Class 375 3 / 4 car model

[LoverOfTrains]

Hi guys! I love the class 375s and I was just wandering if there is anyway of buying a model of one or will I have to do a class 170 converstion and relivery?

Thanks guys!

 

[91103eastcoast]

Hi,

As far as I'm aware, there is no ready to run model of any of the electrostar family avaliable.

It does appear that the solution is a rather complex conversion of a class 170, which does involve substantial modifications to the chassis and body.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

There is a chap who has converted some 170s into 377s and sells the cab fronts on ebay, though there is quite a lot of surgery and scratch building to do.

Despite the obviousness of the Electrostar family, Bachmann chose the 350 as the unit to prove there is no market for modern EMUs........

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Once Bachmann have done a 2Hap, a 3H DEMU in blue/blue & grey and a Swindonised 4Cep in blue & grey and jaffa cake livery, then I would be happy for them to do a Class 377. Maybe the year 2047 when the 377 becomes "old" traction....

 

[Emyr]

There is a chap who has converted some 170s into 377s and sells the cab fronts on ebay, though there is quite a lot of surgery and scratch building to do.

Despite the obviousness of the Electrostar family, Bachmann chose the 350 as the unit to prove there is no market for modern EMUs........

I admire his efforts but he'd get a better reproduction using a 3D printer. "Quite cheap" nowadays apparently.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

.... Maybe the year 2047 when the 377 becomes "old" traction....

I doubt Bachmann would admit there is a market for those EMUs even then.

I admire his efforts but he'd get a better reproduction using a 3D printer. "Quite cheap" nowadays apparently.

Probably, but even with 3D printing there are obstacles to overcome.

 

[hurricanemk1c]

When he stated that project the guts of four/five years ago, 3-D Printing wasn't really an option. The first published photo was on 9th Feb 2009 - a good while before anyone really considered 3D Printing for model railway equipment

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Outside of the South East of England, afaik electrostars aren't used, where as Desiros seem to be used more widely around the UK. Externally is there any difference in the underframe stuff between a 450 and a 350? If there isn't then someone could take a model of a 350/1, remove the pantograph and repaint it into SWTs livery then you'll have a 450. I'm surprised that Bachmann haven't brought out a class 450 as it wouldn't be that much difference in the work needed to make a model of a 450

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Outside of the South East of England, afaik electrostars aren't used, where as Desiros seem to be used more widely around the UK. Externally is there any difference in the underframe stuff between a 450 and a 350? If there isn't then someone could take a model of a 350/1, remove the pantograph and repaint it into SWTs livery then you'll have a 450. I'm surprised that Bachmann haven't brought out a class 450 as it wouldn't be that much difference in the work needed to make a model of a 450

AFAIK, there is no difference, the first 350s were originally destined to be 450s, hence they had the necessary equipment to run on third rail lines when on loan to Southern, the later 350s don't have it. I'm not certain if Bachmann have accounted for this in their models.

Bachmann had said for years that AC EMUs wouldn't sell, the 350 was a poorly disguised attempt to prove that point. They won't bring out a 450 even if it would sell.

 

[LoverOfTrains]

Thanks for all your help guys! I really appreciate it.

 

[SansPareil]

They won't bring out a 450 even if it would sell.

Why do you say that? They've nothing to loose. I thought model rail were considering commissioning a 450 in 00.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Why do you say that? They've nothing to loose. I thought model rail were considering commissioning a 450 in 00.

Well, last I heard a Bachmann spokesman said no (but then they said that about EMUs a few years ago), and the fact that a magazine publisher is thinking about commissioning one says it all imo.

Okay, maybe a commissioned model might appear, but I doubt we'll see one Bachmann chose to sell. Of course, if Model Rail now decide not to commission one, Bachmann will point at that and say it's more proof that it won't sell and isn't needed.

 

[SansPareil]

Well, last I heard a Bachmann spokesman said no (but then they said that about EMUs a few years ago), and the fact that a magazine publisher is thinking about commissioning one says it all imo.

Okay, maybe a commissioned model might appear, but I doubt we'll see one Bachmann chose to sell. Of course, if Model Rail now decide not to commission one, Bachmann will point at that and say it's more proof that it won't sell and isn't needed.

This is the link to the model rail facebook post featuring the 450.

https://www.facebook.com/modelrail/...76420418206/10151829547438207/?type=1&theater

As you say, it looks like Bachmann have no plans to release a 450 in the standard range, to me this seems like a strange decision as the lions share of costs when producing a model will be sunk costs in creating the tooling.

Of course it may simply be more profitable for them to use limited production slots for other models at the moment.

Perhaps we will see the 450 when they decide it's worthwhile to produce the TPE 350 as well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Going by some of Chris Leigh's posts on RMWeb it looks like the Model rail 450 might be on hold for a while as a result of the recent Bachmann price rises.