Just a note to clarify. The Big Hauler valve gear was never referred to as Walschearts, just “fancy” valve gear, and it was always all plastic. The simpler form was referred to as Stephenson valve gear. The Annie has metal Walschearts valve gear on some models and metal stephenson on others.
The new set versions with the Annie seem to be comparable to the single packaged Annies. If not I would like to know and will stand corrected.
Barry - BBT
Loco Bill covers Bachmann LS Christmas sets pretty well at the end of this thread.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,3670.0.html
2004 was the first Sam’s Club offering which had a Walschaerts Annie. The rest were simple Annies.
All had metal siderods and fancy trim. All Annies had version 5 chassis.
A skillled modeler bought 2 sets in 2004 and bashed the 2 engines into a standard gauge articulated. I can’t remember if it was a 2-6-6-2 or a 4-6-6-4. Anyone recall who that modeler was?
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Tim Brien said:
This is a freelance 4-4-0 based on a Sam’s Club ‘Annie’ showing a freelance adaptation of necessary internal valve rodding not present on the B’mann model.(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/aaDa.JPG)
Hi Tim, that looks really nice! Did one also, great minds and all that 
no valve gear though, havent used it much as it dislikes R1 curves, oh well…
(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Bug%20Mauler%20440%20BBT%201.JPG)
Hey Ray If size is an issue have you consider HLWs 2-6-0?
(http://www.h-l-w.com/Products/New/Modern-Mogul-web-lg.jpg)
This is the locomotive I wouldnt hesitate to get if I could afford it. It smaller than the Annie but bigger than the C-16 and is just as nicely detailed as both, plus it has HLWs dam near bulletproof drivetrain.
Victor Smith said:
Hey Ray If size is an issue have you consider HLWs 2-6-0?(http://www.h-l-w.com/Products/New/Modern-Mogul-web-lg.jpg)
This is the locomotive I wouldnt hesitate to get if I could afford it. It smaller than the Annie but bigger than the C-16 and is just as nicely detailed as both, plus it has HLWs dam near bulletproof drivetrain.
I remember thinking as I was getting into the hobby, about only using HLW…I really like Everything they make…but the lure of Fn3 got the better of me…though, with prices rising on rolling stock I’d almost reconsider selling all the Fn3 and scaling down to 1:24…oh sorry I was rambling! I think it’d be a good fit as well! cale
Victor Smith said:
Hey Ray If size is an issue have you consider HLWs 2-6-0?(http://www.h-l-w.com/Products/New/Modern-Mogul-web-lg.jpg)
This is the locomotive I wouldnt hesitate to get if I could afford it. It smaller than the Annie but bigger than the C-16 and is just as nicely detailed as both, plus it has HLWs dam near bulletproof drivetrain.
I have to agree with you vic. It is a very nice looking engine. Maybe I should add that to my wish list
C. Nelson said:
Victor Smith said:
Hey Ray If size is an issue have you consider HLWs 2-6-0?(http://www.h-l-w.com/Products/New/Modern-Mogul-web-lg.jpg)
This is the locomotive I wouldnt hesitate to get if I could afford it. It smaller than the Annie but bigger than the C-16 and is just as nicely detailed as both, plus it has HLWs dam near bulletproof drivetrain.
I remember thinking as I was getting into the hobby, about only using HLW…I really like Everything they make…but the lure of Fn3 got the better of me…though, with prices rising on rolling stock I’d almost reconsider selling all the Fn3 and scaling down to 1:24…oh sorry I was rambling! I think it’d be a good fit as well! cale
For now that is basicaly all I am going with is HLW. I still think the big john would look good on his layout.
Shawn,
That Big John does look good.
What’s the deal with the Buyers Club at Wholesale Trains?
Ralph
Ralph Berg said:I think its just 5% off if I remember correctly.
Shawn, That Big John does look good. What's the deal with the Buyers Club at Wholesale Trains? Ralph
The smoke stack looks too small on the HLW mogul, IMHO.
-Brian
Yeah, Brian is right, and for some reason everything I buy never qualifies for a discount…oh well! Howabout the American? on the HLW specials page is the 4-4-0 listed for $334…
(http://h-l-w.com/Products/Steam/Small/D-RG-4-4-0-Black-web.gif)
and that Big John has always been a fav of mine too!
(http://h-l-w.com/Products/Largepics/Big-John-web-large.gif)
cale
Ralph Berg said:I never looked at the online club for wholesale trains. Usually those things are not worth it. There is always something to those things.
Shawn, That Big John does look good. What's the deal with the Buyers Club at Wholesale Trains? Ralph
