Hello,

I have been looking at a K-27 and I know that Bachmann lists the minimum radius as 8 ft diameter.  In my experience, that may mean the locomotive will make it around but with a train in tow can be something quite different. 

My absolute minimum radius is 10 ft diameter and all but one switch are #6 (the one switch is an LGB R5 switch).

Will this monster make it alright?

I guess call it just wondering but I cannot help but wonder if the brass gears are in for the outside frame Connie if perhaps a re-release is coming along the line?

The locomotive has been out of production some time (like the Climax was) and with a refresh with the new PNP electronics and some other updates (like moving the headlight). 

What a neat rendition of a logging Minarets type as a narrow gauge locomotive.  Pop it here.

One can also use a decoder in which instead of sending the signals through the rail instead receives its 'commands' wirelessly such as the Aristocraft (now Crest) Revolution.  There are others as well. 

I run track power with a Revolution which allows me to have constant voltage in the rails but control each locomotive via a hand held transmitter. 

Shay, Climax, Heisler and Logging Mallet.

I think it is time for a Minarets type

These would make wonderful 1:20.3 models since are all narrow gauge. 

Death Valley Railroad #5 - a Brill product and running again


EBT M1

AH&D train based crane, shovel and log loader.  It would fit perfectly with all those lovely D&RGW and logging locomotives. 

Interesting thing Scott Polk said:

"As for if you will ever see this stuff again. Trust me, these mold won't lay dormant. You will see it again. You'll get your Ore Cars and your Heritage units. Don't ask me when or by who. When you need to know you'll find out."

Out of ashes? 

Kader was making the stuff for Aristocraft and Kader owns Bachmann can't help but wonder if this is a connection.

The Sharks are nice but really niche.  USA Trains did not do well on the PA/PBs and those were much better known units.

The whole community in 1:29 lost E8s, Dash-9s, Gp-40s, SD-45s, RS-3s, U25bs, Pacifics, Mikados and a 2-8-8-2 Mallet with the demise of Aristocraft.

Yes, no more Aristo. Already Trainworld sent out an ad saying get em while stock lasts.
Hey, Piko picked up the old MDC molds, so who knows we might see Aristo years down
the line but under a different name (maybe even Aristocraft by Bachmann).

Polk's is closing but Aristocraft and RMT are a part of that Polk's hobby and the forum on Aristocraft pretty much confirms that is the end of the line as they currently are.

I imagine that Kader owns the mold work rather than Polk's and thus it could be up for someone else to say let's make a run. 

Not sure about Bachmann trains though they did have a distribution with Aristo at one time and Kader makes the Bachmann trains as they also made the Aristo trains.  So it is not beyond realm of possibility however, the market would have to be looked at carefully.

Personally, though the market place and economy have a lot to do with it, I think Aristo made some major mistakes along the way.  Each manufacturer does, but with Aristo it seemed to me they made some real missteps (the long awaited SD9 then we don't make to reservation, the same with the cylindrical hopper, the we can't find replacement tires for the roadrailers and on and on).

I will second that but I doubt it is on Bachmann's radar screen.

Not sure exactly what the Peter Witt means.  It is in 1:29 so perhaps a foray into that side of the large scale market.  While I do not see Bachmann dropping the 1:20.3 this maybe an indication of branching into another part of the market place.  I just wonder why a trolley for the first prototype?

Of course Bachmann has always gone its own way with things.  I can not help but wonder if they will niche this market as well and say work with interurban/electric railway stuff. The thought of making the trolley compatible to work off real overhead is nice.  Steeple cabs, and maybe even modern street cars like the San Diego Trolley would allow one to run some fairly good size equipment justifiably on narrow turn track.

As far as bigger standard gauge prototypes goes, there is a plethora of stuff not touched upon yet.  Alco road switchers in the RS and Century series comes to mind.

Let us hope this is just the first of more 1:29 to come.  The Witt streetcar is across now all the lines, so what might be next if this is successful?

I see the Shark pretty much across the lines for diesel and the Berkshire in steam.

Just saw the announcement for the Peter Witt streetcar listed as 1:29 scale. 

I hope this is the portent of more things to come in this scale from Bachmann.