Hi Larry:

Here's the boxed set.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Big-Haulers-Royal-Blue-Railroad-Train-Track-Steam-Engine-Set-G-Scale-/400309417952?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5d344cf7e0

Wade

Hi Bill:

They are in red Big Hauler boxes with the window. I got all three in October, 2000 at a meet in MD from the same dealer. The bill was still in the box. I think I got the sets the year they came out. I was surprised the sets had the metal siderods too. I've got to rotate my stock on display more often. By the way, I just won the OSH 70th anniversary V&T combine and obs. on EBAY. I wanted the combine for sure and got the obs. in case it might have a different drumhead or something we don't know about. I'll keep you posted.

Wade

Hi Bill:

My 90017 Lumber Jack set has the plastic side rods. My 11396 ETLCo, 11397 WLC, 11398 painted unlettered, 90019 Roustabout set, 90029 Paul Bunyan set and 90030 Celemetine set are all boxed and have the metal siderods.

Wade

Hi:

The instructions say to turn the transmitter on first then the loco. I remember that the engine will run wide open forward if the engine is turned on without the transmitter. Do you have any trim adjustment on the steering?

Wade

Hi:

     _____
     | o | ----------- Gray        Gray & Brown go to Red wire on battery
     | o | ----------- Brown
     | o | ----------- Blue
     | o | ----------- Black       Black & Blue go to Black wire on battery
     _____

   End View of female plug with alignment tabs
     
  It looks alot like a plug that would be on a computer motherboard. Maybe the local computer geek could help you. Anyone who sells RC stuff would have the battery connection if you don't have one already. Good Luck.

Wade

Hi:

Here's one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Radio-Control-Transmitter-for-Big-Hauler-Battery-Powered-Locomotives-/330750080181?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4d023db4b5

Wade

Hi Jim:

Here's what George Schreyer has on the Climax.

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips5/climax_tips.html

Wade

Hi:

USA Trains #R2070 are like Bachmann, LGB etc. They sell for $3.50 to$4.50.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/28-PIECE-SET-OF-G-SCALE-BOXCAR-HANDRAIL-DETAILS-FOR-USA-LGB-AND-OTHERS-/120902902868?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c265fe454

Wade

Hi MCapp:

I've used these on my indoor layout for some time for a lift-out bridge. They work very well.

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200805934

Wade

Hi Mark:

There's always some on EBAY.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-BACHMANN-TRACK-LOCKING-CLIPS-FOR-STRAIGHTS-AND-CURVES-YOU-GET-12-OF-EACH-NEW-/120890042711?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c259ba957

Wade

Hi Bill:

Just to add to the confusion, remember the Ely Thomas shay I got from Clem at York the other year? The 1st shay had the 8 screw trucks and gow lights while this one had the 6 screw trucks and led lights like the 2nd Pardee & Curtin shay. Clem said that they did two runs of the Ely Thomas and the 2nd run had the improvments. I know that Bachmann repaired some shays and replaced the trucks with the later ones but don't know if they also upgraded the lights. Maybe someone can shed some light on this.

Wade

Hi Mike:

I added two more brass strips to the chuff drum on my 4-6-0 with acc glue. I get 15 deg. of contact and 75 deg. open every 90 deg. of rotation now. I run a PFM sound System II and I have to run at proto speeds or the chuff all runs together even with the cut-off adjustment. I'm going to do another and use the stock drum to see which I like best.

Wade

Hi:

Some more from the same seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachman-BIG-Haulers-Assembled-Side-Dump-Mining-Cars-3-green-92502-/110846409372?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item19cef5fa9c

Wade

Hi Mark:

The steel track that comes in sets is approx. 4 feet in diameter. The new brass track is available in 4, 5 & 8 foot diameters.

Wade

Hi Jack:

No, I wouldn't go on any railroad property now that NS has it. I've been retired 2 1/2 years now and they would consider me a trespasser. There may be heavy rail there but not by design. They patch with what ever is handy with compromise bars.

Check your e-mail.

Wade