Bachmann GB quarterly announcements.

[61653 HTAFC]

This morning, Bachmann announced their 2023 range for GB modellers. Not much in the way of "all new" stuff in 00, mostly just new liveries for the existing range.

One that caught my eye in particular was the 143/144 units in the EFE range (presumably the old RealTrack mouldings) which their YouTube announcement described as "covering their entire working lives"... so the obvious question is "why no WYPTE red?" an omission that RealTrack also made. Would have been nice to see a 3-car version too, but that would obviously be harder to do.

So, what does everyone else think of the 2023 range? Any glaring omissions or "must-haves" among them?

 

[Iskra]

I agree the 144 is interesting, I suspect a red 144 will come at a later date. The regional railways blue one does have a York destination blind, so I may go for that one, as I think some did operate in West Yorks in that livery into ATN days from memory. I’m unsure whether to get one of these, or if some DCC sound versions may be along soon? There is also speculation elsewhere that this is the Realtrack model produced under some form of license or the tooling has been sold off. Either way it’s a positive development in my book and I’m interested in purchasing one.

There are a few 37’s in interesting liveries too, but my eggs are firmly in the Accurascale basket for that loco, at a more amenable price…

 

[SCH117X]

Comments made by RealTracks owners on RMWeb are that they own the 143/144 toolings and have not given Bachmann any permission to use them. All seems a bit strange then.

 

[RichJF]

I didn't even know there was a Bachmann range announcement today & I usually like tuning into these types of videos, even if I don't intend on buying anything!

Probably sums up my attitude to the products

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Nothing good for me sadly. Seems Hornby and Bachmann are a bit bland this year.

 

[A0]

This morning, Bachmann announced their 2023 range for GB modellers. Not much in the way of "all new" stuff in 00, mostly just new liveries for the existing range.

One that caught my eye in particular was the 143/144 units in the EFE range (presumably the old RealTrack mouldings) which their YouTube announcement described as "covering their entire working lives"... so the obvious question is "why no WYPTE red?" an omission that RealTrack also made. Would have been nice to see a 3-car version too, but that would obviously be harder to do.

So, what does everyone else think of the 2023 range? Any glaring omissions or "must-haves" among them?

Point of order - the announcement *isn't* all of Bachmann's releases this year. They announced the first quarter - that's all.

They've moved away from doing a single announcement for the whole year and instead are doing roughly quarterly releases - so if you look at last year they did product announcements on:

2nd Feb 2022 - Spring
4th May 2022 - Summer
3rd Aug 2022 - Autumn
2nd Nov 2022 - Winter

 

[Cowley]

This morning, Bachmann announced their 2023 range for GB modellers. Not much in the way of "all new" stuff in 00, mostly just new liveries for the existing range.

One that caught my eye in particular was the 143/144 units in the EFE range (presumably the old RealTrack mouldings) which their YouTube announcement described as "covering their entire working lives"... so the obvious question is "why no WYPTE red?" an omission that RealTrack also made. Would have been nice to see a 3-car version too, but that would obviously be harder to do.

So, what does everyone else think of the 2023 range? Any glaring omissions or "must-haves" among them?

I’ve just tweaked the title as suggested by @A0wen as yes it is quarterly now (Farish is the same).

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Thanks for the correction regarding announcements- to be honest I should have realised that given the 37 and 158 releases last year were both mid-year announcements.

I agree the 144 is interesting, I suspect a red 144 will come at a later date. The regional railways blue one does have a York destination blind, so I may go for that one, as I think some did operate in West Yorks in that livery into ATN days from memory. I’m unsure whether to get one of these, or if some DCC sound versions may be along soon? There is also speculation elsewhere that this is the Realtrack model produced under some form of license or the tooling has been sold off. Either way it’s a positive development in my book and I’m interested in purchasing one.

There are a few 37’s in interesting liveries too, but my eggs are firmly in the Accurascale basket for that loco, at a more amenable price…

IIRC only two 144s (011 and 012) ever carried RR livery, though I don't think those units were diagrammed separately from the rest of the fleet. It would be a more appropriate livery for a 143 as far more of that class wore it (though with Swanline embellishments in some cases). If they do a Metro red version in the future I may well go for it, especially if it's the earlier variant with the broader stripe.

 

[fgwrich]

Comments made by RealTracks owners on RMWeb are that they own the 143/144 toolings and have not given Bachmann any permission to use them. All seems a bit strange then.

Indeed - From what I can understand, Realtrack designed and commissioned the 143/144 from Rapido, who used the same factory that supplied the ill-fated DJM. Now it's understandable that the factory would want to recoup it's costs by selling the rights to the DJM releases to EFE Rail, but to do the same to a still very much functioning company is very odd. Whatever the outcome, it's surprising that the models show so far still incorporate various deliberate mistakes made by RealTrack, haven't really moved on to improve them in the 8/9 years that the tooling has existed, and are already on the high seas to us in the UK.

It's also a shame that EFE / Bachmann has allowed such poor weathering to be sprayed on them. GWR's units were kept fairly clean (bar the sole bar and roof), and I don't really the TfW / ATW units being allowed to get that dirty either.

 

[Iskra]

Indeed - From what I can understand, Realtrack designed and commissioned the 143/144 from Rapido, who used the same factory that supplied the ill-fated DJM. Now it's understandable that the factory would want to recoup it's costs by selling the rights to the DJM releases to EFE Rail, but to do the same to a still very much functioning company is very odd. Whatever the outcome, it's surprising that the models show so far still incorporate various deliberate mistakes made by RealTrack, haven't really moved on to improve them in the 8/9 years that the tooling has existed, and are already on the high seas to us in the UK.

It's also a shame that EFE / Bachmann has allowed such poor weathering to be sprayed on them. GWR's units were kept fairly clean (bar the sole bar and roof), and I don't really the TfW / ATW units being allowed to get that dirty either.

It’s possible the factory inherited the tooling due to unpaid monies owed?

I think it’s good that the tooling is being made use of and that we’re seeing livery variants that might not have been made otherwise and it should also help fulfil demand considering the high value Realtrack 144’s can go for. I think it’s good news for modellers and at £215ish from the retailers not too bad value.

I agree that the weathering isn’t the best, but I only have one picture of a GWR unit on my phone and it’s not too far away…

 

[fgwrich]

It’s possible the factory inherited the tooling due to unpaid monies owed?

I think it’s good that the tooling is being made use of and that we’re seeing livery variants that might not have been made otherwise and it should also help fulfil demand considering the high value Realtrack 144’s can go for. I think it’s good news for modellers and at £215ish from the retailers not too bad value.

I agree that the weathering isn’t the best, but I only have one picture of a GWR unit on my phone and it’s not too far away…

View attachment 128160

Without trying to open a can of worms, Money owed from who though? Realtrack had all paid up and since changed factories (they moved factories ahead of the production of the 156). They did have another batch in the pipeline, but along with the new 142, have all been caught up in the Covid / Chinese New Year delays. Of course £215 is a reasonable price for the modeller - as Charlie himself said on RMWeb, it's an interesting tangent that Bachmann can knock these out cheaper than it's own 2 car units (e.g the 150 & 158), but there's still something very underhand about it all.

The comments by Charlie & Arran on RMWeb have certainly been interesting. For the 142, 156 and further batches of upgraded 143/144s, it appears that they will be using the Accurascale factory at least.

 

[SCH117X]

Not sure its underhand; might be a misunderstanding by the factory. As Realtrack are planning upgraded 143/144s with a different fcatory that potentially implies a wholly new tooled model and the original factory on that basis has taken the existing toolings as no longer requried. Hence knowing Bachmann Europe are looking for potential toolings to reuse has made them available.

Turns out the Pacers have been tweaked and are not a straight rerun of the Realtrack model. The change (or at least one change if there are more) is instead of the removal of the seats to fit a 8 pin decoder, the EFE ones having an easilly accessible from the underside Next18 socket

 

[Iskra]

We’re thrilled to share our Summer 2023 New Product Announcements with you! Find full details of all our new products here: www.bachmann.co.uk

Summer Announcements listed at rails (other retailers are available)

Bachmann Summer 2023 Announcements

Items below are announced as part of Bachmann's Summer 2023 range.

railsofsheffield.com

Including WYPTE Class 144 @61653 HTAFC

 

[pdeaves]

I'm slightly surprised to see tension lock couplings on the 144, especially as the trend on locos is not to fit them in favour of all the detail bits.

 

[Iskra]

I'm slightly surprised to see tension lock couplings on the 144, especially as the trend on locos is not to fit them in favour of all the detail bits.

Indeed, but one assumes they can be removed? It is an older model re-hashed for the EFE brand rather than a brand-newly tooled offering, which perhaps explains it.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Summer Announcements

Including WYPTE Class 144 @61653 HTAFC

Great to see that, and in that version of the livery too... not sure my bank account will agree!

I'm slightly surprised to see tension lock couplings on the 144, especially as the trend on locos is not to fit them in favour of all the detail bits.

Agree that's an odd choice, as none of the other second generation units on the market have them. Looks like they're removable at least.

 

[sprinterguy]

Agree that's an odd choice, as none of the other second generation units on the market have them. Looks like they're removable at least.

The Bachmann class 150 and Hornby (ex-Dapol) class 155 have both incorporated tension lock couplers. The 155 is an old tooling and not in the current range however, but it does always strike me as odd on such comparatively recent models as the Bachmann 150* and the Realtrack 144/143 that this EFE model is derived from, when Bachmann have been representing correct BSI couplers on their class 158 for thirty years.

*I think an alternate set of BSI couplers might be provided with the Bachmann 150, and of course Bachmann now also produce functional BSI-style couplings as a separate piece.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Bachmann class 150 and Hornby (ex-Dapol) class 155 have both incorporated tension lock couplers. The 155 is an old tooling and not in the current range however, but it does always strike me as odd on such comparatively recent models as the Bachmann 150* and the Realtrack 144/143 that this EFE model is derived from, when Bachmann have been representing correct BSI couplers on their class 158 for thirty years.

*I think an alternate set of BSI couplers might be provided with the Bachmann 150, and of course Bachmann now also produce functional BSI-style couplings as a separate piece.

The Bachmann 150 is supplied with tension locks, but they aren't fitted from new- I think (but I'm not digging mine out to check) they have dummy BSIs fitted into the NEM pockets. The video wasn't conclusive, but the EFE Pacer couplers look as if they're standard removable NEM ones, so replacements (either functional or dummy BSIs) should be an option.

I've ranted about this before, but Hornby continuing to sell the old Dapol 155 (as you say it isn't in the current range, but they've brought it back a few times and even updated the packaging to make it look like a newer model) is ridiculous. Not only because they don't brand it as part of their "budget" Railroad range but as a full-fat Railways model; but also because they have an imperfect but far more accomplished 153 tooling they could use instead with not much modification needed.

 

[sprinterguy]

The Bachmann 150 is supplied with tension locks, but they aren't fitted from new- I think (but I'm not digging mine out to check) they have dummy BSIs fitted into the NEM pockets.

Ah okay, I'd gained the impression that it was the tension locks that were fitted as standard: Good to know that they start out with dummy BSIs.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Ah okay, I'd gained the impression that it was the tension locks that were fitted as standard: Good to know that they start out with dummy BSIs.

I think they are- it's a few months since I've had either of my examples out of the box, so don't quote me on that! They definitely don't have tension locks fitted but it's possible they just have empty sockets.

 

[sprinterguy]

I've ranted about this before, but Hornby continuing to sell the old Dapol 155 (as you say it isn't in the current range, but they've brought it back a few times and even updated the packaging to make it look like a newer model) is ridiculous. Not only because they don't brand it as part of their "budget" Railroad range but as a full-fat Railways model; but also because they have an imperfect but far more accomplished 153 tooling they could use instead with not much modification needed.

Yeah, the 155 was already fairly crude when introduced by Dapol (Though nowhere near as bad as their mis-shapen 150!), so it is strange that it has never been relegated to Hornby's Railroad range. Then again, I increasingly can't comprehend the criteria that decides what should be a Railroad model and what shouldn't - there seem to be a lot of grey areas.

 

[315801]

I would imagine that a 3 coach class 144 could be made by a little bit of cut and shut of a 2 coach 144 that could be sold as a non runner or by purchasing a pair of class 142 chassis and modify them to make the chassis for the middle coach aswell as the cut and shut body for it followed by a repaint to match the 2 driving coach bodies.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I would imagine that a 3 coach class 144 could be made by a little bit of cut and shut of a 2 coach 144 that could be sold as a non runner or by purchasing a pair of class 142 chassis and modify them to make the chassis for the middle coach aswell as the cut and shut body for it followed by a repaint to match the 2 driving coach bodies.

It'd be doable, but you'd need to use bits of both cars from your donor set to have enough doors. The inner ends of the driving cars have a door on only one side, whereas the MS vehicles have a door at each corner.

 

[Cowley]

Evening everyone.

We’ve decided that rather than having loads of separate threads we’ll just have this one for the quarterly updates now.

Thanks

 

[GusB]

I wish I hadn't watched that YouTube video; the grey 37 had me dribbling for a while.

It stopped when I checked the price!

 

[Iskra]

I wish I hadn't watched that YouTube video; the grey 37 had me dribbling for a while.

It stopped when I checked the price!

You can always wait for an Accurascale version. A lot of the new Bachmann 37/47’s are getting discounted after only a few months anyway too, so it could well not sell out and then come down in price.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

You can always wait for an Accurascale version. A lot of the new Bachmann 37/47’s are getting discounted after only a few months anyway too, so it could well not sell out and then come down in price.

The Accurascale one is much better value, I only went for the Bachmann because they have my "favourite" in the desired livery.
In other news I've now ordered a WYPTE 144, but haven't gone for all the bells and whistles of DCC Sound this time.

 

[Iskra]

The Accurascale one is much better value, I only went for the Bachmann because they have my "favourite" in the desired livery.
In other news I've now ordered a WYPTE 144, but haven't gone for all the bells and whistles of DCC Sound this time.

I agree, and I’ve got one on order which hopefully isn’t too far away now.

I’m currently struggling to decide between an Accurascale GBRF DCC sound class 66 or an EFE WYPTE 144 DCC fitted

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I agree, and I’ve got one on order which hopefully isn’t too far away now.

I’m currently struggling to decide between an Accurascale GBRF DCC sound class 66 or an EFE WYPTE 144 DCC fitted

I'm sorely tempted by the Accurascale GBRF 66 too, despite it being completely out of era for me... I'd also want it renumbering and naming as 66738 for obvious reasons!

 

[Iskra]

I'm sorely tempted by the Accurascale GBRF 66 too, despite it being completely out of era for me... I'd also want it renumbering and naming as 66738 for obvious reasons!

Pfft! ...I'm still waiting for GBRF to get their act together on Leeds United. Mine is slightly more justified with GBRF 66's having worked with the Caledonian Sleeper Mk5's on the West Highland Line.

I do already have a Bachmann EWS 66 and it is one of the best models I own, so it will be interesting to see how the Accurascale 66 compares, with it originating from a slightly flawed predecessor.

I've not actually got an Accurascale loco yet, the 37 will be the first so I am still a little reluctant to go wild buying their loco's until I've got one in the flesh to evaluate.