Large Scale Central

Big Hauler cylinders vs Annie cylinders, Stephenson gear etc. (b

Modeling
#1

Attempting my first go at reworking a mix of Big hauler and Annie chassis parts. (Annie portion has not arrived yet) On the Big Hauler cylinders, I suspect the front cylinder end is a separate, “plug,” inserted into the cylinder. Did the factory press these in or glue them in? Same question for the rear where the cylinder end also carries, (apparently) the front end of the crosshead guides. I’d like to strip a set down to it’s component parts without breaking anything.

Next, are the Big Hauler cylinders and the Annie cylinders from the same Bachmann mold?

Dennis

#2

Dennis,
basically chalk and cheese. An Annie cylinder/steam chest assembly is completely different and larger than the Big Hauler line. The Annie clinder ends/crosshead guides are metal and I believe the Big Hauler are plastic. I do not think, apart from complete assemblies, that individual parts are interchangable.

#3

If you recall I posted about this small problem on Dec. 13th. I had to cut down the length of the air tanks on my 2G Big Hauler upper to clear the larger Annie cylinders…

Joe Zullo said:
I received my $50 Annie chassis yesterday and converted one of my generation 2 4-6-0’s to a Gen 5 Annie. Basically it was a direct swap except for the air tanks. I had to shorten them due to interference with the cylinder valve boxes. Also a few screws need to be different lengths and I needed to solder in a head light bulb. It runs great and pulls great too!

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8271625556_6e194174e5_c.jpg)

#4

Thanks Tim and Joe:
You’ve answered my question. Joe, I do remember seeing your post. I’ll end up doing exactly what you did, but that’s a different project.
My thinking over the possible dis-assembly of my Big Hauler cylinder set is because it is from a junk parts engine and I was wondering that, if they could be broken down, could I eventually build one up quite a bit larger to work as a low pressure cylinder for a Mallet. (I do a lot of dreaming !) I’m now beginning to think the Big Hauler cylinder sets are nearly worthless for anything beyond their original toy-train application.
Down the road I’ll still need to come up with a low pressure cylinder set. I’d hate to part out an Annie chassis just for the cylinders. (And I doubt Bachmann will sell a cylinder set) Maybe I can cut off the back cover of this Big Hauler cylinder, (if the factory glued the end in), then build up the overall size of what’s left and finish by grafting on a new metal rear end and metal crosshead guides.
Knowing me, I’ll make a huge job out of it before it’s over.
Dennis

#5

Dennis,

Call (don’t email) the Bachmann parts dept. They will sell any parts you wish.

#6

Good idea, Joe. Thanks. Gee…so simple.

Now I remember I actually did that a few years ago for Connie parts. Forgot about it.

Dennis

#7

I recently received two annie chassis. One is to replace the broken plastic crosshead on a Big Hauler engine that I repainted and decorated for Halloween. The second is for a kit bash project converting a Big Hauler into a camelback. It had similar problems with the crossheads and running gear. I had been considering making my own side rods etc from brass sheet and remotoring with parts from Northwest Short Lines and a google search revealed that the chassis were now available. I had been told that the annie chassis was not available or compatible with the earlier Big Hauler versions but so far every thing seems to fit. So I am happy to have three good running engines added to my rolling stock