I had a thought about picking up a couple of the bachmann 20’ boxcars so I had a look around the usual sources and WOW ! It seems like not that long ago you could pick a brand new one up for $20 now they are $35 and up and there is actually one on Ebay right now with a insane buy it now price of over $80!!
I also remember reading lately that Bachmann is discontinuing their 20’ lineup. If they are then that doesn’t seem very smart. There has been much talk lately about the newbie being priced out of the large scale market and this smaller equipment was perfect as a starter piece for smaller RRs. Not everyone who wants to play with the big trains has the space to build a huge layout or the wallet it takes to do so. When will the manufacturers wake up? In the case of the 20’ line there is no need for retooling or even fancy paint schemes just keep making them.
As for the 20’ boxcar I was looking for I can wait until a decently priced used one comes along. There is a BIG difference between NEED and WANT.
Todd
I agree dropping the 20’ line up would be bad for the small layout guys and wouldnt make much sense given how popular the reintro of the Indy and the Lyn were, which are a perfect match for the 20’ line, but try telling that to the mfrs. They’ve all gotten it under their teeth that bigger is better and thats where they are all charging off to the Fn3-land of the 2’ long boxcar. I’m already telling myself it wont be long before I’ll be kitbashing if I want any shorty stock.
Amen to that. With the turns I am putting in, I’ll be lucky to get around them at 20’. Aristo is still listing them on its much-improved website (though not on this page: http://www.aristocraft.com/20ft-Shortie-Cars_c_35.html)
Todd try the old Kalamazoo and HLW stuff. You can find them all the time on e-bay as well as trainz.com for $25 at times. They are almost identical in size to the Bachmann. Kalamazoo HLW are a tad wider but not by much. They are more durable although the detail on the bachmann are better.
Todd; The cars shown below are old Kalamazoo cars that I purchased from my LHS for a very reasonable price. I think they were about $20 each.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/BnGPriv02.jpg)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/BnGPriv01.jpg)
Of course, I have modified them somewhat since I purchased them. Have fun, David Meashey
Todd Haskins said:I noticed all this too, Todd. FWIW I got a couple of them when they were cheaper, and I also own a couple of Lionel Gons that are shorties, and cost as I recall $19.00 ea. Two years ago I bought some mixed stuff from a buddy, and in there was a 20' boxcar he had made by cutting down a regular B'mann boxcar. I guess the old regular boxes can be got a lot cheaper than these shorties. The guy trying for $80.00 probably won't get it though.
I had a thought about picking up a couple of the bachmann 20' boxcars so I had a look around the usual sources and WOW ! It seems like not that long ago you could pick a brand new one up for $20 now they are $35 and up and there is actually one on Ebay right now with a insane buy it now price of over $80!!
I don’t know about you, but I always figure in SanVal metal wheels @ $20.00 - so just about any car converted with those ends up costing about $35-40, plus delivery charge. It seem that B’mann regular cars these days have B’mann metal wheels, which seem to sell around $15.00 separately, but I think the cars can often be got for under $30.00, which makes them a pretty good deal, and that may be a good way for you to get a shorty fairly cheaply - you’d just have to cut and splice.
In this sense, (leaving out the fancy ones) the price of the reguilar B’mann cars has come down over the past few years. At least that’s my perception, but I’m not sure how long that will last…
There are at least two E-bay dealers - Al Kramer, formerly SanVal, and Favorite Spot in Texas - who seem to be unpacking vast numbers of Bachmann trainsets and selling the components individually. Also, B’mann is now selling brass track. All of these developments lead me to believe that B’mann is discontinuing many of their traditional and longstanding G scale lines and replacing them with high-priced items.
Comments, anyone?
Hey Dave I like your Lord of the Rings themed boxcars. I do have one Kalamazoo boxcar and it is one robust little car. It is shorter and not as tall as say a LGB or USAT and certainly not as detailed but it does look good sitting on a siding and getting pulled around now and again. I thought the Bachmann 20’ would be a bit taller and maybe even shorter than a kalamazoo.
John you might be right when you look at the price of a regular bachmann boxcar $20 then add the metal wheels that come with the 20’ and you get $35. so looks like the going rate on the Bay is about right. I have been watching some from Ana Kramer and they get bid up plus shipping they can get expensive. I will have to keep my eyes open.
Lets hope the manufacturers wake up before it is too late and don’t price even more guys out by producing nothing but expensive highly detailed pieces.