Pre-Weathered Models?

[rogertra]

Are Bachmann North America planning on releasing pre-weathered models as Bachmann UK Ltd. does with its range of UK steam and diesel locomotives, as in this example: -

http://www.bachmann.co.uk/image_box.php?image=images1/branchline/32-858DC.jpg&cat_no=32-858DC&info=25&width=650&height=234

[ACY]

They have already produced pre-weathered models:
160-82603WE          Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Steam Powered w/Tender - Weathered -- Chesapeake & Ohio Class H5     HO      399.00    N    Sold Out    

160-82605WE          Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Steam Powered w/Tender - Weathered -- Nickel Plate Road     HO      399.00    N    Sold Out    

160-82607WE          Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Steam Powered w/Tender - Weathered -- Wheeling & Lake Erie     HO      399.00    N    Sold Out    
Here is the link on Walthers:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=H&manu=Bachmann&item=&keywords=weathered&words=restrict&instock=Q&showdisc=Y&split=30&Submit=Search

[rogertra]

They have already produced pre-weathered models:
160-82603WE          Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Steam Powered w/Tender - Weathered -- Chesapeake & Ohio Class H5     HO      399.00    N    Sold Out    

160-82605WE          Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Steam Powered w/Tender - Weathered -- Nickel Plate Road     HO      399.00    N    Sold Out    

160-82607WE          Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 Steam Powered w/Tender - Weathered -- Wheeling & Lake Erie     HO      399.00    N    Sold Out    

I was hoping that the entire range would be available weathered, as seems to be the case with Bachmann UK Ltd..

As my GER is set in Canada, I have no use for articulated engines.  The 4-8-2, both light and heavy and any 2-10-2 without that odd ball Southern motion are the largest Bachmann Spectrum engines suitable for a Canadian model railway.

[Jim Banner]

The only Mallets (pronounced mal lay) in Canada that I am aware of were the six built in 1910 for use as pushers on the big hill.  They were never used in the east until after they were rebuilt as 10-coupled heavy switchers and transfer engines.  The father of a friend (both now deceased) drove them in pusher service and according to my friend, his father hated them because of their unreliability.  But they had what it took to push trains up the 4.4% grade.

What part of Canada and about what year does your GER represent?  From the name, I would guess somewhere east of Winnipeg.

Jim

[rogertra]

The only Mallets (pronounced mal lay) in Canada that I am aware of were the six built in 1910 for use as pushers on the big hill.  They were never used in the east until after they were rebuilt as 10-coupled heavy switchers and transfer engines.  The father of a friend (both now deceased) drove them in pusher service and according to my friend, his father hated them because of their unreliability.  But they had what it took to push trains up the 4.4% grade.

What part of Canada and about what year does your GER represent?  From the name, I would guess somewhere east of Winnipeg.

Jim

Hi Jim.

Yes, I was aware of the CPR class R1 0-6-6-0s that ran from 1909 until rebuilt in 1917.  I gather they were not well liked in either configeration.

The GER replaces the CPR and some CNR lines in southern Quebec, across Maine and into the Martimes in 1958.  Photos in my sig.

[Pacific Northern]

While certainly not Canadian, Great Northern ran their L1 2-6-6-2 mallets into BC regularly serving many of the South West BC town's coal and mining industries.

here is a great book called Steam along the Boundary that goes into detail outlining the CPR, Kettle Valley and the GN. The pictures in the book also show GN's 4-8-0's and CPR's Shays in service.

By the way, I grew up in Field BC, (Near the Big Hill), father worked as an engineer driving CPR's steamers. I remember seeing pictures of the experimental Selkirk engine while it was stationed in field. Now there was an engine that was hated.

[richg]

I wonder if any prototype roads have tried to buy Pre-Weathered rolling stock and locos?   

Rich

[jward]

norfolk southern just did.

[Jim Banner]

I wonder if any prototype roads have tried to buy Pre-Weathered rolling stock and locos?   

Rich

I believe they have Mother Nature on contract for that job.

Jim

[CNE Runner]

Ready-to-run; preweathered; what's next?...ready-to-run layouts? Oh wait a minute...they are available. What ever happened to building kits and weathering ones own rolling stock? I guess my age is showing.

Ray

[rogertra]

Ready-to-run; preweathered; what's next?...ready-to-run layouts? Oh wait a minute...they are available. What ever happened to building kits and weathering ones own rolling stock? I guess my age is showing.

Ray

I agree but where's all the rolling stock kits these day?

Where are all the locomotive kits these days?

And, as you asked, I weathered all my own rolling stock, locomotives, road vehicles, buildings and people.

Google Bachmann UK, Hornby UK and you'll find many pre-weathered locomotives and rolling stock items available.

[CNE Runner]

Roger, I guess I have to admit that your observation of "where are all the kits...?" is bang on. Frankly the number of major kit manufacturers has dwindled as of late. Why? Because the buying public isn't buying them! I would imagine, now that Atlas has purchased Branchline, that line of kits will be slowly phased out. Thankfully Bowser and Accurail still produce quality kits (among others such as Walthers); so there are offerings for the 'kit minded' among us.

Times aren't so bleak as there are literally thousands of kits for sale on eBay and at train shows. I recently purchased, and completed, an old ('like 1950s) Silver Streak bobber caboose and marveled at the complexity of - what was then - a mainstream kit. When completed, these antique kits pale compared with even baseline offerings available in today's market.

Pray for me as I am starting construction on yet another Jordan light delivery wagon (you haven't lived unless you have attempted a Jordan horse-and-wagon kit).

Cheers on Father's Day,
Ray

[jward]

dig a little deeper. try funero & camerlengo, westerfield, sunshine models.

the kits are out there.

[Doneldon]

jeff-

Well, yes, there are kits out there. But they're pretty pricey compared to the standards we old people developed for ourselves many years ago. And operating kits, like locomotives, cranes or rotary snowplows, are just about extinct.
                                                                                                                                                 -- D

[Johnson Bar Jeff]

Pray for me as I am starting construction on yet another Jordan light delivery wagon (you haven't lived unless you have attempted a Jordan horse-and-wagon kit).

Good luck! Just looking at those kits scares the dickens out of me!