Headlight-Schmeadlight... It's about time for a Mogul in HO!  This Alco has a lot of possibilities.  The freelancers
should be thrilled!  When did this  show up?  Bachmann seems to announce articulateds... I see headlines for the EM-1...
but they still haven't announced the newer of the 4-4-0s -and they've been around for quite a while.  I have learned of most of the smaller engines from watching eBay! 

But no matter-  Thanks to Bachmann for this nice addition.  I have a pair of rare N.H. 2-6-0s by NERS- $750.00 brass locos
that I no longer have to put weird pint jobs on...  And no one ever felt quite right running USRA 0-6-0s with pilot trucks.  This new Mogul is a great-looking(-and, apparently, sounding...) little engine!

My point was- is, when I saw the ad... and eventually noticed that it said 'Baldwin', I went to the logical spot for info about Bachmann products, specifically new Bachmann products: The Bachmann web site.  There was nothing.  Not a mention or even a hint, re.: this new 4-4-0.  It's not listed in the catalog or any ither place I could think of.  "We announced these in the 2010 NMRA New Products List " was the reply.  So I searched first
"2010 NMRA New Products".  It came back with "Do you mean NRA?"  Why, yes.  I'd like one with a 30.06.
     A week or so ago, I was curious as to when myAtlas GM&O RS1s were released.  The Atlass site steered me to, not only GM&O version info, but notes on every variation of every product Atlas has sold... for years!  When did Atlas RS1s get re-tooled with wire grabs?  It's all there.  This BLW 4-4-0 is an entirely new produnct, one that I assume Bachmann would like to sell.  Not too long ago, when the Richmond 4-4-0s and 2-10-2s were in development, "PHOTOS" had running updates of progress- pilot model, etc. -on an ongoing basis.
     so far, I have provided almost all the information on this new 'Baldwin 4-4-0'.S'all I have!

I see that Bachmann evidently has released a Baldwin 4-4-0.  Great!  I guess.  I mean, I'm glad to see it(-if, indeed it proves to be an accurate BLW... The wheelbase makes it look like it may be a warmed over Richmond).  Who knows?  Maybe it was just an easy one, given the existence of the previous Richmond models... But what I would really like to see... is a Mogul of the same era.  Maybe start with a B. & M. B15 or a New York Central.  Model Power has N scale 4-4-0s and 2-6-0s using a single (NYC 2-6-0) superstructure; for the freelancers, they include, with undecorated models, a bag of parts including a high-headlight smokebox front, a second cab with arched windows- as orig. built.- piston valve cylinders and switching pilot.  One can create an amaazing array of "looks" with theswe few parts.  Who knows, right?  almost all the Eastern roads used 2-6-0s that were similar.  My guess is, however, that most would wear freelance 'colors'. 

Also, I re-iterate my plea for an A-1 style 2-8-4.  With that chassis and boiler, I.C. , C&NW, TH&B/B&A, ACL, B&M, SP and AT&SF(-both of whom bought the Boston and Maine's) and more all used early copies of the original Lima A1 2-8-4.  I remember how amazed I was when I heard that Bachmann was doing yet another Van Swearingen 2-8-4.  As a matter of fact, the day I read about it, Proto 2000 NKP and C&O Berks were on sale at one of the big places for $99.95. 

I saw the new ads for the Spectrum 4-4-0s.. 'No Big', I thought... Old nerws.  But then I saw "Baldwin" 4-4-0.  The 4-4-0 I was thinking of was a Richmond.  But the wheelbase looked like a Richmond.  Is this a new product?  Or a "Baldwin-ized" Richmond 4-4-0? 

Why is it that the last place to have any news on new Bachmann products is the Bachmann website?

Back when the 4-6-0s and 2-10-2s  were announced, but not out yet, I usede the 'Photos' to keep up on progress.  I can't find any mention of a "new" 4-4-0 in the Spectrum line.

How come?

AMAZING... It's been more than two months since I saw a new Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 in Magazines, on the Brooklyn site and a few other places.  But on the Bachmann site- ZERO.

Almost as amazing is that no one else has asked about the first ever mass-produced Ten-wheeler in N-scale history!!??                     
Don't they notify you anymore? 

Interesting stat:When the Heavy mountain was announced, I read about it first on the ATLAS Forum!

JEEZ!

I saw that Bachmann is finally doing the BLW 4-6-0.  Other than a really low production Euro model years ago, this is the First N Scale Ten-wheeler ever!!!  When will we see it?  I believe I saw a November 2010 release date for the model.

I've done this before... when the 2-10-2s came out.  But here it is again.

I just looked at the Spectrum Rogers 4-4-0 blurb on this site.  According to Bachmann, one of the salient features of this nifty little American is its "Walschaert Valve Gear".  Which was always very rare on a 4-4-0 and totally non-existent on ones by Bachmann.  The very beautiful Spectrum 4-4-0 models- all versions- have Stephenson gear, as do almost 100% of all 4-4-0s.  The only exceptions I can recall are the modern Americans of the FRISCO and also those of the C. & I.M.  Now... on to the 2-10-2s...

All but one version of the Spectrum 2-10-2 have Southern Valve Gear(-and all the original USRA 2-10-2s- light and heavy- did arrive with the Southern gear...).  The one variety in the Bachmann catalog with valve gear we all can recognize is the Seaboard Air Line version.  And it is advertised as having... you guessed it... "Walschaert Valve Gear"!  And the first thing we recognize is that link on the crosshead that simply isn't there on a Southern-equipped version.  But, upon closer scrutiny, we see that this isn't a Walschaert setup either; it's a Baker!   

I am guessing that a member of the Jonas Walschaert family- I've never heard of a 'Jonas Walschaert', but all those 1880-type guys had names like that- is employed at Bachmann and they are somehow collecting royalties. 

So.  I am volunteering for the position of 'Vice-president- Valve Gear' of this Bachmann outfit...  I promise to have the entire tawdry valve gear scandal resolved by Q4, 2010.

Sincerely,

Joe 'I know it all' Gideon

Bach Man!  You  guys make TRAINS!  Back when the 2-10-2 arrived, I noticed that the catalog blurb indicated a variety of valve gear, depending upon the prototype: Either Southern gear or Walschaert gear.  None of the 2-10-2s has Walschaert V.G.  All are equipped with Southern gear, except  for the S.A.L. version- which has a Baker V.G.  Similar- but definitely different- and in their day- competing products.
I guess I (sorta...)understand how that could happen- but a year later the phantom Walschaert gear showed up on your Spectrum 4-4-0.  Not even close, folks.  The 4-4-0s- all of 'em- have Stephenson gear, located between the frame rails(-and therefore ALMOST invisible).  Walschaert gear, while not exactly a modern valve gear(-it was used on the 1860s-70s Mason Bogies-), didn't really appear on many locos until after the turn of the century.  Probably 85% of the steamers- and 95% of the larger steamers-  made after 1900 had either Walschaert or Baker gear.  The largest use of Southern gear was on the USRA 2-10-2s and on the Southern Railway's engines.  The major spotting difference is the lack of the forward link(-the vertical rod that is connected to the crosshead)on the Southern. This function was handled by one of the two links located at the valve gear hanger. The Baker gear had an upside-down 'V'- or 'U'- shaped link at the hanger. 

I used to wonder why little things like this seemed to rattle the cages of certain poor saps... As I recall, 'rivet counters' rings a bell... But you really should correct these items.  Bachmann has pretty-well shed its image of being makers of mediocre toy trains... so it would seem to me to be in its better interest to appear as if it knew what it was, uh... doing.

...two, three, four, fi...   

Wouldn't this be where YOU, Mr. Bach-mann,let us know the company's position?  I have been awaiting those same two- with baited breaqth, I might add- for three years!  Then, I'm hoping to seea 4-4-0.

I just purchased one of Walthers' new USRA 0-8-0s... Nice job!  Now, it appears to me, placing my HO 0-8-0 next to my Spectrum Decapod, that the 0-8-0's motor would fit fine in the Decapod.  But that's not my dept....  When might we expect an "N" scale 2-10-0?

J. Snyder

So, Bach-man... I griped about this before- in HO. 

I just received a pair of the new "N" Heavy 4-8-2 Mountains...  Absolutely lovely!  The diecast boilers/superstructures make ALL the difference! I bought an undec. and an I.C.R.R..

Now... my HO Heavy Mountain, my Illinois Central version, is numbered as #2981.  Now,  anyone who knows anything about the I.C (ask Lanny!)knows that the 2900s were 2-10-2s.  Always!  I griped about this to you and to corporate years ago!  So, imagine my surprise when I unwrapped my new "N" scale Heavy Mountain, and found it to be numbered as- you guessed it- 2981! 

Now this company of yours has gone to great lengths, extraordinary lengths, to make the new Bachmann products as as accurate as any out there... I mean... I'm a FAN!  Now... my HO railroad has a 2-10-2- a new Proto 2000- numbered 2937... a proper 2-10-2 number.  And a Heavy 4-8-2 Mountain...#2981.  The text is also quite large- about 40% too large.  But you really missed the boat on the "N" scale mountain.  A clean slate and you blew it!  Those I.C. 4-8-2s should be numbered in the 2500s, but you could get away with 2400s or even 2600s.  So pleeeeeeeeeaase.. Mister Bach-mann...  Make these bee-yoo-ti-ful new steam locomotives correct!  It absolutely is no easier to make 'em incorrectly!!

I spend a lot on this stuff- and I have been in it a long time.  But for what you get, Mein Gott!

In the '40s- wayyyy before MY time- model trains were so expensive that the kits were sold in sections- mechanism, superstructure and tender, usually.  A locomotive cost a week's salary- or even a month's.  Mantua's 4-6-2 kit was $47.50- about $475.00 in today's money... And it was A KIT!!
Conversely, the On30 Forney I rec'd today would have cost $18.-20.00 back then.

The model railroader has never had it so good.  I have always been a brass guy- they always looked so much better than the alternative.  And I still buy brass.  But I have recently purchased a pair of gorgeous 4-4-0s, three beautiful 4-6-0s and a couple 2-10-2s- add in this On30 dude and it all comes to half of a brass loco.  And these things are as detailed as the older PFM and Max Gray models that still bring hundreds on eBay.  Every time I look closely at these newer models, I am amazed.  Add to it the flawless running on most- Hey!  It's a deal!

The Old Man on the (Woodland Scenics)Mountain

AM I CORRECT IN thinking that Bachmann is going to release an NKP/Kanawha/just-like-everyone else's Berkshire??  I tell myself that, no... it simply can't be, that the people at Bachmann are at least as sharp as I am in realizing that LIFE-LIKE- OR WALTHERS- OR WHOMEVER- HAS BEEN FIRE-SAILING, GIVING AWAY AND LEAVING ABANDONED AT GOODWILL, THE LAST 2-3 THOUSAND NKP/C&O/VIGINIAN 2-8-4S THEY MADE... Please tell me that they didn't waste all that effort.  What?... is brand name that important to model railroaders?  ('Ahm a Bachmann man, muhself... Paw had 'em and I remember that Maw liked 'em...' Don't Lahf Lahk mean, 'Found on tracks DEa...NO?') Never mind.  They couldn't have done that.  I had made a suggestion thaT maybe the A-1 2-8-4, the EARLY Superpower Berk might make a good candidate... This thing's going to cost about the same as the old(-and beautiful!) PFM brass versions on eBay- which, by the way, they can't give away!

C'mon, Guys! 

I'll be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO disappointed!

I called up this site this morning to add a suggestion for a Ma & Pa #26-ish addition to the Bachmann stable!  ...and, Viola'! Failing that, even #s 42 and 43 would be OK.  But a die-cast ver. of the old PFM consol.?  The Bachmanns could stop thinking trains for a while and buy a Learjet!  To those who might gripe about the preponderance of Ma & Pa...Hey!  Baldwin was their 'Bachmann'.

Quote from: Stephen Warrington on May 24, 2007, 04:14:43 PM
Hi Guys,

I just got my 2nd 2-8-0 from Bachamnn and when I sat it in front of my two lemon Hallmark 2-8-0s the loco dementions matched perfect now here is the question. Would a new Bachmann chassis and motor fit on a Hallmark Boiler?



here's a shot with them side by side. The RI will soon be senttoTexas for conversion into a IC 2-8-0 or a close copy of one.

Stephen

First- I must say I'm happy to- all of a sudden- see all the interest in the I.C.!  I have been lobbying Bachmann for years to, at the very least, do a 2-8-0 in Central road name... I think the response here demonstrates that Bachmann wouldn't lose money by catering to I.C. fans...  After all, they 'stole' the Consol. from the I.C.!

I, like many, have a Hallmark.  I bought it from Peachcreek Shops for $170.00; it had a Faulhaber geared head motor and some other improvements... sounded good to me.  Except...  It ran quite well!  Then, one day I started a train with the 2-8-0 up front and it started a little hop action.  It got worse, then stopped cold.  Up[on examination, I saw thatthe problem was that the spokes on the main driver set had simply crumbled.  This is a problem with a lot of older brass models with zamac driver centers.  Many Akane articulateds had this problem.  Nothing to do but replace the drivers.

I attempted to do a hybrid and- with some work- simple stuff like the front stairways need be moved from the frame to the superstructure-- or is it the other way??  Anyway- the previous owner had filled the boiler with shot and epoxy, so the Bachmann cylindrical unit could not fit; I see no reason why it couldn't work, though.  The Bachmann patterns were struck from an old Hallmarl I.C. 2-8-0..The only changes were the tender and the air pump.  Otherwise,you can literally see that even the detail parts, injector, bell, whistle, EVERYTHING! was a copy of the HMK!  I am using the pilot-deck-mtd. pumps on a Bachmann.  I made new running boards from Safe-T-tread brass and it'll look fine!  Howard Zane had offered to sell me three rat Hallmarks for $200. and I passed it up, dang it!  The tenders alone...

Has anyone ever seen the "I.C." 2-10-2 that Sunset did twenty or so yrs. ago?  While it ispretty much a USRA, it has pretty fair renditions of domes.  I have one and, unfortunately, it's far too rare and expensive a piece to scavenge. But it has a lotta problems: Southern gear, USRA cab, USRA tender, etc.  But here's another hybrid that might no be toooo farout there...  I have a Samhongsa MoPac 2-10-2 and the chassis will fit under a Hallmark 4-8-2 super.   I know a few people that have several of the 4-8-2s... Usually, one is d.o.a.  I haven't quite figured out what that would make!  But it's certainly in keeping with the Paducah folks' methodology! 

Now.  When the @#$%@##@ is Bachmann gonna do an undecorated 2-10-2 with the Baker- NOT Walschaert as the advertising says- valve gear from the S.A.L..  No-brainer!  It'd take 'em an hour to set it up.  I guess they want to sell the extra engines.  No- I'm NOT trying to make an I.C. out of a "Light"-

So , let's keep the heat on these guys!  The I.C. and the GM&O guys are getting a lotta play recently- Now we need to get Kato or IM to do GM&O F3s in 'N'.  And an RS1 and 3 in the old paint style.

Incidentally, I have had some success fabricating domes from sheet styrene.  I cut the ends from .030 sheet and the "wrapper" from .010.  I Bond the three parts, then fill 'em with "FLEX" paste from Woodland, then- when hard- shape them with files.  It works well and is fairly easy.

Thanks!

Jim Snyder
Monterey

Greetin's, Man...

Some time ago, I wrote to you expressing my displeasure at the unavailability of anything but Southern gear on the undec. versions of the USRA Light 2-10-2. Indeed, on ANY version except for the two S.A.L.s  While you guys evidently did not hear me, the guys over at Walthers evidently did.  Voila!  Any kind o' valve gear you might want or need in their new (...and gorgeous!)2-10-2.

So, fess up, Man.  What the hecksa deal?  It's a packaging issue!!! Stick black boiler on frame with little chinga-thing; stick black tender in box.  Stick engine in box.  Mail to ME.  This is not hard stuff.  Hell- charge ten bucks extra if it'll make you feel good.  What it WOULD do is sell a pile o' 2-10-2s... unless all those freelance guys have bought Heavies...

Sheesh!