Large Scale Central

Barry's Big Trains Bachmann Drive Conversions/How's Yours Doing?

General Discussion
#21

Doug,
Barry wants a copy of your reply. I think he may want to help your friend out, since he waited so long. You might want to call him. He needs an address and information.

Mickey,
Barry has some 2-8-0 drives ready to go but he has a 8-9 week delay because he ran out of a certain gear for the drive and had to order it. The production company has a back log but will make it as quick as they can for him. The 8-9 week estimate is from them.
As for the 4-4-0, that is a custom build and you’ll have to get with Barry on that one.
Pricing I believe for the 2-8-0 is in the $300.00 to $350.00 range but please don’t quote me on this as I think it’s better you contact Barry directly. I try to stay out of financial things because I don’t know how he prices items.

David M.
If it’s Barry’s locomotive you can get the parts from Barry and get it up and running again. I would call him if I were you.

Noel,
Barry said to let you know that side rods are $25.00 and available but he is running out of them, just so you know.

Ben,
I would contact Barry also in regards to the set screw problem. I think he has a solution. Nice Photo! Thanks!
By the way, talked to Barry about your gear problem. There is a flat spot on the axle, according to Barry that the set screw has to go up against or it will spin and come loose. Hope that helps!

PS. TO EVERYONE: BARRY TOLD ME AFTER I READ THESE REPLIES TO HIM THAT HE WILL WRITE UP AN INFORMATIONAL LETTER AND SEND IT TO ME TO POST HERE ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH HIM AND HIS BUSINESS, HOW HE’S DOING, WHAT HE IS AND WILL BE DOING, AND INFORMATION ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO HIM AND BARRY’S BIG TRAINS. I’LL POST IT AS SOON AS I RECEIVE IT. THIS MAY CLEAR UP SOME CONFUSION ABOUT HIS CURRENT AND PAST PARTICIPATION IN THE LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY.

Hope that helps!
Ken

#22

Ken Brunt,
Thanks for the photos, I’ll make sure Barry sees them.
It’s really cool they are are still running so well. A testament to his quality.
Thanks for the info. and photos!
Ken

#23

Ken,

Thanks for providing the explanation regarding feedback for Barry’s Drives.

I have one of Barry’s drives in my Connie (Sorry-no photos of it running…too busy having fun with it to bother with photos :)! The Connie is my most used locomotive…mpre so than my Accucraft C19! It just runs that well. I’ve had mine for about 7 years now.

#24

Mickey Kelley said:
I may be interested in his drives. I have the Bachman 280 and 440. Where, how much and when could I get?

Mickey,

Barry started making drives because Bachmann’s early locos weren’t very reliable. However, Bachmann improved, and the 2-6-0 and 4-4-0 Spectrum locomotives have quite robust systems that shouldn’t need replacing (apart from that pesky split gear problem.) What’s wrong with yours?

#25

Gary,
Barry will sure love to hear you run his locomotive more than Accucraft. Great runner for 7 years, kinda makes it worth every penny spent on it.
No worries on the photos, it’s just nice to hear positive feedback!
Thanks for the reply.
Ken

#26

I think Mickey is talking about the 2-8-0 consolidated locomotive that was out earlier, Oh and by the way I think Northwest Shortline makes a replacement gear for the 4-4-0. Not sure if they make a gear for the consolidation but Barry’s drive is far superior, in my opinion.
Barry does produce a replacement drive for earlier 4-6-0’s and the 2-8-0 Conversion for the Big Hauler 4-6-0 also, as my photos show above. In case someone was curious and didn’t know.
I agree that Bachmann has really improved there drives but there is still a lot of older running and non running locos that could use a little help.
Little side note;
Did you know that the grease port holes under a lot of up to date Bachmann locomotives was Barry’s invention. Best idea in the world!
Ken

#27

Ken Mathews/Imagination Station Kids On Track said:
Doug, Barry wants a copy of your reply. I think he may want to help your friend out, since he waited so long. You might want to call him. He needs an address and information. Mickey, Barry has some 2-8-0 drives ready to go but he has a 8-9 week delay because he ran out of a certain gear for the drive and had to order it. The production company has a back log but will make it as quick as they can for him. The 8-9 week estimate is from them. As for the 4-4-0, that is a custom build and you’ll have to get with Barry on that one. Pricing I believe for the 2-8-0 is in the $300.00 to $350.00 range but please don’t quote me on this as I think it’s better you contact Barry directly. I try to stay out of financial things because I don’t know how he prices items. David M. If it’s Barry’s locomotive you can get the parts from Barry and get it up and running again. I would call him if I were you. Noel, Barry said to let you know that side rods are $25.00 and available but he is running out of them, just so you know. Ben, I would contact Barry also in regards to the set screw problem. I think he has a solution. PS. TO EVERYONE: BARRY TOLD ME AFTER I READ THESE REPLIES TO HIM THAT HE WILL WRITE UP AN INFORMATIONAL LETTER AND SEND IT TO ME TO POST HERE ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH HIM AND HIS BUSINESS, HOW HE’S DOING, WHAT HE IS AND WILL BE DOING, AND INFORMATION ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO HIM AND BARRY’S BIG TRAINS. I’LL POST IT AS SOON AS I RECEIVE IT. THIS MAY CLEAR UP SOME CONFUSION ABOUT HIS CURRENT AND PAST PARTICIPATION IN THE LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY. Hope that helps! Ken

Thanks Ken for the information… Nice to know he still has a few but, when I sent my early Big Berry block in for upgrade repair about 10 years ago or so, I had him replace the plastic side rods then to his metal side rods. Been running it all of these years with no problems on any ware.

#28

Ken, its not the drive that needs repaired, its the shell. The previous owner did a number on it. There is a plastic centipede, and a few spiders glued to it, as well as an extra headlight (on the top pf the original one), all kind of stickers, its a real mess. I bought it just for the drive, and I plan on putting the drive under another locomotive.

http://marketplace.trainzauctions.com/offer/details/167297

#29

David,
It’s kinda funny, I was on the phone with Barry when your message came in. I read it to him immediately and he laughed and said he was sure glad hus drive was ok.
Guess I missed that one. Anyway, post a photo when it’s done, love to see it. If you do ever need parts however, give Barry a call.

Noel,
Thanks for the info. Glad to know the locomotive is still running great. Love the videos! Thanks!
Ken

#30

David,
Wow I looked at the auction site. Yea that is a bit of, well interesting. Can you email me a photo to share with Barry, if that’s ok with you? The auction site doesn’t allow photo downloads.
Here’s the email and Thanks!
[email protected]

#31

A couple of years ago Barry did a drive for one of my Bachmann Porters. I think they are rare, because I have never heard or seen another!

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/44/24/02/22022_0986.jpg)

#32

I’ve never seen one and we have talked about almost everything he has built and I didn’t even know he built one.
I’m gonna ask him about it. I saved the photo to show him.
Looks great and I’ll bet it runs just as great!
Thanks for posting that.
Ken

#33

Here is 4-6-0 #21 and 2-8-0 #22, both with Barry’s drives that have been running for 10 years or more, would have to check the paperwork for exact dates.

These pictures are from a few years back but the Loco’s look the same, well maybe a little dirtier and dustier (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif).

Rick

#34

I think they look great with sort of a real weathered look. Great photos!
Thanks for showing them to us and for the update.
Nice railroad by the way!
Ken

#35

I installed a BBT motor and drive in my Bachmann Connie after the drive gear split. It works great. A real strong and reliable locomotive. I’d probably buy another one if it came available.

#36

Love to see a photo Joe, if you have one.
Also, Barry still makes drives if you want to contact him.
His number is on the original post.
Thanks! Ken

#37

This was built on a custom chassis Barry did for me. Still runs great!

Another one, built on a 2-8-0 replacement chassis:

I’ve got two “Connies” both running with Barry’s replacement gearbox, and another 2-8-0 chassis-based loco running on my dad’s railroad back east.

Later,

K

#38

Kevin,
I know Barry will like seeing this. Nice photos!
You guys do nice wotk and glad to know it’s still running great.
Incidentally, wondering, is E.B.T. East Broad Top or do I have that wrong? Can’t quite remember.
Appreciate the reply.
Ken

#39

You are correct, sir.

Later,

K

#40

“..Doug, Barry wants a copy of your reply. I think he may want to help your friend out, since he waited so long. You might want to call him. He needs an address and information. …”

Too late, a couple yrs after the scenario arose (i think he did get a refund finally), Bill (also of Calgary) retired from the G-gauge/MR community focusing on enlarging his fleet of similiar sized R/C boats ! His railway WAS relocated around the region, via purchase and occ. piece being ‘adopted’.

doug c