOT the more modern Richmond Septrum loco). Perhaps the Bachmann can confirm.

Bachmann's standard old time 4-4-0 is currently available in a number of paint schemes. They are reasonably accurate, although as they are Bachmann's standard series they are not highly detailed. You should be able to find one in most hobby stores to examine to see if it meets your needs.

Hamish

From the geared steam locomotive site
http://www.gearedsteam.com/heisler/heisler.htm
It seems that the largest 2 truck Heisler was about 65 tons and the largest 3 truck 90 tons (or a bit more). I don't know how this compares with the Rivarossi models.

Whether there is room fot two ready to run Heislaers is a matter for judgement - in particular Bachmann's or other makers. Bachmann has often seemed  reluctant to duplicate other makers steam locos. Geared locomotives are more niche products then say Mikados so this could cause them to hesitate. On the other hand a rather different model to Rivarossi's might sell, especially if re-introduction of the Rivarossi model is some time away - as seems likely. I don't know whether there is room for two Heislers or not - but I can see why Bachmann might hesitate.

Hamish.

Hornby International, who bought the Lima group including Rivarossi, are slowly re-introducing items form the former Lima companies. Only a few Rivarossi american items have so far been introduced, they seem to have beeen concentrating more on the european items. I expect that they will re-introduce the Heisler at some stage, but it has not been announced for 2007.

The point is, if I expect the Heisler to be re-made at some point, Bachmann and other makers probably are also expecting Rivarossi to re-introduce it. Thus Bachmann (or others) may well be reluctant to introduce a Heisler. Would there be room for two ready to run non brass models?

Hamish

Dear Bach Man

Are you able to give any indication as to when and where future policy announcements will be  made?

Will there be one set of announcements each quarter covering all scales or might spearate announcements be made for specific ranges, e.g announcements covering only Large Scale or ON30 items?

Will announcements always be made at shows? If separate announcements for different ranges are made, can we expect announcements at Large Scale and Garden Shows, or Narrow Gauge Shows and Conventions etc? I note that Bachmann do attend some specialist shows and conventions.

Just trying to get some idea of my anticipation timetabe.

Hamish

Thanks Bach Man for posting the list.

I assume that the Northern Lights Christmas set has the 2-6-0, is this correct? I wonder what on earth made Walthers describe it as a diesel?

Is the Greenbrier 0-4-2 DCC equipped?

Thanks

Hamish

Dear Bach Man

What happened to the open excursion cars that were announced last fall? Other items announced then have either appeared or were in the lists you have just posted.

Hamish

Mark

The only interstate USA train travel I have done was New York - Boston on the regional (not ACELA) service - it was a pleasant, if not particularly fast, journey along the Connecticut coast. On that experience I would certainly be willing to try AMTRAK again.

I don't know if your going to Canada - I also travelled by VIA rail between Montreal and Quebec City - again a good journey.

Hamish

On 3801

The loco is now with the New South Rail Transport Museum and will be operating excursions in 2007. See http://www.nswrtm.org/3801/. There was never any question of it not being preserved. The dispute is over who should operate it - I don't intend to take sides on that one.

Hamish

Thanks for posting

I like the Gator!

If only the Bach man could be persuaded to bring the layout to a show in Australia.

I agree, this needed to be posted both on the ON#) and Thomas forums.

Hamish

The 4-4-0 listed on the Walthers site as ON30 does appear, as Melinda posted, to be Large Scale. However the Northern Lights diesel set, at $305 retail, does seem to be ON30, as do the new roadnames for the 2-6-0 and 0-4-2t.

Hamish

As Melinda noticed, Walthers have put up a list of newly announced Bachmann items. Not much new for On30, a few new roadlnames for some rolling stock, and for the 2-6-0 (unlettered but in bumblebee livery) and the 0-4-2 (Greenbrier and Big Run Lumber).

No indication as to whether these locos are upgraded at all or simply new names, Bach Man can you enlighten?

The most intriguing listing is a new set "Spectrum Diesel On30 Northern Lights Limited" No indication as to what is in it or what the locomotive is - the Davenport? - but then that shouldn't be called a diesel. Bach Man, have you any information on this? I understand that if Walthers have jumped the gun you may not be able to comment on these announcements yet although I assume that they are in the catalogue that is being released.

Are there any further ON30 announcements to come in the near future? - I have not been expecting many major ON30 announcements at this stage as these items tend to appear at the end of the year and under my reading of the new announcements policy  they would not be announced yet.

Not anticipating just yet

Hamish .