Well, Happy 25 years Bachmann Big Haulers.. We need to see something special for this line this year.. How about an upgrade to Annie's Tender or make her DCC ready or New Paint jobs.. Well, Here is to another 25 years!!!
I think you may have jumped the gun on the silver anniversary of the Big Haulers.
Here is a quote from Wikipedia.....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachmann_Industries
"Big Haulers
In 1990 Bachmann started to produce large scale train sets called the Big Haulers. These G scale models include trains, shays, and also streetcars. Their most famous line is the Emmett Kelly Jr. circus trains, introduced in 1993."
That would make 2015 the Big Hauler silver anniversary.
Dear All,
From the Big Haulers List from Bill Canelos:
90100* ATSF Big Hauler RC 27 mhz 1989
Annie introduction discussion:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,10934.0.html
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
I bought my battery powered Big Hauler from Toys R Us for $39.95 with a yellow Gondola and a Bobber caboose. That was in December of 1988 and I still have the loco, but it ruins a lot better now, it's on it's third repower and one more to go.
Barry
I also bought one earlier in 1988 on a visit to the USA. Had to pay full MSRP as that was before dealers started discounting them.
That they have morphed into the Annie of today is simply amazing.
To celebrate the anniversary I would like to see upgraded electronics fitted to make them easier to convert to DCC or battery R/C use. A Plug'n'Play socket would be the way to go.
That would turn an excellent loco into a fantastic on.
Now hold on. The Anniversary (Annie) version was introduced in late 2000 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the Big Hauler line. Let me see....2000-10=1990. Not 1988. What gives?
I remember in 1988 the RC set with the green Santa Fe Loco, Yellow flat car, Bobber Caboose, It also came with telephone poles and coaling tower. There is a video on the 4-6-0 on youtube that states that the loco was first made in 1988 and how it changed over the years to what it is today (or the one just before the last upgrade). It shows the RC Loco on the video and one of the new loco's of the past few years.. So that would make it 25 years of them being in the G scale market.. That same year the spectrum line came on the market, in HO scale only. So it to would be 25 years old this year. So lets see a Spectrum 4-6-0 Annie limited edition, now that would be great!!! Painted in the green D&RG like the K-27, With DCC ready and Sound, Upgraded Tender with a real wood load and maybe a matching upgraded bobber caboose.. :D
Also please note that in the post about" lost your instructions of your big hauler set" in the forum, there is one reply about the set being reviewed in Model Railroad Craftsman on Nov. 1988 issue. Now that would make it 25 years old, but here is where I think people might be thinking but I'm not for sure, was the loco only sold in sets from 1988 to 1990 in a RC version only and in 1990 the loco was sold by it's self but with track powered? This would change the dates on the loco but not on the big hauler line.... Help us "Bachmann" Help!!!
Hi All,
I will give a more definitive answer when I get home later this week as it is somewhat of convoluted story and I do not trust my old memory any more without looking at my actual references and notes.
This much I can say for sure, You cannot believe either Wikipedia or youtube, they have never verified their facts or given references that are correct. Wikipedia in their listing cites the 1990 catalog as verification of their claim, but I guarantee you I have the 1989 catalog in hard copy which they never mention. as for you tube, they can be pretty off the cuff as well, although I do not recall ever seeing the you tube mentioned.
I also bought the 90100 set in late December 1988 on sale for $35 as a clearance item. I got mine at K-Mart, but it was distributed to many similar stores.
Kinda like 2013 model new cars are sold in November 2012.
Many years ago when talking to some of the old timers at Bachmann, they indicated that they considered it a 1989 model set. They were never considered to be "model trains" and the r/c sets were meant to be mass market toys, much like New Bright and Buddy L toy G Scale trains are today. At the time I don't believe Bachamnn really understood what they were starting. As for the electric 4-6-0 sets, well Lee Riley told me they were 1989 models just 3 weeks ago he claimed over 1 million 4-6-0's have been sold, but since Bachmann never kept records of production, I don't think we will ever really know.
I will tell the Annie story as well, which includes the introduction of the Version 5 chassis.
This is a list I did in 2008 If you read it readm all the posts because I made some corrections:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,7151.0.html
You will note that I listed the old R/C sets as 1989, because that is what Bachmann said they were even though I bought mine in late 1988.
So if you go by when you could buy one 1988, then 2013 is correct, if you go by what the guys that made them back them it would be next year 2014.
In my own mind I think it is up to Bachmann to decide which year is the Anniversary year.
Bill
Hi Bill, The video on youtube I'm stating this from is a Bachmann Video about the 4-6-0 Loco, History, Care of, the Model... It is like the DVD you would get when you purchase the loco and it states the first year was 1988 and shows the first loco and moves on to the last version of the model made. It has 2 parts on youtube you have to watch.. Check it out.. Can't wait to see what you find out on this matter... :)
Joe,
Am looking at my instruction manual dated 1988. On the cover is printed "Bachmann's Big Hauler Electric Train Set". I bought two of them in 1988, still have one and it runs fine.
Chuck
As quoted earlier from the Bachmann website, they themselves say the Big Haulers were introduced in 1990. The Annie was introduced in 2000 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Big Hauler 4-6-0. Who are we to argue with the company that produces them? I would say that the company statement is the "official" version. I'm sure they themselves will announce the 25th anniversary in 2015.
Quote from: Hunt on February 03, 2013, 12:41:48 AM
::)
Quote
Bachmann introduced its premium Spectrum® line in 1988 ...
In 1990, Bachmann created the Big Haulers™ line in Large Scale
Quote from History of Bachmann Industries --- Click Here (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/history.php) to read.
Bachmann did not produce large Scale Spectrum locomotives until much later than 1988, The Spectrum referred to in the Bachmann history was I believe referring to other scales.
As for the 25th Anniversary well I have to go with Bachamnn on that it is their company and their decision.
While I mean no offense to anyone at Bachamnn the statement that the Big Haulers were introduced in 1990 is definitely incorrect in the Bachmann History stated on this site, and most likely a Typo or put in by someone who looked at Wikipedia and believed it to be correct. I have tried to get that corrected in the past with no success.
Again I will have more to say when I return home later this week.
It was definitely late 80s when the R/C Big Hauler sets first came out. I was still in high school when they were introduced. My guess would be that the "1990" reference would be to when the 4-6-0 was available by itself in its electrified version, or perhaps when the "Big Hauler" line came into its own beyond just the R/C sets. The Jan-Feb '90 issue of GR has a new product announcement for Bachmann's trolley, billboard reefers, and tank cars. (The announcement mentions Bachmann expanding its large scale line-up "in a big way.") Unfortunately my 1988 - 1990 volumes of GR were lost in one of my moves, so I can't be more definitive than that as to when they were introduced. The same issue has an article on kitbashing a Bachmann bobber caboose into an odometer car.
Besides, it could be a first for large scale... if the Big Hauler 4-6-0 was introduced for 1990, but arrived on store shelves in 1988, it might be the ONLY time a large scale manufacturer was actually EARLY with a product. ;D
Later,
K
The battery powered Radio Controlled train set, "THE BIG HAULER", was first advertised in GR on page # 5 of the May-June 1988 issue.
End of argument.
Tony,
The company says 1990, so they are not celebrating the 25th anniversary this year. They could be wrong, but it's their company, no matter what is said here!
The fact is that they advertised the product in 1988 as THE BIG HAULER in the May-June issue of GR.
If Bachmann wish to interpret their product history without qualifying it, such as the first track powered Big Hauler, then that is their right.
Hi All,
Please allow me the chance to get home later in the week and I will be able to get my hands on all my resources and documentation, at that point I will give what I have to the forum and to the Yardmaster. This will give him time to look into the company records as well. I am sure when all is said and done corrections to the Bachmann History online will be made as appropriate. I will make the necessary corrections to Wikipedia, and will cite specific references and documentation. As always all input is appreciated along with specific references such as magazine ads to include page numbers and the like. Specific documentation is essential, but he says, she says, and memories are not always totally acceptable. If you bought the product and have the receipt which indicates the specific purchase then this is the best documentation other than magazine ads. Errors occur all the time, even in print magazines and the manufacturers own catalogs. We have seen this in the past.
It does little good to argue about who is right or wrong, it is best to refer to specific documentation. New information with documentation can come up at anytime, which can change the whole game.
As of right now, I can assure you that the Wikipedia info is definitely wrong and the online history is also wrong for whatever reason.
Please submit any specific documentation you can!!! Even better photograph it and include a link to it if you can so that all can see what you have..
Bill
Bill,
After the page # 5 full page ad in May - June issue of GR, Bachmann ran the same full page ad for at least the next three issues.
I bought my THE BIG HAULER battery R/C set from a hobby shop in LA during a visit to the USA for the 1988 Garden Railway and Narrow Gauge Conventions. Unfortunately I cannot remember off hand the name of the hobby shop.
Along with the Tenth Anniversary Model announcement, it was added that Bachmann had sold one million Big Haulers to that time.
I was thinking like Tony, just ignor the battery models and count from the first track powered versions.
Barry
Tony,
I will not be home til Friday and I am not sure I have that issue of GR, Can you take a photo and post it or a link to it please?
Thanks, Bill
Why do all the fun threads come up while I am away from home!!!
Barry,
I feel it is up to Bachmann to decide and I will reserve my personal judgment until I get back home. Bill
Dear All,
If I remember correctly, the first Big Haulers were announced in 1988, the year I began working with Mr. Riley, and shown in Nuremberg in 1989. The first track powered units arrived in 1990.
We've come a long way!
Have fun!
the Bach-man
QuoteWe've come a long way!
Looking at the C-19, and comparing it to the first 4-6-0, that pretty much goes without saying! So, what can we expect in another 25 years? (Though I do fully expect to still be waiting for a plastic EBT mike... but
maybe an M-1?)
In all seriousness, where do we think we'll see the next "great improvement" in terms of our models? It will be interesting to see how 3D printing and rapid prototyping will change manufacturing. We're already seeing "print on demand" Nn3 models. I'm also envisioning on-board microprocessors that can be programmed with some kind of open-source programming language for throttle, sound, and control giving the modeler the ability to choose his own control method without the need for any kind of rewiring.
Later,
K
Once upon a time all am stick radio TX's would work with any brand of am RX. Not any more now 2.4 Ghz is here. None of the different brands of 2.4 GHz R/C are compatible with one another. In fact commonality of stick radios R/C is further away than it ever was.
I doubt very much a new, different from what there is already control and sound system, would ever be accepted by the market place.
It would be like MTH DCS being adopted instead of DCC and made compulsory.
It just isn't going to happen.
Not sure I'm quite so pessimistic. When I look at everything that can now be done via iPhone, tablet, etc., I can't see any reason why not to expect that technology to work its way to the model railroading sector. (It's already there to a small extent. DCC guys are using iPhone interfaces as throttles.) Think of putting an Intel chip on every locomotive with an open-source OS like Linux or similar. Instead of buying a QSI hardware/software combination and having to wire it in, your on-board computer is already set up and ready to go, with connections to the motor, smoke, and individual lights already hard-wired. You need only load the appropriate software to make the locomotive go. The software could be freeware (traditional analog DC) or proprietary QSI, RCS, etc. There's already some really cool stuff being done with some of the DIY microprocessors on the market--stuff that's way over my head to understand the "how" of the process, but the "what" is exciting! Who knows where that's going to lead us...
Later,
K
In all seriousness, Kevin.....i hope that something from the East Broad Top makes its way into the Bachmann catalog. They already have a Mike, a big engine, ...but i would certainly welcome #12 on my layout.....if it could make it around LGB's 16000. i have been hinting (probably a bit too strongly ...hummmm is there a pun in there?) for EBT's #11. There were not many of them around...only one....but the 2-6-2 arrangement was found on other narrow gauge lines...most notably the 2 footers in Maine. It would find it easier getting around the 16000 curves that i have. By the way.....the C-19 is a beauty....and seems to perform very well. i hope that i can get sound in it.
bob
P.S. Will the Broadtop be running steam this summer?
See bottom right page 176 of the printed Bachmann Trains 2013 Catalog.
In the 2013 Bachmann Catalog it does state on the first few pages that the Big Hauler line is 25 years on in 2013. I wish they would have did a new annie just for this year...
It is definitely the 25th Anniversary of the Big Hauler line which started with the Radio Controlled Big Hauler sets in 1988. Now that I am home I have verified from hard copy print evidence and photos that show the sets were labeled as Big Haulers when they came out in 1988.
I am trying to get together a short history of the seven known radio controlled sets made By Bachmann, and as soon as I get a chance I will post it. It all started with the Big Hauler Set 90100.
I have one with the # 90102F for Franks nursery (long Gone) :-[
Close
Who has one with the # 90100 ???
Sean
Sean,
I know Wade Colyer has one and I used to have one, now gone, but I do have extensive photos. I am hoping to get a print date from some of the paperwork that came with them, can't find anything on the box.
Bill