1975 Bachmann sets

jtomstarr Jul 15, 2021

  1. jtomstarr

    jtomstarr TrainBoard Member

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    All ,
    How many of us which have been in N-SCALE from the 1970's - Present still have these sets ,maintain , run them ? No this Does not mean the 1980's -present Sets.

    Tom

    bachmanncatalog1975pg11.jpg

    bachmanncatalog1975pg12.jpg

    bachmanncatalog1975pg13.jpg
     
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  2. sd90ns

    sd90ns TrainBoard Member

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    That was back in the days when you could purchase one of those sets for what it now costs you to purchase a new piece of high-end rolling stock.

    Then again . . .
     
  3. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    It's easier to find parts for Hupmobiles than those things.
     
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  4. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    To bad you don't have the prices from then. My group was into Lionel at that time.
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Since 1972.... Wish I still had my starter set. Just for nostalgia.
     
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  6. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    Now, wait. Be specific.

    Everybody was "into" Lionel at the time. Was your group one of the many that lusted after it, or one of the few that could afford it?
     
  7. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    Last time I looked at my "Spirit of 76" loco it had developed a bit of a humpback.
     
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  8. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    What amazes me about Bachmann is their choice of prototypes. Out of all the trains they could have chosen, they went with the Auto-Train? It amazes me that they actually tooled the autorack, a car that was never used on any other train. I guess we should be grateful, but it seems strange that they didn't have some kind of generic Pullman streamlined train in this catalog. At least then, they could have done multiple road names with the same set of tooling.

    The only N scale set I have is the Empire Builder, basically the modern version of the Northerner set. Some of the cars have different paint schemes, but it has that same locomotive (but the mechanism might be modernized too). It's a fun novelty item, but I'm already in way too deep with HO to be serious about expanding into N scale.
     
  9. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Every Bachmann I had from the 70s is dead and buried and just a few freight cars survive.
     
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  10. SLSF Freak

    SLSF Freak Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've got my original Auto-Train and Metroliner sets. They barely run anymore, they're old and tired, but I've got such good memories with both sets that I'm "retooling" them (U36B and Metroliner) via 3D printing to bring them to today's acceptable standards of detail.

    Cheers -Mike
     
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  11. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Originally I thought we were ones that were "into and could afford". In short time most of the others became the "lust after". And also in a little time make money off there excessive purchases.
    I started to learn a new career and buy my first house. So models took a back seat for a while.
    OK?
    Rich
     
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  12. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I have some Bachmann equipment from then or even earlier ('60's) but no sets. I have some Atlas sets from the same period, however.

    Doug
     
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  13. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    Things have come a long way since those days. If I smell ozone now when I run a train I panic. Back then that was part of the charm lol.
     
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  14. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    In the early days, I sometimes wonder if Bachmann damaged the growth of N Scale more than it helped it. One venture with a mid-1970s U-36B was enough for me.
     
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  15. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I love the smell of ozone, though.

    :D

    Doug
     
  16. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow, 1975! I had that Spirit of 76 set but was several years later when I got it. Guess it has been on the shelf for a long time. The engine sounds like a coffee grinder but still runs.
     
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  17. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I still treasure my Bachmann Bicentennial Caboose. My Dad bought it for me in 1976 and it carries with it a lot of happy memories. I chose to keep it in factory condition, Rapido couplers and all.

    2020-07-03 Bachmann 5412 Bicentennial Caboose - for upload.jpg
     
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  18. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    I have all of the Bicentennial cars to go with that caboose. Pop quiz: What were they? :) No cheating! I'll have the answer later.
     
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  19. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have 2 of that caboose. One from the set and one I picked up later. Always have liked that one. :)
     
  20. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I have one, too, and I'm pretty sure it's still factory in its clamshell case.

    Doug
     
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