I'm looking forward to seeing the Bachmann S4 but I am a little disappointed that Bachmann chose not to release it in B&M, at least for the time being. They have been so good lately about throwing B&M and MEC fans a bone here and there its a real shame that they decided to skip it for now. Although they waited for the second release for the B&M 44 tonner, they never did release their GP7 in B&M, I would have gladly bought one, and they still haven't released an N scale diesel in MEC to go with the MEC caboose they offer. If Bachmann does get around to releasing the S4 in either I hope they choose the early black with red stripe scheme rather than the more common late blue (I've already built a kit in that color anyway). As for Atlas their release dates are a little frustrating (I've been waiting on 3 GP9s for months because I ordered when they were first announced, now it looks like later this fall), but I understand that these things are often beyond their control (China is a big issue here). Rather than another S series switcher I would love to see Atlas do the HH600/660 in N scale. Of course if Atlas did an S2 or something similar in N scale I wouldn't complain.
Up until the release of the 44 tonner, I always poo pooed B-mann, mainly because it was toy train set quality. Lately I must say the quality of their models has definitely improved and they are starting to be able to finally compete with Atlas. However, I still find it hard for some LHS to carry the Bachamnn line. This is one of the main reasons why I dont have one of their GP 7s. In fact I have not even seen one yet. I just have a hard time buying a B-mann that I have not test run yet, especially since their history has always been a "junk" model. If I was able to find a GP7 or a S2 for that matter, I would want to look at it and see it for myself how good/bad it looks and runs. However, if I had to make my choice between Atlas and B-mann for a S2, I think I would go with the Atlas, simply because of reliability and parts availability. Ryan
As Santa Fe had both S2's and S4's Bachmann and Atlas both look like getting some of my money, don't forget each are making different models. I'm just waiting now for Kato to announce an NW2 in zebra stripes or someone to do an RSD15, then I'll know I'm dreaming.
Model Railroader's online report of new announcements at the train show has a photo and detailed description of Bachmann's 2-6-0 but curiously no mention at all is made of either Alco switcher. Both manufacturers must have been keeping them well under wraps.
Latest issue of N Scale Railroading has hit the stands, there's big nice Bachmann advertisement for the N scale S-4 on page 9.
It is also on the Bachmann site. Look for the pdf of the NMRA convention, page 5. This engine will ship in october!
Here are some shots I took this morning at the National train show - this is the only decorated sample. I took these right as the show opened - The rest of the day the poor thing ran back and forth on a 3 ft length of straight track with some sort of auto-reverser. The hand rails seemed very impressive : In this shot the handrails are a little out of place - something I didn't notice until I uploaded this. I took this shot so that people could judge the hood width: I was thinking of taking an Arnold unit to compare side by side but I changed my mind and left it at home. I wanted to judge its weight so the Bachmann rep let me hold it for a few moments. My gut feeling is that it will need weight added somehow.
Saw this coming miles away ... why I sold my Rapido s-2 on bay last spring. But hope they make Blount trucks for this version, too, and we get a "real" S-2....
