411 CEP

I understand the original version could make use of some of the mouldings from Bachmann's Mk1 coach range for 2 of the vehicles. A refurbished 4-CEP couldn't , because of the hopper windows. There is also the fact that an early 4-CEP can be made in green and run alongside Hornby Bullied Pacifics , Arthurs, Britannias, Q1s, Bachmann's N. It may not be authentic for the SW Division in that state , but anyone modelling the last years of Southern steam doesn't exactly have an alternative RTR model

Given that steam is still seen as the major market, and D+E as a niche market, 3rd rail electrics are percieved as a niche of a niche . Tooling up a complete 4 car unit only suitable for people modelling the Southern after 1980 may be seen as just too small a market. Producing something where you already have some of the vehicles and you can sell it to all those folk who have bought new generation Southern kettles , as well as to a large minority of 3rd rail electric modellers, looks a lower risk

£94 , as a discount RailsOS price seems credible to me - the list price for a Bachmann 4 car Voyager , not so long ago, was £90

But I wouldn't personally expect it until at least 2009 , perhaps late 2009. It's behind the 150 in the queue, and that's not imminent

QUOTE I've just thought, with the addition of a buffet car they could easily produce the BEP (Buffet Electro-Pneumatic) version which would make a twelve coach train realisable. Now that could be fun.

That could well be the game plan - tool an extra vehicle (assuming its not the same as something in the loco hauled Mk1 range) and suddenly you can sell a second unit to a lot of folk

I think the delay is down, firstly to the fact that Bachmann have always taken a long time to deliver stuff - they are trying to tighten up and get it down to under 2 years delay but it's the kettles that seem to be benefiting . Secondly , this model is viewed as very marginal high risk niche stuff, so when it comes to development and production slots "mainstream" models like the Jubilee and Scot get priority . Especially when there is an urgency to deliver before a competitor. The production slots to advance the 37 came from somewhere..., and it seems Barwell are more than half expecting Vi-Trains to announce a 47 - which is Bachmann's other 4mm D+E release for this year. On the other hand Hornby seem to have dropped their project for an EMU after Bachmann's announcement , so the 4-CEP project has already fulfilled one objective

Thirdly Bachmann seem to be putting a lot of energy into N gauge, where Dapol have started to give them a run for their money . I'd guess the N gauge Jubilee might even just make it for Warley , and could well preceed the 4mm version. This means less time and effort going into other areas and the clear loser is OO diesels. Bachmann inevitably have a lot of projects on the go at any one time , and these days 4mm D+E models always seem to be back of the queue, bottom of the priority list, "not dropped", etc etc .

My last copy of DEMU Update had a News section rounding up the recent announcements. Bachmann's 2007 N gauge and DCC programme filled 2.5 columns. OO managed one paragraph - not much more than a column inch . This from the traditional leader in OO RTR diesels....

Ok head down already
How similar are any of the coaches in a CEP to a TC set? Are there any that could be used or adapted to run with the 33's?

QUOTE (PaulRhB @ 7 Jun 2007, 14:24) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Ok head down already
How similar are any of the coaches in a CEP to a TC set? Are there any that could be used or adapted to run with the 33's?

Not very ... A CIG unit would be a closer match as the jumper cables in the TC sets are recessed into the cab front. On the CEP they are basically sticking out of the front.

Best bet if you want to model a TC set (For now anyway) is to buy the coaches as they are and buy some castings for the front ends and just create your own.