It's hard to believe another month has passed. Here at Bachmann HQ, it's been quite a month! We've received factory samples for a lot of highly anticipated announcements from 2022, which means that their arrival in stores is closer than ever! At the same time, we've been preparing our mid-year announcement brochure, which will debut at the NMRA National Train Show in St. Louis next week. While we can't give anything away just yet, we think there's a lot to be excited about in this year's announcements!

This week's featured product segment highlights our latest N scale steam locomotive, which comes packed with details and Soundtraxx Econami™ DCC/sound.

As we mentioned, we've received a lot of new samples in recent weeks. We've been doing our best to keep up with sharing them on social media, but in case you haven't been following us (which, if you are on social media, we invite you to do so!) we're highlighting two of our new locomotive samples here.

DCC Econami™ Sound Value Equipped

Based on a prototype unveiled several years earlier by legendary Art-Deco designer Raymond Loewy, the Streamlined K4 was the Pennsylvania Railroad’s answer to the stylish locomotive design trends of the 1940s. Conceived by Loewy's associate, C. Louis Otto, the streamlined locomotives were rebuilt from four standard K4 types for use on express passenger services such as the Jeffersonian and South Wind. Wearing a Brunswick Green livery similar to that seen on the GG-1 Electric locomotive, the Streamlined K4s looked right at home hauling the PRR's "Fleet of Modernism" rolling stock, and although only four locomotives received this treatment, they would eventually find their way onto just about all of the PRR's long-distance passenger services.

The Bachmann N Scale Streamlined K4 comes equipped with Econami™ Sound Value DCC featuring the Soundtraxx® steam package. Packed with detail, all models feature a die-cast metal boiler, weighted metal chassis, functioning metal drivers, and both a forward-facing and backup LED light with Rule 17 dimming functionality. Factory set for realism, the Soundtraxx® steam package offers a choice of 16 whistles, 6 bell types, 4 prototypical chuffs, 5 air pumps, and 5 dynamos, plus cylinder cocks, grade crossing quill, blowdown, brake squeal/release, coupling/uncoupling, water stop, and “all aboard” announcements with coach door operation effects - all in 16-bit polyphonic sound.

Our USRA 4-6-2 HO scale Pacific is returning with new DCC-ready examples reflecting versions that saw service in three regions of the United States; ATSF from the west, Atlantic Coast Line® from the south, and Baltimore & Ohio® from the mid-Atlantic. Each locomotive features an authentic historic paint scheme and displays details accurate to the road name, such as the smokebox herald and headlight position on the B&O® version.

This week saw the delivery of our first HO scale EMD GP7 samples. Coming DCC-ready, these latest high-hood additions to our diesel locomotive range will include the Amtrak® Phase III Maintenance-of-Way scheme, Chesapeake & Ohio®, Conrail, and Santa Fe. All models feature E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers and an 8-pin DCC socket for the installation of the decoder of your choice. These are currently expected to arrive in late 2022.

We'll be at the National Train Show near St. Louis from Friday, August 12th to Sunday, August 14th. Stop by at our booth to check out our latest samples in person, ask a question of our knowledgable team, or just say hi! We'll be revealing our mid-year product announcements on Friday, August 12th, and show visitors will get the first chance to pick up a copy of our Mid-Year Announcement Brochure. See you there!