Large Scale Central

New Bachmann 2013 NMRA announcements

General Discussion
#21

Vic Smith said:
…the On30 line has several offerings that if up scaled to 1/20 would work just fine on R1, the Porters, the Railbus, the Mini-Heisler,the 2 cylinder Shay, even the 2-6-0 Mogul could be done in a way to work easily in R1, making them marketable to just about anyone in LS,

I would love to see the Railbus in LS

Vic

I agree I would love to see the 2-6-0 in 1:20/3. The C&S #9 is one of my favorites. I rode behind it at the Georgetown Loop when it was in operation. Alas I fear that we would disagree on the level of detail and operating quality. I would like to see a Spectrum grade quality #9 and with all the new mode that would be required and current market in Large Scale, I am afraid such a locomotive would be in the $800 class and not the $300 class. Same with any new geared locomotive. And remember Bachmann already has produced shays and a Heisler in Large Scale and still has a 2-6-0 in its catalog.

I am sure we will see more locomotives in both price ranges but they wil be more spread out. We just got the C-19 in the Spectrum line and both the Industrial 2-6-0 and the 2-4-2 are in the Big Hauler line.

The Large Scale manufacturers across the board have not bee intruducing a lot of new items lately and while the releases are less, Bachmann is still introducing new product and at the show told people that more was in the pipeline.

Stan

#22

Greg Elmassian said:

Tim, I do actually know that, but there are NO large scale decoders with 8 pin or 21 pin (unless it’s the SoundTraxx Tsunami they OEM).

The recent large scale locos all follow the Aristo standard with a few wiring tweaks.

Now, maybe this thing will run with an HO decoder, but I doubt it.

Greg

Greg

Actually decoders are rated by amperage and not scale. Both the 21 pin decoder and 8 pin socket and decoders are generally rated in the 1.2 amp class.

The Peter Witt Streetcar in full slip with all the lighting on, draws just a tad over .5 Amps. The 2 high precision motors are very small and do not draw much current. They also provide for a very smooth operation.

For ease of RC conversion I would have loved to see the larger 2 row connector but there simply is not space in such a Streetcar to do this. The board is well laid out to allow easy conversion and the solder pads are well labeled. Battery conversions are likely going to have to take out some seats to get the needed room.

There are also several lighting features in the Peter Witt

  1. when stopped the brake light is on.
  2. when moving the brake light is controlled by a function which allow the decoder to turn on the brake light when the brakes are applied.
  3. the front headlight is on a separate output and can be dimmed by the decoder
  4. the rear marker lights can be controlled by a separate function
  5. the interior lights can also be controlled by a separate function

Hope that helps.

Stan

#23

Yes Stan, I know… sheesh…

So it is a low current motor and will use an HO decoder…

You may say decoders are rated by amperage and not scale… but you need to go to web sites and see how they are grouped in the real world, both manufactures and dealers.

AND

The connectors are DEFINITELY related to scale, because they are related to size, like available space… won’t find an Aristo socket in a HO scale loco, and won’t find an 8 pin socket in large scale, except for Bachmann’s socket of the month club.

So, back to being helpful, not lecturing, I would surmise that the brake circuit light function is “bupkis” when using DCC, like the Aristo one.

And there is a decoder on the market that has a function output that is controlled by a brake function? Please educate me, I was unaware of this feature, although I don’t do a lot of HO decoders.

Greg

p.s. who uses the 21 pin connector? It looks like an European standard, but I did not research thoroughly.

p.p.s thanks for the current rating, that was the most important part.

#24

Greg

So, back to being helpful, not lecturing, I would surmise that the brake circuit light function is “bupkis” when using DCC, like the Aristo one.

And there is a decoder on the market that has a function output that is controlled by a brake function? Please educate me, I was unaware of this feature, although I don’t do a lot of HO decoders.

Greg

p.s. who uses the 21 pin connector? It looks like an European standard, but I did not research thoroughly.

p.p.s thanks for the current rating, that was the most important part.

Greg

In DCC mode the brake light is on when the Peter Witt motor is not moving and controlled by a function output when moving. In DC mode the Brake light is on all the time.

Both Soundtraxx and ESU among others have a brake function that allows you to engage the brake and also alows you to map a DCC function to this feature. Lenz, Zimo and TCS also have 21 pin decoders. I have not tested the TCS or Zimo ones so do not know if they have a specific braking capability. Note I am unaware of a suitable sound file yet released but several intend to release one prior to the release of the Bachmann model.

The 21 pin socket was developed by ESU first with a 100 ohm speaker and more recently changed to support 8 ohm speakers. The Peter WITT has an 8 Ohm speaker so much be used with decoders that support the 8 ohm version.

The 21 pin plug is currently being used in a variety of locomotives including several Bachmann ones. It seems to be the one most often currently used by locomotive manufacturers for sound applications.

Space is at a real premium in the Peter Witt so the 21 pin plug was the logical candidate.

There is also an 8 pin socket in the Peter Witt but the function control is a little more limited since there are only 8 pins.

Stan

#25

Norman Bourgault said:

Bachmann should have entered 1:29 scale long ago.

I guess the 1,000.00 C-19 and the 800.00 Forney are not selling in sufficient numbers at those street prices.

500.00 is the limit for a plastic Spectrum narrow gauge loco for the broad customer base market.

This is not the 1980`s when folks would pay whatever was asked of them by LGB or Delton brass as the Gauge One market was still in its infancy.

A Bachmann 1:29 scale NYC J1e with a string of heavyweights would be popular.

This could spell bad news for Aristo Craft.

Norman

Guys,

Just remember that Bachmann is a global manufacturer. I’m sure C-19s and Forneys sell just as well in S America as they do around here.

And, with 2x 2-6-0s in production, I don’t see why we need to scale up the On30 version? The railcar certainly would be a nice addition. They already have a porter, heisler and shay, so they aren’t needed. And please, no more obscure articulateds like the 2-6-6-2 or the 2-4-4-2!

I’m surprised they haven’t tried the 7/8n2 scale? It would be easy to scale up the Forney to correct gauge, and the 20’ rolling stock would work well at 7/8n2.

What happened to the discussion about which coach we wanted in 1:20 scale??

Norman,

As you can already buy a NYC J1 Hudson and a string of heavyweights, it is unlikely Bachmann would be interested in repeating the model.

#26

Pete Thornton said:

Guys,

Just remember that Bachmann is a global manufacturer. I’m sure C-19s and Forneys sell just as well in S America as they do around here.

And, with 2x 2-6-0s in production, I don’t see why we need to scale up the On30 version? The railcar certainly would be a nice addition. They already have a porter, heisler and shay, so they aren’t needed. And please, no more obscure articulateds like the 2-6-6-2 or the 2-4-4-2!

I’m surprised they haven’t tried the 7/8n2 scale? It would be easy to scale up the Forney to correct gauge, and the 20’ rolling stock would work well at 7/8n2.

What happened to the discussion about which coach we wanted in 1:20 scale??

Norman,

As you can already buy a NYC J1 Hudson and a string of heavyweights, it is unlikely Bachmann would be interested in repeating the model.

So Pete you dont mind having to pay $300+ for the same LGB Porter that used to cost $115??? Just because it has a circuit board added??? If Bmann did one at half the cost of the LGB they’d clean up.

And I was referring to the mini-heisler and the two cylinder shay from the On30 lineup they are significantly much smaller versions than the current G offering, so they are not the same thing

The Indy IS NOT a mainline puller, PERIOD. And just because there already is a LGB 2-6-0 does that mean theres no reason for another version? I am sorry but the LGB version was modeled after a 1870 locomotive and in any variant is still old-fashion looking, the On30 mogul is a much more modern looking and larger version and could easily be modified from the standard Big Hauler engine components.

I just dont get this idea of coming down on the notion that because someone has already made a steam engine thats vaguely similar to another there is no point in doing a different type of that same type, yet everyone was excited when we got 3 -THREE! - GG1s, are we all just nuts?

#27

Vic Smith said: … are we all just nuts?

Yes, and how! :wink:

#28

I sent Bachmann an email asking them to make those new On30 18’ Narrow Gauge cars in 1:20.3. This would be perfect for small Narrow Gauge layouts.

These cars:

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=755_789_806_807

#29

Yep, I’m sure that will get them right on it! :slight_smile:

#30

David Schmitz said:

I sent Bachmann an email asking them to make those new On30 18’ Narrow Gauge cars in 1:20.3. This would be perfect for small Narrow Gauge layouts.

These cars:

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=755_789_806_807

I’d buy some! May need to scratch one or two…Neat little buggers.

#31

Mark,

Do these 18’ cars have prototypes?

If so, which railroads?

Era?

Guess I need to refresh my turn of century knowledge.

#32

@Don If you’r looking for “shorty” Cars (20-24ft) you’r so much out of luck. I have made my own to fit on my Pike. It’s really simple to do. GR magazine ran a whole series of planes several years ago, and they are available on their web site for down load.

This years “Build Challenge 2013” featured builds based on one of my designs for a Flat/low side Gon.

(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/photo-71.jpg)

Along with some variations on the flat.

(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/photo-74.jpg)

Search this forum for the build challenge to see what can be done with a simple starting point.

#33

Joe Zullo said:

Yep, I’m sure that will get them right on it! :slight_smile:

At least I am trying doing something about it rather than complaining on a forum they dont read.

#34
  1. I don't complain on the Bachmann forum
  2. They do read it
  3. Either way, it won't make a difference if it doesn't make marketing sense to them
#35

Dave nice work on the cars. Regards,Ron

#36

David Schmitz said:

Joe Zullo said:

Yep, I’m sure that will get them right on it! :slight_smile:

At least I am trying doing something about it rather than complaining on a forum they dont read.

They actually do read these forums, and if enough people grumble they do listen, anyone remember the Vulcan? so many people were aghast and said so they substituted the backup, and got the RGS#1 Railtruck, arguably a much more popular choice. But my main gripe remains, while some items from LS have been replicated in On30, (Annie, Connie, Railtruck, and this year the Dizzie for example) the reverse simply isn’t allowed, and I’m frustrated by that.

As I said I’m sure the streetcar fans will get a great model and the Thomas fans will get a long desired fan favorite, me??? I guess I’ll to content myself by building what I can’t get for now.

(http://affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/wp-content/uploads/underwhelmed.jpg)

Oh well, I guess there’s alway the Christmas announcements to look forward too.

#37

Dave,

Thanks for reminding me about that set of cars.

I followed along, but just looked.

I got to see the Pickle Car again this weekend-pictures don’t do it justice.

AND, one of your beautiful turntable night shots!

#38

OK, update on this old thread, it’s a year later and now we are trying to fit a decoder to the streetcar.

There is indeed an NMRA standard, but one the NMRA wants to discourage.

I’m working on getting a decoder to work, and it’s more of an effort than thought.

my web site will follow the “journey”:

http://www.elmassian.com/trains/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/bachmann-motive-power/peter-witt-trolley

Greg