cs233

The Class 90 looks outstanding, very impressed with what was shown

The current Bachmann offering may be less than 10 years of age but I would say we could do with a new Class 150 model, the Bachmann tooling does not allow original types to be created correctly, no centre door with window on the 150\2, the 150\1 has an incorrect underframe and no lower valance as the units were built. The amount of livery options is for sure going to provide a significant return on the tooling costs and it compliments Realtracks current DMU range well.

This is what Bachmann need to address, while the parent Kader Group will have its own wider production strategy Bachmann Europe has been suffering with capacity for many years. There is a commercial battle for them to solve internally so that a business case to show demand can be produced that would justify new production capacity extensions as appropriate. They should not announce any new tooling until the significant backlog is addressed.

We all want the model to be a big success and for this Bachy need to plan the tooling so that the unit covers the type as built and of course in its later years. There have been a number of changes over the years to the units and I hope this is planned. Unless the model is tooled to cover all revisions to the type and additionally is conducted to a similar standard to that pioneered by Realtrack I feel another manufactuer might also have a go? Time will tell.

Considering the amount of livery options that could be done the market could support more than one offering, I am also concerned that by the time it takes Bachy to release differing versions it will be many years before a reasonable number of livery releases are brought to market. A further concern for me is with their Class 150\2 they only tooled later modified versions only with the blanked off centre door. Equally with the Class 150\1 they never tooled the original lower valance that the units were built with. Hopefully such mistakes will not repeat.

The body is really good in respect of detail although, I am still not comfortable with obtaining any though due to the gap between the body and bogies, understand about clearance issues etc but maybe at the prices being requested today two versions should be offered one with enhanced clearance and a significant gap and another that more accurately reflects the prototype.

It would be nice if there was any pre-production images of the Provincial models that are pending? Is there anything that can be shared on these at this stage?

I am just not too sure, when I compare with images of the prototype the results are not too good in a number of the areas already highlighted. Will have to reserve an conclusions until they are actually released.

The price is really very low and it sure is good value for money for what on the whole is a reasonable(ish) model. There are just a few issues that really put me off the motor block still is a problem when I have seen them on display it is too much of visually an issue for a fairly recently tooled model. Also the 150\1 model has the underframe of the 150\2 as there are some differences, of note the 150\1 only has one connection from the radiator whilst the 150\2 has a second. The model clearly has the underframe of the 150\2 variant.

Any idea where they could be obtained from?

Having studied my Bachmann Class 220, against pictures of the prototype the windscreen wipers appear to be vastly underscale on the model. Not even of a size that would physically be able to provide coverage of the windscreen area. I have felt something did not look quite right at the front but could not put my finger on the problem. Has anyone else observed this?

Becoming very cheap now, have seen the Blue and Grey unit under £80 new. Surprised Bachmann have not released a Regional variant of the unit. I would say there is demand for multiple versions of the Regional unit perhaps an ex works early 90's version as well as a weathered and worn unit in its later years.

It was interesting to note the model compared to the old Lima offering. Considering that model dates from 1989 approx? Lima did a great job with the body profile and overall look of the unit. Obviously the underframe was a serious drawback but they did a nice job overall. Looking forward to seeing any mock ups of the forthcoming Provincial planned model.

It looks good to my eyes, but the springs seem to be less prominent than how I remember them?

Whilst Bachmann will likely eventually deliver the Class 158 it may well be that considering the huge delay that another manufactuer has taken a step toward working on this model. Considering the huge livery application choice the 158 is sure to bring a significant and long-term financial return from the tooling costs. Only time will tell if this is the case but there is a large demand for the 158 in many liveries.

Thanks for the confirmation, sadly the model is wrong. It just does not look right with the blanked off door in that livery. A real shame that Farish could not tool the earlier door configuration like Dapol did with the Class 156.

My research indicates that 150247 never did run in this Provincial livery with a front blanked off centre door. In fact there appears to be no evidence I can find to show any 150\2 unit did run in Provincial livery with this configuration? Is anyone able to confirm this?

During the new development cycle for the Class 158 which has been around 5 years as other posters have detailed I am a little surprised they did not release versions of the older 158 tooling which still has some good points. Is the new tooling a complete new tool or heavy modification of the original 158? We should find out in the end. From the opinions it seems that the the expectation is that a very high specification new model is wanted which I hope Bachmann do eventually deliver? If not I believe it will potentially leave them vulnerable for another manufacturer picking it up.

The Regional Railways unit does not seem to have a destination blind from what I have seen? Is this to be addressed on the production units?

Seems it will likely be a while as yet before we see them based on the comments. I thought the original Class 158 release in the 90's by Bachmann was way ahead of its time. Sadly I was disappointed with the Class 150 release and never did purchase any due to the super large engine block and dark windows. The retool of the 150 still is not at a level I would purchase with the engine still a detraction of the presentation for the unit in my opinion. I suspect there is a chance another manufacturer will pick up the Class 150 eventually and release a version that maybe comes close to Realtracks stunning Class 156.

It has been a significant period since the intent of this new tooling was made public, does anyone know the current status? Do we have any details on the spec of the model, is it going to have some of the 'cutting edge' features like Realtrack's 156?

Is is going to be possible Charlie and Arran to have darkened wheels on the production model? The Class 156 units have tread brakes as we know and there were no disks as such fitted, I feel the shiny wheels do look very 'toy like' and detract from an otherwise nice model.

It looks great, looking forward to a Provincial version, are there any plans to darken the wheels on the production version? When looking at the model it is the shiny wheels that look a little at odds.