Thanks to all for the responses.  I will look into both the guide wheel truck weight and gauge.  One would think for as long as Bachmann has been around, that they would have the little nuances of the wheels etc ironed out- especially for as much as these things cost.  I guess I was expecting it to work right out of the box.  One shouldn't have to make aftermarket modifications for the product to function properly.  I wonder if the same thing happens with Aristocraft, LGB, and USA locos.   

Narrow Minded, to answer your question- no.  The derailments occur when the loco is supposed to take the switch.  I haven't even tried going through the switch in the opposite direction.  Even then, it shouldn't derail.

This is a great forum.  It's nice being able to go to a place where you can readily find help and advice.

Hello fellow railroaders!  I tried out my Bachmann White Christmas Express loco that I bought for my boys for Christmas.  I added some additional track to the basic oval along with right and left hand switches so I could branch off.  The problem:  Every time the loco gets to a switch, it derails unless the switch is set for the straight path.  I have even tried it as slow as the engine can possibly run and it still derails- starting with the guide wheels.  My assumption is that the Big Hauler steam locos are simply not designed well for handling switch track, but I don't know for sure.  I am thinking of ditching the Bachmann loco and buying a deisel or another engine to see if I have better luck.  Has anyone else had this problem???   

All great comments and advice.  Thanks everyone.  -Allen

NM Jeff- thanks for the idea.  I may use the rolling stock outdoors someday, so I was thinking of strictly using the knuckle couplers.  Also, my boys may want to mix and match the order of the cars and having one consistent style coupler seems more simplistic.  Do you prefer hook and loop over the knuckles as the better option???  I am open to anyone who may wish to opine on this.  Thanks, -Allen

Thanks Wade!  Where is the best place to buy couplers, trucks, etc at the best prices?  -Allen

Hi, I'm just bought a Bachmann White Christmas set.  I also bought some other (non Bachmann i.e. LGB) rolling stock separately on Ebay that have the hook and loop couplers.  Are these easy to change to the Bachmann knuckle couplers?  Is it as simple as changing them out with the one little screw?  I would appreciate any/all advice from the expert railroaders out there!  Thanks, -Allen