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Bachmann 2-8-8-4 EM-1

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Bachmann 2-8-8-4 EM-1
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, November 17, 2011 3:36 PM

If the 2-6-0 is too small, then order this one. Have fun.

This loco will come with DCC on board and ready for the companion Tsunami module or it can be ordered with the companion module.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 18, 2011 5:18 AM

I took a look at the Bachmann web site.  It comes in both HO scale and N scale.

And, pricing has reached new levels of insanity.  $425 retail and you still need to add the Tsunami for whatever that costs.

Dunno.  If that purchase doesn't break the bank, nothing will.

Rich

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Posted by richg1998 on Friday, November 18, 2011 9:17 AM

richhotrain

I took a look at the Bachmann web site.  It comes in both HO scale and N scale.

And, pricing has reached new levels of insanity.  $425 retail and you still need to add the Tsunami for whatever that costs.

Dunno.  If that purchase doesn't break the bank, nothing will.

Rich

HO scale. DCC on board ready for sound. $266

Tsunami sound module..  $74.

DCC on board with Tsunami module. $340.

This is not a small loco.

No idea on what Bachmann is now using for the DCC on board decoder.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 18, 2011 9:49 AM

I'm confused.

The Bachmann web site says that the price is $425 and is "sound ready" to add the Tsunami.

Rich

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Posted by twhite on Friday, November 18, 2011 10:06 AM

richhotrain

I'm confused.

The Bachmann web site says that the price is $425 and is "sound ready" to add the Tsunami.

Rich

Rich:

I don't have the MicroMark catalogue handy, but IIRC, they're going to be selling the EM-1 at considerably under the retail price--about $325 or so, I think.  That may seem kind of steep for a Bachmann loco, but I saw it at the Sacramento show, and it's one HUNK of locomotive.  Looks like it's going to be a lot of "Bang for the Buck" so to speak.

Tom Big Smile 

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Posted by richg1998 on Friday, November 18, 2011 10:11 AM

richhotrain

I'm confused.

The Bachmann web site says that the price is $425 and is "sound ready" to add the Tsunami.

Rich

That is because you have not learned how to search the 'Net for on line stores. Many here have posted on line sites wtth good prices and service. I would rather not post busineses. Trains.com might not like it.

Never depend on manufacturers prices.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by selector on Friday, November 18, 2011 11:10 AM

The importers/distributors post their MSRP. That is the $425.  They must rely in part on retailers to move their product, so they have to sweeten the deal by selling them to the retailers at a subsantially reduced price.  This allows room for profit.  Also, by displaying an inflated MSRP, leaving the buyer to decide for himself if it is reasonable or unreasonable, and allowing the retailers to advertise substantially reduced pricing for the very same items, it encourages buying.  It is a win-win.

The retailers all seem to be offering prices well below what Bachmann advertises as their MSRP.  Some better'n others. Smile, Wink & Grin

Crandell 

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Posted by richg1998 on Friday, November 18, 2011 12:11 PM

richhotrain

I took a look at the Bachmann web site.  It comes in both HO scale and N scale.

And, pricing has reached new levels of insanity.  $425 retail and you still need to add the Tsunami for whatever that costs.

Dunno.  If that purchase doesn't break the bank, nothing will.

Rich

I sent you a PM with some shops and a link to do Google searches. I find a tremendous amount of sites and very good prices for stuff on line, many with free shipping, not only for mrr stuff.

Amazon.com sells Bachmann stuff but I have never bought train stuff from them. Some Amazon trains have free shipping.

Many people forget the power of the Internet. Many times, no sales tax either.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by Jacktal on Friday, November 18, 2011 12:17 PM

I'd love to add one of these to my N scale fleet but can't find it on the Bachmann's website.Can someone tell me where I could see it?Thanks.

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 18, 2011 12:18 PM

richg1998

 richhotrain:

I'm confused.

The Bachmann web site says that the price is $425 and is "sound ready" to add the Tsunami.

Rich

 

 

That is because you have not learned how to search the 'Net for on line stores. Many here have posted on line sites wtth good prices and service. I would rather not post busineses. Trains.com might not like it.

Never depend on manufacturers prices.

Rich

LOL

Oh, I learned that long ago, but I had a Senior Moment when I went to the Bachmann web site and saw the $425 retail price. 

I will have to go check out my favorite Internet dealer, MB Klein, to see what they will be charging.  Thanks for the heads up, Rich.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 18, 2011 12:22 PM

twhite

 richhotrain:

I'm confused.

The Bachmann web site says that the price is $425 and is "sound ready" to add the Tsunami.

Rich

 

Rich:

I don't have the MicroMark catalogue handy, but IIRC, they're going to be selling the EM-1 at considerably under the retail price--about $325 or so, I think.  That may seem kind of steep for a Bachmann loco, but I saw it at the Sacramento show, and it's one HUNK of locomotive.  Looks like it's going to be a lot of "Bang for the Buck" so to speak.

Tom Big Smile 

Tom,

I like that term "HUNK".  That may be enough to persuade me to buy it.  My other favorite nickname for a steamer is my BLI Santa Fe 4-8-4 which I fondly call "The Beast".

I long ago swore that I would never buy another steamer since I already own more than a dozen of them, but the 2-8-8-4 may be too enticing to pass up, sitting along side my older Spectrum 2-6-6-2.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 18, 2011 12:28 PM

Jacktal

I'd love to add one of these to my N scale fleet but can't find it on the Bachmann's website.Can someone tell me where I could see it?Thanks.

Oops, sorry, that is my fault.  There is no N scale for this loco, just HO scale.

I not only don't know how to use the Internet to find discount dealers, I don't know how to use the Bachmann web site search feature either.

EmbarrassedEmbarrassedEmbarrassed

Rich

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Posted by rrinker on Friday, November 18, 2011 1:41 PM

 Bachmann must be taking a page from the Walther's playbook. Show a crazy high MSRP, then sell for barely over half that so it can APPEAR to be a steep discount.

                 --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by galaxy on Friday, November 18, 2011 4:36 PM

twhite

 richhotrain:

I'm confused.

The Bachmann web site says that the price is $425 and is "sound ready" to add the Tsunami.

Rich

 

Rich:

I don't have the MicroMark catalogue handy, but IIRC, they're going to be selling the EM-1 at considerably under the retail price--about $325 or so, I think.  That may seem kind of steep for a Bachmann loco, but I saw it at the Sacramento show, and it's one HUNK of locomotive.  Looks like it's going to be a lot of "Bang for the Buck" so to speak.

Tom Big Smile 

I looked it up online. They are selling it for $265.95 DCC for Lights-direction-speed with plug-n-play Tsunami sound ready {available separtely}.

here:

http://www.micromark.com/Bachmann-Spectrum-HO-BandO-EM-1-2-8-8-4-Steam-Locomotive-Large-Dome-No-7614,10133.html

Depending on how good the cash gifts this year are, I might just have to add one to my fleet.

{then again I gotta pay for the new furnace first}

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 18, 2011 6:05 PM

Awww nuts, I wish they woud have locked this thread early on....................or, better yet, deleted it before I ever saw it.

I don't need any more steamers.  I don't want any more steamers.  I ain't gonna buy any more steamers.

Hmmm, let's see.  If I can get one for $266 at Micro Mark, then I could get two for $532, one with the large dome and one with the small dome.

Of course, for just over a grand, I could also get the Early Sand Dome and the Late Sand Dome.

Yeah, but I don't have any more room in my Walthers round house for any more steamers.

Wait a minute.  What's that you say?  Walthers has add on stalls for the roundhouse?

Oh mama, I am gonna bunch me a whole bunch of them HUNKS.

Rich 2-8-8-4

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Posted by galaxy on Friday, November 18, 2011 7:30 PM

richhotrain

I don't need any more steamers.  I don't want any more steamers.  I ain't gonna buy any more steamers.

....

Wait a minute.  What's that you say?  Walthers has add on stalls for the roundhouse?

Oh mama, I am gonna bunch me a whole bunch of them HUNKS.

Rich 2-8-8-4

HHHmmmm....Seems more like "POOR Rich 2-8-8-4!!!

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, November 19, 2011 4:21 AM

galaxy

 richhotrain:

I don't need any more steamers.  I don't want any more steamers.  I ain't gonna buy any more steamers.

....

Wait a minute.  What's that you say?  Walthers has add on stalls for the roundhouse?

Oh mama, I am gonna bunch me a whole bunch of them HUNKS.

Rich 2-8-8-4

 

HHHmmmm....Seems more like "POOR Rich 2-8-8-4!!!

Geeked

I've calmed down.  I have had a night to sleep on it.

Maybe I will only buy three.

Thank goodness, they only come in the one road name (B&O). 

And, what's up with that?

Rich

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Posted by twhite on Saturday, November 19, 2011 11:43 AM

Rich:

if you don't happen to model B&O but you can't pass up having a fleet of EM-1's, you might consider what I did with my Missabe M-4 Yellowstones. 

Truth: The Rio Grande borrowed 8 M-4's from the Missabe during WWII to help with an upsurge in their traffic, while the Great Lakes were frozen over.  Baldwin delivered the locos directly to the Rio Grande.  The Rio Grande said they were the best steamers ever to run on the railroad and kinda/sorta reluctantly returned them to the Missabe when the rental was over.

Fiction:  The Rio Grande liked the M-4's so well that they went to Baldwin for their own copies and numbered them in the 'never-was' 3900 series.  And that's how I ended up with my M-4's painted and decalled for D&RGW. 

Remember, during WWII railroads were 'borrowing' and leasing locomotives from each other like crazy, so with one excuse or the other, you can have yourself a fleet of EM-1's and not feel guilty or un-prototypical about it at all.  Wink

It seems there's always an 'historical' excuse for anything we decide to do, thank the Lord.

Tom Big Smile 

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, November 19, 2011 3:52 PM

Was the B&O the only railroad to use the 2-8-8-4 EM-1 ?

Rich

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Posted by CAZEPHYR on Saturday, November 19, 2011 4:20 PM

richhotrain

Was the B&O the only railroad to use the 2-8-8-4 EM-1 ?

Rich

The EM1 was built for the B&O during the war because they could not get the new FT EMD production diesels.  No other road used this locomotive, but with your modelers license, you could use them on any fictional railroad that needed a very large steam locomotive.

CZ

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 5:44 AM

My layout is a double main line with 30" and 32" radius curves and #6 turnouts.

I have a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2 and a BLI 4-8-4 that handle these curves and turnouts with ease.

I also have a BLI 2-10-2 and a BLI 2-10-4 that don't handle these curves and turnouts all that well.

All of my other steamers which include 2-8-4's, 4-8-2's and 4-6-2's handle these curves and turnouts with no problems.

What are your thoughts on the likely performance of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-8-4 on my layout?

Rich

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Posted by twhite on Monday, November 21, 2011 12:37 AM

Rich:

The EM-1 has double articulation, both sets of cylinders swivel, so you'll be home free.  In fact on your radii--30 and 32", you should have little if any overhang from either the cab or the boiler.   IIRC, the EM-1 is supposed to take a 22" minimum radius. 

Actually, articulateds will go where long-wheel based big steamers often fear to tread, because of the articulation.  That EM-1 is a BIG locomotive, but I think it will be right at home on your radii. 

Tom

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, November 21, 2011 4:27 AM

twhite

Rich:

The EM-1 has double articulation, both sets of cylinders swivel, so you'll be home free.  In fact on your radii--30 and 32", you should have little if any overhang from either the cab or the boiler.   IIRC, the EM-1 is supposed to take a 22" minimum radius. 

Actually, articulateds will go where long-wheel based big steamers often fear to tread, because of the articulation.  That EM-1 is a BIG locomotive, but I think it will be right at home on your radii. 

Tom

Tom,

Thanks for that reply.

That loco is just so darn cool looking that I am going to have to get one.  After adding 15 different types of locos to my layout, I realize more and more how much I really prefer larger steamers to smaller steamers.

Rich

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:17 AM

rrinker

 Bachmann must be taking a page from the Walther's playbook. Show a crazy high MSRP, then sell for barely over half that so it can APPEAR to be a steep discount.

                 --Randy

A few thoughts on retail pricing:

Retail prices in this business are still set by manufacturers with profit allowences for both distributors and retailers. In the old days of this hobby, very few dealers (read local hobby shops) bought anything direct from a manufacturer - they bought from local wholelsale distributors.

The whole idea behind discounting is not that the retailer makes less money - there is a bare minimum they need to make and the profit is not that great on this stuff.

BUT, by purchasing the product direct from the manufacturer, at the same price the wholesale distributor would pay, they can pass that savings on to the consumer in the form of big discounts - 25% to 50% depending.

Wholesalers are almost dead in this hobby just like the small shops they supply. Most all manufacturers are willing to sell direct even to small shops. Big shops buy almost everything direct at the best possible price.

What use to be the wholesale markup is now in the consumers pocket.

Without getting into specifics, the precentages of these markups vary some from brand to brand - some sell at basicly the same price to all, some play games with volume or close out product after selling most at higher prices.

Bachmann generally sells at a very low price to anyone who can buy large enough quanitities, so their products are typically available at 30% to 50% off the retail price all the time - from those big Bachmann dealers.

Other companies work differently - for better or worse.

I like how Bachmann does business - retail prices may seem inflated, but they are not, we just live in a world of direct marketing and few "midddle men" - not the case years ago.

Bachmanns pricing is consistant. When these new EM-1 locos get here those high volume dealers with have nice low prices (Train World, Klein's, Micro Mark) on them right away - no games to sucker people into paying more, then dumping the rest cheap.

And if they sell well, Bachmann will make more and the loco will stay available at those prices for a long time - years, maybe more than a decade - unlike some others in this business.

Another myth - high volume always lowers the price - ONLY TO  A POINT - unless a business is failing or cash strapped, they have a bottom price even if you order 10 million copies - that price equals the cost of production plus a reasonable profit - return on investment for the money they have to tie up to make the product. Most of the products in a business like this hobby are already sold near that bottom price.

Additional discounts for volume from the normal dealer/wholesale prices are usually small - not enough to effect pricing.

You may choose not to believe what I have explained, but this info comes from someone with direct experiance running a hobby shop.

If a Bachmann EM-1 is not worth $425.00 retail, then niether is any of that stuff Broadway Limited sells.

Personally, I will not pay retail for either - but at the $265.00 or so that they will be selling for, I can see more than one coming to the ACR.

Sheldon

 

 

    

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Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:59 AM

richhotrain

My layout is a double main line with 30" and 32" radius curves and #6 turnouts.

I also have a BLI 2-10-2 and a BLI 2-10-4 that don't handle these curves and turnouts all that well.

That's a little odd...my layout currently has 31"R curves and No.6 turnouts (using Kato track) and my BLI 2-10-4 runs fine on the layout. My previous layout had 28"R curves that it also was great on.

The engine does have a recommended 24" min radius, but I have been able to get mine to run on my 22"R test track (although it slows down quite a bit). IIRC the BLI 2-10-4 is set up so the drivers have a little lateral "play" so they can move around curves. Maybe yours is "stuck" somehow so it the drivers aren't moving sideways properly??

Stix
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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 12:29 PM

wjstix

 richhotrain:

My layout is a double main line with 30" and 32" radius curves and #6 turnouts.

I also have a BLI 2-10-2 and a BLI 2-10-4 that don't handle these curves and turnouts all that well.

 

That's a little odd...my layout currently has 31"R curves and No.6 turnouts (using Kato track) and my BLI 2-10-4 runs fine on the layout. My previous layout had 28"R curves that it also was great on.

The engine does have a recommended 24" min radius, but I have been able to get mine to run on my 22"R test track (although it slows down quite a bit). IIRC the BLI 2-10-4 is set up so the drivers have a little lateral "play" so they can move around curves. Maybe yours is "stuck" somehow so it the drivers aren't moving sideways properly??

Stix,

Here is a recent thread that I started on my problems with the BLI 2-10-2 and the 2-10-4.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/198083.aspx

Rich

Alton Junction

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