Interesting.

I concur with everything said here.  Harold, I remember the Conspiracy flap. but you hit it  on the head. Hope someone at B'mann comes to their senses.  Did their HOn30 stuff catch on?  Don't think so. I worked for a Japanese company that didn't listen, and they lost a big chunk of their US sales.

Guess we wait and see.

Bob

Thanks for the reply Royce.
I believe Bachmann started out with the right idea, and product, but lost sight and control of the program early on.  No quality control, designers had no concept of scale or  need for specific items.
I hope they can get back to basics and bring us the things we need.  Upside to that is that we would buy the right stuff. I think a lot of folks willl agree with that.

Enough for now.

Bob

Someone mentioned today Bachmann is selling some stuff cheap, so the question from a business standpoint arises: " Is Bachmann getting out of the On30 business?"

Many, many of us have invested time,  dollars, and enthusiasm in this product line, enhanced it's reputation in the hobby, made a bunch of new friends along the way.  One of the biggest fans of On30 was Lee Riley himself, bur we haven't heard anything from him in a long time.

The comments about product in the warehouse is disturbing as to me, it means there is no emphasis about this scale.  How long can they push the old stuff that they built too much of.  How many articulated locomotives do we need?  Geared locos are great...., but the price is prohibitive to most.

Some folks have suggested going back to the early, simpler products that started the On30 frenzy.....2-6-0's, small 18 ft rolling stock, and a remake of the Davenports, and the Porter(both). a dependable, reasonable railtruck come to mind.

I wonder if we might get a reply to these comments. I fear for the future of On30

Bob Foley

Thanks for the good news Chris.  When can we order?

Bob

The 'railmaster' replied 'that contrary to to whats said on the web, the demand for On30 has dropped off'.  You bet it has, Example: Bachmann brings out a line (short cars), gives us a 'taste' and then drops the ball.  No new motive power save the long overdue Whitcomb,  How many 2-4-4-2's do we need?  We could use a reissue of the gas mechanical switcher, more reasonably priced Porters, a re-do on the 2-6-0, shorty cars in all models.  Not all of us (few) model Colorado themed pikes, but loved the Forneys whose prices like everything are out of sight.  $64.99 for one box car? Come on.  We like to bash all kinds of theings and need stuff we want, not what Bachmann wants to give us.  Get your heads out of the sand, and listen to us.  BTW, the discretionary income of a lot of us has dropped, and this affects what we but.
Bring back the stuff that launched ( you already have the dies for them)this great segment of the hobby.\

Bob

What is the timeline for more short cars, flats, gondolas, box cars?  Also, will it be a token run, or will  they produce a decent quantity?
Would like to get some more.

Bob

Since I lean towards small locos, my first choice would be a Class NA 2-6-2 from the Puffing Billy railway museum in Australia.  Next, an EBt #16 to pull some of the hopper cars.  this might create some interest in Eastern NG RR'ing.  We have a Tweetsie 4-6-0 already.

I originally reportred a problem with the axle gear on my gas mechanical I bought used.  Ran ok when I got it.. Went so far as to buy a new set of axles from the parts dept(great service), but the problem all along was GREASE!  The original lube hardened and broke off, got between the plastic gears, and wiped out teeth.  I can buy a new chassis with gears, for $15, spent $15 for axles, and the cost for a new one is too reasonable to do that. So, the moral of the story, is to take apart the drive train, clean out the old grease(mineral spirits work well) and relube with some good Kadee #106. Did this with all my On30 locos. Might not be as much of a gear problem as we think.

Bob Foley

Heard that the two porters, the 0-4-0, and 0-4-2, are being discontinued.  Too bad..the 0-4-2 is a good little loce.