Hi just to let you guys know that Backman is giving up G Scale European models as the demand is too small so buy your Aristo class 66 when you see them as no more will be made . Source is latest Gauge one mag.
If they had made them to the proper 1:32nd scale, which is accepted as the norm in Europe, perhaps they would have sold better.
Those pesky Europeans just will not be told that the WOW!!! factor is better than proper scale.
TonyWalsham said:Yeah right Tony, :lol: that's why those same Europeans buy all manner of "stuff" from PIKO and LGB in SG "Gummi Scale".
If they had made them to the proper 1:32nd scale, which is accepted as the norm in Europe, perhaps they would have sold better. Those pesky Europeans just will not be told that the [b]WOW!!![/b] factor is better than proper scale.
Scale 1.5 = anything from approx 1:25 to 1:30. Pass it off as SG and all will be “just fine”.
HJ, You know I meant the mainline scale market.
What Large Scale European mainline equipment is available in anything other than 1:32?
I cannot imagine for one minute any Märklin operator running anything that is not 1:32 scale with their correctly scaled toys.
Ha Ha great replys some of us do model U S A style trains I for example have 20 diesel locomotives and am building a double track main line railroad in 1/29 . I also have 5 inch scale american locomotives and enough alloy extrusions to make the Super Chief in 1" scale too . Thats a total train length of 115 feet to run on my double track main line fully signalled by a 50 lever frame box ! Aristocraft had the G. M. class 66 built for Backman UK and Container flats in 1/29 scale and popular they are but not enough to make any more . Large numbers of us also model narrow gauga so there you go nothing is exclusive in this world !
Yentlemen, and I use this term, very loosely !!; The correct spelling of the name is: Bachmann.
Fred Mills said:Dear Padre,
Yentlemen, and I use this term, very loosely !!; The correct spelling of the name is: Bachmann.
Many many moons ago, I got introduced to what you call Bachmann, but … for some strange reason people kept calling it Botchmann. Couldn’t figure that out, just beyond me, until … I saw how that “stuff” ran.
And BTW what’s with the “Yentl”, eh!?
Hey, HJ…now we can quote you!
Botchmann (by HJ)
I always thought it was one “n”?
HJ, my learned, fine son. I like to use less used letters of the alphabet, at times. Thinking that “G” gets used frequently, and the “Y” less so; I used the Y to try to even zings out. See, I used a “Z” in the last sentence.
Fr.Fred
I can understand why some people use the “Botchman” name, but I shy away from it, as I haven’t had proof of it being a legitimate action.
I choose my motive power carefully. Buying only what is needed to haul the trains that the IPP&W operates on it’s trackage. I don’t buy everything that is marketed, just because I like it.
So far, going back over the years, from when the first “Big Hauler” was produced; I have owned quite a few of them. The very early models were sadly produced with poor gears, and I put at least 4 of them (Big Haulers) into the parts box. Since then, they have been steadily improved. The latest drive in the BH has proved very durable, along with the Annie, which has the same drive. I have yet to have the need to even open up any of them for anything except the conversion to battery, radio control.
I currently have two Big Haulers, two Annies, one rebuilt LGB Mogul, and two Connies in service. They all are operating up to my expectations.
The whole fleet is used on a large point-to-point pike with grades up to 3 percent, or more, hauling trains averaging 10 cars.
The railroad is operated as a club layout, every Saturday morning, during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, for at least 5 hours.
None of the locos has failed for mechanical problems, and in over 10 years, I have yet to have the need to change out a gel cell, which is the type of battery I have been using.
So I continue to use the name “Bachmann”, when speaking of the manufacturer of most of my locomotives.
I also have two spare Annies, in never opened boxes. So far, I have not seen the need to spend $300, or more in Canadian funds, to upgrade to a BBT drive in any of my B’mann 4-6-0 locomotives, since the latest drive was introduced.
As far as the Connies; I’d sooner purchase new gears from ME, if I find the need for them, as it seems they will cost a lot less than $200, which the BBT replacement is being priced at…if they ever do get to the market.
Padre,
As I wrote it was “many many moons ago” when the “Botchmann” referred to the “fine wares” they sold in HO, but even that changed as the years went by. 
I understand that Bachmanns’ reason to have a UK Class 66 produced was based on the fact that the Class 66 loco was a best seller in their OO/HO range. It is a lovely looking loco and those that have them usually are happy with them. There will always be the exception to the rule as any Forum will show. Given that a fair number of UK garden railroads are small and have tight curves with hindsight it may have produced more sales had a different prototype - i.e. smaller - been modeled.
As for Bachmanns’ own products I can say that my two Annie locos are fine runners and the Big Hauler range of stock to go with them very good value, even in this highly priced Country. I have 25 items of that range. The stock is easily repainted or modified. So, no complaints from here.
Bachmann DID NOT produce the “Class 66” locomotives.
They were produced by Aristocraft.
Bachmann Europe is the marketing agent for Aristocraft over there.Fred,
a point of clarification. Bachmann Europe contracted Aristo to manufacture the items for release by B’mann Europe and for sale in Europe (only). They were not produced by Aristo specifically for Aristo and Aristo did not intend to market them in the States and did not have plans to import them. They were specifically a B’mann Europe item. Any items outside of Europe would be ‘grey’ imports. A matter of semantics.
Fred Mills said:I swore I saw an umlaut over the K? ;)
Yentlemen, and I use this term, very loosely !!; The correct spelling of the name is: Bachmann.
Brent Hudson said:Sir - tac here, from Cambridgeshire. I, too, run lots of different scale on my little track not far from Huntingdon. Sadly, I am way too poor to have any 5" gauge American locomotives, so I have to make do with one-third scale Welsh steam and diesel to run on our little 1500 foot 7.25" track out here in the fens.
Ha Ha great replys some of us do model U S A style trains I for example have 20 diesel locomotives and am building a double track main line railroad in 1/29 . I also have 5 inch scale american locomotives and enough alloy extrusions to make the Super Chief in 1" scale too . Thats a total train length of 115 feet to run on my double track main line fully signalled by a 50 lever frame box ! Aristocraft had the G. M. class 66 built for Backman UK and Container flats in 1/29 scale and popular they are but not enough to make any more . Large numbers of us also model narrow gauga so there you go nothing is exclusive in this world !
I DO have shares, albeit in a very small way, in one of the largest operating steam locomotives still running on the planet, the SP&S Northern 700, but I guess that doesn’t really count as large scale, eh?
tac, back
www.ovgrs.org
Umm, if Bachmann is getting out of Europe, what’s up with this - http://www.aristocraft.com/vbulletinforums/showthread.php?p=144357#post144357 ???
-Brian
Brian Donovan said:
Umm, if Bachmann is getting out of Europe, what's up with this - http://www.aristocraft.com/vbulletinforums/showthread.php?p=144357#post144357 ???-Brian
Just goes to show…you can’t believe everything you read in magazines
Ralph
I have it from Bachmann Europe this morning that the latest container-load of Class 66 locos is due to arrive here momentarily.
No mention whatsoever of them being the last ones…
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Sounds like this “Gauge one mag” was fed some unconfirmed information !
OR the manufacturer and their factory have not yet to be informed of what is going to happen to the product presently approved for 2010 shipping. Mid November ---- january !!! We’ve seen things change a lot in a shorter timeline !
nite,
doug c