How to date bachmann when buying second hand?

[Percybigun]

Is there any way of dating bachmanns when buying at train fares etc, so i can avoid the older ones with split chassis, the packaging always looks the same!
With hornbys its much easier because the box liveries changed every few years, and the loco's themselves are easy to date anyway as they evolved, not that i avoid old hornby's cos they usually work fine at any age (except the single wheelers!)

[Nova]

Is there any way of dating bachmanns when buying at train fares etc, so i can avoid the older ones with split chassis, the packaging always looks the same!
With hornbys its much easier because the box liveries changed every few years, and the loco's themselves are easy to date anyway as they evolved, not that i avoid old hornby's cos they usually work fine at any age (except the single wheelers!)

please understand the following is from my own observation, and may not be 100% correct

one big tell, though it doesn't apply to all, is if the tires are completely metal with plastic spokes, rather than having only partially metal tires.

in addition the box HAS changed, most noticeable is the application of a red stripe and a dull finish to the cardboard


Split chassis-era packaging


modern era packaging

[Percybigun]

Thats great thanks

[Dave S]

How do you date a bachmann...

I was tempted to say 'pay it a compliment and buy it a drink'

[Hatfield Shed]

...so i can avoid the older ones with split chassis...

All you need to remember is A4, B1, J39, J72, V1, V2, V3. Those are the only LNER loco classes that Bachmann have made with split chassis, and the J72 still has not received a replacement mechanism so you can ignore that one! The others need to be closely checked for the key identifying features as already described.

[Atlantic 3279]

How do you date a bachmann...

I was tempted to say 'pay it a compliment and buy it a drink'

I had a similar thought.

[mick b]

...so i can avoid the older ones with split chassis...

All you need to remember is A4, B1, J39, J72, V1, V2, V3. Those are the only LNER loco classes that Bachmann have made with split chassis, and the J72 still has not received a replacement mechanism so you can ignore that one! The others need to be closely checked for the key identifying features as already described.

J39 has never had a replacement chassis yet either .