I cannot run engines without sound.  It's like pushing a corpse around the layout.

I like the idea they'd make a medium size steamer. Either the mikado or the consolidation (e-27) would be great choices. Mostly, it would mean spare gearboxes and wheels for the mikado, mallet and consoidation.  There is the hope for a minor upgrade in the gearbox design too, making it easier to grease the gears and replace worn axles. That's what I will be needing in the not too far future (spare axles).

Ahh... I checked my Aristo history page, yes, mentioned in 2010
the SW-1500 was in the 1996 catalog.

Well, I'm happy Kader/Bachmann is using the old Aristo molds to make more stuff. I agree, they need to make more, the RS-3 might be a good choice, but I'm thinking they are going more modern.

They are also probably learning their lesson about making big locos that don't fit on every layout. The Mikado would not be a bad loco to bring back either, although it's fidelity to prototype is poor.

greg

Quote from: Greg Elmassian on January 19, 2024, 01:07:41 PMVery typical story with large/long locos.

Many people got excited and made a lot of noise over the:

Dash 9
E8
Mallet

But when it came down to it, it was a limited market and since there was a lot of time between announcement and delivery, the number of people who would ACTUALLY buy the locos was limited.

Also, many people found out that they just did not have the layout to run such large locos.

But Bachmann must have seen the outrageous prices on the used/NOS market, and dove in.

This happened with each of the above locos... people made a lot of noise, but the second or subsequent shipments sat on the dealer floor and eventually were sold at cost... RLD hobbies had pallets of E8's, Dash 9's sold for very cheap. Many mallets were sold cheap.

So it's good to see that Bachman did not fall into the same trap. Wise decisions will keep the company profitable.

Perhaps they could now make another MORE POPULAR Aristo loco?

Greg

Greg, I agree with you and the assessment of the biz decision.  I did preorder and purchase a new Dash 9 from Bachmann last year in an effort to support their efforts to produce large scale trains. I don't model the modern era, but I also want Bachmann to view 1/29 and the old aristo line as a viable source of income. My preference would be for another 2-8-0, 4-6-2 or RS-3. I am hopeful their GP-40 will likewise be well received. Likely a smart move to postpone a second run of Dash 9s before the GP-40 comes out.

The SW-1 was the designed but never produced loco from Aristo.  I think the SW-1500 was like the SD-9, died on the vine.

The output of Marklin controllers is AC, intended for use with their locomotives that operate on "3-rail" track. Although in their case, the center rail is actually a series of studs sticking up from a bus under the roadbed. AC power can damage the DC motors in locomotives designed to operate on 2-rail track. You could use the Marklin controller to supply variable AC power to lights or accessories designed to operate on AC.

Len

Noob here. Can a Marklin power controller be used to power EZ track? I believe I have Marklin locomotives. The power controller is Marklin 6201. I see the power connection might require a different wiring. HO scale trains.

At last, Bachmann has Rebecca's painted sample ready, for real this time. In a couple more weeks, we'll get to see HO Scale Rebecca, fully painted, in her entirety. That will be the big reveal for the May Thomas Tuesday. Hopefully N Scale Gordon in the package as well.

I am a lot more impressed with how Sir Topham Hatt's car is coming along so far personally.  I appreciate how Bachmann was willing to give updates on that once they added wheels to the car.  I'm looking forward to adding this to my layout once the figure packs arrive. 

Hope we hear an update on N scale Gordon in the package/shipment soon too.

Bachmann's Facebook has a teaser for Rebecca's painted sample once more, now proclaiming it will be revealed in full during the "Thomas Tuesday" in two weeks... It looks very nicely painted and detailed... Definitely interested in seeing the full thing...

Converting an old (pre-DCC era) engine to sound is, in my experience, much harder than just converting it to DCC. You have to get the decoder installed and find room for a speaker and it's enclosure. In some cases, I've just given up and bought a new version of the engine and swapped body shells...although in some cases, the new bodies of the diesels are much better detailed than the old ones.

Anyway, non-sound DCC decoders aren't that pricey compared to sound decoders, for the cost of one sound decoder you could buy like 3 non-sound ones to convert your old DC engines with. Maybe look into ones with some version of "keep alive" or "power pack" if the old engines - like many old steam engines - don't pick up power all that well.