Large Scale Central

Bachmann 4-6-0 rebuild

Modeling
#1

I have 2 old (> 10 years I think) B-mann 4-6-0. 1 is metal wheels, track power plastic everything else. 2 is R/C plastic battery powered circus train. I have lost the transmitter somewhere along the way.

I am going to kitbash the 2 so I can get a battery powered metal wheel loco, based upon MA&PA #28 ( I hope. I am not too talented). Not sure what I will use for control but Dave Bodner posted a DIY controller earlier I may try. Thanks again Dave!

I am posting a photo of the gears on the metal wheel chassis. Am I correct these need to be replaced with metal gears to avoid problems?

Also, can I substitute the metal valve gear and rods # G81008 which are more in line with the M&P?

This is my first real attempt at anything creative so if you don’t mind answering several newbie I would really appreciate it. And yes, if I don’t botch it too badly there will be pictures!!!

Thanks to you all.

#2

Amazingly, Bachmann still has some of these left for sale…You get everything you are after for next to nothing. Why re-invent the wheel when you can get one so cheap!

Good luck with your project!

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_148&products_id=4083

Be sure to buy the $50.00 dollar unit, not the $30.00 one. The $50.00 unit is the “Annie” drive with the metal side-rods.

#3

The issue is budget. And the opportunity to try to actually build something myself.

However you are most likely right as far as cost is concerned. I will keep my eye on this one as it is out of stock right now.

Thanks Mark.

#4

I was able to add the one linked above to my ‘cart’, it should be available.

I understand the budget…Just thinking if you wanted to replace the gears and drivers with metal you will likely spend more than $50.00. In truth, there is nothing wrong with moving forward with the original plastic gear train. Sure it may fail “someday” but in the meantime you have the fun of running something you modified yourself.

Have fun with it!

#5

“I am going to kitbash the 2 so I can get a battery powered metal wheel loco”

Jeff,

No reason your metal-wheeled, plastic geared loco won’t run for a very long time. I had one and it was a great runner. Bachmann only just upgraded them to metal gears recently (check George Schreyers pages for the differences between the generations.)

I’m not sure why you are going to bash the plastic r/c loco. It works on 6v (there should be a cable in the boiler that lets you use a 6V rechargeable pack for an r/c car.) The track-powered loco is designed for 12-18V. You can’t use the old r/c gear to drive a track-powered 4-6-0, as far as I know. (Maybe someone has done it?) I have a 1st gen 4-6-0 in working condition on my shelf, but that’s where it stays!.

#6

Good info Pete. Thanks.

I didn’t think that far ahead.

Maybe I will build 27 AND 28!!

#7

So I have emailed Bachmann Parts and the valve gear I want is an Anniversary model and I have the Big Hauler (800#'s vs 900#'s). Besides, they don’t sell it separately. So I have looked at the replacements and there seem to be 2 different rod selections. A very simple one that I have now and a more complex one (I don’t know the technical terms so excuse me) in several different colors. I am making the assumption (and we all know how that works) that the chassis are all the same and fit the bodies the same. The different part #'s have to do with the paint. Is that a safe assumption?

Is it feasible to make rods? I think this is WAY over my head should it be possible but I ask anyhow.

Anybody have an old rod 4-6-0 assembly in their scrap box they want to sell for experimentation purposes?

#8

Hmm, that hasn’t worked too well so far, has it?
I gather you are thinking of installing a Walshaert’s valve gear to replace a Stevenson one… (?) And moreover you’d like your new valve gear to be made of metal. Making a Walschaerts gear from scratch would be quite a challenge for a newbie, but it certainly can be done.
I recommend that you make such parts of nickel silver rather than brass, as the color is more realistic. (Nickel silver is actually a kind of white brass, and is worked exactly the same.) I would draw, drill, cut and file the parts to shape, in that order, then rivet them loosely together so they swivel, then attach the whole assembly to the wheels with shouldered screws.
The valve chest would have to have a slot cut in it for the valve rod, and the frame would have to have hangers contrived for the links and lifters. Doubtless there would be other modifications required to make the new setup fit on a mechanism intended for different valve gearing. The prototype certainly did it many times, by the way…
I have done a lot of locomotive scratchbuilding, but nowadays I find I have limited time for such work. I have scratchbuilt Stevenson valve gearing, but never scratchbuilt a Walschaerts valve gear system. I have disassembled and reassembled/repaired several in my day, however… I wouldn’t take on such a scratchbuilding job myself these days.
That said, it certainly can be done, if you’re that ambitious…
Good luck, and no matter how you approach these challenges, keep it fun. These days I never let the work I can invent for myself take over from the fun I could be having!
Cheers!

#9

Hi,

My latest project ,Little River RR #110 was done using an ancient Bachmann Big Hauler like yours.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/OriginalSouthern.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/OriginalSouthern2.jpg)

Got it cheap for $30 because of that free form cab (it was stored way too close to a heater).

I turned it in to:

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06939_zps26e183d9.jpg)

I did buy the $35 replacement chassis from Bachmann parts with motor, gearing and plastic Walschert’s rod gear. It fit right in to place and runs very well. Here it is starring in its own little You Tube flick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIkq0tSPjFc

It is battery powered with R/C in a trailing box car.

Good luck on your build.

Doc Tom

#10

Jeff Walls said: A very simple one that I have now and a more complex one (I don’t know the technical terms so excuse me) in several different colors. I am making the assumption (and we all know how that works) that the chassis are all the same and fit the bodies the same. The different part #'s have to do with the paint. Is that a safe assumption?

You are correct in your assumption.

For $50, this is a great deal and the way to go.
Ralph

#11

I would have been inclined to go Doctor Tom’s route too… much easier!
Now that’s twice here that the $50.00 mech has been recommended, and the 35.00 one has also received a nod. Well, for a mere $15.00 extra, I think I’d go with the metal gears… Same amount of work, probably much better lifespan…
It’s like painting the house - a job I hate - If I’m going to do it I’ll buy the best paint I can, so hopefully it’ll be a long time before I have to do it again! The extra money I pay is way less than the labor involved…
Doc, very good to hear from you. It was on the top of my agenda today to look you up and find out how you’re doing, since I haven’t heard from you in awhile. You’ve spared me some effort! Where & how’ve you been?

#12

Hi Jeff and John and Ralph,

Doing very well…thanks John.

I am glad that the newer “Annie Chassis” from Bachmann parts will fit the older model 4-6-0’s. It does have all metal parts.

When I made my choice I really did not know and looked at the pictures on the parts page to see the chassis that looked like my old beast. I was glad it fit and ran well.

Good luck with your build Jeff and send us pictures along the way.

Doc Tom

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06833_zps1af8f37a.jpg)