Barry:
Just noticed your reply…after we had a really good conversation on the telephone a little while ago. I really enjoyed our visit and you were very helpful. Much easier for me to plan now. Thank you for taking your time on New Year’s Eve to update me on conversion options.
Happy New Year,
Dennis
Odessa/Ritzville, E WA state
Okay, here’s the question that remains, at least for me, unaswered: HOW can version 6 be ordered on line? What are the essential (any easily visible stamped production numbers?) identifiers ensuring that you are ordering #6 and you WILL receive #6 in the mail? Don’t you give up when the dialogue ends with the clerk proclaiming: “We think this is the latest one .” Trainworld uses the same numbers no matter what model in their ads. Is the “latest” simply the last one Trainworld received from Bachmann? I imagine the nice person taking your order, pausing, getting the loco box, opening it, and assuring you it “sure looks like a new one” after you sought if it had an “improved pilot truck assembly.” Can an order be assured a success without some identifying production-unique number? What language did any of you use to maiil order “Annie #6” and actually get what you thought you were ordering?
With Aristo, I would ask "is it in a yellow box?
Wendell
Hi Joe & Barry:
Joe, thank you for posting the gear box photo.
Now I understand the free wheeling gear arrangement. Reminds me of the slot cars set I had as a child.
This seems to me to be the best gear arrangement as it allows the hobbyist to push the loco along the track with the power off.
I guess the weakness of the design is the spur gear may be a weaker drive than a worm drive.
Norman
Norman Bourgault said:
Hi Joe & Barry:Joe, thank you for posting the gear box photo.
Now I understand the free wheeling gear arrangement. Reminds me of the slot cars set I had as a child.
This seems to me to be the best gear arrangement as it allows the hobbyist to push the loco along the track with the power off.
I guess the weakness of the design is the spur gear may be a weaker drive than a worm drive.
Norman
Norman,
Although the drivers CAN back drive the motor, it is not easily done. The gear ratio is such that the drive wheels lose traction on the track before the wheels will turn, most of the time. YMMV
Per my problem-solving request two posts above, any input on how to ensure an e-mail order brings the “newest” version (#6) of the loco?
If you were successful in getting the newest version and not “We think this is the latest one,” how did you do it?
Wendell
I’d like an answer to Wendell’s question too. I wonder if there is/can be an answer? So much depends on the knowledge of the vendor/seller and his/her available time or willingness to check. (??)
Dennis
Thanks Dennis for supporting the inquiry.
My guess is, and it is a guess, the manufacturers do not want to make their product improvements identified on the boxes because of the limited market. Obviously, retailers would be stuck with the “last version.” However, the manufactures want consumers to know of the improvements – now, how can the consumer clearly request an improved version and receive it when there are no clear identifiers by either number or the packaging other than disassembling the product??
OK, how is it done?
Why didn’t Bachmann give the new version ‘6’ new model numbers is puzzling me. Maybe because ther are still lots of version '5’s in the market place???
All good comments. In the end, I suppose Bachmann wants all the versions to get sold out, so if identification of later versions is vague, all the stock gets sold and it’s easier for them anyway. It is the detail/quality oriented consumer folks who quest for the best in reliability and prototypical detail. Hmmmm…is that us? Grin…
Dennis
My supplier in Toronto, had no problem ordering the newest version of the Anniversary ten wheeler, from Bachmann. The improvements are worthwhile. I never have had problems with the #5 version of the gearbox. My locomotives (6 0f them) get high milage on them every year, and have stood the test. The only problem I have had is the failure of the plastic spacers on the pilot truck wheels. They are easily replaced with brass tubing, or plastic. Using Battery/Radio control, allows the use of brass tubing, but for track power, you need plastic.
Fr. Fred,
Plastruc makes a tube in white, which has the right ID, but a little larger OD, but it will work. You have to hole the plastic tube in place between the two metal/plastic frames an insert the wheel axle plugs into the tube. If loose, add AC to the wheel axle plug. (this works on the old split black tubes as well.
Generally, don’t like AC in modelling, especially outdoors. It is soluble in water.
Barry
Thank you, Barry…
Hey Barry, if you have a chance, can you read over my “versions” page for errors or omissions? I’ve gotten a lot of help from TOC already on this, but I’d sure appreciate your “eyes” on this.
http://www.elmassian.com/trains/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/bachmann-motive-power/big-hauler
Thanks, Greg
Hopefully Barry will affirm your through research and reporting.
Many thanks to you. Your effort is precisely why the LSC site is so important.
Now, the question remains, how can those using e-mail ensure themselves of actually ordering and receiving edition #6?
Secondly: Do you personally have in your collection all of the loco editions?
Wendell
For what it’s worth; I find that allowing myself the use of a complete and flexable communication system, using BOTH the internet AND the telephone, allows me much more assured ordering of what I want.
Limiting one’s self to only the internet, is not always a wise move, when trying to obtain precisely what is wanted.
Hi Wendell:
If ordering from TrainWorld ask to speak with Paul Bianco. Call the Trainland store first to speak with the counter clerks. I never have had a problem with TrainWorld.
G Scale Junction is also very good.
RLD Hobbies is also very good.
Of the three, G Scale Junction and RLD Hobbies are the easiest to access the owner.
So for ease of certainty to be sure exactly which version of the Anniversary loco you are buying order from either G Scale Junction or RLD Hobbies.
Just quote what ever pricing TrainWorld is selling the locos at and they will almost certainly match or possibly beat the TrainWorld pricing.
But as Fred elluded to, you will need to speak with RLD or G Scale Junction by phone and then send an order confirmation email.
Norman
Thanks Norm and Fred-
Yes, good advice, common sense is first order. Yes, always speak to management IF there is any divergence from what the sales staff/order takers anticipate. Ordering a loco that is internally different and looks the same as the other versions is a requested divergence.
However, it is apparent from our web site readers, there is NO identifying mechanism known to us to sort out – at least from looking at the packaging – what version is being purchased. Of course, non-hands-on management may not know either what version Bachman has sent them. So personal verbal contact with active management is the last and best resort. Of course, how persuasive is the customer in requesting a through examination of the loco once out-of-the-box – “just a few screws here…ah… let me call you back.”
At least Aristo has different colored boxes and LGB’s products are stamped “Germany” or “China” on the bottom.
And when did USA improve their infamous cracking gears? Any identifiers – like other products that extoll "NEW and IMPROVED! on the package?
Selah,
Wendell
Actually, in my opinion, USAT never improved them… they changed the knurling on the ends of the axles, but I’ve had both versions crack.
Greg
What can be done to the 2nd gen Bachmman frame and motor to make it quieter, short of replacing the entire frame and motor assembly.
Dan S.
Last time I checked the entire chassis was on sale at Bachmann for a fantastic price.
If the sale is still on, that would be the way to go.
Greg