Bachmann EM-1's now hitting the shelves....

[sizemore]

I noticed that the link I posted, that MBK has already sold 20 of 7627. Any reason why at number is/was so popular?

The S.

[rogergperkins]

Yes, It is surprising to see that one version is already sold out at Klein form the initial stock.

[SkipGear]

My only guess is that it is one of the last ones produced. If I remember correctly from the HO release, it was the only one that all the details matched the number. There are some variations of sand filler hatch placement and other small details that make the early batch numbers not 100% correct for the version Bachmann chose to model. There was a lot of commenting about that when the HO loco was released. I have my fingers crossed that they changed the details on the N version to match the greater number of loco's.

[sizemore]

My only guess is that it is one of the last ones produced. If I remember correctly from the HO release, it was the only one that all the details matched the number. There are some variations of sand filler hatch placement and other small details that make the early batch numbers not 100% correct for the version Bachmann chose to model. There was a lot of commenting about that when the HO loco was released. I have my fingers crossed that they changed the details on the N version to match the greater number of loco's.

Makes sense now. To my not so purist eye these look spot on, minute details withstanding. Thanks Tony!

The S.

[rogergperkins]

  received an e-mail that mine was shipped by Klein..
Still waiting to see BLW listing them other than reserve

[reinhardtjh]

received an e-mail that mine was shipped by Klein..
Still waiting to see BLW listing them other than reserve

BLW doesn't usually update the web site until all the reserve orders are sent so they know if there are any left over for sale.

[rogergperkins]

John H. R., thanks for explaining how BLW works their website.  I have purchased from them for more than 10 years and never knew that simple fact.
 

[rogergperkins]

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-Spectrum-N-Scale-Baltimore-and-Ohio-EM-1-2-8-8-4-s/3561.htm
current listing 
These seem to be going fast.  I hope we are all pleased.

[Nick Lorusso]

I wish I was good a Steam loco kit bashing I would so turn this in to a SP AC-9.

[reinhardtjh]

John H. R., thanks for explaining how BLW works their website.  I have purchased from them for more than 10 years and never knew that simple fact.
 

Call it an educated guess based on a couple of pre-orders and when they shipped and when they showed up on the web site.  Actually Pete is somewhat erratic on the website upkeep.  Current example, look for the EM-1 in the list of Bachmann locomotives...  you can only find the order page through the "What's New" page or by doing a Google search of the site.  That can't be helping his sales much.  The BLMA Top-Gon is the same.  Not listed with the BLMA freight cars, the only way to find the order page is Google search.  Can't complain, that trick let me pick up a set of the last batch long after everyone else was sold out.

[peteski]

Call it an educated guess based on a couple of pre-orders and when they shipped and when they showed up on the web site.  Actually Pete is somewhat erratic on the website upkeep.  Current example, look for the EM-1 in the list of Bachmann locomotives...  you can only find the order page through the "What's New" page or by doing a Google search of the site.  That can't be helping his sales much.  The BLMA Top-Gon is the same.  Not listed with the BLMA freight cars, the only way to find the order page is Google search.  Can't complain, that trick let me pick up a set of the last batch long after everyone else was sold out.

I also brought this up to Pete. There are several more of those totally invisible places on his website where you can't get to from where you would expect but you have to search the site for them.  Some other ones are linked from certain page while not linked from another page where it would make sense to also have them linked from.  He did fix couple of the ones I mentioned but there are still plenty more still there.  For example you can't find the Noch SEX SCENES figure sets linked from anywhere.    At one point they were listed under "what's new" but that was quite a while ago.  he doesn't have Noch listed under manufacturers, nor he has a figures section on his website.  Another example is Intermountain. It is listed under manufacturers, but the list is not showing any locomotives.  You have to go to Locomotives, then Intermountain to see them.  Still, BLW is a reliable vendor and as you said, these hidden parts of the website sometimes yield long sold-out elsewhere treasures.

[rogergperkins]

Since Klein uses software that shows the number of items in stock, it is apparent that such could be done by other online dealers.
Lack of it is a definite shortcoming of BLW's site.
Thus I ordered a EM-1 from Klein because it is listed now and they indicate it has been shipped to me.

[spookshow]

I think Pete has virtually given up on adding new models to his "main" index pages. So, "google search our site" or "what's new at BLW" are often the only ways to find more recent releases. And I have to admit, it is starting to get a little confusing (although I still purchase virtually all of my new models from him).

It'd be nice if he had a dedicated "somebody else" to take care of the web work for him, but I imagine there's not enough money in the business to pay for such an extravagance.

-Mark
 

[jdcolombo]

I agree Pete's web site isn't the greatest, but I've always appreciated his personal service, and I continue to buy most of my new stuff from him.   Do a fair amount of business with WigWag, too.  I guess at the end of the day I prefer "mom & pop" (or maybe just "pop") businesses if they have what I want at a competitive price.   

John C.

[sizemore]

Had a business meeting near my LHS, afterwards I picked up the beast. Pics to come later today.

The S.