After regauging all the drivers on my NEW Bachmann 4-8-4 I have come to the conclusion that all the people at the factory for Bachmann have NO clue what a NMRA Gauge is for ?? Is it true ? :tb-wacky::tb-nerd::tb-ooh: .
Otayyyyyyyyyyy...so NO Manufacturer knows how to gauge wheels? I am getting a clearer picture now...thnxs. .
The manufacturers have banded together with the NMRA in a conspiracy to drive up the sale of NMRA gauges, simple as that
They typically set them to NEM standards because if they were gauged properly for the NMRA standard, they wouldn't run on NEM standard track (Atlas code 80, Peco, and other euro track systems etc.).
AH HA !!!!! I always knew the NMRA was up to know good !!! Hey Adam and Mark...wheres them covert, silent running black helicopters now...huh ?? !!! .
But....I run Atlas code 80...which is American track...and it would derail...untill I regauged em. And other then Kato...arent most locomotive manufactures American ? The plot thickens...hmmmmm. .
Kato's American segment is very small in the overall corporate view, they focus mostly on European and Japanese prototypes.
Lets just take Atlas and Bachmann for arguem.....errrr....discussions purposes. Tony indicates that ALL manufactures set gauge to NEM standards...including American manufactures. It seems companies like Atlas and Bachmann would set thiers to NMRA standards...as I am sure the American market is their primary targets. :tb-nerd: .
I am very suspicious of NMRA ! :tb-tongue: Does the usual wheel gauging being NEM standard mean the manufactures are suspicious of NMRA also ? :tb-wacky: I think our Secret Compliance Ninja needs to fire off some legal looking corespondence to the manufactures. Maybe get em to toe the line on wheel gauging...to NMRA Standards... :tb-cool: .
(Presses NMRA Ninja call button) "No, not this time. Leave George alone, and initiate project FACTORY COMPLIANCE."
All kidding aside...shouldnt American manufactures set wheel gauge to NMRA Standards ? Inquiring minds want to know...tia. .
"No, seriously, NMRA Ninja headquarters people. George is actually CALLING for our standards to be used by manufacturers this time. No need to send the helicopters his way." In a perfect world, George, yes, they would. Interoperability suffers otherwise.
Hmmmmmmmm. By reading this page http://www.modelbaneteknik.dk/n-scale/stnd/stnd1-e.htm The consensus seems to be the same as mine. NMRA and NEM Standards should NOT be mixed. I figure that if American modelers buy European models they should expect to have to adjust wheel gauge to NMRA Standards. By the same token....Europeans who buy American models should be expected to change their wheel gauge to NEM standards if they are running NEM Standard rail. If I buy American made...I should expect American standards (NMRA). Yes... I am a simple minded SOB. But simple logic isnt really rocket science...but should be good bussiness practice. I constantly read everywhere of preceived problems with our models from manufactures. Wheel gauge should not be one of them...since it is the one fix that is simple to rectify at the factory...JMO. . .
The whole problem is most of the locomotives, no matter what brand is on them, are coming out of the same production facility. That production facility produces for Europe, Asia, and the US. There are no "American" manufacturers. There are only American companies contracting a production facility in Asia to build their products. The Asian manufacture builds to the standard they build the most for, NEM. We are not the largest consumer of model railroad equipment.
You report to NMRA that I theoretically agree with anything they say....I am gonna blame it on all the meds I take for my heart condition...LMAO .
Where are most of the Bachmann & Atlas engines made? Kato obviously in Japan...Bachmann and Atlas...are they actually manufactured here in America?...or are they manufactured in China like Atlas makes their switches...that have to be tweeked right out of the package...just wonderin'...
Ok...lets say I agree with that. So along with every other 'problem' we get...we can add simple NMRA wheel gauge standards to the list of complaints for American model train companies farming out labor to Asia ?! Somewhere the buck has to stop. American companies should demand higher American standards from foreign manufacturing companies making their goods!! If foreign manufacturing cant/wont comply...maybe it is time to bring American goods back to American soil and have them truly MADE IN AMERICA !!! I know there is another whole thread on the subject of cheap labor vs final cost...blah...blah...blah etc. and I am not trying to fudge in on that one. I am just suggesting and easy fix for one simple problem with trains being advertised by American companies in the USA as their own. I am not standing on some political soapbox...just stating my opinion about lack of pride by our home soil American companies...they should be ashamed !!! Hey...maybe American companies like Atlas and Bachmann etc. should be required to have a disclaimer on their inserts: "Wheel Gauge is NOT set to American NMRA Standards" .
