Jeff Bernard said:Jeff, Welcome to the Real World aka LSC,
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
On that money question, there’s a huge advantage to model railroads, they don’t fall out of the sky! 
Enjoy!
Jeff welcome. I also just got into the garden railroad. If you want to see my progress check out the Kittatinny Mt RR. I started this spring and so far I am hooked. It is great hobby especially after a long day at work. It is very relaxing watching the trains run and building. There are great people on this board and they will help you along the way.
Shawn,
How did the front pilot truck from Barry’s work out for you?
Ralph
Jeff Bernard said:Those are the two primary ingredients that, IMHO, one would do well to spend on wisely. Your B'mann track will get you started, but you probably don't want to get a whole bunch of it, and a good running locomotive is the key to any model RR operation.
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
I’ve done some model airplanes and boats, along with other hobbies over the years, so have a good idea of the expenditures involved. One problem with both the airplanes and the boats was the possibility of total loss. In the first case, you come home with a trunk full of destroyed parts. In the boat case, a great deal of the investment just disappears!! That is virtually impossible to have happen with trains. The voice of experience!!
I’ve always come back to model RRing and have also developed a strong, lifelong interest and knowledge base of the real historical thing. Great interest holder for me!
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Welcome aboard, Jeff! Be prepared for a little sticker shock as you start looking into the hobby. Track prices are especially steep, having doubled in price just last year. Escalating cost of copper, etc.
The good news is, most of the costs in this hobby are pretty nearly a one-time expense. Good track will last indefinitely, so once it’s laid you’ll have many years of pleasure. Good locos should last several years, if well maintained.
And as Hans has pointed out, your track and trains aren’t going to fall out of the sky if something goes slightly wrong! That’s an experience I’m familiar with myself – my other hobby is rocket aerial photography. There are many ways there to lose a large chunk of cash in a hurry – motor failures, recovery failures, lost rockets, etc!
It’s taken me two and a half years to get my layout up and running, now I’m finally enjoying the fruits of my labor and spending a lot less on construction material. I still have a lot of mines, buildings and other structures to make, but that’s not as costly as track, concrete, etc.
I Have another Questions guys… How do I make the Sound work? and the smoke happen?
I did put a 9V battery on the tender car, not sure witch way the switch goes, I wish I had the
instructions to this thing. anyways nothing happens when I turn on the switches, I notice
there is one behind a small door in front of the engine as well,
Thanks for putting up with me and my Questions! bwg
Jeff
Switch goes up. There is also a volume control on the bottom of the tender. The smoke switch it the one behind the smokebox door on front. Only put a few drops in of smoke fluid ( I thinks it like 8) and crank up the voltage to get it to smoke.
-Brian
Thanks Brian. I have the switch up on the back of the tender ,
I did not see a volume control under the tender, not sure
what the switch is at the front of the engine does, maybe smoke.
anyways I still have no sound. I wonder if there is a PDF File
on these train set>?
Jeff
Jeff,
You have a older Big Hauler. One of my Big Haulers also has no volume control.
Ralph
Jeff Bernard said:Could be you have a broken wire somewhere between the tender and the engine. One of the drive axles on the engine has a cam with wipers that activate the sound, Then theres a plug between the tender and engine. Inside the tender is a small sound card and a speaker. Check the connections between all these points.
Thanks Brian. I have the switch up on the back of the tender , I did not see a volume control under the tender, not sure what the switch is at the front of the engine does, maybe smoke. anyways I still have no sound. I wonder if there is a PDF File on these train set>? Jeff
I just received my latest Garden Railroad magazine and it looks like Trainworld is still listing the Anniversary
4-8-0 engine at $125 plus shipping. This would be the same engine you have but with all Bachmann’s latest improvements.
John Spehar said:John - buying the Annie ten-wheeler [it's a 4-6-0, BTW] could be the answer to your problems. I have only two of them, but both are over eight years and have a zillion miles on them!!! Neither have been the slightest problem [apart from a slight squeak out of a tender axle [a drop of LaBelle lube fixed that] and both are regular performers on the demo days that Broos and I run around the locale.
I just received my latest Garden Railroad magazine and it looks like Trainworld is still listing the Anniversary 4-8-0 engine at $125 plus shipping. This would be the same engine you have but with all Bachmann's latest improvements.
Five or six White Pass cars - passenger and freight - are the usual limit - NO problems! Great detail, all-metal valve gear that actually looks like the real thing and the youngsters love them.
They can be fitted with r/c or high-quality sound systems if you wish, and Barry’s Big Trains makes a superb after-market chassis [not cheap, but they will live forever].
tac
Sorry about that. I knew it was a 2-6-0 as I also have two of them and am happy with their performance. I don’t think there is a better engine, for the price, made by any manufacturer. Just put the finger on the wrong key and did not proof read before I sent the message on its way.
to see the “real” Annie click here:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/550678966TkXyuw?vhost=rides
http://family.webshots.com/album/560642293wqnXwU?vhost=family
she is a beauty!..
The Bmann Annies do work really well…I’ve a few, one with full on-board Battery/Sound/RCS…my kids love it!
Welcome to MLS!
cale
All:
Just be aware that the Trainworld ad for the BH at $125 does not specifically say it is the Anniversary edition. I would be concerned about the possibility of it being an older version (New, Old Stock) and the operators at TW are not likely to have a clue about what version it is.
Each succeeding version has been improved, with the ‘Annie’ being the best. Locomotives prior to version 5 could wind up being a project rather than a solution. The Annie is the only one with metal side rods.
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Dear John,
If you are interested:
I have new 2006 Christmas Annies to sell, either in a passenger plus trolly set or by themselves. Use them as is or repaint.
joebarb “at” wwt “dot” net
Bob,
If this is inappropriate use of the forum, let me know. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
I just purchased the yellow Denver and Rio Grand Western in January for $125 and it was the Anniversary edition. I love the bright color mixed in with the other black locomotives.