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Spectrum Line in Jeopardy?

Dear Editor:

I have heard terrible news from two dealers, that I do business with, that Bachmann is going back to the toy train business and doing away with the Spectrum Series. These dealers told me they had a letter stating this and that they had talked to Mr. Walthers and he verified the fact.

I own a Bachmann Consolidation and it is far superior to any brass locomotive that I own. Please do some research to determine the facts and let the world know the outcome.

Thanks for the assistance. Keep up the good work with a great newspaper.

— Charles M. Spangler, MMR
The hobby would certainly suffer if this were indeed true. However, Bachmann’s latest catalog features a number of items under the Spectrum banner. Not leaving anything to chance, Bachmann was contacted in regards to the matter. — Ed.
The following is a response from Bachmann to Mr. Spangler’s suggestion that they are discontinuing the Spectrum Line:
We at Bachmann have no intention of discontinuing our Spectrum line of model railroading products. Providing high quality products at an affordable price remains at the core of the Spectrum philosophy, and Bachmann Industries remains committed to this proud tradition.

The discontinuation of certain items in the line does occur from time to time, but this is simply the natural course of events for manufacturers of any product. Rest assured that Bachmann’s Spectrum line as a whole is not being removed from the hobby marketplace. Look for a host of new Spectrum items in HO, N, On30 and Large scale later this year.

Sincerely,
— Bachmann Industries, Inc.
Dear MRN,

I have both the [Bachmann] 2-8-0 and the 4-8-2 and have had no problems with either. There is always going to be production problems and just because the reviewer didn’t have any, don’t accuse him of playin’ up to the manufacturer. Some people would gripe if they was hung with a new rope....Ya’ll need more to do.

— Jerry Barnes
Plano, TX
Leave it to a Texan to set us all straight! — Ed.
Can’t relate
Dear MRN,

It would be informative if reviewers would give the actual length of models that are reviewed, either in inches, centimeters, or scale feet.

In a model like a 40 foot boxcar, the length is implied in the name. But tank cars and gondolas are named for their capacity: 9,000 gallon, 5,000 cubic feet, 25 tons. I find it hard to relate these names to car length without much research.

— Jim Schmidt
via the internet
In our efforts to cover all the small details, we can sometimes overlook the most basic. To help modelers keep things in better perspective, we will do our best to always provide basic information concerning our review subjects, like how long it is! Thanks, and I will pass this along to our reviewers.
— Ed.
To Be Announced
To the Editor:

On February 29, 2000, I picked up the April, 2000 issue of Model Railroader magazine at my favorite hobby shop in San Lorenzo, California. I got home and starting reading it and looking at the mail order ads. It makes me upset that the mail order shops are advertising new items before the manufacturers have put their ads in the magazines. The reason I don’t think this is right is because what if the manufacturer has a problem with tooling or running gear. Even though they may put TBA next to the item, I think the manufacturers should advertise their products about 3-4 months before the mail order shops.

— S. A. Holyoake
Oakland, California
The problem is not in the advertising schedule. The problem stems from preproduction announcement of an upcoming product by the manufacturer. It has the same effect on the model railroading press as it does the mail order shops — do we wait to announce the item until it is available, letting other magazines announce it first, or publish the information as soon as possible to make our publication the most current. Mail order shops will advertise an item as soon as they know of its pending release to secure as many hobby dollars for themselves as possible. These advanced orders will help them, and in turn the manufacturer, estimate what amount of a given product will be needed to satisfy demand without over production. I empathize with your disappointment that items are not available when advertised, and that production problems may cause some delays. It’s just good ol’ American capitalism at its best (or worst). — Ed.
Snake Oil
To MRN,

I read with great interest the [review] by Larry Smith in the March, 2000 issue about Super SceneClean. A very interesting article. There was one thing in my opinion that was left out. What exactly is the product? A paint? A clear gloss? Just air in a can? Or what?

Thanks for the help,

— David in Arizona
via the internet
Hi David,

You have a valid point! The product is made from the chemical Tetrafluroethane which reacts with the dust to remove it. The carrier used is made up of Bromide and Eythel Alcohol. I hope this helps.

— Larry Smith
Model Railroad News
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