CTT February 2015 -- Back Cover

[rtraincollector]

one more comment about Bachmann as I do think there having problems as they went from like 2 pages of G scale train sets to less than 1/2 a page its like 4 sets now it use to be like almost 20 I'm thinking there having some fiancial problems to be honest. I'm not sure about n and HO as never really been following them. I have 2 G sets and niether is carried anymore. 

[Rob412]

Seems as though their trying to go head to head with lionel and MTH. New tooling and better detail can command higher pricing. I would imagine command control is not far away as well. They upgraded their sound system to true blast 2 and they already have EZCommand in HO & N scales. I know for myself I used to skip over Williams but now own 2 engines and their new stuff is nicely detailed. While I wouldn't pay the MSRP of $129 they will go for less. High price tag, mark it down to reasonable and people jump on it. I've never paid MSRP for a car either and amazingly most car dealers take of almost the same amount. When lionel introduced their new auto carriers I didn't plan on getting any as the price tag was to high but was able to find some at shows for more realistic pricing. My guess is Williams won't be any different.
In concluding Happy New Year to everyone hope it's happy and healthy.

[Firelock76]

Well you CAN make some bucks in O gauge but you've got to have the product to begin with!  Maybe the Bachmann people don't understand O like they understand HO and N?  It wouldn't be the first time someone got involved in a business they didn't understand and then came a cropper.

Only Bachmann knows for sure.  Maybe someone who's got an "inside" with the business can educate us.

[ChiefEagles]

Bachmann is HO.  Think about that.  Someone in the financial world thought it would be nice to venture in to O and make a few $$$$$.

[rtraincollector]

also and this brings us back to my original point they make them disapear for a year or so then bring them back with even higher prices claiming the production cost went up so much. I would say about 85% of us new it would change and prices would sky rocket when Bachmann took over first sign was how you could only get the lame car they offer if you joined the club not a pic like we use to. And it usually promoted them ( sorry I don't by a train car to avertise for you) that should be a gift for some dealer or something if you buy some set something like that. Sorry for the ones that did and if your happy with it I'm glad for you as everyone has there opion about things. 

[Firelock76]

Typically when a product line disappears after a company's been purchased it's because the purchaser WANTS it to disappear.  Winchester buying a number of smaller repeating rifle companys back in the 19th Century to remove the competition is one example I can think of.

Of course, this doesn't explain what's going on at WBB, unless the discontinued items were poor sellers.  That I can understand but I find it hard to believe in this case, considering how well made the Williams products were and how competitively priced they were.

[POTRZBE]

When new owners take over, as happened here, you expect price increases over time.  What you don't expect is for the product line to disappear.  Thank goodness there is lots of pre WBB available.  That's what I'll be buying.

[Firelock76]

New owners of any outfit ALWAYS say "we're not going to change anything!"

Ha-ha.

Except the new owners of the outfit I work for, I wish they WOULD change some things.  Right now it's just the old outfit with a new name.  Enough of that, it doesn't belong here.

I would advise if anyone's interested in any of those classic Williams products and you see them at a train show or hobby shop grab 'em before they're gone for good.

[sir james I]

WBB has done just what they said they wouldn't do. Change Williams.

Almost everything Willams offered in the past is gone. Leaving the convential runner few choices but the used market.

[rtraincollector]

To me the Biggest one gone is the scale GG1

 

[Firelock76]

I have to wonder a bit at what's going on at Williams by Bachman.

For example, several weeks ago I purchased a WBB catalog and was shocked by the changes from the 2012 catalog.  For example...

ALCO PAs, gone.

ALCO FAs, reduced from nine to four.

The F7s and E7s, gone.

Baldwin Sharks, gone.

SD45s, gone.

GP9's, drastically reduced in variety.

Dash-9s, gone.

BL-2s, gone.

FM Trainmasters, gone.

NW-2s, gone.

U33Cs, gone.

GE 44 Tonners, gone.

FP-45s, gone.

The assorted J-Class steamers, gone.

The Berkshires, gone.

The Hudson Scale Steamers, gone.

I could go on and on but there's one heck of a hemmorage going on in the Williams product line.  I realize things and product lines change but this is disturbing.  What's going on here?

[rtraincollector]

Buckeye I have been noticing this for a few years but have been keeping quiet about it. Now don't get me wrong but Williams by Bauchmann has felt there produck is just as good if not better than MTH,Atlas,Weaver & Lionel and any others I have missed O guage where 1 they don't even offer command controll but see them asking the price very close to some of the ones lionel and MTH offer with it. Now I understand at most dealers you can get Williams less than there SRP but in most cases to me there not really worth that compare to what you get from Lionel and Mth for a few dollars more. Now I haven't been looking in the present day market for a few years but I just went to charles ro a GP35 Conventional Williams srp by Bauchmann is $$409.95 Chares roe price $$214.95 Lionel with legacy GP35 $419.95 $10 less than suggested with just conventional or $205 less by charles roe now for a loinel GP-35 ( I'm looking for in conventional ) but found LC GP-36 for $224 so where is the value anymore in Williams just asking as today most people are looking at the cost more than anything but will look also the value too 

[Buckeye Riveter]

It appears that Bachmann may have waded into the swamps of SE Asia.  

I refrain from my . 

[webenda]

Atlas Trains thought prices from their supplier, Kadar/Sanda Kan (owner of Bachmann) were too high also. Atlas left them to find a new supplier. Aristo Craft decided to just close their doors. 

Reference:

http://www.kader.com.hk/

http://www.atlasrr.com/News/atlas-open-letter-1214.htm

http://www.aristocraftforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=13212&p=126665&hilit=sanda+kan#p126665

http://www.modelretailer.com/en/The%20Industry/Industry%20News/2013/10/Aristo%20CraftPolks%20to%20close%20doors%20at%20years%20end.aspx

[Blueberryhill RR]

Yes, I also agree with you, Buckeye. Their prices have risen a great deal in the last few years. The billboard reefers that I paid $28. for are now $65.

Also, I used to get sale flyers from Williams and now Bachman wants to charge you for their catalogs.

Chuck

[ChiefEagles]

You are right, Buckeye [OH NO!!!, I just agreed with Buckeye].

Haven't checked in a long time, but ChooChoo Auctions ue to have them.  Think I paid from $35 a set [double like you mentioned] to $65 from NW.  NW seemed to be rare or something.  Got several sets of the NW and some others.  Sent [and took on plane] several sets of the SP "Piggy Back" sets to Don as he lives in CA.

I think Williams has gone pricey.     

[Buckeye Riveter]

On the back cover of CTT, Williams by Bachmann is offering this great looking intermodel car with CSX trailer.  They also are offering trailers in Conrail, UP, and Santa Fe.    MSRP $129.95

Does anyone else think that MSRP is a little on the high side for one car?  I normally purchase Lionel's two pack of  TTUX spine cars with Southern Pacific trailers for $60.00 or less.  I found someone on the web pre-selling these Bachmann cars for just less than $80.00.  

Maybe just one.