Large Scale Central

Big Hauler Parts/Pilot Wheel Mount Upgrade

General Discussion
#1

Hello all…

Today I decided to work on my Big Hauler since the pilot trucks broke free of the mount a while back and I am getting ready to go RC/battery.

I found a site that had directions for a replacement mount, I decided to give it a try. I couldnt find .0030 brass stock, but I did find.0090. I used that and ground it down a bit…not much though. I fabricated the mount and rewired the pilot truck. I put it on the test track and it wanted to move but wouldnt. I lifted up the drive wheels and kept the pilot wheels in contact with the track…it ran like a charm. Put the drive wheels back down and nothing. I disconnected the power pick up off the rear drive wheels and…bam…worked like a charm. I wanted to take it outside for a test run but we got some rain here in LA and since rain and electricity are a bad combination…I figure I would wait until next weekend.

While doing this conversion, I realized that a part was broken and I cant for the life of me remember what it is called. It is where the side rods connect to the front of the loco. It looks to be a replaceable part. My question is does anyone know how to get that part??

Thanks in advance

Bob

#2

Bachmann calls it a Valve Gear Assembly. When you get it it wi ll have the complete gear parts. you have to drill two holes on both side to mount the hangers for the assembly. It does improve the appearance of the engine. Or you can just order the part thats broke called the valve guides. I like the whole assembly because it looks better.

#3

The cosshead guide. Are you sure that its just not popped out of the cylinder?

#4

I built a new pilot truck for my Annie out of brass after she tried plummeting. Since I’m all battery, it works fine. However: I was running on the club’s modular layout one day and somebody said, “Sure, you can run on the same track as Tom: He’s battery.”

When they applied track power, the entire operation, except for Annie, came to a stop. That solid brass pilot truck blew every fuse in the layout, even for the OTHER track. Of course, I kept running along oblivious of the havoc I’d just caused.

#5

Oops. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif)

#6

Bob

What is the web site with directions for a replacement mount?

Tom

#7

Bob, since the pilot caused a short, turn it 180 degrees as it may have been wired backwards or got turned around. I have a Annie and the front pilot will turn 180 degrees and cause the short.

#8

Thanks all…

Here is the website that I found the info off of…

http://girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html

I found the valve gear assembly at Bachman and ordered it today. I hope it fits since this is from about 1992…if not…I will make it work.

I checked the wiring and everything looked good, once I disconnected the drive wheel pick ups, no issues at all. Ordering a Rail Boss 4 this week so it wont be an issue soon.

#9

Dan Pierce said:

Bob, since the pilot caused a short, turn it 180 degrees as it may have been wired backwards or got turned around. I have a Annie and the front pilot will turn 180 degrees and cause the short.

That was my thought - you turned the truck 180 degrees, so the pickup is the opposite side from the driving wheels. Easy to do. (Looking at the photo, I think it is upside down too!)

When you finish the battery conversion, remove the plug under (op top of?) the front truck that holds the metal strips between the axles. Tape one side (so it doesn’t short out when you visit/run on an electrified track. It will make the truck floppy but it will stay on the track better.