Large Scale Central

New Kid On The Block

General Discussion
#1

Hello Everybody,
I am very interested in getting into this hobbie and
I was trying to look around for a beginners section
but have not found it yet.

My other hobbies are flying large scale remote control airplanes
and Motorcycle Riding with my Wife.

I just got this kit off goodwill.com it is called
Suwannee Aiver Special, kind of a beginners set.
(Bacmann Big Haulers)

My Wife want to get into this and have an out door set one day for her garden.

This is my Question,.
The main locomotive has big problems and I do not know how
to fix them…

First I had to remove the the plow type thingy in the front has it would rest on the tracks.
the front four wheel guide has no spring to it. and the front most of the 3 main wheels
do not want to stay on the track…I think if I could figure out a way to fix the front guide
on the front of the Locomotive this might work…

Thanks for your input , and it was nice meeting you folks! :slight_smile:

Jeff

#2

The lack of a spring in the front pilot truck is causing most of your problems. Google Barry’s Big Trains. He makes an improved pilot truck if you can’t find a suitable spring to replace your missing spring.
If you look under Tracks and Trestles here you can see my progress the last couple of months under “Construction on the Sunny View Line”.
I “float” my track on a gravel base. This is probably the cheapest and fastest way to build a garden railroad. Probably the most popular is the “ladder track” method, which you will find many examples here on LSC.
By the way, welcome. I hope to see you around here for a long time to come.
Ralph

#3

Ralph, thanks… The spring is still on there but I am trying to figure out
how to make it so it will kind of lift the front of the engine a bit better,
not a very good design, and thanks for the welcome my friend! :slight_smile:
I will take a look at the Barry’s Big Trains !
Jeff

#4

Welcome aboard Jeff… You might want to look at an entire new drive unit for the Big Hauler that Barry makes for them. I have 2 of those early Big Haulers and both have had the drive replaced.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/101_0191.jpg)

This engine here is 20 years old and runs like a champ with a BBT 460 drive unit in it. And as Ralph mentioned the “Ladder Track” method may be the way to go, depending on your budget.

(http://www.geocities.com/kenbrunt/layout004.jpg)

Here’s a link to Bruce Chandlers article on how he built his: http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=6204&p=1

#5

Jeff welcome to the best hobby of them all! Ken, don’t throw him into the deep end right off!

Jeff, Big Haulers are ALL plastic and do wear very quickly, that is why the direction to Barry’s. He does make an excellant replacement frame for Bachmann Locos.

You might remove the front ‘pilot truck’ and remove the spring, go to a real hardware store (not a big box store) and find a sping that is the same shape and is a little stiffer i.e. is harder to compress (as in between your fingers). You might want to try that first before any major overhauls.

Chcek out the local hobby shop to see if there are any other large scalers in the area. Check out if you and wife could visit and see how others do thing before you start with wood, gravel, and dirt.

The best to you.

Paul

#6

Jeff.
If your cow-catcher was dragging the track you may have a loose motor block. I took a look at my Big Haulers and could not do anything to the front pilot truck(including removing the pilot truck) that would make the cow-catcher drag the track.
Ralph

#7

Welcome Jeff to the world of large scale modeling. There is a lot of fun and excitment in store for you. You have a great advantage right out of the starting gate by having your wife willing to be involved. As everyone has stated there is a lot of information on this site. One thing I will caution you about is using Bachmann track in the garden. DON"T DO IT! Bachmann track will rust and fall apart faster than grass can grow. It is intended for inside use only. You will need to use brass, aluminum, nickel silver or stainless steel track in the out of doors. Check around you area for a garden railroad club and join it. All garden railroad fans are more than eager to help a newbie learn what to do and not to do. Visiting other garden railroads opens you eyes to the possibilities of what you can expect to have in your back yard.

#8

Jeff:

Welcome to the hobby!! You are participating in what most of us believe is a very pleasurable hobby activity.

The Bachmann Big Haulers are great starter units and many find years of service on their owner’s RRs. Just recognize that the reason yours was donated to the Goodwill was probably because it didn’t work very well. Don’t let the frustration of this used unit drive you away. There have been numerous versions of the Big Hauler, with each version operating better and having better life than the previous. A new Anniversary version is a very good locomotive and should be expected to work well directly out of the box. It could also provide an example for fixing your current locomotive.You can find these at on-line stores for very reasonable prices.

The BH front truck problems are fixable, but require some observation, skill and patience. I don’t have one, so can’t give you any specifics, but some things to consider are the back to back wheel spacing, the actual spring location and tension, and the placement and flexibility of the pickup wires.

Welcome Aboard & Happy RRing,

Jerry

#9

Welcome Jeff. Most of us in the hobby started out with a Big Hauler set. Many used too (like me). You can find more info on your loco here -
http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html

-Brian

#10

Well , First of all thanks for the GREAT Welcome Folks!
And What a fine bunch it is… I did mess around with
the front of the loco, and added a off-set seems
to run around the track about 12 times before
it de-rails lol

Anyways , is there a place just to get
the engine that does not cost $500? Or, what are the
best places to get another big hauler for around $100>??
Thanks Guys!
I won’t give up yet,
Jeff

#11

Ridge Road Station or St. Aubin’s have the new “Annie” around $125.00 or so last time I checked.
Ralph

#12

Jeff:

Ridge Road Station currently shows the ‘Annie’ priced at $160.83. I tried to link it, but couldn’t make it work.

From the June '08 issue of Garden Railways, ads for Bachmann 4-6-0s:

St. Aubin Trains: 7 different paint schemes for $159.89 / each (Specifically states “Anniversary” edition)
Trainworld: Starting at 125.00 / each (note that this ad doesn’t specify “Anniversary” edition)

You will also see complete sets advertised for very slightly more, but the locomotive could be ‘new, old stock’ and may or may not contain the latest Anniversary edition of the BH. While the later of the older versions are pretty good, you don’t probably want to get into having another locomotive that requires fixing or upgrades to get it going. The definitive way to tell if it is an ‘Annie’ is the presence of metal side rods. The latest non-‘Annie’ set locomotives have the latest chassis, but have plastic side rods. They have good reports too.

The main problem with mail ordering is that you can’t be certain of its pedigree until you see it. Most store / online personnel don’t have a clue and will simply agree with what ever they think you are looking for. I would stick with a supplier that states “Anniversary” edition in their ad.

Hope this helps.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#13

one of these sets?
www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=3&manufacturer=117&dept=trains&class=G&subclass=SETS
what would you guys recommend?
I think getting one of these sets and I will also
have extra cars and track too-boot, also like others
have said I can be able to see what should be right
and maybe fix the old loco a bit better,
Jeff

#14
Jeff Bernard said:
one of these sets? www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=3&manufacturer=117&dept=trains&class=G&subclass=SETS what would you guys recommend? I think getting one of these sets and I will also have extra cars and track too-boot,, also like others have said I can be able to see what should be right and maybe fix the old loco a bit better, Jeff
The engine in the set is not the same as the Anniversary Edition(Annie). [url]http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=11781093!117 However, the engine in these new sets is very good. The set may be a better choice for you as I see the "Annie" is now $160. Ralph
#15

Ralph, The Annie reminds me of the first all metal train set I had when I was a kid…
The Annie it is then! :slight_smile: Seems to be stronger built as well!
Thanks,
Jeff

#16

Anybody have a Coupon Code: ?? BWG

#17

Jeff,

I would do a bit of homework before any purchases. The track in the Bachmann set will not work outdoors as its just tinplate steel and will rust out. It is also the smallest size at 4 foot diameter limiting what you can run on it. If you plan on getting out in the garden you will need to invest in brass, stainless steel or aluminum track and decide on a power system - track or battery power. There is also the scale issue. Most large scale trains run 1:20.3 to 1:32 scale. Most large scalers are gravitating towards 1:20.3 3 foot narrow gauge (like the Bachmann Spectrum line) and 1:29 standard gauge big steamers and diesels (like those from AristoCraft and USA trains).
Your Big Haulers are 1:22.5 scale narrow gauge.
Some places to start -
http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/whyscale/whyscal.htm#scalegauge
http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/index.htm
http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=ss&id=16

If I was in the market for a new first engine I would take a look at the AristoClassic 2-8-0 -
http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=25580114C!255
Its a 1:24 scale narrow gauge engine just updated with a new drivetrain, smoke unit and is prewired to work with battery power. $265 with a free caboose is a pretty good deal. I have two of the older versions and it works well scale wise with your Big Haulers.
Click on my website button on the left to see what I have done with my garden railway in the past two years.

-Brian

#18

-Brian, thanks, yes I think I will give it some more thought now… I do eventually
want to go outside with this stuff and I do know that the track that comes with
these kits are not for out=door use, so I wish there maybe a small kit like that Aristo
that I could look at maybe… ohhhhh so many things to learn…
Jeff

#19

Jeff:

On edit: While I was typing the following, you got the same and more advice from Brian and others above. Sorry for the repeat!

Sorry, can’t help with the coupon.

A side note regarding the sets: In your first post, you mentioned a desire to have an outdoor RR. Be aware that the Bachmann track included in their sets is not usable in the great outdoors. It’s plain steel and will quickly rust, causing loss of power to the train. The plastic ties are not UV resistant, so they will disintegrate in the sun. The track is eventually totally destroyed by the elements.

It’s somewhat OK for indoor use, but will still require significant maintenance and is only available in the tightest (~2’) radius. This radius is OK for small locomotives, but the 4-6-0 is near the upper limit of steam locomotive size that can comfortably use what is termed ‘R1 curves’.

Most folks use track with brass, stainless steel or aluminum rail and ties that are made from U.V. resistant plastics. There are several vendors of such track.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#20

Jerry, So as I have been reading I guess I need a good Engine with Good track
Oh were to start, ummmmm, this might even cost more then my model airplane
Hobby! and I do have $1000’s$ in that for the past 30 years or so,LOL
Jeff