Which 'Annie' chassis is the best replacement for the generation chassis 4 in my Blue Comet?

Can a Walschaerts valve gear 'Annie' version be used or must it be the Stephenson version?

Often as not, we tend to complain about poor customer service, or some other issue.

Today, I want to praise Laura and all the people at Bachmann customer service and service departments.

E-mails answered promptly and personally, WOW!  In the day of the big-box-store with prizes for finding-a-clerk (who cannot answer a question anyway), knowledgeable and caring people are refreshingly different.

Laura, you are the voice-face-person who is Bachmann Trains for me  . . .  and I will stay a customer because of your approach and attitude.  Here's a hearty well done and thanx from a Large scale guy.

Congratulations for doing your job wonderfully

I read in another post that paint colours are mixed in China from paint chips and there may not be a commercial equivalent in North America. 

I need to refinish part of a side of a Blue Comet Combine.  It was put away without my realizing that it had cola spilled on it. The cola, in time, acted  like  paint remover.

Does anyone know of a close colour match?  Alternatively, is there a combination of colors that any of you had success with?

I read, on another thread, that this loco is less than Bachmann's Best - just after I bought one new (old stock).  I am very happy with its looks.

Before its initial test run, I tried to make sure the smoke unit was turned off.  But . . . the switch is not marked off-on.   To turn the smoke unit off -- do I move the switch toward the smoke-box-hatch hinges?

Thanks for the help!

PS - regarding the tender wheels -- this one has plastic (which I want to switch to metal)

It seems the more I learn about this great hobby, the less I know about it.

I have not run the 10-Wheelers that I have collected, yet.  The Chassis 4 & 5 and Annies are displayed on shelves where they do get dusty.  I bought some new and others used.

Bachmann states lubrication by the number of operating hours.  Automobile oil changes are usually stated as the lesser of distance or months.  So, should I be lubricating these engines even though I am not running them now?

 

A year or so ago, I bought 2 Annies from authorized retailers - EBT & ET&WNC (both with the intricate W-something valving.  Both have been on my display shelf ever since.  Today, I found a miniture red tap handle - like an outside water tap handle - loose in the box.

There is one already on the engine but it's not evident to me where this second should go.   I have compared the Annies and my other 10-wheelers without success.  Local hobby shop staff do not know either.

Can anyone tell me where I should be looking to reattach the handle?

Was the EKjr ten-wheeler produced as an Anniversary edition?  If not, is there a chassis 5 version?

In my Big Hauler parts box, there's an odd pair of hook-n-loop couplers.

The majority of my couplers typically have a squiggly plastic spring to center the coupler and the hook is gravity fed into the loop.   

The odd set has a metal coil spring that drives the hook into the loop.

Can anyone identify the odd pair.  (ie Is it an older version for Big Haulers or is it manufactured by a different company?)

Thanks for sharing your experience with a new guy.

Two Bachmann Big Haulers have been painted with Krylon and look fine.  However, dry transfer decals will not stick at all to the painted surface. 

Can anyone share their method of decorating the Krylon paint?

I have an old (new to me) radio controlled Ten wheeler locomotive with plastic drive wheels.  I came fully operational and was demonstrated to be fully functional before I bought it.  Now I want to remove the batteries so that it can be stored for a while.

BUT - dumb as it seems - I just cannot find out how do I get the batteries out.  Can anyone tell me where to look and if there are any tricks.

Another in the series of my dumb beginner questions.  What is the recommended maximum number of cars for a generation 4, 5 and Annie 10-wheeler to pull?  Snow is still deep so I continue to plan the track and buy more big hauler cars.  I will be using 10-foot diameter curves and zero nominal grade. (I am considering changing my log on to zero degrees with zero experience)  Thanx in advance!

I started buying my first large scale, Bachmann Big Haulers, last November.   They were a flee market cash purchase -- no receipt.  I subsequently made internet purchases of some Annies from authorized retailers -- with receipt.
Does the Bachmann warranty apply to the second-hand non-receipted locomotives?

The Control Master 20 has two settings 0-20 and 0-14 VDC and is capable of 5.5 amps.  The layout will start with a box of 51 inch straight and a 10 foot diameter cicle of aristocraft brass track to run 4-6-0 Big Haulers and Annie locomotives.
I have read other posts that recommend restricting the maximum power to 16 VDC for Bachmann locomotives. 
Should I only use the lower (0-14 VDC) setting a) with 1 locomotive, b) with 2 or more loco's?

Just watched a plastic Snow Plow for a Bachmann 4-6-0 sell for more than a new Annie.  Are detail parts that difficult to get?

As I read about the Annie, it seems there are variations in the drive mechanism among those in sets and those bought individually.  Is there differences and which is better - more reliable?

Just bought EK jr engine and some matching cars for the grankids.
Where can I buy parts - trucks, steel wheels, knuckle couplers, etc.