Bachmann Class 40 - latest news.

"Wolf Kirchmeir" wrote

Bachmann do *dump* USA (and UK to a lesser extent) models here in the UK.

Last year I was able to purchase Spectrum *Doodlebug* gas-electric railcars for around GBP8.00 from the UK warehouse, and some of the light Mountains were available at very heavily discounted prices (a little of GBP30.00) so was able to get hold of one or two for resale. Interestingly these went to people without real interest in American modelling, all of whom have come back and bought non-discounted lines, so impressed were they with the product.

So clearance discounting can attract new customers.

John.

"David Westerman" wrote

So were Hornby being slightly premature when they announced on their website that their bid had been successful?

John.

Phil: Almost all of our LGB loco's now have sound - and apart from the basic 'chuff chuff' sound of the starter locos, which are a bit limited in comparison, 8-), the full feature sound from LGB or ESU Loksound units is well worth having - even off the tiny 1inch speaker in our smallest 'field' loco - and the added 'stereo' effect of the trains moving around the garden is wonderful.

A smaller OO indoor layout might lose this benefit / not gain from it, but other means are also available for economy.

I have held off fitting them to OO, because, if the LGB effect is the same, you will want to fit it to ALL locos asap - and the range is either not simply available, or the cost to do them all is a bit high! (especially having just fitted 'silent' decoders to them all 8-) ) LGB stock is now being supplied with decoders fitted to all but the 'TOY' range.

"Kevin" wrote

The cheapest QJs have an RRP of £171.00 which generally discounts below £150. Bear in mind these are *niche* loco's in a low interest market, whereas BLI's efforts are being sold in a mass-interest market.

A fairer comparison might be with the Spectrum USA outline 4-8-2s which have an RRP of between £113 and £125 depending upon variety. I have a couple of these on my layout and the standard of detail and running quality leaves the similar sized Broadway USRA 2-8-2 (DCC ready & complete with sound) for dead, and the latter is generally price at around £200 in the UK.

John.

In message , John Turner writes

To all you people banging on about sound in US locomotives: what sound chip(s) do you think I should put in my Milwaukee Road EF-5? (For pictures go to

"John Sullivan" wrote

Ooooh you've got a big one mister! ;-)

John.

In message , John Turner writes

Isn't the final decision in the hands of the Court dealing with Lima's bankrupcy? The bid may well have been accepted by the creditors but the Judge gets the last word.

John Sullivan wrote:-

It looks superb. I've seen pictures of the prototype in a book but it looks much better in model form.

(kim)

PS: I removed a bracket from the quotation as it was interfering with the web link.

An authentic one. The Broadway ones are of actual recordings taken off preserved or current locos so they are appropriate to the model.

In message , John Turner writes

Yes, and it doesn't chuff or rumble.

It was a rhetorical question. I was thinking about how the relative failure of their Zero 1 system has probably put them off developing anything like that again.

Fred

Unfortunately the reality will be that Bachmann will build it down to a price with the absolute minimum of features they can get away with. You only have to look at their recent releases that don't even have basic lights fitted, to see their design philosophy.

Fred

Doesn't it make a realistic electric motor noise already?

My Lima Class 101 sounds quite realistic, except for the manual gear change.

As for sound, I'd say you need a chip that does a motor-generator set, traction motor blowers, air-driven contactors, two air compressors, and the train-heating boiler. And a smoke unit for the latter - shouldn't be too hard to come up with! :-)

Separate the low frequencies and play them through a large speaker under the layout. They contribute little to our sense of sound position.

Mark Thornton

Now THAT would be a good trick - where are the preserved NYC J-3 and Pennsy T-1 and J-1 hidden? :-)

A powerful sub-woofer might vibrate the trains off the track, or at least make your scale passengers jump up and down with excitement. Not to mention the effect on the better half watching TV below, or above.

Sorry John, but I am unable to find this announcement. I can find the Electrotren purchase statement but I can find no reference to the Lima bid being concluded!

Could you please post the URL so that I can view the precise wording?

DW

"David Westerman" wrote

Sorry I can't, it was reported so on here sometime ago that Hornby had announced the success of their bid on their own website, so I was merely repeating what I recalled.

John.