Bachmann - 81451 - Railcar, Gas-Electric, Doodlebug - Undecorated

Series Information: Spectrum is a line of higher quality models introduced by Bachmann in the 1990's.

Model Information: Originally released in 1998 as a single car DC model with a Rapido coupler, the DCC decoder versions that were released in 2011 are fitted with E-Z-Mate Mark II operating knuckle couplers and are accompanied by a 72 foot heavyweight trailer coach car.

Prototype History: In 1923 the Electro-Motive Company began production of self-propelled railcars, subcontracting bodies to the St. Louis Car Company, prime movers to the Winton Engine Company, and electrical equipment to General Electric.

Commonly called Doodlebugs, self-propelled passenger cars (gas-electrics) with gasoline engines that spun generators, which in turn provided electricity to the traction motors that turned the wheels were popular with American railroads in the early part of the 20th century. Thrifty to operate on lightly traveled local and regional lines, with their forward baggage sections, Doodlebugs provided economical mail and passenger service. Although they were more often used singly, Doodlebugs sometimes pulled trailer cars when additional capacity was needed.

Road Name History: Although they may be molded in color, unpainted and unlettered, undecorated products are marketed to modelers who seek to custom decorate their models for private roads and/or road and/or company names that were not commercially produced by any of the major manufacturers.

Undecorated models are frequently also unassembled or only partially assembled and required modelers to be comfortable with glue, paint and sometimes solder in order to prepare their models for display. Materials for these models can vary but often include plastic, pewter and resin. Models may or may not come with decals or other decorations such as plastic signage, railings and ladders to enhance the appearance of the final product.

Brand/Importer Information: Bachmann Industries (Bachmann Brothers, Inc.) is a Bermuda registered Chinese owned company, globally headquartered in Hong Kong; specializing in model railroading.

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the home of its North American headquarters, Bachmann is today part of the Kader group, who model products are made at a Chinese Government joint-venture plant in Dongguan, China. Bachmann's brand is the largest seller, in terms of volume, of model trains in the world. Bachmann primarily specializes in entry level train sets, and premium offerings in many scales. The Spectrum line is the high quality, model railroad product line, offered in N, HO, Large Scale, On30, and Williams O gauge all aimed for the hobbyist market. Bachmann is the producer of the famous railroad village product line known as "Plasticville." The turnover for Bachmann model trains for the year ended 31 December 2006 was approximately $46.87 million, a slight increase of 3.36% as compared to 2005.