Thanks to Mark Oles we now know there is a new Bass Pro Shops Express Limited run Set.  Bass Pro Shops price $199. 

It has a woodburner with a Rusiam Iron Boiler ans Oxide Red Cab green Tender with gold Stripes and lettering.  It is a standsrd Big Hauler with the version 5 chassis and looks great.  The yelloow Reefer Is yellow with Tuscan Red roof and ends with "Gateway To The Great Outdoors" on the left and a Big Cedar logo on the right, both in green. The car numbers are also on the ends in white.  The caboose is red with a black roof and Bass Pro Express on the letterboards in gold.  Centered on the middle of the sides is the "Redhead Logo in full color.  The caboose in the picture seems to have a tail sign, If true I do not yet inow what is on it. 

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103300_700012000_700000000_700012000_700-12-0

If you look at the picture on the BP Web site be sure to zoom in for the best view of each piece. 

All in all a very colorful set with great graphics.

Again Thanks to Mark Oles for breaking the news on this new set!!

Dear Bachmann,

OK no Sam's set, but.......

Will there be any other special run Sets this year??  Like for Boscov's, Costco, Orchard Supply Hardware or the like. 

Jenny Anne  For some reason your topic seems to be locked and I could not reply in the normal way.
 
Hi.  The Valvoline Express was a limited edition set made in 1991 for the Valvoline Oil Company to commemorate their 125th Anniversary!  That is why the Tank Car has the number 125.   It was available only thru Valvoline Dealers and the original selling price was $85.  While it is not rare, the tank car was only available in the set.  The average price for this set on Ebay is $83.65.  The highest price I have seen it sell for was $153.83, and the lowest price was $39.99.   I have seen the tank car sell seperately for as high as $75 and as low as $14. 

Hope this helps

never ceases to amaze me!!   ; D   Someone just paid $255.01 on Ebay for one.

TOC maybe you should go thru the old junk box and see how many of these you can cobble together!!!!!

Mike, here is the promised video.  Visiting my son in Denver we decided to plow snow on hi layout which is now under construction after a move to a new home.   We were going to use a Bachmann Connie and the Aristo wedge plow, but he didn't want to risk the Connie.  He has used the connie inthe past to plow but only in 2 inch deep snow. He ran the connie backwards pushing the plow behind the tender to avoid derailments caused by the long front coupler on the front of the connie.  He decided to use four of his D&RGW USA trains diesels to push the Aristo wedge plow through the snow which started at about  2 inches deep, and gradually increased to about 12 1/2 inches in a drift.  Next time we will get a better video. We plowed a few feet and saw that it was successful, and then backed up to go with a bit more speed. I kept increasing the speed till we hit the drift and stalled.  We backed up and hit it a gain and made more didtance.  We backed up a third time and went right through.  We were so excited we forgot to video the last two hits, which is a shame.  Now that we have some experience we will get a bettere video next time!!!!


Were we having fun or what!!!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2A_Xg64Yec

Have a great Christmas.  I am hoping for more snow!!

For those interested the price of the 2007 Sam's Club Christmas Set 90061 Northern Lights has been reduced to $124.81 on the web site.  It says online only, so I can't say what has happened in the stores. 

Happy Holidays

HI All,
Well I am finally going to start benchwork for an indoor 1:20.3 RR, as I am finding it harder and harder to crawl around at ground level, tryiing with bad eyes to screw in those tiny screws in the Aristo track.

I will be in a space 37 1/2 feet long and 10 1/2 feet wide.   I will need to build a passing siding on a curve and the outside curve will be 10 ft diameter.  What diameter do I use for the inside curve using Aristo TRack.  Will 9 ft diameter work? or do I have to go smaller? 

My biggest loco's are my Connie's, and my rolling stock is all Bachmann including passenger cars. 

Also would be interested in what any of you feel is the minimum spacing for double track on a mainline or in a small yard. 

Any other traps or hard lessons learned you wish to share will be appreciated, with respect to building indoors.

I did not realize how free I was with design in the great outdoors!!  When I needed a little wider space I just moved a little more dirt till things fit.  Now I feel really constricted, but none the less wish to go ahead with the indoor project.

Bill

TOC, Barry,

Is there a real difference between the Version 5 Big Hauler Chassis & Motor and the ANNIE Chassis & motor. 

Some suggest that the Annie should be listed as a version six because it has a seven pole motor while the Big Hauler does not.  Others say the motor is the same in both.  As I understand it all the Chassis parts are exactly the same in the Big Hauler and the Annie, and I was under the impression that the motor was the same as well. 

As the guys that tear them apart, I felt that You would be the best source of accurate information on this.

Since I am writing a book documenting Bachmann Large Scale, I need absolutely accurate information on the differences between the two drive trains.

So..........

Is there any difference in the motor and drive train in the Annie and Version 5 Chassis?

As the originators of the versions, were motors a factor in establishing the original versions 2 through 5?

Should the Annie Drive be designated as Version 6.

Anyone is welcome to chime in on this, but Please give only VERIFIED information, not just something you heard secondhand.  Bear in mind I am only trying to document absolutely accurate information.

Thanks

Hi! Bach man

Now that the SAm's set is out I am wondering if Boscov's or OSH will have a special set this year?

The Sam's set does not appear to have an Annie. Bach man can you confirm?

For those that keep track of such things the Sam's Club set Bachmann Item number is 90061 according to an EBay source.

Hi All.

Was this an oversight?  Will it be corrected?  Is this true of any of the other kits??

Maybe it is time for Bachmann to enter the market for G scale Track starting with brass.   Bachamnn has a proven track record for producing high quality Loco's & rolling stock at very reasonable prices, why not do it with brass track for starters.  Surely Bachmann can beat the prices of USA & Aristo.   Bachmann has always needed some alternative to the steel indoor track, so why not go for it.

Please.  Would definitely appreciate it!

TOC and others

Just dug out my rail truck to put it in service and remembered that there were some gear box issues and a fix posted by TOC (I think) on the old board.

Question one:  Do all rail trucks have this problem?

two  If all do not have this problem, how can I tell if mine does needs the fix?

three  If it does need the fix could someone who has the procedure please repost it? 

I have not run it yet as I do not want to damage it. 
As always all replies are greatly apprecioated!!