Subject says it all.  I'm looking to sell off some "extra" Bachmann G scale locos.  Mike in TX

I have the 177 engine and it runs fine, but has the plastic siderods etc.  I also have a 6th Gen Annie in black and it's much better detailed, but at a much steeper price.  The 179 "new" Annie should be a real looker with the bumble bee paint and all that extra detail.  BTW: The new front truck is a winner!  Mike in TX

There is a big difference between the "older" Big Hauler 4-6-0's front truck and the new-and-improved front truck of the Version 6's.  The new truck is suspended differently and is a cast or extruded metal frame which weighs quite a bit.  Add the weights.  It definately makes a difference in tight turns or on uneven track.  Mike in TX

Well said!

Thanks Bill, I had the battery in right.  I turned the loco over and looked at the bottom plate but this version 6 looks to have quite a few screws to remove before it opens up to inspection.  I'll try the "jumper" trick first.  Mike

Everything's been checked out numerous times with new battery, etc.  Still only getting a single "chuff" when installing the battery, nothing under power.  I may have to send the Annie back to Bachmann as it worked fine the first time I ran it several months ago.  Mike in TX

I regularly run my D&RG spectrum 4-4-0 followed by a 1:20.3 scale 20' Boxcar and 2 D&S 1:22.5 coaches from the Bachmann set and they look great together. (to my "untrained" eyes, anyway)  If it looks okay to you, go ahead and enjoy it.  Don't let the "purists" spoil your fun.  Mike in TX

Try TheFavoriteSpot.com  They're near me in North Texas and I made the drive to their shop during the winter to check them out.  Mostly just a warehouse with lots of Bachmann G scale sets and rolling stock on the shelves. (at the time)  I've ordered from them twice either e-mailing for specific product info or just using the website.  I haven't been disappointed yet.  Fast service and a good price.  You'll have to e-mail them to find out any specifics but if it's on the website, they've got it in stock.   Mike in TX

Took my almost new Gen 6 Annie out of the box today to run it for my grandson only to find I couldn't get it to chuff.  It chuffed once while installing the battery but not at all under power.  Checked all wires multiple times, checked that the switch was "down", still no chuffs.  Any places to look for trouble?  It worked fine when it was put away in late March.  Mike in TX 

I didn't say it (the 4-4-0) looked good doing the 4' Diameter turns....only that it will do them.  Just be aware of the rear inside front truck wheel will try and "lift" during the turns.  so far I've not seen any signs of contact between the front truck and any other chassis pieces.  Mike in TX

flocsy, I just bought a used Spectrum 4-4-0 last fall and I have been running it with my Durango & Silverton livery on the track included with the set (4' Diameter turns)  It doesn't like the tight turns very much, in fact I can see the inside front truck wheel rising and falling through the turns, but I've yet to see a derailment.  Go ahead and buy it....it is a beautiful engine.  FYI: The 2-6-0 Spectrum "Mogul" is even more detailed than my early 4-4-0 and costs quite a bit less if you look around, however, the six drivers may cause problems in the tighter turns whereas the 4-4-0 just keeps on motoring along.  Mine is a D&RG "Rito Alto" version and I have added a large "funnel" stack as I prefer it to the "diamond" type originally provided.  Enjoy...  Mike in TX

SALF: I assumed you were talking about the Spectrum Mogul which looks almost identical to the 4-4-0.  Yes, the "other" mogul is very small, and that front coupler is hideous!  I'll post some Annie pics soon as I can.  It IS a BIG improvement over the other garden-variety ten wheelers.  Chuff sensor be darned, I'm gonna fix that sucker!  Mike in TX

Dave, that sounds like a great upgrade.  I like the idea of the light being independent of track power.  how are the sounds?  did you do a chuff sensor mod to give 4 per rev?  I will post pics if and when Bachmann empties out the gallery folder so more of us can post.  Too bad we can't add pics to our posts.  Mike in TX

Today my "new & improved" Anniversary  4-6-0 (Black, unlettered) came in the mail.  First impression:  "Wow, look at all of that metal siderod and valve gear detail".  Second impression:  The new chassis is much more see-through than my Version 5 garden-variety Durango & Silverton 4-6-0.   Third impression:  The new cast front truck rocks!  I ran a test on my 4' Diameter turn indoor track and cranked the Annie up to 100% power for several quick laps and it stuck like glue to the track through the turns.  It pulled a 3 car (1 boxcar, 2 Passenger cars) train at full speed without so much as a hiccup from any of the front wheels.  I couldn't do this with my "old" 4-6-0 without seeing the rear-inside wheel trying to lift off of the track.  My Spectrum 4-4-0 tries to lift the front wheel even at slow speeds on these turns, which is to be expected as it is not intended for 4' diameter turns.  The all-black Annie really looks the part as it is much more detailed and less toy-like than the older set locos.  Now all I need to do is figure out how it'll be marked?  I'm leaning towards the Durango & Silverton name on the Tender and just a 400-series number on the engine.  It looks so much more like the K 28's and 36's they're using now than the Bumbel Bee does.
Count me as a very happy "new" Annie owner.  My only wish is the Bachmann wouldn upgrade the chuff system to 4 per revolution and add a digital steam whistle sound to the board.  Then it would be the perfect 4-6-0!  I tried posting small pics but i keep getting a "folder is full" message??    Mike in TX

I have both a Spectrum 4-4-0 (very close to the 2-6-0) and a brand-new 2012 Anniversary 4-6-0 with all of the improvements.  The Annie swallows up all tight turns (4' Diam) with ease.  It tracks so much better than my original 4-6-0 Durango & Silverton with the old front truck.  The detailing on the Anniversary model is a huge improvement over the engines typically included in sets.  While I prefer the 4-4-0 for its classic lines, it is much easier to line up rolling stock in the 1:22.5 scale with the Annie than get cars which don't dwarf the 4-4-0 in use.  Smaller  20' 1:20.3 boxcars look "right" with the 4-4-0 whereas the engine is dwarfed by 1:20.3 rolling stock of a larger size.  I have used my 1:22.5 rolling stock with my Spectrum 4-4-0 and they don't look too out-of scale for it.  The new Annie chassis with metal gears and the new front truck is going to be a great engine for Bachmann.  Mike in TX