Bachmann Desiro's

[SRman]

Just in case anyone is contemplating going down the route I did (Bachmann 350/1, ERG vinyl overlays), Hattons have just listed the Silverink unit for £109 here http://www.ehattons.com/stocklist/New.aspx .That's the same unit I started with.

[Electrostar]

I think there's only one livery version of the 450 although there might be minor and possibly accidental variations of the swoosh. There are also high capacity versions that had first class removed but I think these are in the process of being converted back to their original state.

 

I've always found the shade of the blue bodywork really attractive. Even after many years in service the 450s still have a nice sheen to them.

 

Fingers crossed this gets the oh ahead.

[SRman]

At the moment, any specialist colours (rail or bus, for example) are almost impossible to get because of the postal embargoes on paint and other liquid substances to overseas destinations. Fortunately, I already had some First Bus 'Barbie' blue, which turned out to be only a half tone different to the SWT blue on Adam's vinyls (hint for anyone doing the conversion!!).  

Edited November 28, 2013 by SRman

[dibber25]

Ron Ron Ron, I meant Bachmann considered the risk and realised it wasn't going to lose a lot of sales if it allowed Model Rail the commission rather than releasing a 450 to the open market and keeping all profits for itself.

 

IMHO I would be very surprised if the tooling is completely dedicated to MR commissions, but you never know.

 

Excuse my ignorance but are there many liveries this could be produced in ?

 

There's no tooling (or re-tooling) involved. It's a straight Bachmann Class  350 minus pantograph, as is the real thing.

CHRIS LEIGH

Edited November 29, 2013 by dibber25

[Adam1701D]

You shouldn't need to do any retooling - ideally you'd need the Class 350/2 interior (with 2+3 seating) with the 350/1 body and underframe. If you could get the interior moulded in red, even better!

[Traksy]

You do need a retool. 450s have third rail shoes.

[royaloak]

You do need a retool. 450s have third rail shoes.

As did the 350/1s when built and it is modelled as such, they still retain the height leveling bar (shoebeam in old money) and only the shoes and arms have been removed on them hence why it was easy for some to be refitted for use by Southern a few years ago.

Edited November 29, 2013 by royaloak

[John M Upton]

So do the first series 350's. Always built as dual voltage, some tested on third rail territory when new and used by Southern for a while on the Kenny Belles (oh alright if you insist, the Croydon to Watford services!) when the DfT fenced some stolen 377's to them scoundrels in purple...

[SRman]

As did the 350/1s when built and it is modelled as such, they still retain the height leveling bar (shoebeam in old money) and only the shoes and arms have been removed on them hence why it was easy for some to be refitted for use by Southern a few years ago.

 

The very reason I chose the 350/1 as my base model when doing the 450. I removed the pantograph and also the 25kV module under the pantograph car - Bachmann have very kindly modelled all of the underfloor modules separately and left them so that they are easily removed.

 

If you start with the 350/2 model, there are modules missing from under the driving coaches, as well as the third rail 'shoe beams' (height limiting bars).

 

The point is, though, that Bachmann already have all of the correct bits to combine into a 450 if they wish to make one themselves, either for normal release or as a commission.

[PaulRhB]

We'll is be in for a couple of SWT ones and I'm sure the training layout Swt have at Basingstoke could do with a short one too

[James90012]

With the new TPE livery out and about I guess this could renew interest in the 350 from Bachmann - are there many differences between the 350/1 or 2 and 4?

I've only just got a hold of one and I can honestly say it's one of the best purchases I've made - if you haven't got one yet but are still thinking about it - do it, you won't have regrets! Especially at Hattons current prices!

[SRman]

350/1 has third rail pickup shoes on the driving car bogies (later removed from many of the prototypes) and extra modules under the driving coaches when compared to 350/2, presumably for the DC operation.

As detailed earlier, I had to remove a different module under the pantograph car for the conversion to class 450 (the 25kV bit!). Having the third rail beams and modules enabled a simpler conversion, in this case.

[GordonC]

Going on the fact that the existing models are still on shelves and at greatly-reduced prices I doubt Bachmann will be in a rush to produce any more liveries like TPE!

[Adam1701D]

Help is at hand if you fancy some psychedelia for your Desiro, in N and OO....

 

 

Hoping to have these ready for DEMU Showcase on May 31st at Burton on Trent Town Hall.

[spenc]

Hi

I have just done two 450s from using the Electra vinyls 00 gauge they have turned out alright.

Steve

Edited May 20, 2014 by spenc

[andyman7]

How easy are the vinyls to apply/use?

[spenc]

Hi andyman7

They are easy to apply the driving ends you put the end details on first (numbers,gangway door,destination)then roof vinyl then sides line up with cab door windows and they will line up all the way down the coach the instructions are easy to follow.You will need to paint the roof vents orange & red first. the closest blue for roof & ends I have used is Revell Aqua Color Blue 56 matt or Humbrol matt 25 the Revell looks better hope this helps.

Steve

[jjb1970]

There appear to be a few very attractive offers on the Bachmann 350 just now, all versions. These seem to have lingered on shelves, which is a shame and also maybe worrying if it discourages manufacturers from doing further modern units. The model is really excellent and captures the look of the prototype superbly and is very nicely finished and detailed, it really doesn't deserve to languish on shelves forever and end up in bargain basement clearance offers as retailers try and get rid of them.

[andyman7]

There appear to be a few very attractive offers on the Bachmann 350 just now, all versions. These seem to have lingered on shelves, which is a shame and also maybe worrying if it discourages manufacturers from doing further modern units. The model is really excellent and captures the look of the prototype superbly and is very nicely finished and detailed, it really doesn't deserve to languish on shelves forever and end up in bargain basement clearance offers as retailers try and get rid of them.

Judging by their simultaneous appearance on offer from a number of sellers, this is stock that Bachmann has offered to dealers on discount terms rather than delaer's own stock marked down. It doesn't mean that the model has been unsuccessful, but just that the tail end of the inventory needs shifting. The nature of batch production in China means that it's very unusual to get the order exactly right - either an item arrives and sells out quickly (to howls of protest from those that missed out), or inevitably once orders and follow on sales have been satisfied at issue price, the residual stock will need some encouragement to move on.

[Ron Ron Ron]

Bachmann can't afford to have unsold stock sitting in their warehouse for too long.

It costs money to store products and at some point they'd need the storage space for new stock. Not forgetting that they would have had to pay the factory at some earlier point, resulting with a negative being carried on the balance sheet.

Hence the periodic clearances to their trade customers, which are a regular occurrence.

 

If this is a sign that the 350 is being cleared out of Barwell (we don't know), then there'll be no more for a long while, if ever again.

 

Roll on the 450. The card is ready. 

 

 

.

[newbryford]

 

If this is a sign that the 350 is being cleared out of Barwell (we don't know), then there'll be no more for a long while, if ever again.

 

 

Hmmmm. Do I buy another 350 and put it to one side for a future project, that most likely won't see the light of day for 4-5 years......?

 

Cheers,

Mick

[bennyboy]

Hmmmm. Do I buy another 350 and put it to one side for a future project, that most likely won't see the light of day for 4-5 years......?

 

Cheers,

Mick

Well how much do you think that one will cost in 4-5 years?

[jjb1970]

You can pick up the Silverlink model for less than £100, that is a corking bargain. The London Midland versions are going for less than £120 which is still a terrific bargain for a model of that quality.

[Purley Oaks]

There appear to be a few very attractive offers on the Bachmann 350 just now, all versions. These seem to have lingered on shelves, which is a shame and also maybe worrying if it discourages manufacturers from doing further modern units. The model is really excellent and captures the look of the prototype superbly and is very nicely finished and detailed, it really doesn't deserve to languish on shelves forever and end up in bargain basement clearance offers as retailers try and get rid of them.

Chatting with the Bachmann rep at Model Rail Scotland in February about emus he mentioned that the Desiros hadn't sold particularly well

Mal

[SRman]

Well, I have now ordered another 350/1 at the special price, and have already received some more Electra Railway Graphics vinyls for the 450, so another conversion will be under way shortly. Total cost will be in the region of £135. The current guestimated price of a 450 from Bachmann on Hattons website is £200 and may even be higher than that. I reckon I'm ahead, in spite of the extra labour involved ... well, modelling is supposed to include a bit of that anyway, isn't it??