I'll be re painting my connie tender with an air brush soon. What are some products that match?

I've been thinking about what might be coming out next. It seems to me that a lot models are being discontinued or not listed in the online catalog: Rail truck, Davenport, K-27, side dump gondola, EBT hopper, flat car to name the recent. The older models that come to mind are the connie and 45 ton diesel. The models I mentioned all seem like they were well received a and the fact they are sold out says something.

Tooling seems like the major investment, why stop producing? Is producing models in 1:20.3 scale for a limited time a marketing strategy? Once dies are made and paid for, it seems like the profit margin should increase.

I hope to see some new releases in 1:20.3 scale from July's NMRA convention. I'd love to see some passenger equipment.

Thoughts..... Wishes.......

I finished my RC install of my Bachmann Davenport. I used a RX65 receiver, available from RCS-RC and Del Tang, a Turningy 11.1v battery.


I first added a "floor" in the hood where the circuit board was, which will cover the motor and future speaker.




I used a radio shack push button on/off glued to the bottom of the stack




Picture showing everything installed



I also installed accucraft couplers

In the mid nineties I bought my first Bachmann large scale product, a big hauler starter set. "Fine Scale Railroader" was being published at that time and there was an article on kitbashing big haulers into RGS ten wheelers #s 20, 22, and 25. It basically involved enlarging the smoke box, smokestack, making the tender taller and shorter, changing domes, moving air tanks, changing the running boards, shortening the pony truck and adding details. The pics in the article were awesome! I started the project but unfortunately my model was stolen before it was finished. I'd like to suggest to Bachmann as this for a possible new product using their current drive from the 4-6-0. The RGS 20 is currently being restored to operationally condition at the Strasburg RR before being returned to the Colorado Railroad Museum. The RGS 10 wheelers were bought from the Florence and Cripple Creek RR and could be lettered for that RR as well. In addition, the Southern Pacific had very similar 10 wheelers on there narrow gauge branch with whale back tenders. 

With the return of RGS #20 to operating service, I feel this could be a popular model. If the drive train of the 4-6-0 would work for these models, it seems like it could be an economical way for Bachmann to release a new a model.

I converted my Bachmann rail truck to battery and RC. I used a Rx65 receiver mounted under the seat in the cab. I shortened the coffin box and mounted it sideways for the battery. The battery is a Turnigy 2s Lipo (7.4v) 850 mAh. I origanally planned on using a 3s Lipo (11.1v) 1300 mAh battery but the one I ordered was two tight of a fit. I like the speed it provides. I'm hoping to have enough room for a Phoenix P8 in the coffin box and my plan is to mount a speaker on the bottom of the cab roof facing down.

Is the Connie still being produced? It believe it is absent from the product list. Will it return?

Thanks,
Patrick