Large Scale Central

Brag about your "Baby"

General Discussion
#1

Everyone seems to have that one locomotive that is their workhorse. The one you always know you can grab and let it run for hours, the one that won’t embarrass you in front of your wife’s friends, the one that can pull 5, 6, 7 or 8 cars without complaining. She may not be the prettiest engine you own, actually she may be just kind of plain but you know you can always count on her when you need to. She is your baby!

And that’s the kind of engine I want to start shopping for. I’m not in a hurry and would rather take my time to find the right engine at the right price and that right price is going to have to be below $500 and the farther below the better. I will be running the older style narrow-gauge trains 1:20.3 – 1:22.5 size range at this point but if yours happen to be a 1:29 scale go ahead and tell about it but please mention the difference.

So here is the question, what engine do you run that fits the description above and why do you think so. Now remember this is something I need to shop for so only models that can be found without a lot of difficulty, whether new or used.

Ok, here we go everyone has been asked to brag about “their baby”.

Jim

#2

This is mine:

(http://www.jbrr.com/assets/images/IMG_6382.JPG)

It’s got a BBT drive underneath. It was originally an Annie, but about the only thing left is the bell. :wink: Not really, I kept the pilot, air tanks, generator, air pump, and probably a few other pieces. The rest is built up to 1:20 scale. I’ve pulled 20 cars up a 4% grade. It’s reliable and very smooth running. I’ve used it over 3 hours when operating my layout and it hasn’t run out of battery.

#3

If you are an “Out-of-the-box” type of person; the Annie just out of the box is usually a winner, and the price is still within most budgets. An Annie is also one of the easiest locos to radio control and self contain.

As far as Diesels are concened; I’ll leave that to someone else.

Bruce did put a lot into his model, proving that again the Annie has a great potential for all types of kit-bashing projects. A BBT drive is a nice addition, but is not necessary, as the stock Annie drive, stands up well, after first checking for loose scews , and a good lube job.
Annies are usually able to haul at least 10 non bearing equipped B’mann cars on track with grades up to 2%…metal wheels on the cars do help, along with a minimum of 5 foot radius.
The Annie will go around 4 foot radius curves with no problem.
Look for Annies at sale prices…always a great bargin. Avoid EBay “Sales” of what are claimed to be Annies…many are slightly used (And Abused), or Big Haulers with earlier drives that aren’t worth the plastic they are made from.

The Annie (Anniversary edition of the Big Hauler) will always be one of the best bargins in Large Scale, for price, durability, and detail.

I have been “Operating” two Big Haulers, with the same drives as the Annie, along with two Annies, for over 10 years. The drives have never given me any problems. All are radio controled and self contained. I use gel cells.
Kadee has a good coupler conversion set for the pilot…and an 820 set on the tender, makes conversion to good operating couplers easy.

I also have two Annies, still in boxes, just in case one of the ones in service quits…so far, in 10 years; I haven’t needed them.

#4

In my opinion, the Bachmann Anniversary 10 wheeler, is anything but a “Baby”…it has proven to be a very dependable, reasonably good looking, steam profile, “Work Horse”, on my railroad.
It is 1:22.5 scale. Some would say, that by just changing the cab, and a bit of work on the tender, it can stand in for a 1:20.3 scale loco…even without modification; if you are not too fussy…it can pass muster.

#5

Like Friar Fred says he will leave the dismals to someone else. I guess i would have to say my 3 dash nines are my workhorses, seem to run the best and do the job for me at least. They Are Aristo’s, and are QSI/g-wire equipped!! The one in my avitar is my first! Here are the three!

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/blueregal/_forumfiles/diesels.jpg)

#6

Funny - I’m really a steam guy, but the locos I run the most are my Aristo RS-3’s (1:29). I have two Annie’s (1:22.5) that haven’t turned a wheel in over a year, but they always ran good for me. Lately when I run steam it’s either a Bachman Connie or my live steam Shay (both 1:20.3). I haven’t put a lot of time on the Connie. Others have had problems with the drive. So far mine is OK.

#7

Here is my Baby. It was my first with a BBT drive and I now will have 5 total with BBT drives. I have not spent over 500 on any of them and that is with Barry doing all the work to them. For the money I personal do not think you can do better then a Annie with a BBT drive and they will run forever and pull like mad.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/geogeorge/_forumfiles/SPCLoco.jpg)

At Christmas time I had this one and a Christmas Annie running trains from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve 5 to 7 hours a night. I also took my Christmas Loco to GGRR Clubs lay out and pulled 16 cars with. Ran like a dream and looked great.

#8

Since you asked…

(http://www.the-ashpit.com/P6230006.JPG)

It started life as a green LGB 2017D and power tender.

(http://www.the-ashpit.com/layout%20037.jpg)

The mechanicals are untouched, and no added weight. It’s about 25 years old, still runs perfect on dirty and/or uneven track, and will pull 8-9 2-axle freight cars all day long, on R-1 curves, with no complaints - far more than a locomotive that size should pull. http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/StainzBash.html You can get a decent used loco/tender pair on feebay starting at around $100… Green ones tend to be more plentiful and cheaper than the other colors… As you can see, a little paint takes care of the glow in the dark. Leaving the only ‘problem’ those few people who will dismiss it as being a ‘toy’ train… (but aren’t they all?)

#9

Most aesthetically pleasing of all my Annie-based conversions. This loco, like my other rebuilt Annies, runs faultlessly.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/madppb.JPG)

#10

That is a sharp looking loco there Tim.

#11

Garrett,
you may be aware that I have built at least 15 variations on the Annie. Every loco impresses me with its performance. These are much maligned, but if operated with consideration, then, after rebuilding, they perform admirably. When I eventually extract the digit there is another Mastadon, a Hudson and a ‘ten-wheeler’, all in various stages of completion. I purchased several extra new Annies for spares and just require the ‘initiative’ to complete them.

#12

I knew you had bashed a few, but not that many.

I have considerd one to bash into something a bit more European? Somene gave one a full DR treatment and sold it on eBay last year.

There are a couple S/H Annies with BBT drives (one 2-8-0 actually) in them at a shop near me, maybe I should grab one?

#13

This fictional narrow-gauge ‘mother hubbard’ has proven to be super reliable. Note that gold tender truck sideframes were a temporary necessity to complete the model, but have now been replaced with black frames.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/madf8.JPG)

#14

My “Absolutely, positively, turn it on and watch it run” locomotive:

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/openhouse08/open23.jpg)

Tuscarora Timber Co. #4, a Bachmann Heisler. All my locos are solid performers, but this one is my stalwart for one reason, something it lacks… A front pilot. My railroad is a double reverse loop, with simple “V” springs on the loops. All of my other steamers have front pilots, and all but one of them will derail on the switch if it’s not thrown properly. So, when I’ve got an open house or guests over to see the railroad, it’s either this, or EBT #1:

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT1/EdRob01.jpg)

Currently, it’s my only locomotive whose front pilot reliably pushes through the switch points. This one only half-fits the requirements, since it’s a custom job, and cannot be bought off the shelf. The chassis is an LGB Mogul chassis, though, which has historically proven to be rock solid. My dad’s Woodland RY #18 is a first generation LGB mogul, and is probably his “old reliable” if ever there was one. 25 years and still going strong. Later, K

#15

I have 2 favorites, both Bachmann 10 wheelers. The one I usually grab when I want to run a train is RGS #20, an Anniversary 10 wheeler. It’s been a very reliable runner.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Fall%20run/opses012.jpg)

My second choice is usually “Old Reliable”, No 25, an original Big Hauler purchased in 1987. It’s equipped with a BBT drive and has been run extensively since I got into this hobby.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Operating%20session01/OPS04.jpg)

#16

I guess one man’s prize, is another man’s pig. My old reliable is the former RC Cola 0-4-0. Despite it’s short wheelbase, it never has any power pick up issues. It does not matter how long it has been since I’ve run. I can hook up the track cleaner and the 0-4-0 will pull it around the track without any problems. My Annies are right up there too. A close second, only because if I haven’t run in a while, front pilot derailments are possible. After a little track adjustment, all is well. Ralph

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/0-4-0030Medium.jpg)

#17

I would have to say my best engine is the Hartland Loco (Big John). It can pull 5 cars with no problem and probably alot more (never tested it). Like Kevin stated about his it does not have front pilot so I never have derailing issues. Another great features is it is built tough and does not have fragile parts like the Bachmann stuff. With a little detail added and new paint job the HLW stuff can look great

(http://i49.tinypic.com/210an81.jpg)

#18

I am not all that familiar with the Bachmann Annie. What I find confusing is that some have a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement and others a 2-8-0 arrangement. Are these the same engine? I would appreciate anyone’s answer to this. Regards, Dennis.

#19

My most reliable runner is the LGB Forney. I can take it out as the first runner in the spring, without doing any track work, and it just moves right along.
Having said that, the Annies get the most use, after the track has been re-leveled and ballasted for the year.

The 2-8-0 Annie usually has the Barry’s conversion in it. Although some modelers have made their own Connies.

#20

I have a fleet of European LGB steam with pilot and trailing wheels that have not derailed, but they are sprung and in some rigid swing movements. In fact the later versions of the LGB Austrian U class sometimes need to have the rear spring cut to allow the rear drivers better contact with the rails.

My workhorse? Would be between one of my Us and the basic old LGB Train set Stainz. I have had good luck with all my LGB locos.

For US outline modelling, one loco that is reportedly a solid and strong performer, if you like narrow gauge locos, is the LGB Forney:

http://www.laketownandshire.net/modeling_tips/lgb_forney.htm

Fellow LSC member Greg E. has one for sale now, and some pop up on eBay.

Good luck, and your homework will help you be sure to enjoy whatever it is you buy.