Hi Mike,

For photos, if not a complete "how-to," check out George Schreyer's website (link below) for details about mounting the front truck in the "new" fashion.  Just scroll down to the section entitled "Derailments."

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html#derailments

All the best,
Jay

You're right Bill... after looking again, I'm thinking the $95 price I saw on page 5 must have been in reference to the shell that appears just below that last V6 chassis.  All the other shells are $95, so that would make sense.  Good catch!

Jay

Well, according to that link that Andrew provided, the Bachmann store is now providing the Version Six BH chassis, complete with the metal gears and the new pilot truck mounting.  Page 5 of their on-line Large Scale parts catalog under the 4-6-0 Anniversary heading shows 7 of the new chassis being offered, including an unlettered version for $95.

Jay

Times two (three?) on placing some sort of substrate between the track and the carpet.  We wound up finding a vinyl-faced round Christmas tablecloth on sale and adapted it as a Christmas tree skirt... cut a hole in the center for the tree trunk, and a slit from the edge to make it easy to get around the tree.  That's worked great for us for a number of years now.  Makes a great surface for the track, and hides the wiring for the Christmas tree lights.

Good luck!
Jay

Hi CRB,

I just got back from Taltree Arboretum & Gardens near Valpariaso, and that would certainly be worth the trip!  Their outdoor layout is large, but surrounded by a walkway so you can see everything close-up.  It's built into sections that include vignettes of different locations in America on a progressive timeline, showing the impact the railroad had on that particular point in American history.  Pretty impressive!  I took so many pictures, my camera's memory card ran out of memory near the end.  Plan to spend a couple of hours there... you'll love it!

All the best,
Jay

You might try "X" rings or "D" rings; the "X" rings are plenty common in the diving equipment industry because they offer a more reliable sealing surface than the traditional "O" ring.  You can check them out at a supplier like I've linked here, and there's a good chance they'll just sample some of them to you for free.

http://www.prepol.com/product-range/x-rings-d-rings

Good luck,
Jay

Anyone passing through Dallas can see Big Boy #4018 on static display at the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, just north of Dallas.
For a list of their other exhibits, check here:
http://www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org/Home.aspx

All the best,
Jay

Hi Punkin,

From your excellent photo, it appears that the brass bushing is intentionally knurled to prevent the OD of the bushing from spinning in the chassis, thereby defaulting to the axle spinning in the bearing instead.  Obviously there is too much friction between the metal axle and the brass bushing, or the brass bushing would not be spinning in the chassis (which is chewing up the plastic chassis slot).  The fix would appear to be to lubricate the axle/bearing interface, and then try to secure the bearing in the chassis with a drop of CA glue.  I don't have an Annie in my fleet of Big Haulers, nor have I encountered the problem you seem to be having, but based on your photo, that's what I would do if I were seeing what you're seeing.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out.
Jay

Hi Keith,

Check out the 5th topic on this web page... it addresses the original Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0, which was battery powered.  If nothing else, it will be a great education in what was the first iteration of an iconic product line!

Good luck,
Jay

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html#rc

Hi Tom,

The photos you're looking for are all on Ray's website; to wit:
http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_Mineral_Ridge_3.html

Great job, great documentation Ray!

All the best,
Jay

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the links.  I was unaware that the new Annie chassis were available, but the price tag on that bad boy indicates that indeed they are!

Please keep us informed on your progress in fitting the Annie chassis to a Big Hauler; this question comes up from time to time and it's always better to get first-hand information from someone who has actually done it.

All the best,
Jay

Hi Mark,

One thing that I forgot to mention... Annies come in two versions.  The original Annies had the "version 5" chassis, but if you want the metal gears and the improved pilot truck, you'll need to get a hold of one of the most recent Annies with the "version 6" chassis.

All of the Annie chassis that I've seen for sale on the Bachmann parts webpage are the version 5.  To get a version 6 chassis may require purchasing an entire new loco; if my understanding of this is incorrect, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I will chime in.

Good luck!
Jay

Hi Mark,

Although I have not personally attempted fitting an Annie chassis into an older Big Hauler, the author of the attached forum post has apparently done just that.  It seems the only issue is some fettling of the air tanks necessary to clear the larger steam chests on the Annie chassis.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,18521.0.html

Good luck,
Jay

Hi Bob,

Regarding your Big Hauler's headlamp... if you'll go about halfway down the page on the George Schreyer link referenced earlier, you'll see the innards of the headlamp; now would be a great time to replace that with a bright LED!

Regarding the battery for the chuff (sound), check out page 12 of the owner's manual, furnished on this link:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/Big_Hauler_Instructions.pdf

Good luck!
Jay

Hi Bob,

Check out this page on George Schreyer's website... the first thing he discusses about the Big Hauler is derailments.

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html

Good luck!
Jay