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With the production of Bachmann large scale Diesels I am wondering if any of you run diesel and steam  or just diesel or still steam only?

In my own case I do run both diesel and steam.  I keep them separated, since my steam is all narrow gauge.  The diesels I run are all 1st generation units GP-9, RS-3, FA, PA, and F3 units. 

So far I have not been into the all the late model GE and EMD units on the market.  My son also run a mix the same way I do except he is in the mid range of diesel like Sd40-2. 

The market seems to be changing and has become more diesel oriented.  What do you think Bachmann should produce more narrow gauge, modern steam, more early diesel, more mid range diesel, or more late model modern diesel?

Jump in and let the group know what you run and what you would like to see in the way of motive power.

Be Safe,

Loco Bill

Just saw this:

Save 35% on Parts Orders of $15 or More!
Time for some maintenance on your railroad or trains?

Starting today, June 14th through June 18th, use promo code 35NOW to take advantage of 35% off all orders of $15 or more placed through the Bachmann Parts Store, and get those long-awaited projects completed.
Make sure to use the coupon code:
35NOW

Great time to get parts. 

Bill

[parts]

Hi all, Bachmann is having spring 25% off sale on parts only. They still have complete Chassis for the 4-6-0 Anniversary and Standard line as well. All 4-6-0 Chassis are the version 5 great running most trouble free chassis ever.  After the discount a Standard Chassis is only $64.88 and an Anniversary Chassis is going for $83.55. the sale is for the next 10 days. you do have to use the coupon code "Spring23" when ordering.

This is a great time to get new chassis for your old set locos!!!

The 2023 Catalog is also out in digital form so check it out here: https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/

I am going thru my parts needed list for detail parts and repair parts as well to make up my personal order. 

If you need Shay replacements trucks this discount period is the best time to get them as well.

Cheers and Beers.  Bill 

Bachmann has announced that the new run of General Electric Dash 9 Locomotives is arriving.

here is the link:  https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/81984

Being in Texas I see the real BNSF and UP -9's and would love to have both BNSF units and a UP unit so I could run two in front and a trailing DPU mid train or in the back.

Not sure what the street price will be, but I would need a go fund me campaign in order to get even one.LOL

None the less if one of you forum members get one, please report details that might differentiate it from the Aristo versions.  Paint, road numbers, details.  I will add them to my database. 

Hi Bill.  Thanks for your last reply. 

If I bought a new Big Hauler Cowcatcher Set 90040 (version 7), would the engine & tender shells from any of the below easily swap with the Cowcatcher's engine & tender shells?  I am just starting out with train sets and don't want to get into any major modifications if possible. 

Big Hauler Tweetsie Set 90033  Version 5A or Version 5B depending on year
Big Hauler Mountaineer Set 90048 Version 5A or Version 5B depending on year
Annie 4-6-0 Anniversary Edition ET & WNC 81098  Version 5
Annie 4-6-0 Anniversary Edition ET & WNC 91606  Version 6

Thank you.
Johnny

Hello Bachman,

It is great to have the forum back as it clearly was and is a great resource for Bachworld. It is a big morale booster for me to see it up and running. 


Request.
On the old forum there were links to parts & service.  These were very useful when responding to someone needing help.  A one button link access was very helpful and a time saver as well and gave me a way to rapidly add a link so the person needing help could go straight to the answer. The other links were useful as well, catalog etc.

All the best to you and the Bachmann Crew, Say Hi to 3 Rail for me.

Hi All,

I am back and can answer most questions about the history of Bachmann Large Scale rolling stock and sets.

Have fun with your trains!

Loco Bill

[Version 5A 2000-present? 3/8th inch wide hump offset between the rear drivers and a plastic lubrication plug the size of a dime to the rear of the hump and has the old style slotted front truck. Has plastic gears and plastic siderods.]

Modified on June 10th 2021     Hi All Members,

4-6-0 CHASSIS IDENTIFICATION:
   
Modified on June 10th 2021 Hi All Members,
Thanks to Adam, Teddy and RailMan63 a new chassis 5A and 5Bversion were identified. We owe them three cheers.  Reports also indicate that the new 5B  chassis may be available in the Bachmann parts store We will report more as new info becomes available.  Thanks to Stan Ames for his info on the chassis differences.  As a result we will call the new PNP Big Hauler 4-6-0 chassis Version 7
 
Big Hauler/Anniversary/PNP Big Hauler Chassis Version Identification by Bill Canelos  Copyright 1995-2021 by Bill Canelos All rights reserved.               
Version 1  1988-1990  Battery Powered R/C Units                             
Version 2  1990-1994  Smooth Bottom Cover  You can turn drivers by hand and motor will turn.                           
Version 3  1994-1998  Smooth Bottom Cover You cannot turn the drivers by hand.                             
Version 4  1998-1999  Large wide hump dead center between the rear drivers on bottom cover.                             
Version 5  2000-Pres  3/8th inch wide hump offset between the rear drivers and a plastic lubrication plug the size of a dime to the rear of the hump and has the old style slotted front truck. Has plastic gears and metal siderods.  The original Annie Chassis.


Version 5A 2000-present?    3/8th inch wide hump offset between the rear drivers and a plastic lubrication plug the size of a dime to the rear of the hump and has the old style slotted front truck. Has plastic gears and plastic siderods.


Version 5B  2012 -pres 3/8th inch wide Hump offset between the rear drivers and a plastic lubrication plug the size of a dime to the rear of the hump and has the New style swing front truck. Has plastic gears & siderods.

Version 6  2011-Pres  New Chassis for Annie only, has metal gears and new front truck.  It is identifiable only by the new front truck which is a floating swing style front truck rather than the old style which rides in a slot on the chassis.    Note Anniversary 4-6-0's have only Version 5 or 6 Chassis   

Version 7 2021-        PNP Big Hauler 4-6-0 --3/8th inch wide Hump offset between the rear drivers and a plastic lubrication plug the size of a dime to the rear of the hump and has the New style swing front truck. metal gears & side rods. The chassis has an all new Pittman motor, gear box and chuff sensor, and is visually identifiable as follows: All have the three window cab, metal Walschearts Valve gear, front rust color coupler, the firebox door on the backhead opens, and the loco has two sets of multi wire plugs between the loco and tender.  These allow identification of the loco even when separated from the tender. The tender it is identifiable by the new coal load and new trucks.  Has latest PNP socket  and a speaker in the tender.  Per Bachmann This is NOT identified as an ANNIE but as a new product in the Big Haulers line, so PNP 4-6-0 or PNP Big Hauler 4-6-0.

Note that the new 5A, 5B and 7 chassis ID is a work in progress and subject to change as new info becomes available.

                 
Note that the dates overlap and as of June 10th, 2021 have not been fixed more precisely, but all new sets introduced in 1999 with the VHS instructions have the version 5 chassis locomotive. As of this update the only known Big Hauler set Loco that is version 5B is North Pole & Southern #12 in set #90037 in the latest run only.                 
                             
All Big Hauler 4-6-0's manufactured after 2000 have the version 5 chassis, all new sets after 2000 have it as well.     

Hi all,

I just got another question about replacing the Big Hauler 4-6-0 chassis with an Annie chassis.  I have been told by many that there may be modifications needed on the BH shell to make it work.   I have never done one myself, so have not been able to state specifically what must exactly must be done to make it fit.

If any of you have done this could you report on what had to be modified on the BH shell to make the conversion work., it would be really great if you would.  I would be glad to add it to the Repair Tips  post with a credit to you.

A recent look at available Annie Chassis in the parts store is discouraging ans they seem to be selling out and the price is up to $102.  Forum members thinking about doing this may want to get one while they can.  Prices have gone up on the Big Hauler Standard chassis as well, but for now they seem to be reasonably available

Keep having fun with your trains!

Loco Bill

Just got a message from Bachmann that the parts store is open now, but will not ship until June 15th.  To confirm it I just checked it out and sure enough was able to order the items on my list.

Loco Bill

Hi Bach-man,

Seems to be some confusing info out there.  We hear the webstore is starting back up, but when parts are ordered we just get the "check back later" block.  Any news as to when we can begin to order parts??

Thanks,

Bill

The Bachmann Web store is now open on a limited basis, get your order in!

Loco Bill

Hi All,
We have all been waiting for the arrival of the new loco as identified in the 2020 catalog as 91801, 91803-91805.  Delivery is already way behind schedule,  lets hope they actually become available by September 2020 as stated by Trainworld.  The photos in the Bachmann catalog do not seem to be of the new models which will have the new tender. It will be very interesting to see the new loco.  It is advertised as a "new addition to the Big Hauler line"  but not as an Annie or Big Hauler.   This will be the first 4-6-0 with the plug and play socket which will allow DC, DCC, RC control. and equipped with the new tender.

I will identify it as the Version 7 Chassis as soon as I get one and include all the new identifying features.

Looks like we will have to come up with a new nickname for it to differentiate it from the Big Hauler and Annie 4-6-0.  My mind is blank!! How about some suggestions from you regular Forum members??

Some guys have already came up with some ideas. tedyarbrough has come up with Tennie. Big Ten, or T. Wheel maybe? Playing on the Big Hauler, how about Super Hauler? and charon has come up with We have Annie 4-6-0, how about Arnie 4-6-0?  Time some loco's get male names.  Or how about Bid Ten Tootsie?
Chuck

So come up with your ideas or support the ones already selected.   When we get a few we like ww can have a vote on which one to use.

Cheers & Beers,

Loco Bill

Hi /All,

If you missed it, the Bachmann webstore stopped taking orders as of April 1 2020. Ability to order will not resume until Virus related isolation issues are relieved in a way that will allow the parts and service department to reopen.   All orders placed before April 1st that were not shipped will be held and shipped when the store reopens. 

If you need parts from the webstore I suggest you make up your order list and order ASAP after the store reopens.

As far as I know this was not reported on the forums, so apologize if it was and I missed it.

Cheers & Beers

Loco Bill

As many of you know the Bachmann online store is now closed.  Orders will be shipped when the store is allowed to reopen.  Not clear is if the repair shop is also closed. 

I have updated the repair tips to reflect the new chassis prices.  I still believe that chassis replacement is still the best option if your locomotive needs repairs.  Since Big Hauler 4-6-0 chassis and the Annie chassis are about the same price, you may as well get an annie chassis.

Questions for the Bach-man:

Is the repair shop still doing repairs???

Can you still place orders in the parts department, knowing that you will have to wait til shipping resumes??

Thanks,

Loco Bill

HI all,

Many of you like me may be stuck at home due to the heath crisis.   The wife and I have gone out every day and walked for a few miles to keep our strength.  With most of my activities curtailed I have realized it is a great time to do maintenance on my locomotives and rolling stock.  I have started with my locomotives.   I go over each one checking for missing parts, testing all the functions and doing a lube job. I admit to being somewhat lax on the lubing of my trains during the past season.  I actually have a box labeled "parts that fell off" so I am going thru that as well and making the necessary repairs with priority on m y locomotive fleet.   

I am not neglecting my rolling stock, but am doing the same thing I am doing with my locomotives.  I am cleaning them up, replacing any missing parts, and lubing the journals.  On my cars I usually paint the couplers with a rusty black paint and do the same with truck sideframes as well.  I also paint the sides of my metal wheels for a more realistic look. 

So this all has kept me busy rather than being bored.  Another activity is doing a little train book reading.   

Anyway, I want to wish you, my fellow forum members and you family, a safe path through what comes ahead.  Be safe out there and stay healthy.

All the best,

Loco Bill

Hi Forum folks,

Sorry to let you all know that I just saw that both the Annie and Big Hauler 4-6-0 chassis prices have almost doubled.  It may be a sign that quantities are getting low. 
If another sale with lower prices comes along I would recommend getting a spare or two.  In spite of the higher prices I still recommend chassis replacement over the other options.  I will try to update my repair topic in the next week.

Loco Bill

Hi All!

I bought two Bachmann 44 tonners with the idea of painting one of them into the Chicago Burlington & Quincy black and grey paint scheme.
Some of you may know that I am a volunteer at the Colorado Rail Road Museum.  One day we were discussing the wretched all black paint job on our 1:1 scale 44 tonner #4
and the need for a snappier paint job.  We ended up painting it in the Burlington colors, with a twist.  The CRRM railroad is called the Golden City and San Juan.  So we modified the logo to make it GC&SJ.
My wife liked the idea so much that she donated the money for the paint, and I agreed to do the painting long with Norm a friend and also a volunteer.  We have the exterior done and over the next few
months will repaint the interior into the standard Burlington green for cab interiors.  Painting and lettering a one to one scale locomotive turned out to be fun so I thought I would
share this photo of it.  

Because my wife made it possible we put her name on the cab as a measure of thanks!   Having done the job on the full sized one I no longer have it in me to do the 1:20.3 version,
so I am hoping the Bach-man will convince management to reissue it with the Burlington colors. LOL!!!  here is the link:

https://flic.kr/p/2i9Wc83





I am part of both the restoration crew and the operating crew at the CRRM.  I am a brakeman, motorman on the Galloping Geese, and also a conductor, most recently on our polar express event.

Here is a link to a photo of Conductor Bill and Polar Express loco #491 a waiting the first run of the evening.





I feel very fortunate to be able to live the dream after 33 years of service to the Army and 19 years after that farming the family farm.

Wishing all of you a great New Year, and loads of fun with your trains in the new year!!!!

Loco Bill

Hi All,

Just want you to know that I have updated the repair tips link, to add new info on prices, and the installation of new chassis on your old loco.  I have also updated several of the older items for more clarity.  Open the link below and scroll down to repair tips:

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,18832.0.html

Enjoy your trains!

Loco Bill

Hi All,

I was helping a friend buy a new chassis for his Standard Line Big Hauler 4-6-0 and noticed that of the 8 styles available 4 were sold out.   The current prices is as low as it has ever been at $40 each.

Prices have gone up if you need to send your loco in for repairs. As of July 1st 2019 the price for repair is $110 for large scale powered items.  Remember the lifetime limited warranty is available only to original owners with proof of purchase as stated in the service info.  If you buy a locomotive, even if in original packaging, units purchased at flea markets, railroad swap meets, garage sales, online auctions of previously owned products, and similar venues are NOT covered by  warranty.  check out this link for specific details: 
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/service.php

The price for the Anniversary 4-6-0 chassis with the metal siderods and detail parts are currently selling for only $45.  These are perfect upgrades for the Big Hauler 4-6-0 and have never been cheaper.

Both chassis are the latest and greatest very reliable Version 5 chassis!  There are no replacement chassis available for the version 6 chassis, so if you have one and it needs repair you will have to replace the chassis with a version 5.

Replacing a chassis yourself continues to be the most economical way to repair your loco and with care is not very hard to do. 

Check this link for repair tips and assembly and disassembly info:
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,30394.msg224039.html#msg224039

Remember that the above are the current prices and I have not yet upgraded the info in the repair tips link.  I will try to get that done in the next few days.

If you think you will need a new chassis in the future, now might be the time to grab one to have on hand.   With Bachmann, when a run of product gets sold out, there are often no future reruns! 

Keep having fun with your large scale trains

Loco Bill