Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: conradin on June 18, 2007, 08:39:48 PM

Title: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on June 18, 2007, 08:39:48 PM
Since I only collect N scales, and especially older stuff, I am looking for older catalogs so that I can have a better idea of for what to hunt.  I am currently lacking the following years:
78, 83-84

Notice that the earliest one I have is 1968, because Bachmann did not enter N scale (or trains for that matter) until 68.  H0 scale started in 1970.

If you have some extras to spares to give or willing to sell, please let me know.  I will pay a reasonable price for them. 

Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: Hunt on June 19, 2007, 11:58:57 PM
Quote from: conradin on June 19, 2007, 06:36:55 AM
Thanx...the most important things about having old catalogs are not because of things like special editions or new products, but rather the same products with ever changing item numbers and small design changes.
Bachmann catalogs may not be of help with timing of small design changes as Bachmann sometimes uses picture of a different scale product, e.g. picture of HO used to illustrate  N scale product.
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on June 20, 2007, 02:55:21 AM
Very true...but that seems to occur since around 2000.  When it comes to minor changes, I am concerning about things such as colors and letterings... ;)
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: UP5511 on June 20, 2007, 11:09:46 AM
I have some old model railroader mags
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: Hoople on June 21, 2007, 07:12:12 PM
He was asking for bachmann catalogs.

BTW, I have Model Railroader from when it started. *Points to shelf in grandad's house*
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on July 29, 2007, 03:04:14 AM
Quote from: Hoople on June 21, 2007, 07:12:12 PM
He was asking for bachmann catalogs.

BTW, I have Model Railroader from when it started. *Points to shelf in grandad's house*

Can you check and find out what is the oldest Bachmann N scale ad?
I currently have Railroad Modeler 6/68 that contains a Bachmann N scale ad.
If you can look at the collection, starting from 67 and backwards...perhaps you will be able to find the very first one or two Bachmann N scale ads.  If you do find it, please let me know, and if you can, scan them?  This will solve the mystery as to when did Bachmann start in N scale.

The current belief is 1968.  However, since I have a 68 Catalog, which contains MORE lines of items and selections than subsequent years, it does not make much sense that Bachmann could produce that many products within one year, then had a major retooling one year after and dramatically started to discontinue various product lines.  If you look at *Bay, the pre-1969 cars are still out there, at an unusual high quantity ratio to the 69-81 productions.  That is, pre 69 models should be floating in Ebay no more than 1/13th of the 69-81 models, or 1/17th of the 82-98 China models, or 1/9th of the modern models..assuming each year the production numbers are the same. 
Title: Re: Almost complete, public service
Post by: tonycook1966 on July 30, 2007, 07:49:34 AM
Quote from: conradin on July 23, 2007, 07:42:53 PM

The missing ones are 71-72, 75, 78, 81, 83-84.


I have all the above mentioned Bachmann catalogs you are looking for to complete your set.  Sadly, no extra copies but can help you by providing scans of the N-scale sections if you're interested.

Tony Cook
Title: Re: Almost complete, public service
Post by: conradin on July 31, 2007, 01:07:00 AM
Quote from: tonycook1966 on July 30, 2007, 07:49:34 AM
Quote from: conradin on July 23, 2007, 07:42:53 PM

The missing ones are 71-72, 75, 78, 81, 83-84.


I have all the above mentioned Bachmann catalogs you are looking for to complete your set.  Sadly, no extra copies but can help you by providing scans of the N-scale sections if you're interested.

Tony Cook

I'd like to have scans of 72, 78, 83 & 84.  At this point these are the only ones that I do not have.  Does the copy in 78 printed in March, or January? Also, does the copy refers Bachmann as Bachman brothers, or Bachmann industries?

Does a 68 and 69 catalog exists for H0 scale?
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: tonycook1966 on July 31, 2007, 06:31:32 PM
I'll have to check my 1978 catalog to answer your questions.  I'm away from home today and don't have it available to me.

HO-Scale arrives from Bachmann with their 1970 catalog.  I've been reworking my B'mann site, but here's a link to it...

http://tycotrain.tripod.com/bachmanntrainscollectorsresource/ (http://tycotrain.tripod.com/bachmanntrainscollectorsresource/)

I'll work on scans and will post back here as I have them completed.

:)
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on August 01, 2007, 01:03:23 AM
I'd like your site a lot.  I think between you and me we probably have all the Bachmann catalogs combined.

Perhaps I should do the same thing and set up an N scale version of your website?
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: tonycook1966 on August 13, 2007, 10:51:07 AM
Here is the 1971 Bachmann Catalog available online and complete with all 32 pages...

http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmanntrainscollectorsresource/id38.html (http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmanntrainscollectorsresource/id38.html)

(http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/71_bach_cover_320x200.jpg)

(http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/bach_60s_atsf_gp40_drawing_ad.jpg)
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on August 13, 2007, 07:01:28 PM
Thanks Tony....right now I have everything except 78, 83 and 84.
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: tonycook1966 on August 15, 2007, 04:17:25 PM
Here's the 1978 Bachmann Catalog now online...

http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmanntrainscollectorsresource/id39.html (http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmanntrainscollectorsresource/id39.html)

(http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/78_bach_cover_01_320x200.jpg)

On Page 39, you'll see Bach-Man back when he was a little kid in 1978!

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on August 15, 2007, 05:42:19 PM
This is a booklet version right?
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on August 15, 2007, 05:42:59 PM
Which catalogs you yourself is missing?
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: tonycook1966 on August 16, 2007, 10:28:36 AM
Quote from: conradin on August 15, 2007, 05:42:19 PM
This is a booklet version right?

The Bachmann 1978 appears in two sizes from what I've encountered.  There's one that is small and about the size TV Guide used to be some years back.  The other is typical magazine sized 8.5" x 11".  Regardless of size, both have the same info and number of pages.  The scans were done from the larger example.

I have all the Bachmann catalogs from 1969-to the present.

Thanks, 

Tony
Title: Re: Wanted: Vintage Catalogs
Post by: conradin on August 16, 2007, 11:13:01 AM
You mean 68 to present...not 69 right? ;D

I am curious about the years 83-84.  That is because those were the time when Kader
1. took over 2. expanded internationally 3. changed product lines

What is the exact date (month) when Bachmann started H0 scale?  N is 6/68, but I have no idea about H0.

I am pretty sure the first retooling was done in August of 69.  That is because, if you check model railroader, Bachmann strangely advertised about having a brand new GP40 in the September 69 issue..even though they already have a GP40 back in the 68 catalog.

One thing for sure, the couplers are different.  The original coupler is one single unit.  After that, the coupler can be dismantled, although steel spring was used.  Not until the second retooling did they start using copper springs.  After the third retooling the coupler looked pretty much the same as now.

But that is in N scale..no idea if it holds true for H0.