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I start this thread to share with you my thaughts regarding the qualitiy and value for money of Continental rolling stock.
This thread can and should contain some constructive and critical statements but please let us take care to avoid "Hornby and Bachmann bashing"
During the last 10 years I only bought British rolling stock, read British railway magazines and never visited a local modeltrain-shop.
From the forums and the magazines I got the impression that we never had it so good and that continental models are sometimes a little bit better and always much more expensive - A view I no longer share.
Some weeks ago I got 10 Bachmann 2 axle wagons delivered. Medium Price per wagon from box shifter: ca 6,- pound (excl. postage)
All wagons equipped with pockets for the couplers but without kinematic. So it is not possible to use short coupling without modification. 3 out of 10 run OK, 7 out of 10 wobble a lot and need better wheelsets.
Last week I bought 12 Roco wagons from a local shop. Medium price ca 5,80 pound. All wagons equipped with NEM pockets for the couplers and kinematic for short coupling. I exchanged the couplers within minutes for Roco universal couplersand now have delayed uncoupling and short coupling. All the wagons have excellent wheelsets and run much smoother than all my Bachmann rolling stock.
Of course it is easier for Roco to produce some cheap wagons because with continental rolling stock you can change the livery and sell the wagon as German, Austrian, French,.... one. And some of the newest releases from Roco cost more because they have to regain the cost of tooling as has Bachmann who fortunately release new goods rolling stock every year and should be applauded for it.
My very personal conclusion: Roco good value for money, Bachmann not.
I really would like all the Bachmann wagons with features and quality as my Roco wagons and would pay for it. If Bachmann could do it and the price would go up from 6 to 8 pound for me it would be excellent value for money. I could afford fewer rolling stock per year but would be happier with what I get.
What do you think?
This thread can and should contain some constructive and critical statements but please let us take care to avoid "Hornby and Bachmann bashing"
During the last 10 years I only bought British rolling stock, read British railway magazines and never visited a local modeltrain-shop.
From the forums and the magazines I got the impression that we never had it so good and that continental models are sometimes a little bit better and always much more expensive - A view I no longer share.
Some weeks ago I got 10 Bachmann 2 axle wagons delivered. Medium Price per wagon from box shifter: ca 6,- pound (excl. postage)
All wagons equipped with pockets for the couplers but without kinematic. So it is not possible to use short coupling without modification. 3 out of 10 run OK, 7 out of 10 wobble a lot and need better wheelsets.
Last week I bought 12 Roco wagons from a local shop. Medium price ca 5,80 pound. All wagons equipped with NEM pockets for the couplers and kinematic for short coupling. I exchanged the couplers within minutes for Roco universal couplersand now have delayed uncoupling and short coupling. All the wagons have excellent wheelsets and run much smoother than all my Bachmann rolling stock.
Of course it is easier for Roco to produce some cheap wagons because with continental rolling stock you can change the livery and sell the wagon as German, Austrian, French,.... one. And some of the newest releases from Roco cost more because they have to regain the cost of tooling as has Bachmann who fortunately release new goods rolling stock every year and should be applauded for it.
My very personal conclusion: Roco good value for money, Bachmann not.
I really would like all the Bachmann wagons with features and quality as my Roco wagons and would pay for it. If Bachmann could do it and the price would go up from 6 to 8 pound for me it would be excellent value for money. I could afford fewer rolling stock per year but would be happier with what I get.
What do you think?
