As I unboxed the recently produced Bachmann N-scale Amfleet passenger car models (reviewed by Justin Sobeck in the March 2025 edition of Model Railroad News), I kept thinking how much better the tooling for these Budd prototypes is versus my memory of Bachmann’s model. I finally pulled vintage samples from my collection to confirm this was the same tooling or an enhanced edition of this design introduced in the 1970s by Bachmann. My findings are shared in the pictures on this page, showing Bachmann’s older Amfleet in Phase III livery and the newer model later phase paint with the contemporary wave herald.

I am not certain how I missed this change, but as the pictures confirm today’s N-scale Amfleet passenger car models from Bachmann have little or no relation to the earlier tooling. Look at the detail around the car’s ends, the fidelity of the fluting, the wheels, and coupler design (including the change from Rapido to knuckle couplers).
This is a popular prototype and Bachmann’s reinvestment in the car series pays off with a much improved 1:160 replica for hobbyists to enjoy and appreciate.
So much changes in the hobby as the years roll by, and it is fun to discover upgrades like Bachmann’s effort on these Amtrak models.

“From the Archive” is a regular Model Railroad News feature.