Bug Mauler 2020 lmao

I still have a faded red ATSF with simple plastic rods and a noisy drive.  But like the enegizer bunny it keeps going and going.  Its converted to onboard battery power with a simple on/off toggle on the front of the tender.  I did have to replace the headlight bulb(with a LGB bulb and socket), but the drive refueses to die.  She has lots of miles, plating is starting to wear off the tread on the pilot truck wheels even.   A replacement Annie drive is planned along with a repaint into black ICRR colors in the future.  Anybody else have an old ten wheeler still racking up the miles? 

BTW, the NWSL regear really improves the old AHM HO models speed range and slow speed ablities.  But the install isnt for the beginner to attempt as the driver centers on these 50 year old models are very fragile.    Mike the Aspie

But not 1870s, more like 1900 era ICRR 382.  But with modular tool design so the cab can be changed, along with headlights ect.  Bachmann could not only do the 382 from the wreck.  But 384 which was Casey's actual assigned engine, then delete the clestory on the cab roof and do so many other typical ten wheelers of that era that were tall drivered.  Most were passenger power exclusivly at first, but then mixed trains became the norm.  The old AHM/Rivarossi holds its own in the detail dept today but thats where it ends. deep flanges, a noisy 3 pole motor and poor gear ratio hinder an otherwise steller looking model.  Hornby, the now owner of Rivarossi says the tooling for that model is long gone.  So here is where Bachmann can step in and produce a steller model with 21st centruy technology and sound.  Reproductions of Casey's 6 chime boiler tube whistle exhist and have been recorded.  So even accurate sound can be done.  Follow up sales could be achieved by doing the 60' steel frame truss rod passenger cars he pulled.   And more than the IC used those coaches.  That night he had 6 cars. Baggage, RPO and four passenger coaches.   The late 1890's thru 1910 era of locomotives and rolling stock is very poorly represented in HO or most any scale.  But the era lends itself to smaller layouts and spaces by the smaller nature of engines and cars of the era.  Casey's beloved 2-8-0 #638 would also make an excellent small layout engine and that design was used by many railroads in that era.    Bachmann has revamped most of the other engines in the line up like the Jupiter ect.  Time for some new small power for small layouts!!   Mike the Aspie

Diesel and Mavis were so common place in many of the early years of the Thomas series, that might explain thier sales being better.  I was just thinking if the models were offered in both Thomas form and as a normal, say class 08 shunting diesel, it might boost sales overall to the level they need to see.  I do not think the overall interest in large scale has really gone down that much, more like the prices have gone up, leading to less overall spending volume wise.  That and being a election year here in the states with much left in the wind for atleast another few months, has kept many I know here in the states keeping thier money in thier wallet/bank account for now.   Lots of uneasyness right now and trains are being put on the back burner even more than before.   Mike

I also think Bachmann needs to offer non Thomas version of the engines.  If there is enough market for companies to offer kits to convert engines like Emily to non Thomas.  Then if Bachmann offered them already this way, many more would sell as some folks do not want the hassle of doing the modeling work.  It would also sell more models making tooling costs easier to absorb when consideirng new models.   Take Diesel.  Do the Thomas version, then think of all the different companies and railways that used that shunting diesel that the Thomas one is based on.  Then take Duck, a GWR Pannier tank.   Several different styles of paint worn during just the GWR years, then British Rail along with the crimson London Transport.   An affordable option for UK mainline engines in large scale.   Even if the scale is fudged a bit, its better than nothing when it comes to large scale trains.   Mike

I would think any of the models with a 0-6-0 chassis would be a possiblity as it would share the drive that Thomas uses.   I would like to espically see Duck since I am a GWR fan, along with Diesel and Oliver.   Thier range of rolling stock is a god send for those of us in the states that like UK style trains and run live steamers made by Roundhouse.   To get proper UK style rolling stock, you need a bank loan, but since Bachmann brought out thier range, even though the scale is a bit of a miss match, the wagons and coaches look better than LGB product behind a UK style engine.  I pull my Emily coaches with a Roundhouse Argyll live steamer and am in the process of turning Emily into a non-Thomas engine with parts offered from the UK.   I would also love to see some of the buildings done in large scale, espically the glass canopy passenger station platforms.  Doubt we see that, buildings in LS need to be weather proof and that plastic isnt cheap.   Keep the LS products coming!      Mike

How many times you going to repeat that MB Klein price?  Yes the trolley has some age, but not near as old as some of my other engines that run perfectly fine.  I know not to expect much when it comes to this brand, in that era.  The new stuff from Bman is outstanding compared to just a few years ago.

I did look to see if they had the parts listed, which they do not.  I could change the axle gears if I could get parts.  I am waiting on the Bman to jump in, probably not till tomorrow during business hours though.   Mike

So what your saying is the warrenty is worthless as the paper its written on, since I can buy one cheaper than them replacing it under warrenty, which is what they should do.  Its Bachmann's second rate quality of plastic thats the problem, and it shouldn't be the my problem.   

I have an older white box era brill trolley, green "desire st" paint scheme, that has both axle gears split.  This renders the trolley non operational.   I inquired about sending her in, just want to make sure Bachmann has some trolleys in stock incase a replacement is needed.  I have zero use for a diesel or steam engine, wouldnt look right running around tight radius street trackage.    Thanks in advance.  Mike

Does anybody have a scrap set of original trucks for the first run 36 ton 2 truck shay?  I my be possibly picking one up that has 2 axles that are nolonger being driven by the motor, just freewheeling.  I do not plan to run it much, so the $250 cost to replace the whole truck with a new set off fleabay isnt really in the budget.  Just looking to restore it back to all wheel drive.  I see nothing on the parts dept unless the axle sets from the 55 ton 3 truck shay will work in the early trucks.   Thanks in advance   Mike

A pennsy L1 would be nice, PFM did very well with several runs of thier brass version in the late 70's thru the early 80's.  Definatly would be well recieved, nice follow up to the H10 being done by anohter company.  The general downturn in the hobby world has really curtailed anything new to speak off.  One of the LHS's is surviving on estate items for the most part.   Mike

Bachman does offer a DCC version, just not in thomas colors or with a face.  Bachmann's Branch Line series of UK trains rivals some of the nicest USA prototype engines from Broadway ect.  Cheers   Mike

Agreed Bill, all the early brass pretty much suffers from lack of enough power pickups, but there were pretty good runners when you look at what else was available.  Mantua diecast, Athearn HiFi and early gear drives amoung others, none of which ran as good as what we enjoy today.  Most of the "popped" gear syndrome was in the Kumata built diesels, with either one of the tower spur gears or the axles gears splitting.  You would think we would be beyond that issue now, that manufactures would know to properly "age" the plastic so it doesnt shrink further after production when its got a metal shaft that doesnt shrink thru it.  We are fortunate to have the selection of models that we do have today.  When I got started, the basic "good running" selection was Athearn blue box diesels, Mantua steamers, Atlas yellow box diesels and brass.  I had mostly Athearn blue box diesels and once I started mowing grass I bought my first PFM/United brass locomotive, a 2 truck shay.  Cheers   Mike