Large Scale Central

Advice on Bmann Annie Upgrade drive purchase

General Discussion
#1

I need some advice, Bachmann has a sale on for replacement drives, and I want to take advantage of it to pick up Annie drives for three old Big Haulers I have laying around, one is the original Battery Bug Mauler, one is a circus train , probably 2 or 3rd generation, and the last is a more recent version, not an Annie but with all metal details on the body.

Question is: Does it matter what I purchase? Will the Annie drive fit these older models or am I looking at a lot of modifications to fit it?

I haven’t done one of these before so before I dive in I want some feedback from those who’ve done this already. If the valve gear is a problem Bachmann does have a non-valve geared version Annie chassis on offer, I was considering that for the Battery Bug Mauler.

Let me know I’d appreciate any feedback.

#2

Vic,

All the Annie chassis will fit under all of your boilers. The only modifications you’ll need to do is to relocate the air tanks rearward on the floorboards about 3/8" otherwise the steamchest will hit the air tank. After you’ve removed the floorboard / air tank assembly, you’ll see two screws that hold the air tank together and to the floorboard. Remove the screws, use the inside tank half and locate the rear hole in it to be just on the edge of the mount. File a small notch where the rear screw will go and use a small drill bit to mark where to drill a new hole, in the mount, where the front screw will go. You’ll also have to lengthen the notch at the front of the air tank where the mount goes through. Do one side at a time so you don’t get things mixed up. When done correctly, the front of the air tank should be in line with the boiler strap when all is reassembled.

I’ve put these Annie chassis under all of my six Big Haulers, you’ll be happy you did. You might want to buy the proper pilot braces and screws. But if not, you can either use the Big Hauler pilot and braces or you can use the new Annie pilot and drill a hole, the same size as the old brace, directly between the two small screw holes where the Annie braces would mount. I’ve done it all these different ways but eventually used all Annie pilots and braces. Much better detail.

Hope this answers your question.

Adam

#3

Adam, could I use your nice description to put as advice on my web site for others?

Thanks, Greg

#4

Greg,

Yes you may, it would be an honor.

Thanks.

Adam

#5

Thank you Adam.

Please check: https://elmassian.com/index.php/large-scale-train-main-page/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/bachmann-motive-power/big-hauler

It is “Replace rather than repair” close to the top of the page.

Let me know of any corrections or edits you wish.

Thanks again Adam, this is a question often asked.

Greg

#6

Thanks Adam, once I get them I’ll refer back to this post if I have any questions

#7

Vic,

One other thing,

I think you should do the newer ones first, so you get an Idea of what’s involved, because the first generation battery powered “Bug Mauler” was made of brittle plastic that likes to break easily. I don’t think Bachmann knew what a hit they had when they first made them. Happily, they kept improving them over the years.

Let us know how you did.

Adam

#8

Vic,

When we repowered a our 10-wheeler, Oldest Daughter and I kept dropping some of the screws into the chassis as we reassembled it. We frequently had to take the whole thing apart to recover the screws. After a lot of frustration, it dawned on us to cover the offending holes.

Eric

#9

Vic,

Our adventures in repowering are here ( http://largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27623/another-weekend-another-fried-locomotive-bachmann-4-6-0?page=1 ). They are about midway through the string. The screw-eating-gaps I mentioned are the large ones behind the drivers. Were I to do this again, I’d cover the lot with a strip or two of masking tape until the boiler was secured to the chassis. The photos reminded me of one other point. The wires are not obviously color coded, if they were color coded at all. We got it all together, but we did miswire the smoke generator ON/OFF switch. It works, but I have to remind myself to turn the switch to “OFF” to make it work.

I would also add that after nearly two years of a couple of hours run time roughly every other weekend, North Star runs like a champion. I had feared the old girl would wind up a shelf queen, but the opposite has proven true.

Aloha,

Eric

Aloha,

Eric