Bachmann "Flash" sale at Trainworld

[reinhardtjh]

For those interested, Trainworld is advertising a sale of Bachmann stuff.  Some has been at this price for a while, but some is new.

What might be of interest:

• PRR K4s for $219.99
• Several different roads of 2-10-2's for $79.99
• N&W J Class - $119.99 w/Aux tender, $109.99 without
• Assorted GE 44t for $49.99
• Assorted GE 70t for $59.99
• Several road names of Baldwin 4-6-0 for $99.99
• Doodlebugs with trailer $99.99
• PCC Trolleys for $19.99
• B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 for $169.99

Shipping can be a bit on the high side, but sometimes the discount is worth it.  I've ordered from them 3 times and have no complaints (other than the shipping).

[Chris333]

I'm tempted to get a 2-10-2, but can no longer trust Bachmann to make round wheels.

[delamaize]

Of course, stuff that I want, comes on sale, when I am in a financial bind.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for the heads up, I ordered two 2-10-2's, for "projects". I already have some and they run remarkably well... for under 80 bucks, with mostly okay decoders, that is a deal. I'm also tempted to get the N&W J class, also for a project; how is the mechanism??
Otto K.

[reinhardtjh]

I'm also tempted to get the N&W J class, also for a project; how is the mechanism??
Otto K.

The ones that friends have run pretty well.  One added a Zimo sound decoder. The other used Digitrax non-sound.  They get an "A" rating at Spookshow.  The thing to be aware of are that the electrical pickup on the engine is left side only.  The tender does both right and left so if your project means ditching the tender you need to have a plan for getting the right rail power. 

Edited for correctness (see SkipGear post below)

[towl1996]

Shipping can be a bit on the high side, but sometimes the discount is worth it.  I've ordered from them 3 times and have no complaints (other than the shipping).

What is the shipping price, flat rate?  Seems a little like a bait and switch, list the item for "cheap" and then make up the difference on the shipping.

[reinhardtjh]

What is the shipping price, flat rate?  Seems a little like a bait and switch, list the item for "cheap" and then make up the difference on the shipping.

It varies.  I can tell you that my last order which was 4 Bachman 2-6-6-2 H4's they charged $24.95 shipping.  Yes, I'm pretty sure they could have fit them in a $13 USPS medium Priority box, but the price on the locos made up for that and then some.

Before that was some Bachmann 44t's and 2-8-0's and the shipping was in the $18 range.  More reasonable. All I can assume is the larger box needed for the 2-6-6-2's cost more shipping.  They don't ship USPS flat rate.  IIRC it was USPS both times but they use leftover boxes from what comes to them.

Frankly, their order management ranks below M.B.Klein and even below BLW (and I love Pete).  But sometimes the discount is worth it.  If you expect or require constant notice of where your order is or updates on delays, then don't bother. You won't get them.  Sometimes they try, but at this time of year they are hustling just to get orders out.

[peteski]

What is the shipping price, flat rate?  Seems a little like a bait and switch, list the item for "cheap" and then make up the difference on the shipping.

I see lots of grumblings here about shipping charges when Trainworld is mentioned.  I have ordered from them many times and while I don't recall what the shipping cost was, I didn't seem all that high to me.  Nowhere making up for the low sale prices of the items.  Last thing I bought was some Walthers SW1200s for $49 each. I bought 3 (for that price they are worth buying even just for parts).  I also bought a Kato GG1 which IIRC, was $69.  Again, really good price.

Now I might have to dig out the receipt to see just how much the shipping cost me.  Again, it didn't seem overly high to me.

[Chris333]

lol  MBK charged me $6 to ship flextrack.

[davefoxx]

I got an N scale Bachmann 2-10-2 from TrainWorld a few months ago for about $95.00 plus shipping.  I came across the invoice recently, and I was charged more than $10.00 for shipping.  This is about twice what MBK charges me.  But, I'm not complaining, because the big picture is that I got the DCC-equipped locomotive for only approximately $104.00 shipped.  If I remember correctly, MBK had the same locomotive on clearance at $129.99 plus shipping at that time, so I still saved approximately $30.00 at TrainWorld.
 
DFF

[towl1996]

Varies is right, shipping costs are all over the place, from $10-25. Seems shipping would be fairly constant. Never ordered from them, just wondering. I guess you have to do some comparison shopping to see if it makes sense.

K4's at $220, plus $25 s&h, not yet. Maybe 6 months from now they'll be below $200....

[peteski]

I checked my receipts and the shipping charges vary between $8 - $17.  The line item specifies shipping/insurance so maybe the shipping cost is not only based on size and weight of the package, but also on the value of the contents.  The package which cost $17 had a fairly high value.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, I'm impressed with the service. Ordered two 2-10-2's and a PCC car Sunday around noon, they shipped same day, arrived Friday, coast to coast. Shipping was $14.95 and the locos were just under $80 each. I just tested them, and they run great. The PCC car has a problem with slipping/skipping gears so I called TrainWorld expecting a recording. Instead, I got a very nice knowledgeable person who offered to send me another one, this one tested in advance, along with a prepaid label to send the defective one back in the same box. I never bought from these guys before but I suspect I'll be back...
Otto K.

[muktown128]

I've bought a few things from Trainworld the last few months.  Customer service was very good.  Sale prices and discounts were very good also.  I would definitely buy from them again.

Scott

[SkipGear]

The ones that friends have run pretty well.  One added a Zimo sound decoder. The other used Digitrax non-sound.  They get an "A" rating at Spookshow.  The thing to be aware of are that the electrical pickup on the engine is left side only.  The tender does both right and left so if your project means ditching the tender you need to have a plan for getting the right rail power.

The current J Class uses the same all wheels live tender design as every other current Bachmann steamer. It also picks up from both sides of the loco. That might have been a very early J that you are referencing. The previous generation picked up from all of the drivers on the loco and the trailing truck but not the tender at all.