Large Scale Central

Where have you been? Are you still working?

General Discussion
#1

I have been asked this question for the entire year or more, and I think it is time (past due) to explain.

Basically, I shed the overhead, advertising, card processing, non productive services.

I wrote a letter to Kalmbach canceling my advertising, never said retired, they assumed. At the time I thought it was all right, even though it was not the whole truth.

I have twenty years of product still out in the market place, I warrant them all “until I die”. It was a better deal twenty years ago. I will give you a hint, I don’t warrant the customer, just the drive and not the motor (I didn’t build it, they seldom die). Over the years I have received a few to correct, but never could understand why more were not sent back. If I trusted that performance I will have produced the most durable locomotives in any hobby.

The shop is open and I am finishing a bunch of my own locos and rolling stock. I have a few Bachmann Connies with BBT drives. Maybe the best thing I have ever built. $450.00

Bachmann Big Haulers in the 4-6-0 wheel config. $300.00

Bachmann Big Haulers in a 2-8-0 wheel config. $350.00

Pictures are avaiable. I charge $25.00 for shipping unless there is something unusual.

Connie Motor and gear box kits are $200.00 plus $10.00 shipping to anywhere.

More questions, ask me here

Also Rolling stock, with metal wheels and body mounted Kadee couplers.

One Bachmann Circus Combine brand new, metal wheels and Bachmann talgo couplers.

Barry Olsen

6822 W. Villa St.

Phoenix, AZ 85043

623-936-6088

#2

Barry, I am glad to hear that you are still with us. I should have ordered one of your 4-6-0 drives years ago, but somehow it just never happened.

#3

David,

I think I am supposed to say “Have I got a deal for you”.

Rather, I will want to know what you want, if anything.

Or just be a friend.

Barry

#4

Barry, just a hello there is fine for now.

I kinda blew my allowance, and need to save up my pennies for a while.

#5

Barry, nice to hear you are still out there and doing well!

Regards, Greg Elmassian

#6

So, a few years ago, there was some talk that you may be designing a drive system for the Bachmann Davenport. Any truth to this?

#7

Happy to hear your still designing and building and helping out us less talented folks.

Rick

#8

Thanks Barry, for letting us know whats going on.

#9

Hey Barry

Nice to hear from you! You didn’t list, but do you have any Annie pilots left?

Thanks!

Cale

#10

Nice to hear from you!

#11

Glad you’re doing OK. I have your drives in my Connie and my 1:20 ten wheeler and they are both going strong with no problems at all. Great work - thanks.

#12

I really need to get a drive for my Connie…

#13

Better quit procrastinating and get one, Bob. I pull fence posts out of the ground with mine. :slight_smile:

#14

Barry

Was I relieved to see this news. In last eight years there have been many times when I thought I should get in touch with BBT! Then I fell for the retirement story too.

So I’m very relieved to find that you’re still able to help Connie owners out and have sent you a PM.

Best

mike in UK

#15

Barry,

I’m interested in a connie motor and drive kit. Could you explain what it includes or provide a pic?

Thanks,
Patrick

#16

BBT: It is good to hear from you. It’s been awhile. And yes all the gear box’s a working great! All I need is a unit for the Bachmann K-27 when you all get it to your satisfaction.

Paul Austin

#17

A Drive for the Davenport? I was most impressed with what Bachmann did for this little guy, mine runs beautifully. You must have a defective unit, best try to get it “fixed” at Bacghmann service, hopefully swap it out.

Barry.

#18

Need to add to the events already covered and carry on to today. Early last year, March/April I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. The biopsy indicated 2 of the samples were benign and the remaining ten were raging cancerous!! Began radiation treatments. PSA was 10.84, very high, should be under 4.0. 39 treatments, one each week day, Mon. - Fri. Also started taking a funny and inexpensive little pill which kills off my testosterone. The cancer in the prostate is their because it survives on the testosterone. Deprive the cancer of the testosterone and it dies. Also radiate it and it dies. At the end of the radiation treatments, my PSA was .10. Didn’t believe it at first, but was advised by my Drs. that it was a good number. The oncologists want to test after six months and live with whatever number that is, The .10 number is just too early.

Along with all of this, I have a dizziness problem, which is about 10 or twelve years old now. The first time I mentioned it to my Dr. I ended up with the first pacemaker, am now on my second pacemaker and still dizzy. Last Christmas day coming back from celebrating the holiday with my brother and his family in Chicago, was heading to baggage claim, hopped on the down escalator, froze, stepped off, missed the moving step and crashed. Scraped my entire left side from my calf to my thigh, torso, shoulder and forehead. All scrapes no cuts, but bloody. Someone yelled to stop the escalator, I landed in the back of the person ahead of me. He helped me up and down the now still escalator. Someone called 911 and the firemen (6), showed up and started to bandage me. When they finished they offered to take me to the Hospital, but I had other ideas. I wanted to try an Urgent care outfit, but none were open so I went to my Hospital, had the bandages redone (fireman bandages are big and thick, fine but maybe overkill). The xrayed my knees and ankles, And then went home.

A bit later, at home watching TV, I decided to go to the kitchen, stood up, turned right, took one step, got a quick blackout and started falling, awoke just before I hit the floor, lander on my mouth (particularly, an implanted tooth, knocking it loose). Stood up went back to the chair, sat down, started assessing the damage, primarily the tooth ($1500.00 implant).

Could move it with my tongue, not good, soon fell out in my hand, implant and post.

The dizziness continues, but now I notice the little quick blackouts. One had occurred on the escalator, but hadn’t remembered until this last fall.

Never dizzy in the car, but just walking around is an adventure.

More importantly, I am trying to find out if it will be possible to have a sex life in the future.

Currently, I am a Eunuch (had to look that one up).

I doubt you will have any questions, but they are welcome.

Currently, working 4 to 8 hours each day including the weekends, trying to clear the decks for interesting projects ahead.

Barry

#19

Dang, Barry…

Maybe we should wrap you up in bubblewrap, like do to the kid on the commercial…

Hope the health improves, and doesn’t deterioate any more…

Best of Luck…

#20

Barry , my son Martyn has recently been fighting testicular cancer , which meant losing one , but unfortunately the cancer spread . He has had Chemotherapy and some minor radiation therapy too .

Frankly , I have never seen anyone so ill , but he has survived and is now on 6 monthly checkups .

Coincidentally , he has an appointment tomorrow to monitor progress .

The side effects of Chemotherapy are , according to Martyn , worse than the cancer . So he is now permanently disabled and unable to work because of the nerve damage .

But , as he cheerfully remarks , it’s better than being dead .

It is quite brave of you to share your symptoms and I think you will find that it helps----you will certainly get a lot of support here .

Keep up the fight .

Easy said , but it’s a fight you will win , I am sure . Just keep on at it . Come here for a chat , it all helps .

Mike