Large Scale Central

Bachman's new mallet video evidence pre-sale testing?

General Discussion
#1

The new Bachmann mallet is featured on the Bachmann site in a video showing operation on a outside garden layout – at least if it is not an actual layout, the video movement segments certainly suggest same .

Questions:
1 - If a layout, and IF in the U.S., does anyone know who has the loco?
2 - Is this video an outcome of a pre-sale loco testing effort?
3 - Are any one of our contributors to this site or MyLS, the source for this video?

I have vivid memories of a previous pre-release Bachmann loco known to exist via a operational video released to this site – all simultaneously to our own TOC (Dave Goodson) diligently awaiting a pre-sale copy of this same loco from Bachmann for testing.

Does Bachmann have the moxie to announce their new loco has ACTUALLY been garden RR pre-tested before release to us? Is it not possible this video is Bachmann’s psuedo method of “suggesting” or “affirming” that this testing is ACTUALLY presumed because there it is running on video! Any child-of-four can see it running!

Sure! Watch the video over 'n over and you make your own assessment of running quality.

Alright, readers, what is your statement: Buy on a crap shoot? Or, instead, first ask for affirmation that Bachmann has gotten the message that writers on both LSCentral and MYlargesale want assurance that this new loco has actually been tested.

TO BACHMANN:
Someone from corporate, please report on this or MyLS site, that you have tested this loco PRIOR to releasing it for sale. This affirms what we see on the pre-release video.

Selah,
Wendell

#2

Could it have been running on Stanley’s layout?

JimC.

#3

Simply getting a new loco to run out of the box is nice but I would hope they understand it’s not the same as vigorous testing. Many issues could exist that wouldn’t be discovered in a quick lap around a loop of track.

#4

Gotta love the attitude!

-Brian

#5

From what I’ve heard off the internet; many won’t touch it before hearing what Dave Goodson says about it, after a fair and non-political, thorough testing by him.

Dave doesn’t pull any punches…he states the facts…as most people know, but it has made him a non-friend of a few people… Too bad as he was only being constructive, if anyone listened to him…and many have.

I’m sure this new B’mann locomotive will get good marks from David, if it earns them, and he will have a loco in his hands as soon as he can get one.

The report will be posted here FIRST, so stay tuned…

I expect that this will be a good loco, for those that care for this type of motive power, as I’m sure B’mann learns from their mistakes like all of us.

#6

My guess would be Stan’s railroad. The trestle looks very similar to the one in the video of the K-27 that was shot on Stan’s line right after the Narrow Gauge Convention last year. The loco is likely a pre-production sample. Bachmann used to use my dad’s railroad for their videos until it got too problematic to push electrons through rails that hadn’t seen track power in 20+ years. (That, and there’s absolutely no way the K would fit.) If I remember correctly, the locos they’d send over for those shoots were final pre-production samples. Note also how green everything is, so the video was shot at least 2 months ago. Whether that means they’ve put this loco through its paces and have made some adjustments here and there as a result is anyone’s guess. One can always be optimistic.

Later,

K

#7

You can keep the loco [as homey as mud fence] but I’d love to own the layout.

Anyhow, not certain about the first post in this thread - is it a set of questions or answers?

Is is suggesting that the whole movie is a computer-generated image?

Or what?

tac

#8

Tac–

I wish my questions were disguised answers – then I would have the corporate information requested.

The questions in the first posting are genuine. Having previously commented on the lack of Bachmann quality control over simplistic mechanical and electrical problems, I am asking if anyone reading our site has knowledge of the status of this locomotive as we see it on the video. Granted, I clearly pose the question if Bachmann is using the video to assuage any pre-sale criticism of the running quality of this new engine. An operating video is a new direction for Bachmann, so the question remains unanswered. Repeatedly Dave Goodson has given remedy direction to Bachmann for quite simplistic problems that would have been discovered IF their locomotives had undergone consumer use running on a garden rr prior to releasing them for sale to us. Bachmann’s durability image compared to LGB’s became a joke among LGB devotees – unfortunately, with cause.

Kevin offered a best estimate. IF accurate, then Stanley Ames is the man who knows.

Stanley? If you are THE man, what say you?

Wendell

#9

Wendell,

Here you go again, you need to ask Bachmann!!! They can answer your questions…

#10

Bob,

The response - if any - would not be half as interesting as here. :stuck_out_tongue: :smiley:

#11

Bachmann won’t tell you.
That sure does look like Stanley’s railroad as Kevin says.
One of the reasons he can spout off about what’s in it.

Wendell- If Stanley is “testing” this unit, it’s going to be interesting.

Recall who “tested” the K-27 prior to release, and posted photos/videos of same.

And we still ended up with loose counterweights, inverted chuff, doors that wouldn’t open fully, 14.5:1 gear ratio, inability to use incandescent bulbs, red/orange/amber class lights, nmra/LS polarity switch that reversed marked battery inputs when thrown, and several other items not for publication.

If Philly is counting on all their problems to be sorted out this way, hey, that’s great.

I do have it in print that they don’t need any help, they are doing everything in-house.
That must mean Stanley is in-house, eh?

I am so glad they are handling everything.

There will be absolutely no issues with this locomotive, ever.

Maybe 11-1/2 years of work finally sunk in.

#12

(http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/Sour%20Grapes.jpg)

#13

Hey Marvin,

Yep, they go well with over-ripe tomatoes and limes (instead of lemons).

#14

And bruised egos…

#15

Well I’ll step up and buy one, ugly yes but I like it.

Of course I’m no stranger to being the dummy who had to be first on the block…'04 Malibu Maxx, '06 Pontiac Solstice, '09 Dodge Journey, all first model years. I understand wanting to hold off until the “bugs” are worked out as the '06 was a mechanical nightmare. But had I waited I would have missed 20 thousand fun filled miles until I traded it.

Waiting is safe, sometimes smart. Guess I’m not either one! But being first has made me tan and happy! :slight_smile:

#16

(http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/Sour%20Grapes.jpg)

Ah, Marvin (blew it…used a Texas paper no less). It’s spelled “Sauer Grapes”. You seem to mis-read the post, as you seem to do most of them. The amount of time required to “sort out” the issues, uncompensated, no less, was getting to be a bit much. As I said, I am most thankful that they are handling everything in-house. I have other things to do with my creative and troubleshooting abilities. Most of the units I have worked on are either parked, or new drives under them (Anniversary has a BBT 2-8-0, the outside frame 2-8-0 has a BBT prototype gearbox, etc, etc). Maybe when the new gearbox for the K is available, even as a prototype, that unit may come back, maybe not. “Sauer Grapes”. I like it!

#17

Dave,

One thing’s for sure, Marvin could start up a vinegar production. :wink: :slight_smile:

#18

Vinegar has to be the mildest acid on this site!

#19

Ah, no, the bile exuded by the Ventilators in full stride FAR exceeds the PH factor of vinegar!

#20

The world has gone full circle. When LGB’s future was seriously in doubt, the ‘boys’ were strongly against Bachmann products, even citing that LGB Mogul drivetrains had been fitted to Bachmann locomotives, but never the other way. OK, Lehmann went the way of most badly run enterprises and Silvergate took on Piko products and the ‘boys’ had a new crusade to launch. LGB was now old news, being purchased lock, stock and barrel by Marklin. OK, fast forward, maybe the new release Piko are not as good as first thought (matter of conjecture) and so the ‘boys’ have launched a further crusade supporting (by default), wait for it - Bachmann products. The old Lehmann crowd would roll over in their graves!!!

A little voice in my head is saying that it is not the product that is in dispute, it is merely having an opinion that is counter to certain others on this forum. A little like schoolyard banter. Of course, it does provide spirited reading (most of the time). Talk of acidic vitriole. The tone could sometimes pickle a whole vat of dill peppers.