Bachmann Online Forum

i hear from a very reliable source that bachmann is in the final stage of development and tooling for a large scale 1-20.3 G.E. U-50-B. production should start in early 2009. i asked why such a large and obscere loco and was told that because of the b-trucks it would run on 8 foot min. radious curves and the car body would be easy compared to other locos. i think this will be a big seller as long as the price is good. ill take one in s.p.!

ok,you have the so called scoop,back it up with some proof,photos of prototype,as the other two do diesels of different models,sounds interesting,later,peter..

I guess they could be planning a diesel, but I personnally wouldn't think so. After the unpopularity of the center cab in 1:20, I just don't see them making another huge beast. They are great runners, and work out well for kitbashes, but when coupled to standard rolling stock, they are BIG.
Heck, they've been out of production for several years now, and warehouses are still trying to unload them!

A large standard gauge diesel in 1:20.3 scale- what gauge is it meant to run on?

By Bachmann, who only make narrow gauge prototypes in Large Scale?

April Fools day was 11 days ago.

Hamish

Hmm.  Interesting thread. 

Here is a wiki link for the U50-B:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_U50 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_U50)

It is definitely a standard gauge prototype, so if you need F (1:20.3) standard gauge track products (70.64 mm) you would want to visit Don Nidday's site:

http://crofutandironcreek.com/ (http://crofutandironcreek.com/)

The model would be huge and require long, long radius curves.  It's unlikely that Bachmann would build it.  If you look at the original poster's profile, he registered just before April Fool's day.

If I may quote myself: "If it's too heavy to lift, you'd better be able to ride on or behind it."

http://www.stcroixrr.org/doc/scrr.information.html (http://www.stcroixrr.org/doc/scrr.information.html)

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik 

Using the figures mentioned, a more logical loco can be conjured up. 

GE--yes.
50 TON, not U-50.
SP--yes

All of this could add up to a GE 50-ton end-cab diesel as used on the SP narrow gauge in California's Owens Valley.  Second #1, known as the "Little Giant". 

it appeared in two different SP schemes, then went to Plaster City for US Gypsum.  Could be lettered for any of a number of possible or fantasy schemes.  I'd buy one in D&RGW--or possibly RGS--  (I have an On3 model on order with Righ Yoder--see his ads in the Gazette for pictures.)  gj

like i said- it will run on 8 foot radious- i dont know what elce  you want to hear. i have no photos, this is not public knolidge tell now. yes it will be a large loco. this is not an april fools joke. the person that told me about this loco is very high up at bachmann and does know what is going on.

Ummmm......what?  As previously said, Bachmann is narrow gauge and the GE U50 is standard gauge.  I do think a new diesel would be nice, but why this one?


This is even more outlandish than when news came that Bachmann was going to make a K-27!

if  it is to be made in 1:20.3 scale, who is making track to run it on??  Up to now, Bachmann has remained with 3 foot narrow gauge in their 1:20.3 line.  I would think that any foray into F Scale would be with a more common loco such as a GP-9, or possibly utilizing the existing tooling, a GE 44-ton standard gauge switcher.  Further, Bachmann has repe4atedly said that they are staying out of the LS track market--referreing inquiries about #1 gauge track to the existing manufacturers.  gj

Besides--I don't theink that the market for F Scale Standard Gauge is that large.   gj

Dear SPLA,
If we did such a diesel, on what would you run it? Forget radius, I'm talking gauge...
These predictions are quite interesting...
Have fun!
the Bach-man

 dear mr. bachmann, i think you of all people know that this is a fact. i relize  that you have to at least act like your supprized but you know this is fact and not fiction. i talked to my source today because i also wonderd about track and this is what he said-it will run on bachmann,aristo,usa-any track you allready have. he said that it is not scale but a very good representation and miles from the 45 toner. as far as you can get he said. this will be something most of you will want. retail approx. 1700.00. good day.

Dear All,

Another link:

http://www.richyodermodels.com/rym_owens_bd.htm (http://www.richyodermodels.com/rym_owens_bd.htm)

Scroll down for historical SP #1 photos. 

I am surprised how good the color is in the old photos.  I am used to seeing faded color in shots from that era. 

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik 

From what little I can glean from the internet this model might be around 44 inches long, or thereabouts.

How much it would cost to develop such a large and complex plastic monster is unclear, but I would hazard a best guess at around $2M for R & D and a first pull set of moulds.

If the examples shown by the recent publicised costings of the Aristocraft Dash 9 by Mr Polk - a model that is physically less than half the size/volume of the U50, it is my opinion that $2M might only be the starting price, given that China is now ramping up for equality in the monetary system.

I firmly bleeve that spla13's leg/tentacle/whatever has been very firmly pulled by his/her's/its 'source' at Bachmann - if such an event ever took place at all.

Chain jerkin'?

I think so.

spla13 =  a semi-literate Troll.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

Perhaps he meant a General Electric U5B. 

If the chosen prototype really was the SP#1 or its older US Gypsum 50 ton cousins (really 52 ton) either would be easily confused with a U5B; they are very similar animals.

John Fitch

To quote P.T. Barnum, "There's a sucker born every minute!"  :D

-Brian

If it were the U50, here's some photos of what it might look like, and on 8 foot curves to boot.

http://www.westcoastrailforums.com/view_topic.php?id=212&forum_id=49&jump_to=1545

John Fitch

Quote from: Superheater on April 16, 2008, 07:49:01 PM
If it were the U50, here's some photos of what it might look like, and on 8 foot curves to boot.

http://www.westcoastrailforums.com/view_topic.php?id=212&forum_id=49&jump_to=1545

John Fitch

Thanks for the link. A unique, very nicely done model!

Those pictures don't quite show the actual situation: The OP's claimed scale of 1:20 is ~1.4 times bigger than that model's 1:29 scale. That means in every dimension: Length, width & height.

I don't know the actual dimensions of the prototype U50, but if that 1:29 U50 is 36" (86 scale feet) long, the poster's new Bachmann locomotive would be ~51" (or over 4') long. I don't think we'll see them running around the christmas tree on 45mm gauge R1 (~24" radius) track!

Happy RRing,

Jerry

Maybe Bachmann wants to get into 1:29? Bigger market than 1:20.3.

Go where the money is?

Regards, Greg

John - many congratualtions on a very well-done project.  You are right to be proud of such a fine achievement.  What's next, Jawn Henry?

Best wishes

tac
www.ovgrs.orb

Rumor has it that Bachmann is working on british steam outline in 1/29 for the UK market!  Is this true?  Could there be an A4 pacific in the works?  If so, would it be available to the american market as well?
Mike

In the UK Bachmann distributes Aristocraft trains. Aristocraft makes a 1/ 29 british diesel (the class 66) for Bachmann UK. Bachmann Industries (Bachmann in the USA) had no involvement in the project. I guess it is possible that Aristocraft might make a 1/29 steam loco for Bachmann UK. Of course this could  be just another baseless rumour.

The class 66 is not distributed by Bachmann in the USA, and as far as I know Aristocraft doesn't sell it either. Who knows about any new loco?  I suspect it would be up to Aristocraft, not Bachmann.

Hamish

Interesting, I wonder about this one.

Now interestingly, their IS a 1/29 scale U-50 out there, it was built by a fellow named John Wagner who's a member on Mylargescale.com, and he brought the beasty with him to last years Big Train Show (I know cause I was there too) and their are pics of the beasty on the Del Oro Pacific layout, but this was a complete scratchbuild using Aristocraft FA1 blocks for the drive. I wonder if this model isnt part source of the rumor floating around?

These pics can be seen on the BTS website, under last years show pics.

Personally I would think Bachmann venturing into the 1/29 market, while not a bad idea, would be rather risky with such a rare unit, only 2 RRs used similar engines, SP and UP,  I doubt anyone would buy one in CSX paint but what do I know? Whoda think MTH would stick their necks out with the Triplex? So who knows, maybe theres some merit to a 1/29  scale U-50, I can tell you it was a tremendous hit at the show, but personally I prefered Johns other model he brought, namely an FP-45 currently under construction. Now that to me would have a FAR GREATER market appeal as their were several lines that ran them and the model looked really good.
I'll never buy either though, wrong scale, and way too big for my tiny layout.

OTOH if Mr B is developing a SP "Little Giant" all I can say is WOW, that would be cool! Save me from buying a USA S4 and kitbashing it into a narrow gauge dismal.

Hamish K and soleman - Bachmann UK is part of Bachmann Europe, and is the distributor for Aristocraft all over that part of the world.

Please note that although the Class 66 was originally designed for British rails, is has been sold all over Europe and Scandinavia, and as such, can be seen most anywhere on the other side of the Atlantic from you.  Making such a model was an excellent marketing ploy by Aristocraft/Bachmann, and the result, I can tell you from personal experience, is an exquisitely-detailed and powerful model.  It has attracted all kinds of interests from folks who may have Aristocraft/USA Trains [also 1/29th scale], but have no interest whatsoever in British outline. 

The difference between the Aristocraft/Bachmann Class 66 and the Gauge 1 resin and brass kit is not only about $1000, but a whopping ten percent size increase too, and the two of them, side-by-side, look faintly ridiculous.

As for Bachmann producing ANY 1/29th models for the UK, this is, IMO, very unlikely, as they already have a goodly selection of ready-to-run brass models of steam locomotives in Gauge 1 - that is, 1/32nd scale.

These models are, again, made to the very highest standards of model engineering, and if I was to be into G1 British rails, I would have at least one of each by now.

The Gauge 1 fraternity here in UK, with a 60+ year old association of more than 2500 members, are a very conservative bunch in any case, and I should know, since I am one of them.  The arrival of 1/29th British stuff, in the face of opposition from the die-hard G1 movement, is therefore most unlikely.  In fact, Accucraft UK are about to spring forth with a whole scad of Gauge 1/1:32nd scale models in brass and plastic, including the A4 'Mallard', and I really think that Bachmann, doing the same thing in another scale, would be peeing up a rope.

tac
www.ovgrs.org 

Dear Mr. TAC,
Please forgive this unknowing "yank", But I don't know what the British Class 66 looks like.  Could you post a pic of either the Bachmann 1/29 model or the prototype?
Thanks,
Chuck

Quote from: charon on April 27, 2008, 09:40:00 AMDear Mr. TAC, Please forgive this unknowing "yank", But I don't know what the British Class 66 looks like.  Could you post a pic of either the Bachmann 1/29 model or the prototype?  Thanks, Chuck

Dear Mr Chuck - here y'are....

http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/images/reviews/bachmann-class-66-ews-32-725DS.jpg

Built by GM in the London Ontario shops, led to Hamilton Docks by a new Dash 9, and shipped over to Europe.  Around 300 or so in service now, and more to come of the improved DEBAG version.

Graders

tac
www.ovgrs.org

i dont think this is true. the guy i heard it from is now in jail for mail fraud and was cheating on his wife with niece.

Not to gloat but repeating my previous comment -

To quote P.T. Barnum, "There's a sucker born every minute!"   :D

-Brian