Large Scale Central

Praises for Barry Olsen on his BBT Drive for the Connie

Reviews
#1

I did a post on this over on “the other place” and no reaction. Normal over there.

Had Barry’s drive installed by Jonathan Bliese and delivered yesterday. WOW!, what a smooth running engine I have now. Still needs some break-in as the Connie had very little runtime (1-2 hrs.) because I didn’t want the old Bachmann to fail before I got the new BBT drive installed. After Jonathan had the old drive removed, he found the main drive gear WAS broken in FIVE places. This is after ONLY 1-2 hours on rollers and a friend’s FLAT elevated layout! So much for Bachmann’s drives. Thank goodness for Barry and his drive!:slight_smile:

Thanks again to Barry for his drive AND to Jonathan Bliese of Electric Model Works in Chino, CA. for his outstanding installation. :slight_smile:

#2

I agree, that’s one very nice modification. It’s a great performer.

#3

I’ll concur.
I have one installed in one of my Connies.
It pulls my other dummy Connie and 24 cars all over the layout without a hitch.

#4

I have nothing but good things to say about Barry and his drives. I have 7 annie’s done by Barry and a connie he did. All run great and pull very strong.
Thanks Barry and keep up the good work.

#5

Thank you, all.

I need some kind of symbol for “Blushing”.

I appreciate the feedback.

Barry - BBT

#6

Sure would be nice if someone posted some pictures !!! I have a friend with a Circus 4-6-0 that just about ready to crap out
and I was going to recommend Barrys drive to him.

#7

I’ve used a few in various projects… The 2-8-0 chassis as Barry envisioned it under a pretty much stock B’mann 4-6-0

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/WoodlandRY/wry11.jpg)

Identical 2-8-0 chassis under a much-kitbashed B’mann 2-6-0/4-4-0 boiler and cab

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT3/EBT311.jpg)

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT3/EBT324.jpg)

And a custom 2-8-0 chassis I had Barry build for an EBT loco built to the same drawings as the D&RGW’s C-19

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT7/EBT701.jpg)

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT7/EBT719.jpg)

Note - the last chassis has Barry’s custom 36" (in 1:20.3) drivers. The other two chassis use Bachmann’s 4-6-0 drivers. I just re-did the counterweights on the second 2-8-0 to match the prototype. There’s no visual difference between Barry’s 4-6-0 chassis and the stock Bachmann loco, so photos of that are kinda moot. I’ll echo the praises for Barry’s chassis. Every one I’ve worked with (these and a few others) have run like Swiss watches. I’m currently looking at a spare B’mann 2-6-0 frame I have with an eye towards seeing how much of a pain it would be to fit one of Barry’s B’mann 2-8-0 retrofit gearboxes inside. Later, K

#8

Thanks Kevin, Looks like a fairly straight forward install.

#9

Nick,
Go take a look at Barry’s web-site.
http://www.barrysbigtrains.com/
You remove the body and send the chassis to Barry. He’ll do the conversion.
I think he usually also has complete converted loco’s for sale.
Ralph

#10

Kevin,

Better answer to your 2-6-0, I do 2-6-0 drives, with 2" or 1 3/4" wheels or what have you?

Barry - BBT

#11

Barry-
Forgive me if I have asked this question before: Has Bachmann ever solicited you to design a new, or modifiy what you have created, a chassis that meets your same requirements for durabilty and ease of repair?
Me? I would think Bachmann would want to discontinue you getting these much deserved congratulations for engineering and correcting what could be initially implemented into their own locomotives. Consider the initial price of an “Annie”, add your price for the conversions, and VIOLA! Bachmann advertises an “Annie” already equipped with the “BARRY DRIVE” – certainly at a lower price as you receive either the production profits or a handsome payoff for the name and the engineering.

And you say…

(Meanwhile, add my thanks!)
Wendell

#12

Wendell,

Very flattering, thank you. I have sold some 4-6-0 units to Bachmann and I have provided items which I have developed over the years; i.e., the pilot truck with the arm and the flex frame. Also the stainless steel siderods. I think they feel their response is in the Spectrum line, where the y have been successful for the most part.

Consider the new 6th gen Annie with metal gears, should last very well (doesn’t have the power, but for most customers they don’t need it either).

Barry

#13

And…
Now that there are photos of the new 2-8-0 Bachmann locomotive on the B’mann site , is your drive actually in this loco? If not materially, is it engineered like your drive mechanism? The only way you would know is if you were consulted or have access to one revealing your engineering ideas copied in the drive mechanism.
I still like the “BARRY DRIVE” entitlement.

#14

The drive for the Connie is the same Pittman motor and gears I have been using over the years. The Pittman is a ‘Horse’ and I haven’t had a gear failure in anything I build in over twelve years. The new C-19 should have an up-graded drive like the other Spectrum locos (not counting the Connie).

Barry

#15
Quote:
Go take a look at Barry's web-site. http://www.barrysbigtrains.com/
Barry - have you seen the awful thing that replaced your URL / website ?
#16

Pete,

Thanks, I guess. Is there a way to stop this horror?

Barry

#17

Unfortunately, once you give up a domain there isn’t much you can do. These people are cashing in on the traffic and search hits your reputation brings in. It could be worse :slight_smile:

For $10 / year it might have been worth it to keep the domain and just send it to a parking page. But then hindsight is always 20/20 isn’t it.

#18

Jon,

Thanks, Jon. Hopefully the interest will run it’s course. But it’s still bad.

Barry

#19

Monitor it occasionally. If they ever say anything disparaging about you your your products then you might have a legal course of action. You could try and buy it back, but once you show interest the price goes up.

#20

Thanks, Jon. I think I’ll wait it out…see if anything happens.

Barry