I'd like your site a lot.  I think between you and me we probably have all the Bachmann catalogs combined.

Perhaps I should do the same thing and set up an N scale version of your website?

Quote from: tonycook1966 on July 30, 2007, 07:49:34 AM

Quote from: conradin on July 23, 2007, 07:42:53 PM

The missing ones are 71-72, 75, 78, 81, 83-84.

I have all the above mentioned Bachmann catalogs you are looking for to complete your set.  Sadly, no extra copies but can help you by providing scans of the N-scale sections if you're interested.

Tony Cook

I'd like to have scans of 72, 78, 83 & 84.  At this point these are the only ones that I do not have.  Does the copy in 78 printed in March, or January? Also, does the copy refers Bachmann as Bachman brothers, or Bachmann industries?

Does a 68 and 69 catalog exists for H0 scale?

Quote from: Hoople on June 21, 2007, 07:12:12 PM
He was asking for bachmann catalogs.

BTW, I have Model Railroader from when it started. *Points to shelf in grandad's house*

Can you check and find out what is the oldest Bachmann N scale ad?
I currently have Railroad Modeler 6/68 that contains a Bachmann N scale ad.
If you can look at the collection, starting from 67 and backwards...perhaps you will be able to find the very first one or two Bachmann N scale ads.  If you do find it, please let me know, and if you can, scan them?  This will solve the mystery as to when did Bachmann start in N scale.

The current belief is 1968.  However, since I have a 68 Catalog, which contains MORE lines of items and selections than subsequent years, it does not make much sense that Bachmann could produce that many products within one year, then had a major retooling one year after and dramatically started to discontinue various product lines.  If you look at *Bay, the pre-1969 cars are still out there, at an unusual high quantity ratio to the 69-81 productions.  That is, pre 69 models should be floating in Ebay no more than 1/13th of the 69-81 models, or 1/17th of the 82-98 China models, or 1/9th of the modern models..assuming each year the production numbers are the same. 

1968  Bachmann started to produce toy trains.  It was N scale only.  N scale car numbering system is 6XXX.  Cars made in Hong Kong, packaged in white jewel cases.

1969 First retooling.  Cars packaged in blue jewel cases.  White were still used until they ran out.  Numbering system changed to 5XXX.

(1970 Bachmann started H0 scale)

1973 Second retooling.  Cars started to be packaged in black jewel cases.

1978 Bachmann changed its logo to the present one.

1981 Kader takeover.  Bachmann brothers became Bachmann industries.  Individual cars started to be packaged in white paper boxes.

1982 Numbering system of cars changed to 53-XXXX(-xx)

(1988 Beginning of Spectrum, but N scale spectrum would not appear until much later)

1992 The numbering system changed to the modern system that we have.  The cars were now under the 7XXXX system.  Cars now manufactured in China.

1999 Silver series began as a train set.

2000 Silver series extended to the individual cars.  The cars were now packaged in the modern jewel cases that we are familiar with.

hey, if you have any of those old vintage bachman N scale junk, can you spare some for me?

As for as I know

Do you think someone in the office will know, or have old documents that detailed that?  Ginny did tell me they do not have old catalogs though.

Or should I write to Kader?

Quote from: soleman10 on March 12, 2007, 12:51:49 PM
Hello.  A friend has asked me to find out about obtaining exploded parts diagrams for the bachmann N scale 4-8-4 steam locomotive.  His is an older model and he needs part #s to try and repair it.  Thank you.
Mike.

PS.  I need to know WHICH 4-8-4 steam.  There is Class J, Northern, and Overland. 

Alternatively, ask your friend which parts he need, I'll give him the part numbers.

Quote from: SWARTWOUT on July 26, 2007, 10:45:47 AM
Here's a link that shows each model number magne-matic coupler and its exploded view. "micro-trains magne-matic couplers in n scale".  Other links on this page look interesting.  For Bachmann diesel locos, it looks like the 1015 will work using the same mounting screw.  A little shell work might be required.

Double check with Joe of MT before using the list.  The list has errors.

MT.

I'll check mine.  I have the parts catalog which has all the blueprints.  Is it ok to post it though?

I'd like to know when did Bachmann start producing N scale trains.  I read somewhere that they started in 1968, but I am not sure anymore.

I have most of the catalogs, but also one undated old catalog.  The N scale numbering system is different in the undated old catalog and the 1969 one.
I also know that the system in 1969 continued and evolved into numbering systems that was not the undated old catalog system.

I now know that any item that comes with the white jewel case is from the era of that undated old catalog.  Any blue or Black jewel case is from 1969 and onwards.  The proof is the items inside the white jewel cases that list their own catalog number, which correspond to the old undated catalog items.

I have never seen any catalogs that is dated earlier than 1969, except the one undated one that I know is dated no later than 1969.  Any Bachmann catalogs that I have seen that were dated before 1969 are Plasticville catalogs.

One of the key reasons why I ask is that, during a recent repair, I find out that items that come from the white jewel case era actually has a different mold to the items that come from the blue or black case eras (1969 onwards) (which in turns is different from the 1980s and 90s, and the modern day ones).  I tried to exchange trucks from a blue case era car to a white case era car, and found out that the screws do not match.  Nor are the trucks under close examinations.  Also, it seems to me that any white case era cars do not have "Made in Hong Kong" printed at the underside of the car, while the blue or black case eras do. even though they look very similar.

2/10/07

I don't know the answer.


My gf said that most modelers are either older people who grew up with trains with trains as part of their daily life, or younger people whom were introduced to model trains by their elder relatives (father, uncle, grandfather, etc.), plus a small portion of people whose have relatives who work or had worked in the train industry.

I'm in my 30s, but I grew up next to a train track and a train station.  I can determine which loco is running by merely listening to its sound miles away.  But that is probably common to most people who grew up and spent all their times on the track, or in the station..

A few days ago I asked a similar question to my gf's dad, who is an old time hot rodder and racer...what would happen to auto racing and motorcycle racing when petroleum is no longer available, or all engines will be run on electricity....he does not have an answer, either.

Quote from: Craig on July 23, 2007, 08:21:01 PM

QuoteI have four power districts...hence can create four "train sets". 

Are you trying to say you can operate four trains? Obviously I was wrong. You do still need some help with terminology.

Yes, four trains at the same time.