I would go at least 6" wide and wider with curves. Eight inches tall is fine as long as you do not plan on running 1:20.3 shays with a big onion stack in the future. When I was was measuring for my tunnels recently I found my tallest cars were my cabooses.

-Brian

The only difference between the "Annie" and current Big Hauler is the exterior detailing. Inside they are the same. Check out George Scheyer's page to see which version it is (but its most likely the latest) - http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html#gears.

-Brian

Yes, unaltered, the Connie needs 8 foot diameter track. Its a pretty big small locomotive in 1:20.3. I do remember seeing where someone had put shims in the supports for the internal drivers so these would have less track contact and could work in a tighter diameter (6.5 ft?). This also provides less tractive effort. If you are looking for narrow gauge locos that work with a tighter radius I would look at the 1:22.5 or 1:24 scale offerings like the Bachmann ten wheeler or geared steamers, LGB (most any), Hartland, or Aristo C-16 (at 6.5 diameter, new version out this year sometime).

shots of the 2-8-0 Connie on my layout





-Brian

I think this is a question better asked on the AristoCraft forum - http://www.aristocraft.com/vbulletinforums/index.php

-Brian

Bob,

Southeast trains has a full page ad in the new August issue of Garden Railways. The number listed is 800-272-7912. The owner's name is Jim Matthews try this email address for him - the-g-wiz@gabn.net . He currently has 8 items for sale on eBay under the seller name "the-g-wiz".

-Brian

I paint my Aristo stainless with a mix of the  Rustoleum red primer and flat brown. I wipe the top of the rail with a bit of old motor oil, spray paint and then wipe it off with an old t shirt. Works great!

-Brian

I can't say specifically but most large scale motors are 24v. Most guys running batteries use 14.4 or 18 volt batteries. I use 14.4v on my loco with Bachmann shay trucks and get 3 hours run time with 2.3 Ah Nimh batteries. I just got a deal on a 14.4v 3.6Ah Nimh pack here - http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1035. 
I just charged it and haven't had a chance to run it yet.
I should add battery packs put out more voltage than rated when fully charged. My 14.4v packs put out nearly 17 volts.

-Brian

Quote from: StanAmes on May 14, 2007, 09:10:59 PM
Just to correct some minor problems above.  1:22.5 is actually II scale.  IIm is 1:22.5 meter guage railroads and happens to run on 45mm track.

So Fn3 is 36" between the rails which are 45mm apart and IIm is 39" between the rails which are 45 mm apart. 

Stan
Former chair of the NMRA Large Scale working Group

Is that the Roman numeral 2 or eye-eye m scale? and what does the "m" stand for?

-Brian

Scot hit the nail on the head but to further confuse the issue Bachmann also makes "G scale" 1:22.5 locomotives and rolling stock. All their ten wheelers (4-6-0's - Annie's and Big Haulers) , early versions of the Porter, the "Indy" 2-6-0 and a few other early locos and most of their cars are 1:22.5. They have a new offering of 1:20.3 rolling stock but its only a few cars right now.

-Brian

Kris,

I bet you are thinking about running some of the Aristo Sierra passenger cars behind the Bachmann ten wheeler (4-6-0). The ten wheeler is 1:22.5 scale and the Sierra cars are 1:29 scale but the still look pretty good together. If it is not a ten wheeler you own, I would reconsider as all the other Bachmann locos are 1:20.3 scale and the scale difference would be very noticeable. Bachmann or LGB passenger cars in 1:22.5 scale would work better. As noted by the other guys the couplers do not work great together but it is possible.

-Brian

Tom,

I would suggest the addition of  two jumpers (one power connection point for every 100 feet with brass track). I use 16 gauge low voltage landscape light cable for my layout. Using brass the wire can be soldered to the track or rail joiner.
AristoCraft makes a nice 5 amp power supply which will fit your needs. Can be picked up here - http://tinyurl.com/2z9uf2 for a nice price.

-Brian

Thanks guys. The Dunkirk as under gone one more modification. It is now sporting a plug to hook up with its RCS (Basic 2 system) equipped battery/RC trailer car. I have had a chance to run it twice with this set up now. I am getting better that 3 hours of run time with a 14.4v 2.3Ah Nimh battery pack. Here are some pics of todays run with the Dunkirk pulling a string of 1:22.5 and 1:24 freight box cars and reefer.

-Brian

Quote from: japasha on April 12, 2007, 05:33:00 PM
Many years ago I wrote an article for Garden Railway as to how to rewire the Battery powered locomotive for track power.

What issue of GR would that be in? and what would the author's name be?

-Brian

There's a flaw in that plan. That motor is designed to run on 9v and probably would not handle 18+ volts. I converted (well not yet but its on to do list) my old RC big hauler (which is in perfect condition) by picking up 4th generation big hauler on eBay cheap (locally, so no shipping). The body on my eBay purchase was well abused and is just kitbash fodder now.
The big hauler will probably become a shortened 0-6-0 for shortline operation. I am thinking about using the old RC gearbox for a logging winch or something like that on the layout.

-Brian

I had a great time at the show. I got to meet a lot of the folks I only knew online before. Bought a bunch more track and a few other items, entered a couple of models in the contest (diesels seemed to rule the day  ) and I thought Richard's sawmill got robbed  .

-Brian