Wilson.  I do not know if this will work.  I saw it on another website and copied it for reference.  I wish I could give proper credit, but I can't find the original again.  Perhaps it will help. 

"She had a definate hitch in her get-along. At slow speeds she would hesitate badly whenever the side rods reached the same spot in their rotation. I've experienced this problem with a number of 10 wheelers in the past and have a quick cure that has once again worked and she runs as slow and smooth as I would expect.
If your loco does the same, simply remove the side rods and use a reamer to slightly enlarge the holes in the rods. The little extra slack allows things to move without a hitch and compensates for wheels that are apparently slightly out of quartering."

Author unknown!!

Ben,
If the wheels don't turn by hand it is a Version 3.   Be sure to lube it every three months or so, if you use it a lot, more often if the weather is hot.

From my experience it is up to Bachmann how they go about repair.  Generally they will do the repair at the lowest possible labor cost.   They do not maintain a supply of parts for the older stuff, so chances are good that you would get the newer chassis.

Be sure to send in your warranty card and keep your receipt.  I suggest you make a copy of the warranty card and staple the receipt to it and put it in the set box.

Good luck with your outdoor railroad plans, and remember don't use the Bachmann set track outdoors.  

Ben,

This is the version identification scheme for the Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0.  It would appear you have either version 2 or 3.   From your description I believe your set may be the "Gold Rush"  Bachmann Item number 90022.  This set had a long production run.   If it is a version 2 please let me know as I have yet never seen this set with version 2

Version 2  1990-1994  Smooth Bottom Cover  You can turn wheels 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..                             
Note that the dates overlap and as of Nov 1, 2007 have not been fixed more precisely, but I believe all new sets introduced in 1999 with the VHS instructions were version 5                             
The following sets were Version 5 Chassis 90031, 90032, 90033, 90034, 90035 and 90037.  All NEW sets after 2000 also have the version 5 chassis.   

All 10 Anniversary 4-6-0's  have the version 5 chassis.

If you aquire more 4-6-0 locomotives be sure to get only the newer more reliable  Version 5 chassis.

Most of all enjoy your new train set!!

Hey JD, Great picture of version 5 Chassis!!  Thanks!!

Alan,   Glad you identified it!!

To all those in the EBay market for the Bachmann 4-6-0, it is best to ask the seller to describe the bottom plate, and be sure it has the plastic lube hole cover as shown in Jon' s photo.  If sellers won't describe it I wouldn't bid on it.  If you are selling and have a version 5 Chassis I would be sure to tell potential bidders that the loco you are selling has the latest smooth running version 5 Chassis. 

I did forget to mention that all Anniversary 4-6-0's have the version 5 Chassis. 

Also all NEW sets made after 2000 have the version 5 chassis!!

Cheers to all!!

Alan,

To find the version you have to check the bottom plate of your locomotive.  It should be one of the following

Version 2  1990-1994  Smooth Bottom Cover  You can turn wheels 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..                              
Note that the dates overlap and as of Nov 1, 2007 have not been fixed more precisely, but I believe all new sets introduced in 1999 with the VHS instructions were version 5                              
The following sets were Version 5 Chassis 90031, 90032, 90033, 90034, 90035 and 90037.

Hope this helps.                              

William, 

If you just don't like the way the Bachmann couplers look then I also recommend Kadee,   But I have to agree that I have no problems with my stock couplers and find they are greatly improved in operation and looks by painting them.  I use either
Krylon Camo Flat Brown, or the cheapest Red oxide flat primer.  The bite created by the paint seems to improve operation, and I get nice complements on how realistic the couplers look.  I remove them and hold the coupler with a needlenose pliers and spray them with a couple of light coats of the paint, when dry I check the movement of the working parts and reinstall them.  I like the red oxide best.

Happy Railroading

I think the Sierra sound units you are referring to are the newer Tsunami units rather than the older Sierra Soundtraxx Units.  The soundtraxx units also have the sound of shovelling coal, at least the ones I have do so they may not be suitable for you.  There is nothing wrong with the Phoenix system and my son uses them.  They just sound tinny to me, but I am an old guy and my ears aren't as good as they used to be.  Having said that, If I could only get a Phoenix I would, because any sound system is better than none.

Try going to the Sierra website.  Google on Soundtraxx and that should get it for you. Then check out the different locos available.  You can email them to see if they have anything for a woodburner. Or try this:http://soundtraxx.com/products/sierra/price.htm

Look down the list and you will see that they have a unit specifically for the Bachmann 4-4-0, 830121 is thier product number. 

I do not know if it is for a woodburner though, you will have to check with them.

Best of luck

Best thing to do is start by checking the output of the power pack.  It will require a cheap voltage tester.  Put the speed on full.  If the power pack is putting out 12 or more volts at the connection then check the voltage on the track, by touching the tester probes to the tracks at various spots.  if the voltage is the same and the loco runs slow the problem is with the loco.  If the voltage is good at the power pack, but low on the rails, then the rails may be dirty, or the connections from the power pack to the track is not good.  If the voltage is low at the powerpack aat full throttle then the problem is with the power pack. 

It is best not to take anything apart until you trouble shoot and are sure of the problem

If you are the original owner your loco is covered by the Bachmann Waranty then contact the service dept.  If it is the powerpack then see if you can find a new one at your local hobby shop, or on Ebay or by contacting Bachmann Service and buying a new one.

Hope this helps!!

TRy this:

https://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=P-251-F

Paste it into your browser and go!

For those interested the price of the 2007 Sam's Club Christmas Set 90061 Northern Lights has been reduced to $124.81 on the web site.  It says online only, so I can't say what has happened in the stores. 

Happy Holidays

I prefer the Sierra systems, especially if running outdoors.  It seems to have better volume than the Phoenix and the Bass seems to be better.  I found the Sierra instructions very easy to follow all step by step, and I had no experience.  They also have a warranty which says if you screw it up while installing it they will replace it no charge. 

Many of my friends have mistaken my Sierra sound system for the more expensive Phoenix system. 

Good luck and once you add sound you will never go back!!!!

Steve,

Actually I did look at both links and saw the boxcar right behind the locomotive in one of the sets, I didn't think they were any different than a Bachmann boxcar behind the Bachmann 4-6-0.  I have a 4-6-0 on a display shelf with the boxcar directly behind.  The boxcar seems to be dwarfed especially behind behind the wood tender. 

As for the TOC I was just having a little fun,  Dave is a great guy and has personally helped me with several projects.  He has kidded me and others about the Submarine guys being better than those other guys like Marines and Army guys like me who were dumb enough to jump out of airplanes.  He one ups us most of the time!!!  I have known him to help new folks even sending free parts to help them out.  They don't come any better than that!!   Having said all that I hope he doesn't read this and let it go to his head!!!

As for the Keystone sets, the diecast frames interest me for possible kitbashing projects, assuming you could get the sets for a cheap price.  The Keystone set prices seemed to be pretty high to me.  I might try one if I see one at 70% off. 

Happy Holidays to all and Happy Railroading!!!!!

TOC,

You must have been in those dark submarines too long!!  I see a yellow gondola but no boxcars.   The gon sure looks like Bachmann.  diecast  underframes sound interesting, maybe good for bashing.

Cheers & Beers

Thanks JD,

I'll Stick with what I have!!!

Jack,

I see that George lists the Aristo wheels as suitable, but maybe he didn't use the ball bearing sets.  Beats me except the Aristo BB wheels kept sliding out of the ends of the truck bearings when I tried it.   

If I try it again, I may give those SanVal wheels a try.  Thanks