Bachmann long hopper cars, any good?

I would like to see some photos of your Bachmann long hopper cars.  I am thinking of getting a string of these for my brother's railway.

Bachmann, for me , is always a "hit and miss" company.  Some stuff they really impress me with--other stuff leaves me flat.  But I did see a picture of their new version American (3 bay or  4 bay?) hopper freight wagon, and it looks really nice. 

Bachmann G rolling stock, in the very far past when I purchased it, was well worth the money.  I am sure the quality of the car is still there and need a relatively inexpensive coal train consist.

So I would love to get your comments and some photos of these on your pike if you would help me out with this request.

Regards,

Tom M.

I  guess  you  refer  to  the  cheaper  range  not  the  Fn3 superdetailed range?
 
Anyway  yes  the  ones  you  can  pick up  for  around  £20-£30+  are  an  excellent  way  of  making  up longish  trains  inexpensively,  especially  as  the  have  heavy  metal  wheels.
 
Check  out  the  SH  sections  on  Dragon  G,  Glendale  Junction  &  Garden  railway  CENTRES  as  they  frequently  appear  here,  ALSO  www.gscaleonline.co.uk   often  has them
 
they  are  very  easy  to  repaint  as  well   2 or  3  passes  with    Red  oxide primer  and  or  matt black   car  aeroslos and  its  ajob  done 
 
Gscaleonline  currently  shows  2  listed  Southern &  Peabody  @ £28  NEW  not  S/H

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I have a rake of six some I built from kits the others I have bought I think they are excellent especially the kits come complete with a choice of couplings and metal wheels to boot. I would go for them . I fancy a couple of the new Aristo 2 bay hoppers to add variety to the set but hey well worth it 

Bachmann hopper car kit assembled, finished in grey and branded as per the China Clay Corporation for me by Chris Moxham.
 
Alec

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Gareth
  I fancy a couple of the new Aristo 2 bay hoppers to add variety to the set but hey well worth it 

 
I seem to remember that there was an article about a year ago (or more?) in Continental Modeller with details of a 2-bay conversion from the Bachmann cars. It was by Mike Garforth, and described stock on his Seeth Valley Railway.
 
Thought I had a copy but must have got rid of it; no luck with the layout name on Google, either. I'd suggest anyone who needs to follow this up should call Peco Publications who may be able to supply the right back-number.

I was with john from gscaleonline.co.uk yesterday (popped in) and we looked at one. it was very nice but as you say you really need a string of them not one. he mentioned he was aboout to get some in bulk- and his prices are good.

I think bachmann make very nice metal wheeled bogied vehicles.

These hoppers are good value at less than £30.00 make a nice way of getting wagons and also it makes it a cheap way to modify them to suit your own railway without scaring the bank manager.
 
Here is one I made modified last year.

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Hi Tom
I have one Bachmann 1:22.5 3 bay hopper which i have weathered and two of the Bachmann Fn3 2 bay hoppers which are very nice but very heavy depends on your locos and what grades you have to pull these .
 
3 Bay Hopper


 
2 Bay Hopper can be seen on the rear of the train can't seem to find a close up

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Actually they are not bad for the money.
I got a load from John sometime a go and they have lived outside for nearly three years.

They are tough as ol boots and mine carry gravel most of the time.
Here they are working hard filled with peashingle......heavy train...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjXywKzhCeY

I have five of the Eat Broad Top (black) cars.  I repainted the EBT  herald and substituted my own railroad herald and named the cars as well.  The original number were kept: I only has to alter one which was a duplicate number.  This is easily done with acrylic paint and an old pen NIB.   I may, in the future, get some of the data only red oxide versions when they become available as coal haulage is the main source of revenue on  my line.

These cars are cheap and sit comfortably with my Aristo 1:29 locos and stock viz. 100T 3 bay hoppers and the new 2 bay coal hoppers.

They are, as far as I know, 1:22.5 but due to a mistake by Bachmann are sometimes quoted as 1:20.3 which they are not.
1:20.3 versions, more detailed are available but at a much higher price.

One here up for sale....

http://www.gscalecentral.co.uk/f/tm.aspx?m=72193&high=

Richie


Hi Tom
I have one Bachmann 1:22.5 3 bay hopper which i have weathered and two of the Bachmann Fn3 2 bay hoppers which are very nice but very heavy depends on your locos and what grades you have to pull these .
 
3 Bay Hopper


 
2 Bay Hopper can be seen on the rear of the train can't seem to find a close up

 
my word i got same as yr in broad......weathering yr ago!!!!!!!....same as yr!!!..lol.......so i will uploading photos of my hopper this weekend...........they are very good and exellent smooth running so it tht real coal on top of it?....my is plastic..but will make one from my mum ex fireplace coals left over!!....