Not much On30 from Bachmann

[tom mann]

I'm disappointed that there is not a lot of new On30 from Bachmann in their catalog.  They are just releasing some 2-6-0s and a sound module.  I like On30 and was glad that White River could keep the Annual going, but I wonder if some interest will wane if Bachmann isn't the major manufacturer backing the gauge?

[hminky]

Narrow gauge interest goes in bubbles and On30's bubble is in the wane.

The deflation started about 5 years ago, got banned from the Conspiracy for raising that point.

Bachmann has brought out some commercial clunkers in On30 over the years.

Still great to have cheap 1/4 scale narrow gauge to play with.

Harold

[Philip H]

I'd like to see a few more older small gas mechanicals and the like. I want to do a small sugarcane themed layout at some point - mostly for when my eyes can't do n scale any more.

[tom mann]

I really want another one of the gas mechanicals.  I regret not buying one for $40 a few years ago.  If Bachmann released one now, it would probably be $250.

[Philip H]

You and me both.  That was a real deal - and the ones on flea bay now are way more expensive.

[Chris333]

Yeah DCC and sound don't add to the cost... 

I haven't found a Davenport in years and like you guys said if they re-release them they will be priced out of my range.

That 2-6-0 should be a $99.00 loco.

They would do much better if they did locos and cars they ran on 24" gauge track. Instead of what ran on 36" track. I would buy this all day:
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/On2-SRRL23/SRRL23-titleimage.jpg

[davefoxx]

I would have scooped up all of the ET&WNC locomotives and rolling stock years ago but for the fact that the prototype ran on 36" and not 30" gauge track.  I wish that didn't bother me as much.   

DFF

[tom mann]

I almost think that Bachmann is trying to kill it off with the insane price hikes.  The two 18' cars are $100+ per set retail, but should be $45 retail.  The 2-6-0s are now $349 with sound and DCC! Ain't nobody got money foe dat.  Prices on their equipment in other scales haven't increased so drastically. 

[Dave V]

Here's Dave Vollmer's opinion on the matter...

The introduction of the Blackstone HOn3 line has jump-started HOn3 again, probably at the expense of On30.  What Bachmann offered in On30 was well-detailed, well-running ready-to-run narrow gauge.  HOn3 was almost completely a craftsman-only scale.  Blackstone changed that, and made it possible not only for more people to get started in HOn3, but to do so in a much more prototypically-accurate way.

tl;dr...  Blackstone's HOn3 is pushing On30 back to the fringe methinks.

[tom mann]

Good point, @Dave Vollmer .

[Philip H]

Yes and no. Blackstone doesn't do diesels afaik, and I don't think they have yet done much eastern stuff. They may get there, but I think bachmanns picking and lack of a consistent release history is the problem - and it's a problem of their own making.

[Chris333]

They used to have freight cars for $15. They were all based on the Ohio River & Western a 3' railroad. But the 2-6-0 is a western locomotive. Their 2-8-0 is a locomotive that was never used in the US. Their 4-4-0 is based off an oddball Mt. Gretna 2' loco. Their 4-6-0 is a southern 3' loco. It is all over the map with nothing to bind it all together.

If they would have made the 2-6-0 the one from the Waynesburg & Washington. The 2-8-0 and 4-4-0 from the ones the OR&W owned. Then maybe they would have something. They could do western stuff too, but what they have is an odd eclectic mix of goofy stuff.


Oh and their railbus is based off a real one that hit it's roof on an enginehouse so it was home shop re-built with another lower roof. You know instead of modeling it after the 100's of other real railbuses, they pick that "one" oddball.

Then there are all of the gear problems that Bachmann has had. 

[tom mann]

@Chris333, I think they got themselves in a bind right off the bat in using HO gauge track because 30" prototypes for the most part have no common equipment. So I bet that they just pick and choose to see what "sticks". Plus, I don't recall seeing anybody model a specific prototype in On30: It is the scale/gauge of fantasy!

[Catt]

On30 started out way back in the 1950s as a inexpencive way to do O narrow gauge.It would still be a scratchbuilder's scale if it weren't for Bachmann.

I have two gas mechanicals both with DCC (one is factory the other is converted) They are for sale at what I consider to be fair prices if any one is interested though I won't be able to post pictures of eiter one till I get a new computer.

[Catt]

I'm thinking of changing my name from Catt to thread killer.I would post pics of the GMs in the forsale forum ,but this ain't my computer and I don't want to clutter it up with to much of my stuff.