Does the Big Hauler Annie come with sound out of the box? If so, how does it compare to say Sierra sound? Trying to decide if I want to order one with Sierra sound installed.

I'm trying buy a G 4-6-0 Anniversary Edition, ET&WNC online since I can't find one in my town. Any suggestions? Hopefully they will sale gift certificates so I can ask for those as gifts.

What are the outer dimensions of a Big Hauler "Annie"?

I want the ET&WNC Annie, but I like the stack on the Denver & Rio Grande Annie. Is there a way to put the Denver & Rio Grande Stack on a ET&WNC Annie?

I only need 3 pieces of 120" diameter curve and 4 pieces of 24" straight code 332 brass track to finish my layout. I currently have USA track. Any suggestions on a place I can buy by the piece other than wholesaletrains.com? The straights are on back order.

It seems much of this has gone to far, but I guess that's what forums are for. I started this thread trying to get a simple answer, but there aren't many simple answers to opinion based questions particularly when they are technical question. I am an engineer, but not electrical. Using my limited knowledge of electronics and many of the answers here I believe I can make a well informed decision that is best for me. Thanks again to everyone and I'm ending my part of this thread here. I normally talk Bachmann on this forum, but I have so many other questions since I am fairly new to this so thought I would draw from the knowledge that so many seem to have here. Thanks again.

P.S.
I may be talking to you soon Tony in another fashion.

Thanks for all the info. I am now trying to soak all this in and make a good decision . Looking like the Elite 3 TX24. Anyone have a good source for batteries. It sounds like NiCd or NiMh are good choices. I just need to decide what Ah I need. 2 Ah will get me, but I migh be greedy and get the higher Ah. The steepest grade I have is 3% while pulling the two passenger cars and caboose with my Annie. Anyone have a good source for batteries?

That all sounds good new G, but  trying to get away from track power is one of my primary reasons for my switch to battery power. If need to run for extended periods of time I will invest in two battery packs and alternate charges.

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'm pretty much sold on the RCS system, but has anyone had experience with the Aristocraft Train Engineer system?

I'm putting together a simple track layout and working on purchasing one of the Annie 4-6 locos. At most i will be adding 2 passenger cars and a caboose. I will only be running one loco and would like to be able to control speed, lights, and sound. Can you suggest a RCS RX TX combo that suits my simple needs? I like the ~14V ~3.5A battery setup altterrain has since it seems it will provide plenty of power for me. I'm planning on installing the RX on the tender. I just don't think I need the TX24.

Wow calenelson that's a long tunnel . Have you had any problems with it like keeping it cleaned out.

I have had trouble locating a good source for aluminum track. Any sugestions? I have already purchase a large amount of USA brass track, but I eventually want to add to my line using cheaper aluminum rack since I will be converting to battery and remote control. If I expand using aluminum I will add a plastic coupler between the brass and aluminum to avoid the dissimilar metal coupling problems.

Thanks again. Very helpful.

Thanks for the info.

On that note I'm planning on purchasing an Annie Big Hauler D&RGW or ET&WNC(can't decide which). Can you suggest a battery/remote control system? I'm not familiar with the RCS TX. Do you know of any how to articles on the web?

For those who run battery power and remote control. I have three 3' tunnels in my line. If I switch to battery and remote control will my trains loose signal in the tunnels? I'm new to RC and I'm not sure about RC interference problems and if the RC unit must keep in constant contact with the loco.