I had planned to feature these next week but Cale's earlier post about the new Bachmann Starter sets prompts me to make a more detailed report These sets are very different than the usual run of sets in the past. They are the first to feature a gas mechanical locomotive, or a 1:20.3 item. They are a super value for the price and sure to be a hit with those who have yet to buy the Davenport and must have one. It will be almost like buying the loco and getting everything else free.
This will be a must for those with mining or logging as their theme or for those wanting to add the theme.
90070 The Prospector
0-4-0 Yellow Davenport Gas Mechanical loco and 4 side dump ore cars 14 pieces of track power pack w/ speed controller & DVD instructions.
90071 Lumberjack
0-4-0 Green Davenport Gas Mechanical loco, 2 skeleton log cars, and a logging caboose 14 pieces of track, power pack w/ speed controller & DVD instructions.
Do not confuse the set names with the earlier sets of the same name!! Bachmann has managed to muck up the situation by repeating the earler set names. Be sure to look up the new sets by the Bachmann number, rather than the set name to be sure you are looking at the newer sets!!
The Bachaman 2009 catalog has pictures of these sets. You can download the catalog at http://www.williamstrains.com/2009/2009_bachmann.pdf
It takes a while for the file to download and may be really long unless you have high speed service, or check out Cale's post & link to Tower Hobbies for pictures.
The Trainworld price is $159.99 These are a steal at this price just $10 bucks above the cost of the locomotive alone.
The only Question, as usual, is when will they be available?? Bach man what say you!!
Cheers
Hi, Bill!
They'll be in this Fall.
Best,
the Bach-man
Are there drawings and photos of the actual Davenport from which the model was made? It is a bit difficult to gauge size from the photos of the model.
Sam E
Hi Sam,
Try this website. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWXP9&P=7
It pictures the Davenport with then mine cars anf skeketon log cars, and should give you a better idea of the size!
Thanks. I was hoping for pix plans so that I could do a little detailing? Any ideas Mr Bachmann?
Sam E
Quote from: samevans on May 21, 2009, 10:28:27 AM
Thanks. I was hoping for pix plans so that I could do a little detailing? Any ideas Mr Bachmann?
Sam E
Oh Mr Bachman, yoohoo, any ideas on plans/pix of actual Davenport modelled ?
Ta
Sam E
Hi, Sam,
The pictures are in Volume 2 of a series of softbound books called _Critters__.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Quote from: the Bach-man on May 30, 2009, 10:45:34 PM
Hi, Sam,
The pictures are in Volume 2 of a series of softbound books called _Critters__.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Thank you very much
Sam E
I got my set of the Critters books from Ron's Books.
Larry
Quote from: Larry Green on May 31, 2009, 01:43:14 PM
I got my set of the Critters books from Ron's Books.
Larry
I can get them OK here in the UK but at a price and in these austere times I want to know what I am paying for! I believe that the Davenport was built for the Carmen Centrale sugar mill, Costa Rica. The mill closed in 1945.
Sam e
There may be some good stuff on the internet.
I got lots of hits when I googled them. Here is one sample:
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/diesel97.html
Good luck & have fun!!
Quote from: Loco Bill on June 01, 2009, 03:12:39 PM
There may be some good stuff on the internet.
I got lots of hits when I googled them. Here is one sample:
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/diesel97.html
Good luck & have fun!!
Alas but not the loco I am looking for. Have seen this page several times before.
Sam E
On page 15 of Critters II--
Carmen Centrale, Vega Alta, Diesel Mechanical Locomotive, 10 tons, 50 cm (typo?) gauge, Cummins H.B. 600 engine, type 0-4-0, #3 (?).
Except for not having a headlight, but having a couple of additional vertical grabirons on the radiator, it looks to be the Bachmann version.
Larry
Sam, the book is not worth buying just for the photo. Also, the specification sheets do not show specifics of this particular model locomotive.
I can send you an enlargement of the photo, but it will not tell you much as it is very dark.
Larry
Quote from: Larry Green on June 01, 2009, 06:16:38 PM
Sam, the book is not worth buying just for the photo. Also, the specification sheets do not show specifics of this particular model locomotive.
I can send you an enlargement of the photo, but it will not tell you much as it is very dark.
Larry
Please. sam.c.evans@lineone.net
It is possible the gauge is correct. I believe some of the US copper mine railways were less thatn 2 ft, and in France 500mm (50cm) ga was used as a sub 60cm industrial railway gauge. It does seem a mite small for a sugar railway - Australia had many miles of 60cm cane railways.
Sam E
Sam, did you get my email?
Larry
Quote from: Larry Green on June 03, 2009, 11:59:26 AM
Sam, did you get my email?
Larry
Yes, I sent you a reply yesterday at 18.16 local UK time.
Best
Sam E
Are there any plans to bring these sets out as a 'train pack' ie without track?
This would be really helpful for those who use OEM rather than Bachmann track - and save a considerable weight when ordering through the mail system...
Hi Andy, I do not represent Bachmann in any way, but my guess would be no. I say this because you can already buy the individual items without the pack or track.
To me the advantage of the set is the super low cost, as I mentioned in one of the above posts. The lower cost of the set over the individual items should offset any savings on postage, if you are in the US.
If you don't mind listing on Ebay, You should be able to get $14 to $35 for the track and transformer further increasing your savings. I will buy two sets and sell the track on Ebay in the three months before christmas so as to get the best price. I always sell my excess G Scale items either on Ebay or at my local train show in the months before christmas.
Happy railroading!!
I take your point about the super low cost of the sets, Bill and the fact that the loco and trucks are available as separates (at higher individual cost of course). (you know there's a 'but' coming...)
I still think Bachmann may be missing a trick (read 'marketing opportunity') here - I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to purchase a train set without the track or power pack- in my case because I need/desire the train but not the rest.
And living as I do in the UK and not having a G gauge supplier in town means usually buying on the internet (usually from the US) and subsequently the weight/postage/shipping charge has to be watched carefully (esp with £-$ currency exchange rates recently).
For example - Ray at 'The Favourite Spot' (where I frequently shopped) went through a phase of selling trackless sets (The Lionel O scale 'Polar Express' was an example - Loco and coaches only) - I'm sure he wouldn't have bothered if there wasn't a potential market for this.
If one already has a layout using say LGB or Aristocraft or other non-Bachmann track, who wouldn't be tempted by a sensibly priced Davenport and three truck train pack to add to the layout? (by 'sensibly priced', I mean of course a substantial discount on buying the four items together.
It doesn't have to be restricted to the Davenport of course... Thomas and Annie and Clarabel would be another example of a favourite Loco/train combi...
Any thoughts on this Mr Bach-man?
Andy I suspected you might not be living in the US, but there was no info in your profile. I can see why you would want the sets without the track. The Bach man may be willing to pass on your ideas, Hopefully he will respond!!
Good Luck!
Dear Andy,
You'd be more likely to find or negotiate a bundle price from a dealer- I doubt that we would double the SKUs
to offer the same set twice.
Have fun!
the Bach-man