Jump to content
 

Bachmann 2015/16 Speculation ... or Divination 101 as it is known on the Hogwarts Express


Ozexpatriate

Recommended Posts

Last year we had 55 pages and seven months (give or take) of prognostication on what Bachmann Branch-Line was likely to announce on coachmann's "Bachmann 2014 ...for those with crystal balls...." thread.

 

The announcements will be made after 13.00 on Monday 2nd March.

I'm hearing the call to the post and while we appear to be still under starters orders a number of punters have opened the gates before the start in the announcement thread for last year beginning on the first of this month.

 

As I'm not interesting in any disqualifications, let me just say "They're Off".

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, your best guesses as to what Bachmann Branch-Line will announce less than four weeks from today, please.

 

And avoid the obvious wishlisting if you dare.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

My guess for steam locos is

SECR H class 0-4-4T (the remaining 'missing' wish list SR loco, after Hornby announced the S15 in December),

GNR J6 0-6-0, and a

new V2 (they already have a new chassis, so just needs a new body).

 

I can't imagine them announcing any new coaches as they have a substantial backlog, but Bachmann usually manage a new wagon or two.

And some Scenecraft - something more in the Pendon series, perhaps?

 

John

Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay, just in from an evening with freinds.

 

My thoughts on this are: Whats coming:

 

1. BR Standard Class 2MT - 78000 class. - Its a BR standard, highest in wishlist and would be wanted to acompany all the other standards on layouts. A sure winner. The tank might turn up next year, alongside the Ivatt 2.

2. Lord Nelson - Every man expects and so forth - but this is the time for this engine to be retooled and take stage in Bachmanns growing impressive line up of Southern engines. Perhaps NRM tie in?

 

Whats possible - one of...

 

Steam

 

1. B16 - to take into acount the variations between B16/1 B16/2 and B16/3. Add all those together and your on for one very good seller. It would be like the ROD in that you can have a lot of types from one basic design.

2. If not the B16/x then the J26/J27 is looking ominous as Bachmann continue to press northwards. DJM have taken up the mantle with the Q6, will Bachmann follow? 

3. SECR - D Class. Following on from the popular Wainwright C, Bachmann will follow with a similar machine, perhaps a NRM tie in here.

 

Outside chance - an Industrial tank. Field is wide open for the next NRM release.

 

Whats possible - one of...

 

Diesel / Electric / Units.

 

1. Class 59. I think Bachmann might have started this some time ago. I think they might be watching the demand for the class but note the need for its appearance. Class 59 has the value of being either needed if you model the area, or a novelty if you model the period.

2. Class 156. A modern sprinter to follow the 158. Its very much needed to be upgraded, and Bachmann might stick with just doing the chassis for the 170. Does that mean Rapido could compete with their next release possibly tied in with Realtrack. Im expecting a class 170 there, or even a class 175. If Bachmann go for the 156 that might avoid duplication, but theres no garuntee both dont end up producing the same model.

3. No electric. With the class 90 some way off and with a Backlog, I think Bachmann will wait for the 90, and not push large units owing to the price increase.

 

Whats coming - new liveries.

 

1. Class 47s. Back to older models. I think 47s with skirts will be the rage. Look for 47/7s for shove-duff Scotrail, Departmental grey, or something else late 1980s / early 1990s.

2. Pregrouping. Some of Bachmanns engines could be done pregrouping liveries. Might see the O4, coal tank etc released into the general range as such.

3. Class 66 - GBRf grey machines will feature, also Freightliner powerhaul, weathered DB.

 

Coaching stock and wagons might see a pause too. The odd private wagons might feature. I think the Biomass wagons would be released to grab headlines and say something is still done but thats all.

 

Scenecraft?

 

More low relief buildings. A pub, houses, shop etc.

Others? Different houses for periods. 1980s housing thats been upgraded. More things for a diesel depot, or modern container loading scene.

 

Not long to wait to find out.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

All contemporary stuff for my choices.

A modified class 70 to include the cooler box. Two liveries to go at, Colas and Freightliner with a slightly smaller bodyside branding.

 

Time fior another 66 livery. Hopefully the later light clusters on a DRS machine for 66421 upwards.

Class 57/3 without the dellner couplers in West Coast colours, or if they're on the ball, a Northern Belle machine.

 

Outside chance of a class 185 given their tie-in with Siemens for the 350.

 

And a wagon to complete the set. How about a FKA twin flat?

 

Cheers,

Mick

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think Bachmann will expand on its themes of preserved railways

 

Off the top of my head possibilities include:

  • Bluebell - Of the models announced or released, coaching stock to make a believable Bluebell train is missing. The Chesham Set would give a reasonable rake. New Bulleid coaches could also be a reasonable assumption. Long shot of the L&NWR Observation Saloon
  • Keighley & Worth Valley - With the Railway Children train pack, safe to assume that other K&WVR models are likely. Not sure what they would produce, but my personal choice would be the S160 loco and the Metropolitan coaches.
  • Great Central - When I think of the GCR, I think of Breakfasts from the Griddle Car, the TPO and the Windcutter rake. Maybe a new MK1 kitchen carriage or another TPO vehicle (probably the model that Modelzone announced. Have Invicta taken this up?). Outside possibility of the Beavertail Coach.
  • Seven Valley - Some SVR based GWR locos & coaches to go with the Highley station buildings or maybe one of the Engine House residents (the WD 2-10-0 would be my choice).

After the Harrow-on-the-Hill-ish platform buildings and the Ruislip-ish footbridge some LU stock would be nice. Most likely be Met 1 and one of the previously mentioned Met coaches or 353 & the milk van.

 

Other locos in the pretty & preserved category include:

  • Caledonian Railway 812 class.
  • South Eastern & Chatham Railway P & H classes (I think the D is more likely to be a NRM exclusive).
Link to post
Share on other sites

I think Bachmann will expand on its themes of preserved railways

 

Off the top of my head possibilities include:

  • Bluebell ...
  • Keighley & Worth Valley ...
  • Great Central ...
I do like the way you are thinking there. In the last few years we've had locomotives announced on Bachmann Collectors' Club Members' Days or other special events:
  • 2012 - Bluebell: SECR Wainwright C class
  • 2014 - Locomotion: GNR Ivatt Class C1 Atlantic
  • 2014 - Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: L&NWR 0-6-2T Webb Coal Tank
But of course all those were special announcements - outside of their 'normal' annual announcement, so perhaps we wouldn't see announcements like these, just yet!

 

To this however:

  • Seven Valley - Some SVR based GWR locos & coaches to go with the Highley station buildings or maybe one of the Engine House residents (the WD 2-10-0 would be my choice).

 

SVR-based GWR coaches like these? Churchward toplights would be lovely. It's a great idea. 

 

We still have two generations of Bachmann coaches yet to see the light of day (SECR Birdcage and LNER Thompson teaks). If they did announce some GWR coaches they'd be years away but at least they'd paint the droplights the right colour!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Why do a duchess? Hornby have one in production that most people would say is a great model

Unfortunately this is looking rather dated as does the Princess, it really does need an upgrade, I'd like to see Bachy do the Ivatt versions........one can live in hope :yes: !!

 

Rgds....Mike

Link to post
Share on other sites

They usually announce one chassis upgrade. Off the top of my head, their remaining split chassis locos are:

   - original Royal Scot

   - Lord Nelson

   - 43xx

   - J39

   - ?

However anyupgrade may take a while to appear - the Ivatt 2-6-2T upgrade was announced 2 years ago but, according to the club mag, is still only in the research/CAD drawing stage (as is the all new Stanier Mogul announced at the same time).

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I might as well jump in to the fray!

 

The J72 which was one of the flagship Kader locos is yet to receive a new chassis and a full update would be lively and well within the remit of a long lived loco, being, as a class, one of the longest lived. Plenty of liveries, widely travelled and a preserved example to boot!

 

I'll also happily agree with the suggestion of a J26/7 from earlier as another long lived, preserved example loco which also sits well into the Bachmann fold of black locos!

 

Bachmann do have the inclination to tackle the more off-piste wheel arrangements too, such as the 2-4-2t and Atlantics, so could we see an 0-4-4t in the shape of a G5? Again, long lived and an example on the way to being built.

 

This does seem to have a very North Eastern flavour to it so far! So what else..

 

The coal tank announced last year could do with a stable mate, such as an improved Precedent, with an NRM tie in for 'Hardwicke'

 

The standard family should be bolstered by the 3mt 2-6-0, a mid sized loco that can go almost anywhere, being not too heavy.

 

Steam is not the only thing on the agenda, and a new, improved class 55, that sits properly on its bogies and a tweaked class 20 to include lighting like the rest of the range would be most welcome!

 

Modern image wise, the class 185 unit will sit nicely next to the 158 (in modern liveries) when that arrives!

 

Stock wise, I'm in agreement that the GWR could do with some new Colletts, but I'm not sure there'll be many coaching additions with the Thompsons still outstanding.

 

Wagon announcements could feature a warflat to complement the warwells which are still to appear. Also the LNER needs a brake van!

 

There might be an element of wishing in there, but it's not all things I would go for! All I can easily see Bachmann tempting wallets with, hopefully not too protracted lead times either!

 

Cheers

 

J

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Don't forget that Bachmann have announced that they are entering the OO9 market (along with the Heljan loco and rolling stock from Peco) and as I'm narrow minded, my dream would be for those models to be increased in size to 7mm - remember that O-16.5 runs on OO track and so they already have mechanisms available that would be suitable.

 

 

.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am really disillusioned with the announcements no matter who they come from, model announced then long lead times. My ehattons preorders go back to 2011. I would just like Bachmann to say here is a model (which fits in my timeframe) and you can buy it from next week/ month - not here is a model and we start development in 6 months. Not long ago I would have dived into this thread with a long list of predictions but not got the enthusiasm for it now.

Hope you all get what you wish for

Mark

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the real eases will be a bit on the humble scale this year as they catch up withy the announced releases for the past couple of years.

 

Having said that, I can see them doing a WD 2-10-0, a couple of re-liveries for diesels and steam engines , and out of left field a double fairlie in OO9.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am really disillusioned with the announcements no matter who they come from, model announced then long lead times. My ehattons preorders go back to 2011. I would just like Bachmann to say here is a model (which fits in my timeframe) and you can buy it from next week/ month - not here is a model and we start development in 6 months. Not long ago I would have dived into this thread with a long list of predictions but not got the enthusiasm for it now.

Hope you all get what you wish for

Mark

 

Hear Hear, quite agree with that man, It would be nice if Bachmann, Hornby etc took a leaf out of the old Graham Farish book and not announce anything unless the model was ready for release. having said that a center car for the 101 would be nice(or is it already available and I've missed it) with a 3 car unit in NSE livery

 

Ian

 

Edited for spelling

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

I thought Bachmann's announcements were supposed to be of items they would introduce in the coming 18 months. 

 

How seriously should we take the impending announcements "for 2015-16" when a number of models planned for earlier years have already exceeded that timescale?

 

John

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

They usually announce one chassis upgrade. Off the top of my head, their remaining split chassis locos are:

   - original Royal Scot

   - Lord Nelson

   - 43xx

   - J39

   - ?

However anyupgrade may take a while to appear - the Ivatt 2-6-2T upgrade was announced 2 years ago but, according to the club mag, is still only in the research/CAD drawing stage (as is the all new Stanier Mogul announced at the same time).

Manor, J72?

 

If the Ivatt tank is anything to go by, that lot should keep them "busy" for at least a decade. Don't hold your breath!

 

I wonder how long it will take for Hatton's to reach a similar level of frustration as they did with Hornby (over the King and 14xx) and commission something that might be seen as treading on Bachmann's toes? 

 

John

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

I would just like Bachmann to say here is a model (which fits in my timeframe) and you can buy it from next week/ month

I don't follow developments in OO that much so can't be sure, but didn't they do this with one of their National Railway Museum models?

 

There is also other evidence that it can be done as some years ago there were photos on narrow gauge forums of the Bachmann On30 two car railbus on sale in Japan and when questioned on their own USA forum, the administrator there denied that it was a Bachmann model and then had to retract that statement a few days later as he hadn't been told it was being introduced and due to some sort of c*ck-up in China a small number of the models had been released too early to shops in Japan. I believe the intention was to announce them at the NMRA (or Narrow Gauge) Convention and have them on immediate sale with no prior announcement.

 

.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I do like the way you are thinking there. In the last few years we've had locomotives announced on Bachmann Collectors' Club Members' Days or other special events:

  • 2012 - Bluebell: SECR Wainwright C class
  • 2014 - Locomotion: GNR Ivatt Class C1 Atlantic
  • 2014 - Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: L&NWR 0-6-2T Webb Coal Tank
But of course all those were special announcements - outside of their 'normal' annual announcement, so perhaps we wouldn't see announcements like these, just yet!

 

To this however:

SVR-based GWR coaches like these? Churchward toplights would be lovely. It's a great idea. 

 

We still have two generations of Bachmann coaches yet to see the light of day (SECR Birdcage and LNER Thompson teaks). If they did announce some GWR coaches they'd be years away but at least they'd paint the droplights the right colour!

 

Dont forget the SVR collets as well for the coaches.

 

I too like the thinking here. Maybe a re tooled 43xx-93xx GWR mogul.

 

I can always hope for a Southern U mogul as welll.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

How seriously should we take the impending announcements "for 2015-16" when a number of models planned for earlier years have already exceeded that timescale?

 

So it's not just Hornby then - but why do we get so many negative comments about the red boxes and not so much about the blue . . . . . .

 

.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...