Bachmann OO-scale (updated) 2007 delivery schedule.

Seems bachmann are falling behind again, as usual...

Ian J.

I work in an unrelated trade, but retail sales (apart from what goes through the big groups such as Tesco - and they don't sell railway items, thank God) are generally down this year and that may be why the schedule is behind.

If people are spending more in the supermarkets while they go there for their food, they may not be tempted to the occasional casual railway purchase if they are going into a proper shop less frequently.

It's probably due to the demise of the High Street, which are becoming just a location of standard issue chain stores and charity shops. Unless I need some guitar strings I never have cause to go into town, so (if there were one) I'd never pass a model shop, and therefore never make an impulse purchase, or even "I'll get that next week" purchase, as a result of browsing. Not that I could park anyway - it's seems having an Aldi on the car park and empty shops is more important to the council in Leek (who are now proposing a multi-storey car park to sove a problem that wouldn't exist if they actually bothered planning things, rather than "Planning", which seems to be an oxymoron for local councils).

If we had located in Leek in a shop, our rates bill alone would exceed our rent, power etc where we are, and, as above, customers would have struggled to park anyway (thus forcing them on-line). I'm so glad that we are in a position where being in-town doesn't matter (in fact it's a benefit), but I do feel for those who need to be in a shop - it must be practically impossible to keep going.

Just to avoid be classed as a negative winger, I do have a solution - a local sales tax instead of rates, not only fairer on businesses but pushes the issues of making the town attractive to shoppers frimly back on the council - no customers = no income, so councils would have to get out of their ivory towers and join the rest of us in the real world.

Richard

That would be unlikely round here anyway. There was nothing in a window which would tempt a casual visitor to go inside. The only clue that one shop (since closed) stocked model railways at all was a Hornby poster in the window. The other (Antics) dumped a handfull of Bachman coaches in the dullest livery imaginable on the floor just behind their window along with a motley collection of radio controlled toys. In both cases the model railway counter was buried deep inside the shop so only the most determined of buyers would bother going inside.

(kim)

kim wrote: The other (Antics) dumped a handful of Bachmann coaches in the

Ah, do you mean Chocolate & Cream or S.R. Green ;-)

Kevin Martin

Well, I was more looking at the abscence of passing customers, but I do agree that railways are often not prominently displayed (though presuambly the shop keeper knows their market and displays the best sellers). When I do see a shop I usually go in but I'm invariably disappointed - the curse of the O gauge modeller!

Richard

Didn't they already do an early emblem one of these several years back? An LNER plain black one would be nice. The could even do some in LNER black with red lining and number on the tender for the collectors, or those daft enough to model pre-1928.

No. 1481 would be a good choice for the latter as it was painted with the lining in May 1928, just before lining was dropped for J39s. It wouldn't have been plain black until after its next repair starting in December 1929.

Nice that they're doing a different tender for this one, even if it's another BR liveried example. Flicking through the Yeadon's for the J39, I note there are a lot shown with ex-NER tenders.

LNER! Yay! Post-war class! Boo! ;-)

Unfortunately, my Dad's already got an early BR B1.

And that appears to be it for ex-LNER stuff. Loads for the GWR modeller, but nothing suitable for pre-war LNER modellers. Ho hum, I guess I'll have to do something else with my money...

TO THE KIT CAVE, DAD! :-Þ

Any news of the BDA's John?

"Graham Thurlwell" wrote

They've already produced them in LNER lined and unlined black liveries. It may be a while ago but they're out there if you look hard enough.

John.

"Dave Potter" wrote

Only if they're on that list Dave.

John.

its more than that though, most model shops never seem to have the range of stuff anymore, they seem to be full of old stock they cant shift, and they cant shift it because its actually the stuff in abundance that no-one really wants, and week in week out actually very little seems to change.

Then generally all the stuff you do find your after they either sold out because they ordered in tiny small numbers (who they pre-sold to their chums), or they simply claim to cant ever get hold of, supplier problems etc.

frankly faced with that or ordering off an internet dealer where they seem to offer a vastly improved range of things, Ill order off the internet every time, it isnt even about a price difference anymore.

I mean its not just model shops either, an example I encountered today I wanted to buy some of those latest picture 1st class stamps from the local post office, they'd sold out, only ordered a few sheets in,and they couldnt get anymore in, yet I can go on the royal mail website now and order them in sheets of 50 at a time !?!?

Awavey

urge to 'impulse buy' because of the limited production runs these days. I have learnt to buy rolling stock almost as soon as it is released, because items will sell out very quickly and then not become available again for many years (except at inflated eBay prices which I do not intend to pay). The Bachmann 16t coal wagons are a good example, as are the Esso weathered 14t tank wagons.

I scour the forthcoming releases for items that I want, and save up for those.

Also, I wish Bachmann would stop releasing named B1s. They were a very small proportion of the class, and it would be nice just to have a few more un-named versions.

Although not really relevant to 0 Gauge that I'm into these days, that was something I found irritating towards the end of my 00 days - I had a "thing" about the Hornby "Norstand" blue mineral wagons and decided on a rake of then (20 was the target - I had a PO siding and all set up for them) - I got 6 ok (I was skint at the time - working the

The problem these days is finding anything post-1970 BR on the shelf (except unpainted Bachmann Brassworks 08's which I can't afford!) in O gauge.

Sadly it's probably all down to demand though - I don't envy model shop owners, at least in my game I can have a reasonable stab at what customers are going to *need*, whereas in modeling I suspect customers are far more whimsical as little is actually *needed* as such. I find it very frustrating, but I do understand why.

Richard

"crazyhorse" wrote

I just wish they'd decided to re-tool and re-chassis the B1 (and J39, V1 & V2) instead of duplicating Hornby and doing the Scots and Jubilees.

John.

Likewise the Class 40 diesels.

(kim)

Me to, a B1 in one of the few non-lms locos i would buy immediately, esp as its so distinctive and a frequent visitor. But can be sure the day after I get one Bachmann will announce an upgrade.

Cheers, Simon