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Manufacturers presented on this schedule: 

3:00 PM Bachmann

3:30 PM Weaver

4:00 PM MTH

4:30 PM Lionel

 

Bachmann probably had the most "real" news.  They are upgrading to a new digital sound system called True Blast Plus that will include the sounds of the prime mover as well as horn and bell.   They will stay with analog (conventional) control for now because they say that's what 9 out of 10 of their customers want but they did not rule out some kind of digital command control in the future.  Their next new locomotive will be an Alco RS-3 (MSRP: $429.95) in Pennsy, Rock Island, Seaboard Air Line, and Canadian National.  It will have the new digital sound system.  They are bringing out four cars for Easy Streets (MSRP $69.95): a maroon and cream sedan, a "Seamist" green sedan, a black and white police car with the "gum machine" rotating light on top, and a yellow taxi with a checkerboard stripe.  While not any specific brand of car, they look like late 50s vintage to me (they are all the same basic 4-door body style).  In rolling stock they are coming out with a 55-ton 2-bay USRA outside braced hopper with removable coal load (MSRP: $64.95) in B&O, Pennsy, Western Maryland, and Erie; and a single dome tank car (MSRP: $59.95) for Quaker State, C. E. Simonin's Sons, Inc., Sparton Oils, and Owenwood.

 

Bachmann also announced a new track line called E-Z track.  It is rails on a molded plastic base that includes the road bed, similar to Lionel's FasTrack.  The tie spacing looks similar to Lionel's and AtlasO's roadbed track systems.  The rails look like standard 027 profile tubular rails with pins but the track bed also has electrical connectors so the pins are more to ensure alignment than to ensure electrical connectivity.  The connecting mechanism looks very much like the one on Bachmann's HO line of E-Z Track.  Initially it will be available in 10"straight, MSRP $24.95 for a card of four or in bulk at $139.95 for 24 pieces, 36" diameter curve pieces (12 to a circle) at the same pricing as the straights, a 10" straight terminal track for $12.95, and a straight transition track piece that connects with standard O track for $10.95.  They also showed their 4-6-0 ten-wheeler decorated for PRR and heading up their Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Set.  (Side note:  when they asked if anybody in the room modeled in HO, not a single hand went up.)

 

My own comments:  Not sure the hobby really needs another RS-3 but maybe the people who want a conventional control locomotive with the durability of Williams by Bachmann asked for it.  Seems to me there is a void to be filled in Baldwin diesel road switchers.  I was surprised that we are getting yet another track system.  It had previously looked like Bachmann was going to use AtlasO's roadbed track system.  The Pennsy ten-wheeler is a handsome paint scheme, looks like it could make a nice piece of motive power for a Christmas layout with its subdued red and green that is not as gaudy as most pieces made specifically for the holiday theme.

 

Weaver is bringing back the Osgood-Bradley passenger cars and this time single cars will be available in addition to multi-car sets.  They are also bringing back the WWII-era troop cars.  Interesting factoid from the Weaver presenter:  troop trains were first used in 1846 for the Mexican-American War.  They also showed their Lehigh Valley Black Diamond streamlined steam locomotive in brass and indicated that nearly all the Milwaukee Road rib-side boxcars were now available or in production.  As usual, Weaver items are available in both 2-rail and 3-rail.

 

I'm sorry I got called away during the MTH presentation but from the rolling stock that Mike presented, it seemed to focus on Standard Gauge tinplate and O scale subway sets.  Maybe somebody else can chime in with the news from MTH.

 

The Lionel presentation began with J. Don Reece, who presented the Museum with a Legacy Bethlehem Steel Shay steam locomotive.  Then he called up Jerry Calabrese who talked about the move to Charlotte, North Carolina (where the NASCAR model company Lionel acquired was already located).  Then he talked about how things have changed during the time he has been at Lionel and how glad he was that everybody was talking about trains and products and improving the hobby.  This was a big change from 2004 when he started with Lionel and the hobby was in turmoil with litigation.  Right about then, Mike Wolf came through the room taking the MTH models back to his car and Jerry joked that he knew that Mike had timed it to come out right at that time while Jerry was talking.  Matt Ashba and J. Don took back the stage to talk about products.  There was too much for me to catch, but here's what I remember:  Lots of new American Flyer including a C&O GP-7 set with multiple action cars.  Also an S-scale Polar Express with a brand-new Berkshire locomotive.  On the O gauge side, there will be a "modern" Polar Express with an FT diesel and 027 plastic streamlined passenger cars.  There will also be a gold-plated scale Polar Express Berkshire, a very limited edition.  There will be a Neil Young Series of train sets including a Pennsy passenger set with 15" aluminum cars including a flat-tail observation car and a freight set with a roadname I don't remember.  (CRS is hitting me hard.)  CORRECTION:  I see from the catalog it is the Neil Young Signature series and it consists of two passenger trains, the Pennsy one and "The Texas Special."  The "Made in USA" line will be expanded with three-car sets (boxcar, flatcar, and tank car) honoring each of the armed forces including a separate set for the National Guard.  As I recall, they did include the Coast Guard.  There was quite a bit of discussion about their rail chief sets and the new control system.  I felt the main point was that they could not provide the command control capabilities at an acceptable economical price point if they tried to do something along the lines of "Legacy Lite."  But the Rail Chief sets are compatible with all existing O gauge command control systems in that the trains just need to be put on track that has a constant 18 volts.  There are no conflicts between the different control systems.  Finally, they showed a new line of Christmas ornaments that are packaged by time period sets so the customer can choose between say, pre-war and post-war eras.

 

I'm sure I omitted a lot and I'm sure much more will come from the fairgrounds and especially the OGR Forum meeting in the grandstand on Friday but maybe this will provide a little bit of the flavor of what is coming.       

Last edited by PGentieu
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One thing I forgot:  Lionel is bringing out Command Control (but not Legacy) hi-rail inspection trucks in (IIRC) four road names.  They looked like the small kind of trucks signal maintainers might use.

 

Correction:  I see the catalog lists thirteen road names for these MOW trucks.  I also noticed they are 1/48 scale 1955 Fords - it would be nice if Lionel used the shells to offer plain, non-motorized trucks to put on roads and in driveways/parking lots.  I would like to see more 1/48 scale road vehicles.

Last edited by PGentieu

The Bachmann RS-3 , and the 55 ton hoppers are probably from K Line dies. The track system suggest to me they are thinking train sets. Intrigued about what subway MTH is talking about. I hope its a BMT Triplex. I am in for that.

 

With Lionel coming to Charlotte, I would like to see someone open a Hobby shop in town. We could use one.

If Bachmann's RS-3 is to be built from K-Line tooling that is good news. K-Line's RS-3 is a more accurate model than either the Atlas or MTH versions which both have dimensional issues. The only problem with the K-Line model was that the frame of the original round of releases sat too high on the trucks but that was subsequently corrected. 

 

Weaver makes a very nice RS-3 as well.

 

Bob   

 

The track system suggest to me they are thinking train sets.

I am sure you're right but it will be in the future.  The track they showed did not have the ballast detail molded into it nor were the ties painted.  In the 2013 catalog they provided, all the sets have the annotation "80 Watt Transformer and Industrial Rail Track Pieces are supplied by AtlasO, LLC for Williams by Bachmann." 

Originally Posted by PGentieu:

......... They are bringing out four cars for Easy Streets (MSRP $69.95): a maroon and cream sedan, a "Seamist" green sedan, a black and white police car with the "gum machine" rotating light on top, and a yellow taxi with a checkerboard stripe.  While not any specific brand of car, they look like late 50s vintage to me (they are all the same basic 4-door body style).   

Thanks for the very thorough report.  Bachmann certainly had a lot of news but apparently nothing re switches for E-Z Streets?  With all of their other new products it sounds like they won't be coming out with them very soon.  That's too bad for those of us with Super streets layouts underway.

 

Bill  

So Lionel is moving to North Carolina then?

 

Jerry indicated that the Charlotte facility under Mr. Hitchcock would take care of the day-to-day operations of the company while the New York office under his (Mr. Calabrese's) direction would would be looking at the long-range vision for the company - "the next 113 years" as he called it. 

Thank you all for the thanks, you're very welcome.  The TCA Museum is now providing chairs for the audience which has made them (us) very quiet and attentive compared to past years when they (we) were standing and there was a "mill around mill" atmosphere with lots of noise and talking within the audience.  Also, by keeping the presentations a half-hour apart, things moved along at a better clip.  (They used to be an hour apart.)  The scheduling was due to the auction that preceded the presentations but I hope the Museum will keep that tighter schedule whether or not there is an auction. 

Peter, thank you for the TCA Museum report.  I'm looking forward to some of Williams by Bachmann's offerings.  I hope that the upcoming WBB conventional products will be component designed (similar to Bachmann's DCC ready HO/N products) for a relatively simple upgrade to a command control system locomotive.

 

It is also good to hear that Weaver recognized the lasting demand for their troop cars as well as their highly detailed John Wilkes locomotive.

 

Lionel's continued efforts to produce "made in the U.S.A" products is to be commended, especially with the hurdles they dealt with in this endeavor.  Lionel's new alliance/affiliation with Nascar Diecast explains why we saw the return of Nascar themed train cars/sets despite what seemed like an unsuccessful venture (based on the $25 blowouts) a few years ago.  Nascar has a lot of dedicated fans but if I correctly recall, their attendance and TV viewership numbers are notably down.  Their fans also seem to follow a particular driver or team and might not be inclined to purchase items from other drivers.  It might be similar to being a fan of a particular RR roadname, but IMO their are more product options to one roadname than a Nascar driver, plus I would guess that roadname model RR'ers would also show more likelihood to buy other roadname rolling stock to be more prototypical to their favorite roadname's historical loco consists.  The operational move to Charlotte, NC probably has a lot to do with financial, logistical and operational benefits.

 

I'm also looking forward to the Neil Young PRR set unless the price is out of this world.  I'm suspect of a gold plated Polar Exp.  IMO gold plating is a high priced novelty option that will remove the highly identifiable red/blue/grey colors from the Polar Exp.  I would prefer to see Lionel and MTH put away any egos and work together under Lionel Corp. Tinplate and offer a tinplate Polar Exp. in O and Std. gauge.  IMO, a tinplate Polar Exp. would be a win/win/win/win for Lionel, MTH, Warner Bros. and hobbyists.  Just make it happen.

If Bachmann's RS-3 is to be built from K-Line tooling that is good news. K-Line's RS-3 is a more accurate model than either the Atlas or MTH versions which both have dimensional issues. The only problem with the K-Line model was that the frame of the original round of releases sat too high on the trucks but that was subsequently corrected. 

 

Weaver makes a very nice RS-3 as well.

 

Bob   

I agree with the K-line and Weaver RS3 assesments in that their Body designs are the most realistic. The only issue is the price.

A WBB conventional model with a sound system is more MSRP than a Weaver Model with TMCC. Both Importers have minimal collectability so comparability of models is on the same playing field. A Weaver models conventional with NO sound is over $150.00 less... enough for someone to purchase the ERR Railsounds only boards to equally compare the two models and still be $50.00 in savings.

Both Importers have minimal collectability so comparability of models is on the same playing field. A Weaver models conventional with NO sound is over $150.00 less...

Actually, in the case of the RS-3, Weaver is NOT an importer.  The RS-3 is one of three diesel locomotive models Weaver makes right in their Northumberland, Pennsylvania, factory.  But you raise a very interesting point.  Here's a case of Weaver's USA-manufactured locomotive with TMCC having a lower list price than WBB's Chinese-manufactured locomotive without TMCC!  In addition, the Weaver model is available in 19 roadnames plus undecorated while the WBB is available in only four roadnames.  Plus the Weaver model is also available in two-rail.

 

Makes one wonder about the often-claimed advantages of manufacturing in China.

 

Here's a link to the Weaver RS-3 page: http://weavermodels.com/page45.html

Last edited by PGentieu

Did the Bachmann guys say there will be a new Catalog just for the additional O Scale and O Gauge offerings?  

 

No, they did not.  What they had was a 2013 Bachmann catalog that has all their lines (O, On30, HO, N, Large Scale, DCC, and Plasticville) with 70 pages devoted to the existing Williams by Bachmann O gauge line.  They handed out a four-page flyer with the new product announcements for Spring 2013 with 2-1/2 pages of products not previously announced and 1-1/2 pages of previously announced products.  Only the previously announced products also appear in the big 2013 Bachmann catalog.

I also noticed they are 1/48 scale 1955 Fords

A friend told me I should go look at the pilot model of the MOW trucks at the Lionel display in the Orange Hall.  They looked much bigger than a 1/48 scale model and a Lionel representative admitted they needed to make it bigger to fit everything in.  So it is not a scale model and it only vaguely represents a 1955 Ford.  It does have a lot of heft (the body is die-cast metal) so it may make people who are not concerned with scale size happy.  But it is not the first of a line of 1/48 scale models as I indicated in my previous post.  Mea culpa and I do apologize for misleading but Lionel also has some responsibility here:  the catalog says both "Scale model operates on 027 curves" and "1/48 SCALE."

 

Also, not shown in the catalog are the rail propulsion wheels which are inboard front to back from the highway wheels.  In other words, there is a four-wheel power unit with a much shorter wheelbase than the highway wheels.  The highway wheels on the pilot model are much smaller and less detailed than what is shown in the catalog but I don't know if that will change for the production versions.

 

For me personally, this went from a "have to buy" (PRR version) to "won't buy."  A few Yorks ago. Mr. Calabrese talked about Lionel making models that were so compelling people would buy them.  This model fails that test in my book.  I'd be happier with a less hefty version (it is only a self-propelled truck, not a locomotive that has to pull anything besides itself) that was actually scale sized.  A truly 1/48 scale MOW truck in PRR from 1955 or earlier - now that would be model I'd feel compelled to buy.

Originally Posted by PGentieu:

 A few Yorks ago. Mr. Calabrese talked about Lionel making models that were so compelling people would buy them.


Yes - I distictly remember this along with being told they don't want to keep re-issueing the same engines again and again just for the sake of having the latest bells and whistles.  Then again, when Legacy was first announced we were also told that upgrade kits for older TMCC locos would be available, so that never happened either.

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