Hi all i just got all new information for all of you guys who want to know what manufacture took over all of the Aristocraft tools and molds of all Aristocraft plans. It has been confirmed to me that Bachman has taken over Aristocraft due to Lewis Polk making a deal with Bachman by making an even trade with Aristocraft by Bachman taking their parts and molds and getting them out of bankruptcy. Bachman will be producing all of the general parts first like motor blocks in the next few months for all the Aristocraft locomotives specially the Dash 9’s. It also has been confirmed to me that they all got some of the parts to build the dash 9 but their is bad news that they only have 80 percent of all the parts and tools to manufacture the Dash 9 the only thing they are missing is the shell for the dash 9. Really bad but hopefully they will find a way to manufacture the dash 9 once again in the near future. The estimated date for us to see all new motor blocks for the Dash 9’s is 6 months to a year let’s keep an eye out for the release date.
Tony, I think you need to talk to your “source”.
If you dig a bit, I think you will find a company called Kader has the molds and Kader also owns Bachman.
Kader has actually owned the molds forever, that was the deal with Aristo, was cheaper than Aristo owning the molds outright. This has also been the situation for more than 10 years…
I’d not be surprised if Kader would produce some replacement parts, like wheels, motor blocks, but I highly doubt Kader will produce large locomotives again until the hobby “turns up”
So Bachmann has sold the old style 2 axle motor blocks and the eggliner (which uses this block) for some time.
Greg
I would be peached if Bachmann would run a batch of centercab power blocks.
I understand what you want, but if they were to make any power trucks I think it would logically be the 3 axle ones, much bigger market.
Greg
The Bachmann rep at the Wolrd’s Greatest Hobby show (when it was here in Pittsburgh) told me that they have no plans to produce any more of the Aristo line. They did the eggliner and motor blocks because they knew they would sell. But Bachmann isn’t looking to make any other Aristo equipment “because there is too much of it available on the used market. Maybe once that supply dries up they will reconsider.”
It would be nice if they would produce the parts that we need/want and that also would sell. Like the motor blocks you mentioned, and maybe some trucks.
Bachmann seems to have cut back on its Large Scale and 1:20.3 Spectrum ranges as far as the UK is concerned. Any web site reference to those ranges is directed to the United States page. Also whilst there is a presence by the company in the UK it is the smaller, more lucrative and popular, scales that they are promoting.
If Bachmann were ever to produce some of the former Aristo products I am of the opinion that it would be a very limited range (Bachmann LS ranges were never extensive as far as I can see) and most likely would only be the more popular models. Their best bet, I guess, would be to make plain models that could be either painted by modellers themselves or the specialist guys.
I do not see Kader doing much LS stuff other some Big Hauler through Bachmann. They did show a updated Big Hauler 4-6-0 that would include the Spectrum style electronics and PNP board in the tender. The problem is that the pictures were only renderings and some features of the Big Hauler were there rather than the Annie. I am guessing and it is only that, that it is the Annie even further upgraded with the electronics. They also mention new style tender but the tenders shown are the old Big Hauler style.
As far as 1:20.3 from Bachmann from most sources with the death of Mr. Riley that is pretty much the end of 1:20.3 from Bachmann.
As Greg mentioned Kader owns Bachmann and the molds from Aristocraft. I do not see anything really new for a long time if at all. It is possible some motor blocks might be made to keep some of the secondary market stuff running but as for bringing back the line I doubt it.
Anyway, glad I grabbed a C-19 while they are around. I suspect a few more years and they will be just about as rare as the Ks are. Also, grabbed some of the tank cars (framed and frameless) and the long caboose. All are very very well done
Kinda of sad to see that many manufacturers are slowing down in 1:20.3 but again the market is what it is. AMS still has some stuff, but Accucraft seems to be more on the 1:32 after making a long ago announcement of a C-18, SPNG #18 4-6-0, and a live steam version of the three truck Westside shay. I suspect those models have been long put on hold at this point.
1:29 seems to be suffering the same fate as 1:20.3. Basically almost down to one supplier - USA Trains. American Mainline pretty much to me is at an end. The website is hardly updated and I doubt we will ever see the GP-60 at this point.
But Bachmann isn’t looking to make any other Aristo equipment “because there is too much of it available on the used market. Maybe once that supply dries up they will reconsider.”
I don’t know about the used market, but Star Hobby still has a whole room full of unsold Aristocraft stuff, including a lot of boxcars, 2 or 3 SF streamline coaches, etc., etc.
I wish they would produce the Heavyweight Baggage Car. They are scarcer than hen’s teeth!
Lou Luczu said:
I wish they would produce the Heavyweight Baggage Car. They are scarcer than hen’s teeth!
Chuck has them
Lou Luczu said:
I wish they would produce the Heavyweight Baggage Car. They are scarcer than hen’s teeth!
Talk to Alan at G.A.L. He is producing 1/32nd scale coaches soon, and has a scale-length 70’ baggage (see pic.) He could probably scale the kit up to 1/29th.
Chucks are gonna be more “cost effective”
Chuck who? Where?
" Rooster " said:
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I’d just be happy if Kader would make and sell separately their 851? motors used in the Bachmann trolleys. While I’ve cracked (no pun intended) the gear problem – I make my own – fixing the motors is unlikely as parts are unobtainable and can’t be 3D printed.
I’ve learned a lot of things over the years.
We had a very active Aristo forum, and Lewis Polk revealed a lot about the industry, (sometimes easily, and sometimes we had to corner him!).
One thing is that very few “distributors” make money from parts. USA Trains, Bachmann, and Aristo are all/were distributors for Kader.
It became clear that the factory would rather produce a run of locos rather than parts. Until we really badgered Lewis, for spares, Sanda Kan and later Kader just made a few more locos and those were cannabilized for spares.
So, in order for someone to produce spares, they need to fufill their warranty claims and make money. The cheapo motors for the trolleys are just that… cheap… and it’s doubtful they would be a big seller.
The 2 axle motor blocks, combined with the release of the eggliner makes sense. What other “profitable” spare would make sense? I cannot think of anything other than wheels and 3 axle motor blocks. Even the coupler production has been taken over by Kadee or people getting couplers for free from people upgrading.
So, while I sympathize with your plight Dick, I think it’s time to find motors on Amazon or Ebay or hobby distributors.
Greg
Dick Friedman said:
I’d just be happy if Kader would make and sell separately their 851? motors used in the Bachmann trolleys. While I’ve cracked (no pun intended) the gear problem – I make my own – fixing the motors is unlikely as parts are unobtainable and can’t be 3D printed.
Hey, Dick, check out my thread on re-motoring the trolley. I found a source for the Kader 881: HO GP50 spare motor!
Re-motoring-a-bachmann-4-wheel-trolley/view/post_id/372446
Repaints aside, Kader embargoed all 1:20.3 until NOS sells out. I was told by more than one person that the Lil Big Hauler line will go away once they sell off what’s already been run so I’m buying them as money allows before they go away. Overall I think I have never seen the scale in such dire predicament supply wise. I hope it gets better but when the only new thing you see are ultra shitty kiddy battery sets from Lionel, that’s not even 45mm gauge, you know things are really sorry.