Bachmann Online Forum

Hey folks.........just came back from visiting a new Hobby Shop here in town to check out their HO stuff........quite a bit...........anyway, I found these Bachmann HO cars they were selling for $3.99 each........in a Bachmann box  about 6 different styles.............box cars, cabooses, etc.   I took one out of the box and they seem pretty nice for the price.........not the detail of more expensive ones but nice for someone starting out or a youngster.

Knuckle couplers and appear to be all plastic.   

One other thing is that all of them had the same item no. on them reagardless of car style.    Item No. 76336 marked on the end ofthe box and also the style of car in it.

I bought one to bring it home and see how it runs.........anyone else seen these cheaper cars or have had any experience with them     I tried to look up the item no.  on the Bachmann site here but no record and no record of these cars in those listed on the site.

Wonder why Bachmann doesn't have them listed on the site here........maybe due to the price   I don't know.

Larry

A new store in town doesn't always mean they have current models in stock. There are probably thousands of old cars in distributor warehouses.

The newer Bachmann cars are "Silver Series", with EZMate Mark II couplers and metal wheels.  The factory close-outs have plastic wheels, but as you say, they are good for starters.  If you plan to run them a lot, suggest changing the wheelsets to metal.

I don't know why all the cars have the same number, that might be a generic lot  number for a distributor or factory close out.

One hobby shop (which I seldom patronize) has about 200 of the older Bachmann cars priced at $5.00 each, and not a single one of the new Silver Series.  The dealer also does not stock any Bachmann or Atlas locomotives, only Athearn at 10% higher than MSRP. (He adds his freight costs to all merchandise)

Could these be train set cars pulled from new sets?  Perhaps the hobby shop also sells on eBay or equivalent and breaks up sets for the locomotives and track.  That might explain them all having the same number.

I don't know about Larry's situation, the shop I referred to doesn't sell on ebay or the internet.  In fact, the owner constantly complains to his customers about the internet shops.

The odd thing is, he's had virtually the same inventory of old Bachmann cars for several years.  I inquired about the cars at one time, he just said "Oh, Bachmann stuff is junk, you don't want those."  I also noticed the boxes all had the same stock number, but I don't recall what it was.

Gee as you expand and buy say the more expensive highly detailed rolling stock, they are great for practicing weathering too. That's what I used, old tyco, ahm, bachmann stuff from the 50's to 70's. LOL they sometimes look better than the good stuff when all weathered up and with better trucks and couplers!

I know what you mean. Some of my friends keep giving me old cars they pick up at yard sales for practically nothing.  I enjoy fixing them up with Kadee couplers and new trucks with metal wheels.  I have so many older cars, I don't have any room or need for boxes full of new cars.

It's very satisfying to revive an old car and put it back into operation. I don't have to weather them, they are already beat up a little.  :D

I'll second Bob on his post. I frequently "haunt" train shows and look in the grubby junk boxes (usually under the tables) for older Bachmann, Pocher, AHM, IHC, Mantua, and Rivarossi 19th century rolling stock. Upon reaching home I transport these "gems-in-the-rough" to the car shop - where they are painted, distressed, weathered, have new couplers and/or coupler boxes installed, Kadee ribbed-back metal wheels,new brake staffs, and decals. What you end up with is a very decent model that stands up to all but the closest scrutiny. Let's face it folks...there ain't a lot out there for us 19th century modelers.

Bob also alludes to the other inherent problem: where does one store all these finds? Historically even the prototype roads had problems storing all their rolling stock at one time or another. It ain't easy; this business of railroadin'.

Ray

I did a quick inventory last night, on the layout there are 21 refurbished cars and only 4 new ones.

There is a handy buffet next to the layout with drawers, another 26 rebuilts with no boxes.  I have a special fondness for older boxcars with the walkway on the roof. Older tank cars with Talgo/horn-hook are a real challenge to upgrade.

Hey Larry, didn't mean to "pirate" your thread, but mention of cheap cars always gets my attention.  8)

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 18, 2009, 02:29:05 PM
I did a quick inventory last night, on the layout there are 21 refurbished cars and only 4 new ones.

There is a handy buffet next to the layout with drawers, another 26 rebuilts with no boxes.  I have a special fondness for older boxcars with the walkway on the roof. Older tank cars with Talgo/horn-hook are a real challenge to upgrade.

Bob: If I understand you correctly, you have something like 51 cars (of varying condition) in your collection. My wife would "dance on the roof" if that was my entire inventory! Therein lies another problem: when does one have enough rolling stock? I know, I know...never! But seriously, do I really need 250+ cars - many of which are confined to their boxes and never see a rail?

Ray

Ray,
That doesn't include another 100+ new cars and car sets still in boxes. Add to that another 25 or so kits never assembled, and I'm right behind you.

The buffet won't hold them all,  so about 40 of them are on the shelves in my office. A friend recently sent me ten 80 foot+ passenger cars, all needing major repairs.  They sure don't fit my layout, but what to do with them?

Oops, just remembered another drawer full of junk cars here in the office. This is getting ridiculous.  8)

Did you get my emails?

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 19, 2009, 04:11:22 PM
Ray,
That doesn't include another 100+ new cars and car sets still in boxes. Add to that another 25 or so kits never assembled, and I'm right behind you.

The buffet won't hold them all,  so about 40 of them are on the shelves in my office. A friend recently sent me ten 80 foot+ passenger cars, all needing major repairs.  They sure don't fit my layout, but what to do with them?

Oops, just remembered another drawer full of junk cars here in the office. This is getting ridiculous.  8)

Did you get my emails?

My "winter project" for this year was to go through the inventory of my collection with a goal of filling at least three computer paper boxes with rolling stock to be "deaccessioned." I've been slow getting started, but this week I've managed to fill one box. I'm not talking junk, here. That box includes four perfectly lovely Spectrum P.R.R. heavyweight passenger cars--wonderful models but just too long for the curves I can use in the space I have available, so they never get run. I've also got a Mantua P. & R. camelback Atlantic that I never run; she cost me a pretty penny brand new. The challenge will be to find a new home for this stuff, as I have neither the time nor the inclination to sell piece by piece on eBay.

Jeff,
"Deaccession"....."To remove and sell (a work of art) from a collection, in order to purchase other works of art".

In other words, you're gonna sell all the stuff you don't need, then you can buy a whole bunch of new stuff you don't need.  Yeah, I can relate to that.  :D

You gave me a good idea though.  Think I'll pack up some cars I don't use, but don't really want to sell.  That would "de-access" them, or "out of sight out of mind".   8)

Thanks

Dont fret about stealing my thread on this subject.........it was a job reading about all your experiences and lots of old cars and such.    I hope some day to be able and more skilled at changing wheels and couplers and such in the future.   Have done some car kits and learning on them.

You guys that have all those neat old rolling stock not being used..........how about being ambitious and putting them up on Ebay.,,,,,,,,and let the rest of us know. 

You know it would be neat to have a site here where members could maybe put up some of their stuff for sale........but don't think Bachmann would go for that idea.

Especially like these folks on ebay that make some neat dioramas and such for train layouts.........alot of them are incredably talented and imaginative in their models.

I envy them.

Regarding the cars having the same No.   I was wondering if they were cars split from train sets also...............didn't have the nerve to ask the folks in the hobby shop.    Most of them don't know diddly about trains and The "Train Man" who does usually never seems to be working on the days I go in.


Larry

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 19, 2009, 05:30:22 PM
Jeff,
"Deaccession"....."To remove and sell (a work of art) from a collection, in order to purchase other works of art".

In other words, you're gonna sell all the stuff you don't need, then you can buy a whole bunch of new stuff you don't need.  Yeah, I can relate to that.  :D

;D Well, "deaccession" sounds so much nicer than just to say I need to get rid of them. Plus, all this stock is in good shape. I've always taken good care of my toys.  ;D

QuoteYou gave me a good idea though.  Think I'll pack up some cars I don't use, but don't really want to sell.  That would "de-access" them, or "out of sight out of mind".   8)

Thanks

If I could just do that. ...  :-\  The thing is, I really need to find a new home for this equipment because I'm out of storage room.  :-\

My problem is having too much storage space so we never get rid of stuff.  The ceiling in my office is at 9', the top 2 feet is solid shelves around all 4 walls.

The hallway outside my office is a 12 foot wide walk through to the garage, and it's all storage boxes and extra closets. If we could sell all this stuff, I'd have a 12' X 12' room for a bigger layout.

Yeah, I wish the forum had a classified section. I won't have anything to do with Ebay.  The extra cars are all new, never been out of the boxes.

  I have been a saver & collector of stuff long before beginning this hobby.
Don't ask how many books, tapes, DVDs & CDs I've acquired!  After years of not finding a use for something, I may discard it.  Shortly thereafter, it happens, too often, that I discover a use for it.   :-\

Quote from: WGL on February 20, 2009, 03:23:27 AM
  I have been a saver & collector of stuff long before beginning this hobby.
Don't ask how many books, tapes, DVDs & CDs I've acquired!  After years of not finding a use for something, I may discard it.  Shortly thereafter, it happens, too often, that I discover a use for it.   :-\

I've noticed that happens to me, too. Must be some immutable law of nature:  The longer something sits around unused, the shorter the time after you dispose of it till you find a use for it. :-\

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 20, 2009, 02:07:57 AM
My problem is having too much storage space so we never get rid of stuff.  The ceiling in my office is at 9', the top 2 feet is solid shelves around all 4 walls.

The hallway outside my office is a 12 foot wide walk through to the garage, and it's all storage boxes and extra closets. If we could sell all this stuff, I'd have a 12' X 12' room for a bigger layout.

Yeah, I wish the forum had a classified section. I won't have anything to do with Ebay.  The extra cars are all new, never been out of the boxes.

Well, Bob, if you've got all that room, how 'bout if I just ship a couple of computer-paper boxes of rolling stock out to you? Nature abhors a vacuum, and your stuff will always expand to fill all available space.  ;D

When we built this garage 10 years ago (26' X 50') we had lots of room. A dividing wall separates the vehicle area from 5 rooms (pump room, tool room, parts and hardware store room, hallway and office.) But as you say, a vacuum no longer exists.  "Oh, we might need that someday".. Yeah right.  >:(

I have about 36' of sit down work bench in my office/shop, but that too is slowly diminishing. 

Maybe we should all get together for a "swap meet".  Sure Jeff, ship it over, just don't tape the boxes too tightly.  :D

I used to be part of the Antique  Outboard Motor Club . As part of their website the ran a classified ad section . I think it might work with this forum. Have a look.
Don

It would also help if the PM feature worked, then we could at least send messages without exposing our email addresses.

First things first: Bob, yes I finally did get an email from you and you should have received a reply.

I agree with your comments on eBay. I usually resort to surfing eBay when I am tired of looking at the cracks in the den walls. Yes, there are lots of good items, on auction, but the playing field is not as level as you may think it is. There are "snyping programs" out there that will enter a bid for you at the last possible second. This means those of us who are watching the bidding process may not have a chance at winning. Additionally, some of the bids that are offered are ridiculous (how about $20 for a used Bachmann old-time gondola that doesn't include shipping?). As with anything that is shipped, the shipping rates are getting out of hand. I wanted to bid/purchase some Microscale decals @ $4.50 (a good price); but decided not to because the shipping was another $4.80 (Priority Mail...like I need decals the next day)...what ever happened to 1st and 3rd Class mail?

[Get back to the thread topic Ray.] My wife and I started vendoring at model railroad shows to get rid of the remaining parts of my once extensive Lionel collection. We found we really liked the companionship of the other vendors and the interaction with other model railroaders. Our booth now consists of almost as much HO items as Lionel/K-Line/MTH. My point is: why not gather all those siding and roundhouse queens and buy a table at your next local train show? Keep in mind that you are trying to get rid of your excess inventory as well as rolling the earnings into something new...price the items accordingly. The plus side of this action is that you will come home from the show with at least a couple new items (probably obtained on set-up night on a vendor-to-vendor discount).

You can find me crawling underneath a vendor's tables - looking for all the old, cheap 1800s stuff...and speaking of small, crowded benches (not that YOU would know Bob LOL)


Ray

I've learned to not elaborate on work benches.  I once posted a picture of my work area and was immediately ostracized by the membership.

Unfortunately, train shows are seldom held in my area.  Actually I prefer placing items on consignment at a large store, such as Caboose Hobbies.  Then I don't have to deal with cheapskates that expect to buy new cars at half price.

Considering the fact that I bought most of the cars two years ago, before the large price increases of 2008, I could knock 10% off what I paid, and the buyer would still get a bargain.

Don't laugh, we recently sold a welding outfit for $800, we only paid $400 for it ten years ago. Before moving to our new ranch, we had a yard sale / auction and netted over $4,000, very few items sold for less than we originally paid.

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 20, 2009, 09:22:03 PM
Maybe we should all get together for a "swap meet".  Sure Jeff, ship it over, just don't tape the boxes too tightly.  :D

:D  Careful, Bob, I just might!  ;D

Quote from: CNE Runner on February 21, 2009, 11:59:19 AM
I agree with your comments on eBay. I usually resort to surfing eBay when I am tired of looking at the cracks in the den walls. Yes, there are lots of good items, on auction, but the playing field is not as level as you may think it is. There are "snyping programs" out there that will enter a bid for you at the last possible second. This means those of us who are watching the bidding process may not have a chance at winning.

Don't mean to go all-OT on you guys, but just had to mention that I believe I fell victim to one of these programs just recently. I found a very nice collection of old Gilbert HO track--with roadbed--and decided to bid in order to "restore" the track to the Gilbert HO North Coast Limited passenger set that I've had since childhood (the track got thrown away years ago). I was the highest bidder with literally seconds to go, and--BOOM! Got outbid.

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 21, 2009, 04:29:52 PM
Unfortunately, train shows are seldom held in my area.  Actually I prefer placing items on consignment at a large store, such as Caboose Hobbies.  Then I don't have to deal with cheapskates that expect to buy new cars at half price.

My situation is similar but complicated by living in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. I don't have a car because I don't need one on a daily basis and so it would be just a huge waste of money to have one.

But it makes it difficult to get to train shows, which are invariable held in the suburbs somewhere.

        Hey Folks,
    Does anyone use a computer program to organize and inventory-document their train & or layout stuff? If so which ones? Maybe give links.
Or would this allow the wife to see what you have. This could be a good tool as when your gone she'll know what it's worth.

            Thanks,
                 Barry

Barry,
Yes there is such a program.  My son, who collects slot cars, sent me a link to a free program to keep inventory of trains. The site has lots of other useful utilities.

http://www.gregorybraun.com/RRTrains.html 

    Thanks Bob,
   Here is the one I've been looking for all day:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Model-Railway-Collection-Image-Database-Software-CDROM_W0QQitemZ370159619284QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Toys_Hobbies_Model_Railways?hash=item370159619284&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A3%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
    I found it on E-bay, not in my bookmarks or favorites. Now to decide if I want this one and modify for all my Bldgs, or order the one for Bldgs. and modify it for trains.
              Enjoy,
                   Barry

Barry...STOP and back away from the computer!! You do realize that the inventory program you are interested in (or did you buy it as eBay says "bidding has ended on this item"?) is for sale in Australia? I have used an inventory program from Model Tech Inc. with limited results. Yampa Bob has found another FREE program that will probably do the same thing (I will check this out Bob). The basic problem with any of these inventory programs is your level of commitment. Are you going to add and delete items religiously? What is the pay-off for all this time (in other words: Do you really want to know how much you have spent on your hobby?). Wouldn't a 3x5" set of index cars do the same thing?

What I am saying is that it just makes good sense to have a purpose for all this "busy work". A number of years ago I had an extensive Lionel collection (I am still selling portions of it) and my insurance carrier required an updated collection inventory every six months. Given this requirement, a list-generating database was both efficient and needed. With the possible exception of duplication,  there is little need, beyond a personal desire, to keep a list. I will (and suggest that you also) check out Yampa Bob's database suggestion...it can't hurt. Another option (for those of you who suffer from OCD) would be to use MS Access or Excel to generate your own lists. Do keep in mind the level of commitment and the fact that the database is never done.

Good luck and let us know how you make out on this project,
Ray

Being basically a low-tech kinda guy, I just have a simple Word document for an inventory of my rolling stock.

It had to be done because the collection reached the point where there was no way I could remember what car or locomotive was stored in which box.

Now, at least, if I can't remember in which box I've stored the Mantua 1890 D&RGW passenger cars, I can "search" the Word document and quickly find them. Each entry in the document includes what the item is (e.g., "steam locomotive, 4-4-0"), the road name, the model manufacturer, and the box where it's stored (I use computer paper boxes and I've numbered each box--don't ask me how many boxes I have--currently  :D ).

Once I got the first document completed, I then created a second document where I listed the stock by road name.

Like I said, it's kinda low tech, but it does what I need.

All, I tried a "program" once and very quickly realized that I could do much better just setting up a spread sheet on Excel.  Works great.  Cheaper too, if you already have the MS software.     Stephen

Quote from: Yampa Bob on February 23, 2009, 10:25:28 PM
Barry,
Yes there is such a program.  My son, who collects slot cars, sent me a link to a free program to keep inventory of trains. The site has lots of other useful utilities.

http://www.gregorybraun.com/RRTrains.html 

  Thanks, Bob.  I downloaded & installed the program.  It looks good, & will be, if I get around to entering all of the information.   :-\

  Ray,
   I did not buy this, even though it was just $16 total.
   Did you look at seller's other items? He almost always puts one at a time up & than the next 10 day one after the 1st one finishes. This is an extremely detailed program. If one has several $K invested in train stuff, I might want this for insurance & Sharing (show-off) purposes.
   The program Bob shared with us is not so detailed, but a great program for organizing & record keeping. It would suffice for most of us out there who don't want to do the excell or word, or don't know how to. I have done several items like this, IE. schedules, check-lists, and inventories, like this would be. Lately haven't had the ambition to so.
    Does anyone have any other options?

          Enjoy,
             Barry

         

Good morning Barry,
I didn't get a chance to see who bought the program as the eBay page came up as "bidding has ended on this item". I'm sure it is an outstanding program...it may be more than you need. Personally, I use Excel for all sorts of things related to recordkeeping. If you want to see a guy who has gone off the deep end in that regard check out http://www.westportterminal.de/operation.html as it is amazing to see the amont of paperwork this guy has designed!

Your insurance carrier will want a detailed, up-to-date inventory of your collection. This does not mean that you can't simply use Excel and generate your own spreadsheet. I would advise that you contact your agent and find out what the carrier requires to be included in the inventory (as well as how often it needs to be updated). To play it safe, we kept all the receipts, for the collection, in our safe deposit box...although it was never asked for (then again I never had to submit a claim)...remember: in the event of a claim the insurance company does not want to be the one left holding the bag!

Regardless of what option you select the inputing and deletion of data is time-consuming. With a large Lionel collection, I found I was acting more like a bookeeper than a model railroader. Now that I am exclusively in HO, I only keep a fairly accurate inventory for my own purposes.

To quote an old PC saw: Garbage in = garbage out.

Ray

Johnson Bar Jeff if you would shoot me an email, i tryed sending ya a pm but noticed it must not be working or something.


mike87gt@neb.rr.com

thanks Mike

Quote from: lwmlwm44 on February 19, 2009, 06:39:19 PM


You know it would be neat to have a site here where members could maybe put up some of their stuff for sale........but don't think Bachmann would go for that idea.

The Trainboard forum (www.trainboard.com) has something like that in place already, they call it the "TrainShop". It doesn't have as many people as eBay, but it's free to list! I sometimes put things for sale on there. - I think the link's in my signature.