Quote from: fieromike on December 06, 2008, 09:44:25 AM
I'll put my money where the real quality is.

If that is the case then you should be buying Kato.  The Chinese made stuff doesn't come close to the Japanese quality.

Mike

What up Dudes,

Have any of you noticed the recent Atlas N-Scale announcements?  Dash 8-40C's priced at $140, yet another run of RS-3's priced at $120 and today they announce a gondola (a plain looking run-of-the-mill gondola) priced at $19.00.  Talk about sticker shock.

A few years ago Atlas said they were outsourcing everything to China so they could lower prices.  Now their stuff is more expensive than Kato who manufacturers in Japan which has more expensive labor cost than China.  So Atlas is charging higher prices than Kato and their stuff isn't as good. 

Atlas has always been a very arrogant company but this kind of pricing in the current economy is foolish.  If Bachmann can offer good prices producing models in China then Atlas should be able to do the same.  Sounds like those boys at Atlas have gotten mighty greedy in recent times.  I don't know about you guys but I rather buy Bachmann than Atlas.  Bachmann's quality has improved dramatically and their prices are still excellent.

Mike

Quote from: Snoq. Pass RR on October 20, 2008, 10:57:51 PM
Mike, calm down!!!

He was asking if we know where ELSE to get the part.  As in a hobby dealer....

OK, fair enough. I jumped the gun there.  Sorry about that. When looking for parts these days I feel it always makes sense to try the manufacturer first.  I don't know many dealers who stock parts anymore unless the model has a specific issue, then the better dealers will keep a few on hand so that customers don't have to wait to get their model back in service.

I don't think casting the part in resin is a good idea.  Resin has it's own set of issues.  If Bachmann can't supply the part it would probably be best to find a 'junker' on flea-bay or maybe at a show somewhere.

I don't remember if Bachmann had different colored trucks on those or not.  I seem to remember the UP version having dark gray trucks but I could be wrong.  It's been a while since I had one of those Doodlebug models.

Mike

Dude,

The model you need a part for is made by Bachmann.  You posted a message on the Bachmann board asking for this part and yet you say you haven't tried Bachmann.  I'm sorry but this doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

If you needed a part for a Honda would you go to the Nissan dealer?  HELLO! If you need part for your Bachmann model then try Bachmann. DUH!

Mike

BUT  . . . is it a Spectrum series model as certain e-tailers are advertising?  When the Bach Man made the original announcement he seemed to indicate this is NOT a Spectrum series model.  It would be nice if these certain e-tailers would advertise these correctly.

Mike

Aaron,

I totally agree with you Dude.  Unfortunately, Bachmann is not likely going to re-tool it now.  Most likely it wouldn't make economic sense to do that at this point.   You're probably going to have to modify the train on your own.  You might consider turning down the wheel flanges.  This probably won't get you down to an 11" radius but it might get you to 16-17"

Mr. Bachmann,

You guys have definitely turned it around thanks in large part to Lee Riley who I totally admire and respect.  Mr. Riley is a genius and a hobby industry legend.  It wasn't that long ago when Bachmann's N-Scale products were a joke and in the last few years the offerings have dramatically increased in quality.  That said, you did kind of shoot yourself in the foot with the latest Northeast Corridor models requiring a 19" radius.  This is especially true for the Acela which could be a great "impulse" buy/starter product.  Think about it, a family takes a trip on the prototype Acela and then mom or dad picks up the Bachmann Acela model train set for the kids. 

But here's the problem.  Beginners who venture beyond the train set usually purchase more track as one of their first acquisitions.  Beginners usually don't want to deal with bending flex track they normally go for the sectional stuff.  It can be somewhat difficult to find a 19" radius with sectional track and if/when you do, it's even more difficult to find something larger, assuming you want an outer and inner curve on a double track mainline.  Then we have to assume that someone has the room for curves this large.  If they do, they probably are into HO.

Anyway, I don't mean to dwell on this you know what I'm saying?  I'm not trying to diss Bachmann in any way, just making a suggestion for the future so that more casual train set buyers can "graduate" and become full-on model railroaders.  Thanks for listening.

Mike

skipgear,

That's exactly why this is news.  The extra domes will (or . . . make that should be) available.


Mike

Dudes,

Check it out.  Kirk Reddie scooped all of the forums and I can't believe no one noticed this yet.  According to his "NSR Horizons" column on page 58 in the May-June NSR Magazine . . . and I quote . . .

"08-09/08 should see a new set of Santa Fe Super Chief starter sets with an F7A and 3 Super Chief cars (sleeper, diner and observation). Available separately are the F7A, F7B, Pleasure Dome and 4 car sets."

HELLO!  Santa Fe Pleasure Domes coming from Kato!  I remember when all the Santa Fe modelers panned Kato for not offering this car in the sets.  Well, they are now answering the call.  Looks like the Super Chief can now be accurately modeled.

Mike

What up Dudes!

I bought all three road numbers of the HHP-8's when they first came out and finally got a chance to run them today (I know, I know - I've been real busy at work and also taking care of my girlfriend who unfortunately is very sick ).  I'm running them with an MRC Prodigy Advance Squared DCC system and all three locos don't start moving until speed step 3 or 4 (28 step mode).  I'd like them to start moving on speed step 1.

I've tried setting the starting voltage to logical choices (12, 24, 48, 64, 128 and even 256) but whatever number I put in there doesn't seem to make a difference.  Does this decoder even have a starting voltage CV?

The documentation that came with these locos is a little thin in regards to their DCC capabilities.  If anyone knows more about the decoder that Bachmann put in these models or where to get more documentation on them I'd appreciate your help.

Mike