gijoe80 --

I started model railroading in 1995, and a "shiny silver" Santa Fe #307 was one of the first locomotives I got.  It was purchased by my parents at Wal-Mart (yup, they used to sell trains!) and I got it for Christmas (the reason I know is I had seen it there and put it on my "wish list" lol).  I, too, later got a "non shiny" version of the same engine used at a yard sale, and it actually turned out that it was the older of the two.  I have since seen the non shiny one new in the box at a hobby shop, so I'm guessing these are just basic generic products that Bachmann offers at a low price point to get kids (or even adults) started in the hobby, and both could be offered concurrently.  

So really, neither of them are rare or of any financial value.  The only way there might be a value is if it is made of actual stainless steel or something, which I doubt ever happened...

I attempted to post this before, but apparently it didn't "take", so here it is again:  

Words can't describe how truly disappointed I am...not only did Bachmann not develop one of the HO steam engines I was hoping for, they didn't develop ANY new steam engines.  AT ALL.  I guess they are all out to lunch in the steam development department.  The only HO steam in the brochure was just previously released pieces with new road names/numbers.  Wow.  And while I'll probably end up buying one of the WM F7A's, I just wanted to add that just about every other model railroad company has also developed a version of the F7 this year, where there were NONE available this time last year.  Talk about saturating the market...

I also found it was a shame that Yardmaster and other moderators didn't bother to share with those of us with hopes for new HO steam that there wouldn't be ANY.  I can understand keeping new items under wraps as a "surprise", but what's the point of not telling faithful customers that they have been totally overlooked for the entire upcoming production year?  It wouldn't have taken much for one of you to simply drop a line like "For those of you steam fans, unfortunately, we were unable to develop any new locomotives for 2012, but hopefully we can do better next year."  Now what would that have taken so we didn't keep on the brink of our seats waiting for the announcement when there wasn't one?  


Does anyone know where I can find information for other companies new products?  Of particular interest are Woodland Scenics and Walthers!  Thanks!  

Is anyone on here able to make it out to the show?  Would be nice to see some pics if so...   

Quote from: Yardmaster on July 30, 2012, 08:24:31 AM
Manufacturer's hall opens on Friday.

I guess I was wrong...they can hold us over for torture for more than another whole week...

Yardmaster, are there any hints you can give us about what new locomotives are coming out?  Any geared HO?   

Well, they can up to five more days...   

Wow, I don't know if I can wait that long lol.  I really hope the intelligence takes pity on us lol.

What's the actual day this announcement is supposed to happen?

I, too, would like the see a three truck Heisler in HO (or two truck for that matter...hopefully better and lower cost than Rivarossi's), but am still holding out for that model of Western Maryland Big Six Shay that I mentioned last year.  I would also like to see a Pacific Coast Shay and/or a 2 truck Shay as well. 

As far as rolling stock, Camp Cars would be a nice addition!   

The 3 Truck Shay is no longer in production at Bachmann, and there will be no more replacement trucks.  However, nine times out of ten, the trucks are being replaced due to a problem with the drive shaft and/or gears.  If this is your issue, you may be in luck...they do offer a replacement shaft/gear set in the parts store.  It is pretty simple to replace them by following the directions that come with the set.  You get all three (Front, Middle, Rear) for one price.  I have done this with several of my Shays now and they do run better! 

Yes, they deleted one I had posted on about Western Maryland "Big Six" possibly coming to HO.  Apparently you're not allowed to have a difference of opinion from anyone else either...if there is the slightest hint of an argument, its deleted also.  Very communist-like.   

I have the Western Maryland RS-3, and although I haven't had it all that long and haven't run it a whole lot, I would say its capabilities are right up there with the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation steam engine.  Similar hauling capability, similar handling, etc.  just diesel instead of steam.     There are those who said the RS-3 isn't necessarily one of the best engines in Bachmann's offerings, but thus far I disagree with that.  The new S4 is nice too, but I suppose it would probably need turning around for point to point work as well. 

I think I'm probably mirroring what everybody else has said, but I figured I might as well go ahead and add my two cents as I'm known for doing. 

Personally, I think EZ track is an EXCELLENT way to get model train "novices" into the hobby, especially for younger kids.  It also is great if you are one of those people that has to constantly make changes and reconfigure everything, as it allows for some track stability similar to cork, but it doesn't have to be nailed/glued into place.  My first layout, which I started to build when I was 13, entirely utilized EZ track, I actually stuck with EZ track for the first ten years of my "modeling career" (LOL).  When I started getting a little more advanced in the hobby, I even discovered that you could continue to use the EZ track, and simply pour ballast over it to make it look more realistic.  But, when I got older, I decided it was time to move from a loop style 4x8 layout to something larger and more realistic.  While I had originally intended to continue with EZ track, I found that it would be easier to achieve my realism goals by using Atlas Flex Track, which allows you to customize your own curves a little more without having to stick with a constant 18" radius or straight sections in constant 9" intervals, and also there isn't a rail joint every 9 inches which reduces the number of times a train will jump the tracks. 

So, I DO recommend it for a beginner who wants to experiment with a few different designs and get used to things, but, when its time to do something a little more permanent and interesting, I definitely recommend "advancing" to flex track or something similar. 

What is your reason for doing this?  Would seem it would be worth it to just buy the Nickel Silver EZ-track, rather than go through the hassle.  I have "scrapped" a couple sections of EZ track before to use the rails for a trestle I was building, but found that it was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get the rails off without tearing up the ties.  The rails appear to be superglued to the ties from underneath, and would presumably make the track very weak of you put in the new rails...I figure there will be quite a few derailments.  Let us know how it turns out, though. 

Quote from: mattyg1306 on July 11, 2011, 12:04:05 AM

I would like to see a three truck Heisler myself, and it does only make sense really that it would come next.  On the other hand, Rivarossi already released a Heisler for a limited time in 2005, maybe that is too new for Bachmann to release a "duplicate"?  I'm sure Bachmann would use a better (or at least different) prototype engine than Rivarossi did, though.

Personally, I was hoping the Bachmann rep who came to Cass and let slip that #6 was in the works for HO meant that it would be out this year, but I suppose we'll have to wait a while longer.  I saw a thread on here about it a couple weeks ago but didn't get a chance to read it...now I can't seem to find it.  Hopefully they didn't scrap the project...  Anyone else see that thread or have any new info?

Anyway, as you may be able to tell from my thumbnail, I really enjoy Bachmann's HO Cass line...whether its a Big Six or Heisler #6 or something else related, I hope they will continue to use Cass and/or West Virginia in general as a prototype...I think West Virginia/Western Maryland are probably among the top contenders for most common layout settings based on East Coast prototypes...hopefully they will keep it going in HO!  

@mattyg--
So u were there in person when the Bachmnann guy was at Cass?  What all did he say exactly?  I wasn't there in person when he was, but came down on Sunday and a couple friends told me what he said.  They've never lied before, but everyone's negative response to the "Big Six" thread made me think they had heard wrong or something.  Maybe u can clear it up! BTW, for some reason, the topic was deleted by Yardmaster.  

Quote from: wtierce on July 11, 2011, 09:08:48 AM
I agree. I live in Georgia and am hoping that we might g up there some time soon. My grandparents have been their before but I haven't.

And, wtierce, it really is one of the best places for geared steam fans...I'd venture to say Cass  is the most authentic representation of a logging railroad that there is...complete with steep grades and sharp curves.  It also lives up to its name earnestly...it is the most scenic train ride I've ever been on:  it takes you deep into the Monongahela National Forest, there are very few homes along the line, it doesn't really go through anyone's backyard, and there really isn't any garbage along the tracks like some other lines I've been on.  When you visit, I also recommend you make time for the Tygart Flyer out of Elkins...it is also a beautiful trip, and actually takes you to the very end of the original Cass logging era trackage that ran past High Falls to Bemis!  This will give you an idea of just how large the WVP&P empire really was when it was at Cass!

Quote from: ebtnut on July 11, 2011, 01:33:38 PM
It is possible that Bachmann may have in mind doing with they did with the Climaxes - the On30 and the HO models have a very similar drive train, maybe even with common parts.  The newly-announced On30 Heisler is such a small loco that I would not put it past them to use that drive as the basis for a medium sized Heisler in HO down the road.  

I hope you are right, ebtnut!  Would be nice to see a Bachmann version of the Heisler in HO!

Quote from: richg on June 27, 2011, 08:12:18 PM
Actually there arr no secrets to this. It is just knowing the limitations of what you are dealing with. I have done stuff like this but have experience of doing this on a much larger scale.
In this case it is the size of the shaft. Very easy to bend. I have done gear and flywheel replacements and it can be very easy to bend a motor shaft and those are not as long as the shaft you are dealing with.
I sometimes put the shaft/motor in the freezer for about an hour to shrink the shaft and then carefully press the gear or flywheel into place keeping everything square. This is not plug and play. Sometimes I may heat the metal gear or flywheel a little to expand them.

Rich

Yeah, I never would have thought about putting it in the freezer.  I may try that if I decide to try the NWSL gears again.  As difficult impossible as it was to get those gears in place without tearing it up, its hard to believe as many people have found success with this as there apparently are.  I like the idea of sticking with the company who originally designed the product, so for now replacing the entire line shaft is actually easier and cheaper than replacing just the gears.  The plastic on the replacement shaft gears does appear to be a little better quality.  I have six Shays, and four of the six have at least four gears each that are split.  I do run them on a rather steep 4%-7% grade, but pretty much every thread about the topic says the models are capable of acheiving at least *MOST of the same things that the prototype was able to do.  When they are on the aforementioned grade, I generally only have it push 3 cars, while the prototype can handle 5+ on a similar grade.