Bachmann Rolling Stock

[hobbyfossi201]

Hallo to all Readers,

since I´ve started with Garden Railways I´ve always purchased my Rolling Stock from LGB (different BoxCars, FreightCars and FlatCars).

Now most of the Bachmann Rolling Stock is with a very reliable price available in Europe.
As I´ve no idea of their quality and scale (in comparison to LGB´s products) it would be great to get your opinions on that topic.
Many thanks and Greetings from Austria
Klaus

[Anonymous]

Hi Klaus,

I have a few coaches and rolling stock and to be honest, for the money, they are excellent and the scale is (or near to) 1:22.5 They all have metal wheels, the coaches are lit though the pick up is a drag on the wheels (I took it off) and the detail is good with seating and even a stove! The freight wagons are well detailed but there are some unusual road's, my gondola is New York Central & Hudson River. I suppose someone somewhere models that particular road, but mass production?! The couplers are ok & the knuckles mate with some other makes. All in all you get a lot for your hard earned cash.
Chers,
Kim
[tup]

[hobbyfossi201]

Hi Kim,
thanks for your reply...and there comes up an additional question: I´m using hook&loop from LGB, is the conversion from the knuckles to LGB possible?
Thanks again,
Klaus

[Anonymous]

No problem Klaus, a pack of hook and loops come with every one, or should do (worth opening the box in the shop to check) and it's a single screw to undo and change over. Enjoy!!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[hobbyfossi201]

Thanks Kim,
that´s fine.
With sunny greetings from Vienna,
Klaus

[Anonymous]

klaus
I have a mix of bachman and aristo craft rolling stock they work for me , ben

[John Busby]

Hi Klaus
I personaly don't like the Bachmann rolling stock.
However it has a good price tag.
And with good quality metal wheels fitted runs very well.
The size is reasonably compatable with LGB the brand to which my bias goes in favor of.
As Kim has said check the box and make sure the Bachmann hook and loop couplings are in the box.
if you fit LGB brand ones you will have to work on the coupling tail untill it doesn't catch on the in track LGB electrical boxes
regards John

[Rene Schweitzer]

Klaus,

Bachmann primarily makes items in 1:20.3, 1:22.5, and 1:24 scales.

Rene

[bman36]

Hey Klaus,
I have a few pieces from Bachmann. I find them to be excellent value for the dollar. Consider the cost of any metal wheel set and the fact that they already have them is a huge plus. They also are quite easy to add details to or bash if you like. Unsure? Pick one or two up and give them a try. Later eh...Brian.

[John Busby]

Hi Brian
Is fitted metal wheels a new thing all my bachmann came with plastic wheels
which is a pet hate of mine
regards John

[kstrong]

The newer Bachmann stuff comes with metal wheels. I don't recall when they changed that, probably in the past two or three years or so. None of the B'mann stuff I ever bought had metal wheels, but then it's been a long time since I've bought any rolling stock. Some hobby shops may have ancient inventory still sitting on the shelves.

One thing to remember--Bachmann will be reintroducing their kit versions of the rolling stock later this year, and they will all have metal wheels, according to their sales reps.

On quality issues, I've never had a problem with Bachmann. The detail is a bit more crude than what we've come to expect on LGB's cars, but from 10 feet away, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference. They're also fantastic starting points for kitbashing projects. (and at the price, it's far easier on the psyche to cut into.) You can get a Bachmann car, add $30 in detail parts to it, add paint, and have a detailed model that will look better than anything in LGB's line, and still cost you $20 less than the LGB car.

If you're interested in american narrow gauge, Bachmann's rolling stock captures the look and feel of many narrow gauge lines. They've got a kind-of rustic look to them that is appealing. I'd say go for it and don't look back.

Later,

K

[cacole]

One thing I do to make the Bachmann metal wheels roll even better is to add ball bearing races to the axles. You have to drill a larger hole in the journals for this, but the rolling quality improves drastically, allowing longer trains.

I run only Bachmann 1:20.3 scale items.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kstrong

The newer Bachmann stuff comes with metal wheels. I don't recall when they changed that, probably in the past two or three years or so. None of the B'mann stuff I ever bought had metal wheels, but then it's been a long time since I've bought any rolling stock. Some hobby shops may have ancient inventory still sitting on the shelves.

One thing to remember--Bachmann will be reintroducing their kit versions of the rolling stock later this year, and they will all have metal wheels, according to their sales reps.

On quality issues, I've never had a problem with Bachmann. The detail is a bit more crude than what we've come to expect on LGB's cars, but from 10 feet away, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference. They're also fantastic starting points for kitbashing projects. (and at the price, it's far easier on the psyche to cut into.) You can get a Bachmann car, add $30 in detail parts to it, add paint, and have a detailed model that will look better than anything in LGB's line, and still cost you $20 less than the LGB car.

If you're interested in american narrow gauge, Bachmann's rolling stock captures the look and feel of many narrow gauge lines. They've got a kind-of rustic look to them that is appealing. I'd say go for it and don't look back.

Later,

K

I would have to agree. Asside from some freebie rolling stock from Scentific Toy and New Bright, all my purchases have been Bachmann. I guess I liked their N scale stuff when I was in that circle that I kept with the familiar.

Most Bachmann Road names are from Narrow Gauge carriers, save some of their reefer, hopper and tank cars. I like the rustic look, being that most of the railroads of my area began with stuff that looked similar. The Texas Mexican Railway, San Antonio and Aransas Pass and the St Louis Brownsville and Mexico all began in the era of wooden box cars being pulled by 4-4-0 Americans, 2-6-0 Moguls and 4-6-0 Ten Wheelers. I have some pictures (in a book, showing an old locomotive 4-4-0, I believe, pulling the old tank cars over a track with Mesquite Log Ties!)

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi Brian
Is fitted metal wheels a new thing all my bachmann came with plastic wheels
which is a pet hate of mine
regards John

Hey John,
I thought they always had metal wheels. Guess not. Then again I have only been in Large Scale a few years now. Plastic is definately not the way to go!!! Hate them myself. Once I get a few more pieces I'll most likely look into the bearings end of it. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

bman bachman had plastic wheel a while back , i got some metal replacement wheels at ECLSTS , I' m slowely replaceing with metal wheels. I have to get some more to finish up. BEN

[hobbyfossi201]

Hi again,
thanks for joining my topic and giving me that good feedback....so I´m going to order some and try them....
Regards
Klaus