I’m waiting on two pieces of rolling stock to be delivered this coming week. A hopper and a box car…has anyone received their’s yet ?
I saw them in Durango at the NG convention, but it will be great to have a finished model in my hands and be able to see everything on it in my own home.
Fr. Fred
I picked up the undecorated box car and EBT hopper on December 16. Same day I picked up my three truck Shay.
Also borrowed an AMS box car to compare to the Bachmann unit. The Bachmann easily holds it own with the AMS in both detail and quality. Length, width, and height is almost identical to the AMS box car. The Bachmann box car has a weight of three pounds, ten ounces. The AMS weight is four pounds, 4 ounces. Seems that the AMS cars may be a little more robust. But in handling and running the Bachmann box car the weigth difference does not seem to be a factor. The Bachmann seems to roll easier than the AMS. Both AMS and Bachmann have metal trucks that are sprung and equalized.
The Bachmann coupler height is spot on with the Kadee height gauge. The coupler box could be used for a Kadee coupler or the box changed for a Kadee coupler and box. The Bachmann couplers are metal and they mate well with AMS, other Bachmann, and Kadee. In fact the Bachmann couplers seem to have smoother action than the AMS car that I have. Also the AMS coupler is just a little higher when measured with the Kadee height gauge. Cut levers on both the box car and hopper work with smooth action. The Bachmann cars come with an extra set of couplers that are offset. These are supplied so that the cars will couple with truck mounted couplers on other equipment. I’ve been running the box car and hopper in consists made up of scratch built 1:20.3 cars that use truck mounted couplers. The cars all work well together.
The Bachmann trucks, both versions, also have opening journal box lids, if that means anything. The lumber door on the box car opens and is equipped with a the same type door latch as the side doors. The bay doors on the hopper car open. Not sure this is of any advantage, but I guess that’s a nice kind of geewhiz feature.
The high degree of fine detail, such a cut levers, door latches, brake hose, and opening journal box lids, etc., will make these cars a little delicate for any type of rough use.
As I can afford more cars the first to be added will be the hoppers. These are good looking cars that seem to be a little more robust than the box car. In time I plan to add more box cars also.
Think you will be satisfied with these cars. Although everyone has a different take on just about any item now being offered by LS manufacturers.
Thank goodness, there is not a sound issue with the cars as there is with the three truck Shay!
JD
Thank you, John…and I hope your Christmas was a safe and enjoyable one.
Fred, I would be interested in your observations on the couplings.
Thanks
Rod
I got the new Spectrum Hopper for Christmas. Lettered for the “EBTRR & C CO”. Very nice.
Operating doors…but not intuitive to operate though probably prototypical. But, not a real concern, as I don’t plan to operate them on the layout. Nice touch, though. Might be neat for some photo ops. I’m not sure if these are delicate or not. Before I read the directions I tried to open them…and they didn’t break…so that’s a good thing.
It has opening journal boxes; I like this idea as it makes oiling very nice and easy.
No number at all, so you don’t have to worry about repeats. But, that does mean it is unnumbered. Guess I’ll add a dry transfer number or decal …eventually.
I find it difficult to remove the coal load - probably need to insert a pin or something to give me some leverage. I’m not sure I’ll be doing this often, but it would be a nice touch for operations to model a full, then an empty. I may want to put some real coal on top, but it looks pretty nice already, although perhaps a bit too regular looking rows of coal.
I have not run it in a train yet. I’m a bit concerned about the chain connnect to the lift bar, as it’s not fixed and slides around. It looks as if it could cause it uncouple…but it may not be a concern at all. Maybe it’s a good thing, but I would prefer to have the chain permanently fixed to the center of the lift bar. I DO like the fact that there is no obvious spring like on the Accucraft couplers. It appears to couple OK with both my Accucraft and Kadee equipped cars. Have to wait for some drier weather to give it a good test.
Wheel gauge seemed the same as my AMS cars and Sierra Valley wheelsets, but I have not run my calipers over it yet. Flanges are a bit large compared to my AMS and Sierra Valley wheels, but not objectionable. The trucks are sprung, but seem very stiff, so I’m not sure if there’s a real benefit there.
It’s pretty hefty, which is a good thing in my mind. It does seem to roll easily.
Nice detail all around. The grab irons and steps seem sturdy.
Good looking car. I’ll probably get some more hoppers. I’m not so excited about the boxcars, as they seem to be just another variation of the Colorado cars and I prefer something more Eastern looking.
It’s very funny to see so little comment on the B’mann 1:20.3 offerings. Before they announced them; there were lots of people wishing for them.
It seems that if a new locomotive, even a toy from LGB is issued; a raft of people jump up, and start reviews. But good, scale rolling stock, hardly gets a comment.
You will notice this on just about all of the “Out-of-the-box” forums, on other sites.
The places I would have thought would show great interest, as on NG specific sites, are showing little comment.
Could this be an indication of lack of interest ? Will this line of rolling stock be successful, or is there so much interest in locos; that rolling stock will soon go the way of the DO DO…?
Thanks to thse that have reviewed their purchases.....I look forward to receiving mine in the near future.Fred ,
I reckon that everyone knows what a loco is like , so review it like crazy .
Few know exactly what rolling stock is like in detail , and are frightened of making fools of themselves . Which is daft , to say the least . There is also the “it’s only a wagon” syndrome (sindrome?)
I think the problem of being thought to look silly is a major one . When I read posts here , I do not expect a soliloquy from Shakespeare , nor a technical dissertation that only an avid rivet turner would know–or care-- about .
If people were less into navel gazing about what clanger they might drop , I am sure that there would be a bit more written on the site . It is rare for anyone here to really get uppity with someone else’s efforts , apart from the usual “it’s not to scale” silliness . Or “not to my scale” silliness .
I think that what all of us really only want to hear that a model is acceptable in general terms . Even non-scale stuff can be converted .
A simple statements like "this scales out at 38 feet instead of forty " is much more acceptable than " This stupid lot have buggered it up again , do they think we are stoopid and don’t know what a scale foot is ? It says 1/29 on the box , but which part do they mean ? "
Never a simple observation when a snide one will do .
Those of us who review models for a living would never , ever criticise an offering simply because it is made by a particular company . That way lies mistrust of the reviewer , and if the magazine edtor has any sense , the reviewer gets no more free samples to review . Regrettably , this tenet does not always apply , something in print being better than nothing , even when the idiot doing the writing is trying to draw attention to himself . I know of two magazines that died a premature death because of just that , nastiness to chosen manufacturers . Neither of them were rail mags .
Of course , another reason for not posting is lack of responses . Disappointing to someone who has gone to the trouble , it makes the poster reluctant to post more . Apathy . Big problem .
Rail mags die through apathy . I know of several .
So , why not put finger to keyboard and say how much fun a particular model is --if you enjoyed it . You may even encourage others to buy one and do the market a bit of good . They in turn may even post a further observation , so keeping a valuable site going .
Try it , you may be pleasantly surprised .
Mike
ps in the case of the 1/20.3 offerings , it strikes me that most users of 1/20.3 are a bit picky , so most people keep their comments to
themselves so as not to get howled down . I remember making a comment on another , long forgotten site about a model being near
enough to 1/20 to be acceptable . Well , of course , I hadn’t included the .3 bit , so was a pariah anyway .
I think a lot of the problem with reviews for cars is that they are for the most part taken for granted. I often make the “tongue in cheek” comment that freight cars only exist to keep the caboose from bumping into the locomotive. In reality I think most “out of the box” modelers feel that way. If it looks good…that’s all that matters. That doesn’t make for much of a review. On the other hand there is a lot more expectation out of a locomotive. After all, one pays $80 for a well detailed car but $250 and up for a locomotive. They want to know how it runs. How difficult is it to add RC, battery, sound. Can it pull a train of xxx length etc. This makes for much better reading. Also modelers put a lot more effort into a locomotive, individualizing it and making it unique to it’s owner. But the same modeler is content to add metal wheels, Kadee couplers and a little weathering to his cars and call it good enough.
On one hand, I’m a bit surprised at the lack of reviews, but I also wonder how quickly they’re really hitting the store shelves. Caboose only had two pieces in stock–a D&RGW hopper and F&CC box car. They didn’t even have the flat car in. I’ve got a Caboose gift card burning a hole in my wallet, but until they get the EBT hoppers and the flat car in, I’m in a holding pattern. (Or is that a “not able to hold them” pattern?) Along that same vein, I was surprised not to see the 3-truck Shay out of the box and on display when I was there last. It could have been the pre-Christmas rush keeping them from rearranging their displays, but I still would have made room for that puppy.
Later,
K
Fred Mills said:
It's very funny to see so little comment on the B'mann 1:20.3 offerings. Before they announced them; there were lots of people wishing for them.It seems that if a new locomotive, even a toy from LGB is issued; a raft of people jump up, and start reviews. But good, scale rolling stock, hardly gets a comment.
You will notice this on just about all of the “Out-of-the-box” forums, on other sites.
The places I would have thought would show great interest, as on NG specific sites, are showing little comment.Could this be an indication of lack of interest ? Will this line of rolling stock be successful, or is there so much interest in locos; that rolling stock will soon go the way of the DO DO…?
Thanks to thse that have reviewed their purchases.....I look forward to receiving mine in the near future.</blockquote>Fr. Fred,
When doing reviews it helps to have the prototype information on hand!
Which is different from doing a rah-rah write up on the newest engine which has a tremendous finish, is practically indestructable (even though they don’t mention what destruction test they did
), runs around any R1 curves (regardless of how ridiculous it looks) etc. etc.
It is quite possible that the lack of prototype info in certain quarters is responsible for few reviews of scale items. After all writing “The model measures out almost exactly to x:xx scale, when compared to published drawings” doesn’t really say where the “almost” applies and how large “almost exactly” is.
Doing subjective reviews of scale items would be counter-productive, if it’s scale the “real scale” crowd doesn’t mind finding out how close to real it is.
OTOH as I recommended to one of the dealers, setting a 1:20.3 car cheek to jowl with a “Quasi NG” item from e.g. LGB is quite possibly the most telling, quick comparison. Boxcars and stockcars to the fore!If I were to review some 1:20.3 cars I would make it my business to get the proto info; may take some research, but there is no free lunch.
I basically stick to what I model i.e. RhB, for that I have the required info. What I don’t have I can obtain in short order thanks to my buddies on the RhB Forum, several of whom work for RhB. BTW so far I reviewed a lot more rolling stock than motive power, probably because I have more rolling stock than motive power.
And the review samples I get through a regular dealer at regular price - no freebies and no selected merchandise.
Interestingly the reviews go to print as written and there are always more to do.
I ordered a box car and a hopper. The distributor was very unfamiliar with the new items and had to check with B’mann for a price. He ordered them with the hopes that we would get them to the border before B’mann closed for the January close down.
If they got to the border he will have them on Monday, and I’ll get them Tuesday…I’m hoping…!!!
I was into Caboose Hobbies this past summer on the way to Durango…I was less than impressed. Big place, but Ridge Road Station has more LS on display. They also seem to have more inventory at RR, with better pricing.
Fred Mills said:
I ordered a box car and a hopper. The distributor was very unfamiliar with the new items and had to check with B'mann for a price. He ordered them with the hopes that we would get them to the border before B'mann closed for the January close down. If they got to the border he will have them on Monday, and I'll get them Tuesday........I'm hoping.....!!!I was into Caboose Hobbies this past summer on the way to Durango…I was less than impressed. Big place, but Ridge Road Station has more LS on display. They also seem to have more inventory at RR, with better pricing.
I hope they got inside the border, because there is no U.S. Mail until this Wednesday, because of the Federal Holidays for New Year’s Day and President Ford’s Funeral.
And I do agree with you on the Ridge Raod Station’s LS Display being bigger than Caboose Hobbies. I’ve been fortunate in my job to always find time to visit shops around the country while on business.
The Lone Railroader
Here’s some shots of my EBT Hopper on my layout today.
I do not have any prototype information on hand, so I can not attest to the accuracy of any of the dimensions. It does run well, and my earlier fears of the coupler causing any problems have proven to be false. It’s made it around many times without any problems.
But that first pic looks as though you almost lost your box cab…
Got my new GR yesterday…Great articles!! Pat yourself on the back for them…
Bruce,
Great Pictures! Can you talk about the Bachmann couplers a little? Are they the same as old Bachmann couplers. Are they center spring’d. Do they match up with a Kadee gauge. How about wheels? Typical Bachmann wheels or something new for 1:20.3. Have paired them up against an AMS or Accucraft, yet?
Boy, your trackage and trestle looks great. Looks like you are also benefitting from “Global Warming”. Hope you guys enjoy the New Year.
Ric, The wheels look pretty similar to the old Bachmann wheels, but they have a solid axle.
The trucks are cast metal and pretty hefty. Here’s a set of Sierra Valley wheels against the hopper trucks.
The couplers are center sprung, but they don’t show the ugly spring the AMS coulplers do. I don’t like the fact that the chain slides around the coupler lift bar.
I find them a bit low for MY standards
So, I added a small washer between the truck and the body.
The Bachmann couplers are metal. They match up perfectly with the Kadee gauge. The AMS couplers are actually mounted a little higher than the Kadee height gauge.
I ran one of the new Bachmann boxcars with an AMS boxcar. The slight variation in height did not seem to make a difference on how the cars tracked. Same can be said for the Bachmann hopper. It is spot on for coupler height with the Kadee gauge.
I solved the lift chain issue by using a very small drop of gap filling CA and then a touch of black paint. Now the chain stays centered. Bachmann also supplies a pair of offset couplers so the car will couple to cars that have truck mounted couplers. The offset couplers line up exactly with Bachmann couplers that are truck mounted.
Coupler action is very smooth on the two cars that I have. The cut lever works without problem.
Couplers will mate with Kadees just fine.
Can not comment on prototype fidelity of either the boxcar or hopper. I have no prototype detail on the hopper, that may or may not represent a EBT two bay hopper. I’ll leave that to the EBT experts. Since Bachmann has not made any announcement on what prototype was followed for the boxcar, all I can guess is that it is a generic model that follows prototype car building practice from the turn of the century. All I can say for sure is that the car is a 30 foot car.
My feeling is that the Bachmann car compares on an equal basis with that of the AMS. I prefer the looks and detail of the Bachmann. I plan to purchase additional hopper cars and box cars.
JD
Can you tell me how tall and wide that hopper car is? Also, do you happen to know how tight a curve it can handle? I’m guessing it needs wide curves due to the couplers not being truck-mounted.
The new Bachmann boxcar is a 1:20.3 scale model of the 30’ American Car & Foundry (ACF) boxcars originally built for the Florence and Cripple Creek (F&CC). These cars were eventually scattered to numerous western NG railroads. The recipient RRs included the Nevada County Narrow Gauge (NCNG), Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy), Nevada-California-Oregon (N-C-O), Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge (SPNG), Magma Arizona, and the US Naval Supply Depot-Pearl Harbor on Oahu. Also several others that I can’t remember at the moment
Curtiss Johnson provided Bachmann the drawings that also appear in his (with Kenneth Westscott) book “The Pacific Coast Railway” The same drawings were used to produce Jeff Saxton’s ‘budget boxcars’ a few years back. Curt has spent significant time creating and updating these CAD drawings over several years. They are very accurate, having been made from Curt’s research data and surviving cars. I was fortunate to receive a full size 1:20.3 scale original plot of Curt’s drawing. When I do get some of the B’mann cars, I’ll check them against the drawing, but Curt has directly indicated that the Bachmann car is very accurately done.
Happy RRing,
Jerry Bowers
Jerry,
Thank you for the information on the boxcar. I did notice that the documentaion supplied with the car was headed ACF Boxcar.
The coal hopper. It is 13 1/8" long, 4 1/2" wide, and 5 3/16" tall from railhead to top edge of car body. Length and width are those of the body shell. The car weight is 3 pounds that includes the coal load.
Can’t comment on how tight a radius these cars will handle. I have nothing tighter than five foot radius so can not comment on just how tight a curve the car will handle.
Measurements of the car were made with my highly accurate free TruValue Hardware yard stick so take the measurements with that in mind.
JD