Good news! I just finally found the 2014 Annual at Trainfest last week (along with some outstanding On30 deals!) Looking forward to the next two!

On30 is still strong, thank you very much!

Scott

I've not received anything. I think the bluetooth thing is very interesting and would like to learn more about it. I was planning on asking Bachmann about it at Trainfest next weekend.

But I've not received the newsletter if there was one...

Scott

Thanks for sharing. Too often we are quick to point out faults. I've always had good luck with Bachmann service, even on the phone. They have always helped me out!

Scott

I don't know the answer to your last question, but the gear replacement on the shay is really quite simple. Those little clips may or may not be reusable - mine were somewhat reusable - I superglued them back on. Worst case, those clips are available in the Bachmann eStore for $1 each. (link)

Your question as to whether the replacement trucks come with the new gears is a very good one. The photo they show has the old ones.

I would get the gears, do the replacement, see if the clips still work for you and maybe order new ones if needed. Best of luck!

Scott

Quote from: Chatham on September 29, 2014, 12:35:31 PM
Did I just hijack this thread? If so I apologize.

Chatham

Well, perhaps, but you do have a point. A double whammy, really: 1) Not too long ago, street price on On30 freight used to be around $15, now it has more than doubled - dare I say approaching 2-rail O prices. And 2) Obviously a regular supply of rolling stock is key to the success of any scale. On30 products used to be easy to find, particularly online. One retailer used to have full page ads in the hobby publications with solely On30 products on it. Now... this thread.

I'm not certain why this is. Considering there is an On30 Facebook group nearing 1,000 members, I feel there is a market, admittedly a niche one. I'm assuming Sn3 is a smaller market still, yet the largest manufacturer of Sn3 is regularly coming out with more products. And $$$$ ones at that.

I'm hoping Bachmann's appearances at the iHobby expo and Trainfest in coming weeks might reignite On30 and with any luck have an announcement or two. (Wishful thinking, but I'm an optimist!) I also think that 3D printing will help On30 in producing cars that are not currently available.

Yup, frustrating at times, but still fun!

Scitt

Good luck,

Hard enough to find On30 in the USA! Hope you find some!

Scott

A few online sellers have them, but if you're in Australia (guessing by your name) it might not be practical.

Internet Trains
Nicolas Smith
HobbyLinc

Scott

Great article, thanks for sharing!

Scott

All great suggestions. I'll add one more -- I've had great luck using CRC 2-26 lubricant. A 5oz bottle will last a very long time. Cheap and easy to find. I spray some on a small piece of leftover basswood or balsa, and rub it on the rails.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-2-26-5-oz-Multi-Purpose-Lubricant-02004/100398344


Scott

I am guessing that since On30 is such a niche scale, a vast majority of items are purchased online, giving the impression to LHS's that demand is drying up. On30 now has its own category on eBay, as well as many popular groups on Facebook that seem to be flourishing. The number of On30 related articles in the Narrow Gauge Gazette the last ten years or so has been astounding.

The Bachmann 2014 catalog has quite a few new On30 items: one locomotive and some reissues of freight cars that have not been available in some time. That said, On30 has a smaller market demand than HO, N, O, G, and maybe even S and Z as well, so the expectation of dozens of new models per year is unrealistic.

I am hoping the new Model Railroader On30 layout project will stir more interest, as I still believe 90% of model railroaders have no clue what On30 is or is about. Bachmann's rule is that they do not announce new products until they are imminent. (Yes, I know, "imminent" is a loose definition.)

On the plus side, it doesn't take much to build a narrow gauge roster - most ng railroads had a loco or two and a few dozen freight cars. That's it!

Scott

Well, Wholesale Trains posted some dates on their site - no idea how accurate. Freight cars end of May, Whitcomb end of July. No dice on the 18 footers.

Hey, it's something...

Scott

Quote from: Royce Wilson on March 10, 2014, 03:23:33 PM
What are the full size box cars?...Is this something new?

Royce Wilson

"Full size" as in not the little 18 footers. They are listed in the 2014 catalog. (Download it here.) Very bottom of page S38. These "big ones" used to be a dime a dozen (who remembers 3 for $39 at St Aubin's?), but have been impossible to find for many years now.

There are a few other products labeled as "new" including passenger cars that are "convertible" to obs cars. New tank cars and wood dump cars (different color) are also in there.

Didn't mean to steal, but it's quite related to the original question. Perhaps they are all in the same shipping crate?

Scott

Not to steal the thread, but on a related note...

Is there any estimate on the arrival of the new On30 freight cars from the 2014 catalog, specifically the full size box cars (27097 & 27098) and passenger cars (26201 & 26202)?

Thanks!
Scott

Hmmph. Well Bachmann has had my heisler for about 3 weeks with no word. For the life of me I can't find that instruction sheet. Anyone have an online link?

But lesson learned, and assuming I get it back, I'm only out $7 for shipping.

Thanks everyone!
Scott

Quote from: railtwister on February 07, 2014, 02:11:03 PM
I seem to remember hearing of others who had this problem, and as a Heisler owner who is about to install a sound card, I would like to know the cause and the fix for this, because I just hate sending products back. I've been told that Bachmann's Warranty Service usually is just an exchange service, since they don't have the personnel to do diagnostics and repairs because of the costs involved.

I wonder if it's possible to go through the CV's and record their values on a good running Heisler, and then compare them with the problem unit to see where the problem is. Soundtraxx' support has been very helpful with my questions regarding Bachmann locos with factory installed sound in the past, and have saved me needing to send items back on more than one occasion. I would certainly give them a call before I would return anything to Bachmann, it likely would save both time and money.

Bill in FtL

Yes, the first thing I do before changing anything is reading all the CVs into JMRI. Then adjusting from there. Unfortunately, after reseting, I clicked "save" (habit) and overwrote the original settings. So I'm certain it's a CV that is the issue. I just don't know which one. I haven't heard anything yet, but if I get a new one, I'll "compare" with the settings I currently have (the reset ones) and maybe I'll find the difference.

Scott