Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Could you produce a RGS #1 Inspection car using the gandy dancer drive as per this model example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140650119149?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I may later buy a model T Ford model and attempt to mount it on a gandy dancer.

The New York Central RR also had an inspection car using a touring sedan of that era of the start of the automobile.


Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Canadian Pacific roadname:

Is the body colour of the 2 car (combine and diner) add on of the same body colour as the 4 car passenger set?

Is the body colour maroon?

Thank you

Norman


72' Scale Heavyweights 4 Car Passenger Sets (Baggage, Two Pullmans, and Observation)



http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=2537





72' Scale Heavyweights 2 Car Passenger Add-Ons (Combine & Diner)



http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=2545

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

I would like to present my request for Bachmann Industries to mfg two Baldwin locos presently at Disneyland.

The Ward Kimball and the Ernest Marsh locos as originally built at the Baldwin factory, to avoid legal or copyright issues with the Disney folks, as two follow ups to the INDY loco.

I don't know. It seems pretty simple to select popular small sized locos. Lee Riley just has to visit Disneyland and view the Ward Kimball and the Ernest Marsh locos. Popular incorrect rumor has it that the Ernest Marsh loco was built to represent the first loco on the D&RG. So, build the original factory version of that D&RG loco #1.

These are two famous American locos to mfg but yet Lee Riley chose the Baldwin Mexican RR Connie loco. I think that Americans would more easily relate with these two Baldwin locos made famous at Disneyland.

Future Spectrum locos are far too expensive, so I am hoping these two locos would be built at the product detail and pricing level of the INDY.

Thank you
Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Here is the Disney Paris loco with fluted domes, cab with curved glass corner windows, covcatcher and sunflower stack.
If Bachmann produced this styled version of the present 4-4-0 product, a Disney product could also be offered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB7g-Tu1BUU&feature=fvwrel


Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann and Yardmaster:

Will the rivet detail on the tender tank sides be improved to match the previously improved rivet detail on the locomotive?

Will a new tender rear ladder casting replace the warped and out of scale rear tender ladder?

Thank you

Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Walt Disney purchased a saddle tank loco PINE CREEK .

This PINE CREEK prototype loco was of the same style model loco as your current non spectrum saddle tank loco which uses the same smoke box as the INDY.

The 4-4-0 steam & sand domes, stack and headlamp mounted onto the INDY boiler, less the existing centre steam dome, powered by the saddle tank loco drive unit to haul the INDY tender would produce a model very similar to the Disneyland Railroad #4 Ernest S Marsh loco.

video Disneyland Railroad #4 Ernest S Marsh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4tbcmQ18zY


Opinions from the hobbyists. Would this be a desireable model ?



Thank you

Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Would you produce some Durango & Silverton combines and coaches?
I realise there previously was a set done, but I just want to purchase the J&S cars.
I note that you presently have a HO Durango & Silverton set out which is of no help to myself as I am limiting myself to G.

Thank you
Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Here is Bob Baxter's modelling work. The conversion of the Indy to a Porter loco. What do you think? Would Lee Riley make some new molds and build a 1:22.5 Porter on the Indy wheel base?


http://4largescale.com/baxter/12.htm


Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann and others:

I bought a set of Bachmann ON30 Jackson & Sharp coaches which I wish to run on O gauge standard gauge track.

Any suggestions for replacement standard gauge passsenger car trucks?

Is there a Williams passenger or freight car truck which would fit? I would replace the 3 rail wheels with 2 rail wheels if the William wheels provide an electrical short between the two outside rails.

Thank you

Norman

July 4, 2011

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

In response to Glen's comment:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Withdrawal
« on: June 30, 2011, 07:44:13 PM »   


I  am feeling a sense of Large Scale Withdrawal--is there anything for ua to  "Anticipate" at thje big NMRA Train Show in Sacramento next week?

I haven't even noticed the lobbying for particular models  we used to see here!   gj

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I would like to lobby for a 1:20.3 Baldwin 6 8 1/3 C class drawing 10.

What loco is that?

It is the Olomana with the saddle tank removed and a rear tank installed as per the Ward Kimball conversion of his 6 8 1/3 C class drawing 4 locomotive to a drawing 10 locomotive which he then named Chloe.

This 0-4-2 C class drawing 10 locomotive, built in the 1:20.3 scale, would compliment the return production of the 1:22.5 scale Industrial loco which we all refer to as Indy.

In addition, a 2-4-4 version of this C class drawing 10 locomotive, with a longer coal/wood bin, would also be an excellent product.

Brass steam cylinders and steam domes with the Russia Iron grey boiler and Baldwin No. One pinstriping would be a "must buy" for myself.

These 0-4-2 and 2-4-4 C class 1:20.3 scale model locomotives would appeal to the 1:24, 1:22.5 and 1:20.3 hobbyists thereby providing a broad sales market.

Personally, I have not bought any Bachmann locos since the release of the 1:20.3 American 4-4-0. This loco is of a size which can be of interest to also the 1:22.5 and 1:24 scale hobbyists. The "Eureka& Paisade" and the "brown Russia Iron boiler" with brass cylinder and brass steam dome finish are outstanding models.

I have moved onto other large scale mfgs for subsequent loco purchases, which is great for the competition, but this really is not the intention of Bachmann trains!

I guess Bachmann wishes to focus on logging locomotives.

Maybe Bachmann should broaden its market appeal of future 1:20.3 locos, useable also in 1:22.5 and 1:22.4 scales, that are of interest for both logging and  freight / passenger operations such as the 0-4-2  and 2-4-4 C class drawing 10 locomotives which were used for all of these three types of railroad operations.


Norman

Running on tourist line:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHYj6QMs1II&feature=related



On turntable:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InGBDzU0VA4&NR=1



Another run on tourist line:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i4Y2uPVq2g&NR=1





Loco name:  ANAKA



Railroad: LK&PRR



Bachmann Indie prototype modified with:



- Radeley Hunter stack

- four window 4-4-0 style style flat panel roof cab

- steam and sand domes red lids

- steam dome riser brass wrapper

- steam chest brass wrapper

- steam cylinder brass wrapper

- oil burning red headlamp

- link and pin red cowcatcher

- steam cylinder red end caps

- steam chest red lids

- "wood" colour cab

- green loco boiler wrapper

- brass boiler bands

- green tender

- green air tank mounted at tender rear

- red locomotive wheels

- red tender trucks

- smaller bell than on present Bachmann Indie





This You Tube video illustrates that the steam generator was moved to just aft of the headlamp to make room for the 4-4-0 style cab



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESO65zvOMDI&feature=related



The updated four window 4-4-0 style style flat panel roof cab definitely is too long.

The steam generator should not have been moved.



I like the air tank mounted at the tender rear.

The green tender and the green Russia Iron boiler wrapper are very nice.



Another You Tube view of Sugar Cane train:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC1ERKcTJKg&NR=1



In summary:



The updated four window 4-4-0 style style flat panel roof cab definitely is too long.

The steam generator should not have been moved.



I like the air tank mounted at the tender rear.

The green tender and the green Russia Iron boiler wrapper are very nice.



The Bachmann Indie bell is far too large.

I don't like the dual sand domes, but this is how all of these similar sugar cane locomotives seamed to have been equipped.



Mr. Bachmann, will you produce a Western Indie similar to this sugar cane train with the brass details, green paint and red paint?



Thank you



Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Here are some You Tube videos, the first video was posted on largescalecentral, of the Bachmann Indie prototype in operation.

I read on largescalecentral that the Indie now has a metal frame and metal gears. The Bachmann website should state what improvements have been made to the new releases.

1)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzko91qKzvM

2)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYHquklAOfY&NR=1

3)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-JSF2OrwKU&NR=1

4)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XryR1Xh9Imo&NR=1

5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzhYnfJVw88&NR=1

Can you produce a Western version of the Indie with link and pin cowcatcher, oil box headlamp, diamond stack and wood cab?

Thank you
Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Could you release a "Canadian Pacific" decorated 10th Anniversary loco in passenger paint ( maroon tender side panel with yellow roadname lettering ) ?

Local modellors have tried but of course have failed to match the Bachmann factory standard of paint and decoration.

Also a set of J&S coaches in maroon with yellow roadname lettering?

I realise this loco is narrow guage, but Bachmann has decorated the 10th Anniversary loco in standard gauge "Pennsylvania" .

Local hobbyist really don't care about the track gauge error as they use the 10th Anniversary loco as a 1:29 standard gauge loco !

Thank you

Norman

Dear Mr Bachmann:

Could you produce a wood burner style Indie with a Radley Hunter style stack, peaked roof cab with two side windows of equal length, link & pin cowcatcher ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws9h7pP0iyU&feature=related

This would give Lee Riley a good reason to visit Hawaii !

How about a boiler with one steam dome followed by one sand dome followed by one bell as per the 4-4-0 ?

Norman

 

Dec 9, 2010

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Could you produce the first version of the RGS #1 inspection car?

http://www.rgsrrhobbies.com/index_files/Page2690.htm

A model T Ford running on rails.

Thank you
Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Here is a link to locos similar to the Bachmann Indy:

http://www.cplerr.com/engineroster.html

Note how the boiler is low slung. The Bachmann Indy boiler sits too high.

Can you produce a follow up to the Indy with a low slung boiler, one steam dome, one sand dome, cow catcher, diamond stack, oil burner headlamp, cab with side windows of equal length?

Can you build this Indy follow up at the same scale as the present Indy?
You cab use the existing Indy tender and existing Indy drive.
You only need to create a new cab and boiler.  Maybe shrink the driver diameter.

Is this too much to ask?

Thank you

Norman

Dear Mr Bachmann:

A quote from a hobbyist on another model train website:

" I ran the Bachmann Hand cars on a professional display for several years.  It was on point-to-point tracks. I wore out 6-8 each year.

The problem was not having ball bearings where the axles go through the steel frame.  The stamped holes in the frames would wear to a point the the gears would start binding and then the motor would be under so much stress that the motor would finally burn up.

I tried converting them with bushings (from a R/C racing hobby shop) but at that time did not have the proper tools to modify the frames.


If Bachmann woold add the Bushing/Bearing improvement, the hand cars would be much better mechanically and electrically.  "


Question:

Can Bachmann issue new frames with shouldered tube inserts for the axles to turn in?
Why would Bachmann release a product with metal axles turning in metal holes?
Can a retrofit handcar frame be sent to the parts department?

Thank you

Norman

Dear Mr. Bachmann:

Could yourself and Lee Riley pull out the drawings for Baldwin Locomotive Works Burnham Williams & Co. 20925  locomotive? This is the Disneyland 2-4-4T engine painted and lettered as Ward Kimball No. 5.

Suggestion for a future engine and this is what I wanted the next issue of an Indy sized engine to be. Anyway, at least I can ask!

Also please see below:

Thank you

Norman


FROM Steve DeGaetano on the Disney Railroads Discussion Board:

A while ago, I told you that I was working with the Librarian at Nicholls State University, to obtain some of the Barker and Lepine papers dealing with a little 1902 Baldwin we're all familiar with. Today, those papers arrived.

I thought some of you might find the following excerpts enlightening. The letters from Barker and Lepine are handwritten, and occasionally difficult to read; I have done my best to transcribe them accurately. This correspondence is a fascinating look into what it was like to purchase a locomotive from the mighty Baldwin Locomotive Works at the turn of the last century. Enjoy:

April 23'd 1902
Messrs. Burnham, Williams and Co., Philada, Penn

Dear Sirs:

Will you please quote us delivered at Melodia Switch S.P.R.R. the lowest price of a 36" gauge Plantation locomotive dimensions about 9 x 14 cylinder, water tanks to carry 500 gallons, equipped with headlights etc. etc. and arranged on the basis of using firebox grates, stack etc. for oil fuel including tank and all necessary piping and fittings for same.

Yours Truly,
Barker and Lepine

***

April 26, 1902
Messrs. Barker and Lepine
Lafourche Crossing, La.

Gentleman:-

We have your favor of the 23rd inst. desiring proposal for 9" x 14" cylinder saddle-tank locomotive of three feet gauge, arranged for oil-burning...We quote for a locomotive to this Specification, delivered on car at our Works, Three thousand one hundred and fifty ($3150)...We have not yet been able to obtain a rate of freight to Melodia Switch.

Very truly yours,
Burnham, Williams & Co.

***

April 28, 1902
Messrs. Barker and Lepine
Lafourche Crossing, La.

Supplementing our letter of the 26th inst., we are now able to name a freight rate of 73c per hundred pounds, on a minimum weight of 30,000 pounds, for the locomotive proposed, delivered at Melodia Siding.

Very truly yours,
Burnham, Williams & Co.

***

April 30th 1902
Messrs Burnham, Williams and Co.

Dear Sirs,

Your favor of the 25th inst. only just in hand. We now have a locomotive very much like the one represented on your (illegible) but on which you gave us specifications and we do not like it. We do not fancy a saddletank and prefer a watertank attached on the rear...However, we have seen the locomotive you sold last to our neighbor Sibbey and Blouin, Bush Grove Plantation and would ask of you to give us quotation on a duplicate of same for Oil Fuel.

***

May 13, 1902
Messrs. Barker & lepine, Lafourche Crosing, LA

Gentlemen:-

We acknowledge receipt of your telegram of this date accepting specification #A-4436 which accompanied our letter of May 6th. We have accordingly entered your order for one locomotive as per this specification, for shipment in about four months, for the sum of Three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500), delivered on car in Philadelphia...Please instruct us as to the lettering, name and number, you desire on this engine.

Thanking you for the order, we remain,
Very truly yours,
Burnham, Williams and Co.

***

Unfortunately, there is no corresponding letter specifying the name, number, etc. Reviewing a photocopy of the actual Baldwin specification sheet for this particular engine, however, obtained from the California State Railroad Museum, shows that the engine had no number, but that it had a name: Maud L. --Steve D.

***

May 16th, 1902
Mr. Frank Barker
New Orleans

Friend Frank:

I enclose your letter of Burnham, Williams and Co. received this day...It would be a good thing to look up the S.P. people and by shipping locomotive from Philadelphia to N.Y. and from there by S.P. steamer etc. we might obtain a better rate.

Your friend, W. Lepine.

***

May 20th 1902
Mr. Frank Barker
P.O. Box 1229
New Orleans, LA.

Dear Sir:-

You letter of 26th inst. is at hand. If the locomotive is shipped by vessel from New York, the additional cost will be from $100 to $200. The rate which we have already quoted you for all-rail freight, figures up to $219.
If the engine is shipped by vessel, from New York it will have to be dismantled and boxed. This will cost $150. The Southern Pacific freight will be $158, to which must be added the cost of delivereing from our Works to vessel in New York, say $25, and the additional cost of putting the engine together on its arrival at destination.

Very truly yours,

Burnham, Williams and Co.

***

Oct. 6, 1902
Messrs. Barker and Lepine,
Lafourche Crossing, P.O., La.

Gentlemen:-

We hand you herewith statement referring to small locomotives shipped September 10th, and will ask you to kindly favor us with a remittance to cover.

Very truly yours,

Burnham, Williams and Co.

***

November 13, 1902

Messrs. Burnham, Williams and Co.

Dear sirs:

We beg to advise that the new locomotive, Maud L., or a 4436, has a broken gland on the Piston Rod and the brass box on the front axle will not stay in place and constantly keeps jumping out...

Yours respectfully,

Barker and Lepine

***

December 23 1902
Messrs. Barker & Lepine,
LaFourche, La.

Gentlemen:-

Please find enclosed an Adams Express receipt for shipment of a tank plug, grate bar, two piston rod swab holders and one fire door glass for locomotive #20925. There is to be no charge for these. Our engineer, Mr. P.B. Shelmerdine asked for them when he erected the engine.

Very truly yours,

Burnham, Williams & Co.

***

There you have it--the story of how the Maud L. came to be. $3,500 for a brand new little engine! Anyone want to guess what it cost to restore the engine for Disneyland?

But history sometimes takes strange turns. If things had turned out a little differently, we might have been witness to the first Porter to run on Disney rails--a story for another day. However, I will leave you with this one last little tease:

April 10th, 1902
Messrs. H.K. Porter and Co.
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dear Sirs:

Please let us know what figure you can duplicate for us the "Melodia B" Locomotive, contracted with you in August, 1897. Same to be delivered to Melodia Switch S.P.R.R. and to burn oil for fuel instead of coal.

Yours truly,

Barker and Lepine.



Edited By Steve DeGaetano on 1117051594

_________________
Steve

Dear Mr Bachmann:

Another large scale mfg has just released their 1:24 scale Forney with real brass domes which I intend to buy.
That is what I wanted Bachmann to produce as their next version of the Indy evolution:
2-4-2 became 2-6-0 and I hoped next would be 2-4-4.

One could kitbash the present 2-6-0 Indy into a 2-4-4 Forney but unless one has the skill of for example David Fletcher the result will not match a factory produced product.

I realise that Bachmann presently has a 1:20.3 Forney on the market but it is too large for those of us intested in 1:22.5 and 1:24 indoor Guage One model railroading. Would Bachmann later produce an Indy sized version of a 2-4-4 open cab Forney using Indy components to model a Baldwin prototype such as the Disneyland Ward Kimball locomotive ?

Alternatively as the Baldwin Disneyland Ward Kimball locomotive is a small prototype, how about a 1:20.3 version?

Thank you
Norman

Dear Mr Bachmann:

Is the Eureka & Palisade Radeley Hunter stack interchangable with the blue boiler diamond stack ?

Do the Radeley Hunter stack and the diamond stack plug into the same type of smoke box base?

Any problems to encounter in switching the Radeley Hunter stack with the diamond stack?

Thank you

Norman