A minor correction, l have discovered that there is another British maker with a small range of quite different ready-to-run O16.5 models, so Bachman is not the first. It looks as though the scale, the British equivalent of On30, is on the increase there.

Hamish

Bachmann Europe have announced a new range of O Scale narrow gauge trains that they are calling NG7 scale. These are British O scale (7mm to the foot or 1/43.5) running on 16.5mm gauge track. Up to now this scale has been called O16.5 in the UK. Bachmann's announcement is the first ready-to-run in this scale, though kits etc have been available from other makers. Bachmann have announced Hunslet quarry locomotives in cab and cabless versions, two types of slate wagons and a coal wagon. Quarry Hunslets are very small 0-4-0 tank locomotives originally used in slate quarries in Wales and now preserved on tourist narrow gauge railways.

The scale is of course larger than ON30 though running on the same track, but given the small size of the prototypes they may look not too out of scale with ON30 equipment, Bachmann has created its own couplers for this range, however the locomotives use NEM 362 coupler pockets, so knuckle style couplers should be able to be fitted. Not sure about the wagons.

I realise that this range may not be of much interest to American modellers, but here in Australia narrow gauge railways often used a mixture od American, British and European equipment, so they could be useful.

In any event it is good to see that at least one branch of Bachmann sees a future for O scale narrow gauge models.

Hamish

I doubt that Bachman's Europe would make an OO9 version of this loco as another manufacturer already makes  one in HOe (HO scale on 9mm track). Despite the scale difference many modellers mix HOe and OO9. I will not name the maker on this site, so don't ask. I only mention it as it affects the chances oh Bachman's Europe making one,

Hamish

As I understand it, when the USA joined WW1 they adopted, with slight modifications, the 2-6-2t design previously supplied by ALCO to the British War  Department. The US locomotives were built by Baldwin, Vulcan and Davenport. Only Baldwin built locomotives got to France, the war ended before the others could be transported there,

After the war many were sold as war surplus. They were used in many countries in a variety of roles, for example in Australia a couple were used on sugar cane lines.

In the USA they remained in use at Army bases until WW2 or thereabouts, as well as being used by logging and similar operators.

A useful prototype for many types of layout. Many thanks to Bachmann for making them.

Hamish

Liliput (Bachmannn,s Continental European branch) produces a small range of HOe. (HOe is the same as HO n30, HO scale running on 9mm gauge tracks). Prototype are Austrian and other European. Bachmann Branchlines (Bachmann's UK branch) has introduced a range of OO9 trains, OO9 is 1:76 scale running on 9mm gauge tracks, this similar t o, but slightly larger scale than HOn30 (1:87 scale on 9mm tracks). Prototypes include a Baldwin 4-6-0t tank locomotive that was used by the British army in ww1.

I have no idea whether Bachmann USA has ever consided such a range.(apart from  Thomas the Tank Engine that is). One issue might be the use of HOn3 in the USA, which could reduce the market for HOn30. Also there is a line of HOe made by by another European based producer that includes some USA prototypes, this could also affect the market, although there are many USA prototypes not produced.

Personally I would like to see Bachmann USA do this.

Hamish

I like small narrow gauge locos! If the Shay looks like an H0 model with 0 gauge fittings, it is because prototype small Shays looked like that. The model is realistic.

The US army loco you mention ran in Queensland, Australia on the 42 inch gauge, which is their mainline gauge  In Queensland narrow gauge is generally 24 or 30 inch gauge. In Australia 42 inch gauge is
usually modelled in Sn42 or H0n42 (12mm gauge).

Each to his or her own,  but I have no use for such large locos in On30, preferring to model the smaller protypes typical  of narrow gauge , of less than 42 inch, in Australia.

Hamish

Bachmann Branchlines (British Bachmann) have introduced an OO9 range (1/76 scale on N gauge track). So far at least the Tallylyn loco shave not beenn released, although small scale suppliers have. replacement smoke box  doors to convert the Thomas locos. Note that Bachmann does not have the rights for Thomas in the UK. Given the OO9 range I doubt that Bachmann in the UK would do another narrow gauge scale, such as On30, and without the British market, would do British prototypes.

In general I think Bachmann needs to keep a moderate range of locos and rolling stock, with regular changes in what is available to increase the choices available to us. Re-introducing the Davenport, another Porter and shorty passenger cars are good ideas. I have thought that a small tender for the 0-4-0 Porter would provide variety, and be I prototypical. Another option is a class A Climax - although not a re-issue several existing tooling so could be used, the Shay boiler, Climax trucks and an HO diesel mechanism (the class A climax did not have visible cylinders). Sort of a factory kit bash. New versions, liveries (and numbers) for previously issued items.  In this way Bachmann can keep giving us variety without a great deal of expensive new tooling. Unfortunately the glory days of On30, when we could expect lots of brand new items are well and truly over, but I think the scale can be kept alive by the approach outlines above.

Just my thoughts
Hamish

As far as I can see from a quick look the only new On30 a nnouncements are the reefers in new colors. I have mixed feelings on this. While something brand new would have been nice, that Bachmann are continuing to re-release items in new versions shows that On30 has not been abandoned. Little brand new appears for any scale. The 0-6-0 is shown as a previously announced item.

Hamish

Great video. The line in question was 42 inch gauge. Timber tramlines existed in many parts of Australia, with gauges ranging from 2 foot to Irish Gauge (5 foot 3 inches). Some were 30 inches. In relation to coasting, I don't know the practices of the line in question, but on the Powelltown tramway in Victoria (Australia), locos pushed logs to the top of a hill, and then they coasted down, without the loco, to the mill. A brakeman rode on the log cars to control them Not sure if OH&S would approve these days! The loco followed down later to bring back the empty log cars.

I too would like a class A Climax as they ran on timber lines here, as did Class B Climaxes and Shays.

Hamish

My first pick for a re-issue would be the Shay, hopefully slightly modified to provide some variety for those of us who still have an operating Shay.

I also agree that a tender version of the Porter is a very good idea.

Another possibility is a class A Climax. Not a re-issue but it should be possible for Bachmann to make one using a number of existing parts - the shay T boiler would work, the previous Climax trucks could be used, and a  Bachmann diesel  mechanism should fit (the class  A climaxes did not have visible cylinders). A factory kit bash as it were, as is the new 0-6-0.

Lets hope for at least one of the above in the next year.

Hamish

Dear Bach Man

The new 0-6-0 has received some mention below in a thread rumours of a new 2-6-0. It has now been confirmed as an 0-6-0 and appears in the 2018 catalogue. It does appear to be modified from the 2-6-0, but for all that. makes a neat and plausible industrial locomotive.  I recall seeing  photos of broadly similar narrow gauge locomotives operating in Cuba and elsewhere. I welcome any new On30 item from Bachmann as it shows that they are still supporting us. I don't really expect a brand new On30 locomotive from Bachmann in the foreseeable future unless demand for On30 considerable increases.

As well as the 0-6-0 the 2018 catalogue shows as new (which means since last years catalogue), the derrick car, the 18 foot cabooses (cabeese?) and a handful of new liveries on other items. This , at a quick glance, appears to be about on a par with other scales. We have not been forgotten.

On the other hand quite a number of items have been deleted from the catalogue. That is OK, provided Bachmann rotates the locos and other items available,  i.e. brings back, modified or not, previously deleted items from time to time. Thus over a number of years, we would have a quite a choice of items.

Just my thoughts

Hamish

Many thanks Bachmann

I missed out on getting a non-cupola caboose when they were previously made, its just what I need.

Hamish

At last an On30 excursion car! Just what I have been waiting for for years! Thanks Bachmann.

Apologies to those whe saw my earlier post, I was too hasty in reading the announcements. Thank to Max for pointing out my error.

Hamish

There is some market for On30 in Australia, a couple of ready to run locomotives have been made by small makers for Australia. I doubt that it is large enough by itself for Bachmann to produce a locomotive - but the Fairymead loco is a Baldwin catalogue locomotive and similar locos ran elsewhere. An ex Japanese example is preserved in California. Others probably ran in the USA. Choosing a loco type that ran in many parts of the world as well as the USA could increase its sales.

The US army 2-8-2 mentioned did run in Australia, on the 3 foot 6 inch gauge in Queensland, and a couple are preserved in Australia. It really comes down to size  of model desired-  these 3 foot/metre/3 foot 6 inch gauge locos are large, larger than anything that ran on 2 foot or 2 foot six inch gauges in Australia, so they wouldn't suit those modelling those gauges. 42 inch gauge modelling in Australia is usually Sn42 (1/64 scale on HO track, or HOn42 (HO scale on 12 mm gauge track, also used for metre gauge.)

Hamish

The question is whether Bachmann will produce another new locomotive and what they will do with ON30 now that it's  glory days seem to be well over. I hope they continue with a small but rotating range of locomotives and a basic collection of rolling stock. Rotating models increases modellers choices over time. A small tank engine would seem to be an obvious model to produce, replacing the Porters with an alternative would be a good idea, I would  buy at least one, but I have enough Porters! Your choice Royce would be good, I know similar locomotives ran in Japan and probably many other places including the USA..

Hamish