Peter,
Thanks for that info! I'm hoping the Annie will do the same, so hopefully someone will have that answer. I "think" the differences (besides the power supply) are just cosmetic.

Thanks again

My wife and I just watched on the travel channel "America by rail", and wouldn't you know there was the Grand Canyon RR, talking about how the "current owners" saved the RR, and put steam back in service for all to see and enjoy.

There are many more options they could have taken to "go green" other than eliminate steam from their roster.

The two can co-exist!

I've got a tech question for you,
Is there any difference in how the boiler assembly mounts to the older Big Haulers and how the Annie boiler mounts?
I've got one of the early run engines that I've put alot of effort into detailing and customizing. I've got a chance to get an Annie, and my thoughts were to unscrew the cab and boiler and switch it over to the Annie running gear.

Any help and comments would be most appreciated

Thanks

Thanks for the link!
I personally think this is terrible. There are so few steam RR's left running excursions, to see one that is pulling steam off it's roster, that's very sad. If you want to voice your opinion to this, you can contact their corp office and let your voice be heard.

http://www.thetrain.com/company/


There are alot of other things they could do to help the environment other than cut out steam. They are also going to put quite a few people out of work do to this move, sad, very sad.

This is one of those threads that will never end. Some folks smoke in their houses, some don't. I grew up and ran O guage Lionel's that my Uncles gave me from the 50's. We ran smoke all the time and loved it. When my Nephew now comes over, he doesn't care about realism, the first thing out of his mouth is "Uncle Paul, make it smoke!", and neither my wife or I smoke in the house (cigarettes), so we have a smoke free house, but that short amount of time while running smoke, nothing happens. Ok, I wipe down the engine after they leave, but the joy of seeing a kids face is worth it. We tend to lose site of what got us into this great hobby in the first place. Yes some of us are detail oriented, but if someone likes to run smoke, GREAT, do it and enjoy it! As for a greasy residue on all of our buildings when I grew up, I don't ever remember having to clean anything (other than track).

Now for my take on actual steam locomotives. I take trips and vacations to ride steamers. I wouldn't drive 10minutes to get pulled by a diesel. Do they pollute, and how much, don't know, don't care. I am eco friendly, I am a consultant for storm water and wetland preservation, and in my house we try and recycle/ reuse most items. But for the small amount of steamers still running, they were here before the federal laws. Modern days cars and trucks pollute far more than the few steamers running. Look how developement is adding to our carbon footprint, the runoff from hardscape areas into rivers and bays, polluting our drinking water. Look at the Cities with smog problems, is this from RR's, I think not.
That's like the people that purchase a house where a tourist line is already existing, if you don't like steam trains, don't get the house. In my area, there is a dragstrip that has been round for years, as people sold their houses and moved, new owners bought and had a petition to try and shut down the races. Needless to say, it didn't work, the drags were there first.
People forget, all of our history and freedoms that made us what we are today. Steam engines forged the United States, and these are majestic symbols of our history. So hopefully the day never comes, but what if a child never had the chance to experience the sounds, smells, and excitement of riding behind a true iron horse. Snorting soot, and smoke, listening to the sounds of the whistle, and wheels on the track, I think that would be a true loss to all of us.

oops!
Didn't think about that

I agree with Brian, local craft stores will most likely be a very good choice of trees.

Once you get it done, post some pics, I'd like to see it when complete

Good luck

Dave,
If you are talking evergreens or pines, why not just go to Home Depot and buy some of their Dwarf Alberta Spruces, and leave them in the pots. When it comes time to transport, just take them out, put them in your truck, then re-install once you arrive.
As for deciduous trees, you could probably just take a branch from a real tree (when you find one you like), then glue on some foliage material. If there are Micheals craft stores where you are, I'm sure you could find something.

Good luck

JD,
Can't wait to see it running on the RR! I wonder where "Buck" will ride

I too have seen folks go absolutely crazy on bidding, but lets not knock it completely. If you use common sense, there are some deals to be had, you just have to set limits. Timing is also important, you don't want to try and buy train items around Christmas, you'll pay outrageous prices, but if you're selling, that's the time to unload.
For example, in the last month, I just picked up a large scale 10 wheeler for $23.00, the description was "runs, but missing brakes". Only three of us bid on it, and I needed it for parts for a bash I was working on. As it turned out when I got it home and tested it, it actually runs perfectly.
It could be an addition like gambling, but if you set limits, and do your homework, you can pick up some great deals. And some of the on line train shops also have ebay items and stores to buy from.

If I'm not mistaken, this same topic came up last year sometime, and Bachmann has specialized in narrow guage RR'ing, and is doing a GREAT job. The product is great quality, and much more affordable than other manufacturers.
Bachmann has made a big step in moving forward with the 1:20.3 line of engines and rolling stock and I couldn't imagine that they would want to move away from it when there are so many other NG engines lot's of us would like to see in 1:20.3!

Don,
Here is another choice on adding sound:

http://www.ittproducts.com/index.html


These can be set for intermitten, trigger activated, or constant looping. I'm actually using one in a large scale car that I'm powering off batteries, but for a stationary layout, he has transformers. You can listen to samples on his website

Good luck

Nice job Brian!

What sound unit did you use in that? Looks and sounds great

Nice job!

Hope to see it at York next year!

Ken,
I've used alot of Stan's decals on many of my trains

http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html

He does great work, and his decals are top quality

Hi Karl
I'll be up today with my MOW set, I like the warm weather so that won't stop me!