About five or six years ago I asked Bachmann if they were thinking of a new run of that venerable steamer from their lines. The reply was that they had no plans to run them again. I don't know if the engine is any closer to another run, but my suspicion is that the answer might be an even more emphatic no.
The WM version (ex-C&O if I am not mistaken) just put back on the rails early last year should have triggered some discussion on the model forums, but maybe there are so few hog heads left running steam in the hobby that there was nary a fizzle. Or, the newest steamers are getting sufficiently spendy that few of us would bite anyway.
It, along with the CP Hudson that Rapido will begin to produce in the next few months, are the only two locomotives I have left in my 'gotta have' list. I guess it's too much to hope that BLI or someone else would try to offer them up once again?
selectorTime for a new 2-6-6-2?".
i dunno, I got a used one from a now long-gone hobby shop, and discovered that one of the driver sets was non-functional. I sent that item back to Bachmann, and got a replacement set for a reasonable price.
I then decided to re-work the loco somewhat...
...a few photos
...and an auxilliary water tender...
...and some in-service views...
...but despite cramming as much lead as possible into the loco, it can barely move itself around the layout, and even a few added freight cars will stall it completely.I think that it looks fairly decent, but it's performance is a disappointment.
Wayne
doctorwayne ...but despite cramming as much lead as possible into the loco, it can barely move itself around the layout, and even a few added freight cars will stall it completely. I think that it looks fairly decent, but it's performance is a disappointment. Wayne
...but despite cramming as much lead as possible into the loco, it can barely move itself around the layout, and even a few added freight cars will stall it completely.
I think that it looks fairly decent, but it's performance is a disappointment.
That said, I agree with Wayne that this loco moves slowly, very sloooowly, around the layout. Back in 2004, I called Bachmann about this issue, and their response was that it is purposely geared that way to imitate the prototype coal drag.
Rich
Alton Junction
I have five of them, one H4 in C&O, one H5 in C&O, and three USRA/H5 versions in ATLANTIC CENTRAL.
They are slow, they are small drivered drag freight locos.
I have not had the same experiance Wayne relates, mine pull just fine, about 25 average freight cars, even up my 2% grades. Maybe my cars are more free rolling? I have put some engineering into that issue.
My ACR versions are fitted with long Vanderbilt tenders and Delta trailing trucks but are other wise stock.
Typically I doublehead them in pairs or with one of my Proto2000 2-8-8-2's, which have been converted to 2-8-8-0's, and pull 35 or 40 50 ton hoppers.
It is hard to say what the market is doing right now. With the loss of Lee Riley and the changing economic dynamics, Bachmann is surely taking a more conservative path these days.
Once again I am happy I have all the locos I need and 98% of the locos I want.
Sheldon
Yes, we should have another 2-6-6-2, but we will never get one.
Mantua made a small 2-6-6-2, Bachmann a large one, and BLI made a 2-6-6-4.
I have a non-tank-with-tender version of the Mantua 2-6-6-2, and I had one of the 2-6-6-4 models. I do not like the look of the Bachmann 2-6-6-2, but that is personal preference, not a problem with the model.
Darth Santa Fe has convinced me that I can buy a brass 2-6-6-2 and get it to run on my curves.
With the rising costs to manufacture steam models, a dwindling customer base, and the falling prices of used brass, I doubt there will be much more new steam offered in the future.
I have all the locomotives I will ever need.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Frankly, I'd think that a Sound Value version painted to match the 1309, with a customized sound set and chatter appropriate to the Frostburg operation, ought to be sold in their gift shop... surely that would provide enough volume to make the thing attractive in general sales, or with "other roadnames or paint schemes".
Thanks for all of your thoughts. Wayne's must be sulking because of all the gussied-up look he made his wear. It does look very good though.
I guess it really is too much to hope, but my thoughts are like yours, OM. 1309 is a lovely old gal, and they did a fine job of resurrecting her. Maybe more marketing from those who placed 1309 back on the rails, or some joint agreement with Bachmann added, might have made the difference. Suddenly, four years ago, the market was flooded with Big Boys.