Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0 locos

ge_rik

ge_rik

British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
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I've just carried out battery / RC conversions on a couple of Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0 locos for someone. I've not had experience of these until now.

The two locos I've been sent look almost identical externally (apart from the colour schemes)....
vlcsnap-2026-05-17-17h08m49s354.jpg
vlcsnap-2026-05-17-17h07m05s128.jpg

..... but when I took them apart, their mechanisms were substantially different.

The White Pass loco has a conventional worm/worm wheel transmission
DSCI0781.JPG

but the Atchison and Topeka loco's mechanism has a crown wheel and a series of spur gears.
DSCI0902.JPG

Needless to say, the A&T loco's mech is extremely noisy - even with copious lubrication of silicon grease.

I've also noticed that the plastic and the fittings (bell, whistle, safety valve etc) are much lower quality on the A&T loco.

Did Bachmann make cheaper versions of their Big Haulers, did they change (and cheapen) the design over time - or is the A&T a cheap rip-off (though it came in a Bachmann branded box with rolling stock)?

Puzzled and intrigued.

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
I've just carried out battery / RC conversions on a couple of Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0 locos for someone. I've not had experience of these until now.

The two locos I've been sent look almost identical externally (apart from the colour schemes)....
View attachment 356488
View attachment 356489

..... but when I took them apart, their mechanisms were substantially different.

The White Pass loco has a conventional worm/worm wheel transmission
View attachment 356490

but the Atchison and Topeka loco's mechanism has a crown wheel and a series of spur gears.
View attachment 356491

Needless to say, the A&T loco's mech is extremely noisy - even with copious lubrication of silicon grease.

I've also noticed that the plastic and the fittings (bell, whistle, safety valve etc) are much lower quality on the A&T loco.

Did Bachmann make cheaper versions of their Big Haulers, did they change (and cheapen) the design over time - or is the A&T a cheap rip-off (though it came in a Bachmann branded box with rolling stock)?

Puzzled and intrigued.

Rik
Click to expand...
No, the opposite way round.

The early Bug Mauler was in fact battery powered and fairly crude, the various iterations - I forget whether they're on Mk V or Mk VI - got progressively better.

The Anniversary model was reckoned to be the best, with metal con rods and motion (some liveries had Walschaerts gear) but I think there's a later, more expensive version with upgraded sound and electronics.

I would say the AT+SF model pre-dates the WP+YR version. The WP+YR looks as if it was the model immediately before the Annie, as it still has plastic rods :nerd::nerd::nerd:
 
As Rihno says early versions of Bachmann's long lived and constantly evolving "entry level" LS product. The Bachmann 4-6-0 in its final "Aniversary" (Annie) development even offered an all metal gear train, to cure this loco's achilies heal of split gears. It was also fitted with the PnP interface board, fitted to other Spectrum branded 1.20.3 scale locos, that offered a direct interface for DCC products. Max
 
Thanks chaps.
As I said, not my locos, just interested and intrigued as to how different the two locos were when digging below the surface.

I've done a bit of digging and found this site - Big Haulers Tips - which lists at least six "generations" of the Big Hauler "ten wheeler". Looks like the spur gear version is Gen 2, using the same gear train as the battery powered Gen 1 but with a more powerful motor. The worm gear model seems to be Gen 4.

Some useful info on this site about how to stop derailments. I'll pass this on to the owner of the locos.

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
Thanks chaps.
As I said, not my locos, just interested and intrigued as to how different the two locos were when digging below the surface.

I've done a bit of digging and found this site - Big Haulers Tips - which lists at least six "generations" of the Big Hauler "ten wheeler". Looks like the spur gear version is Gen 2, using the same gear train as the battery powered Gen 1 but with a more powerful motor. The worm gear model seems to be Gen 4.

Some useful info on this site about how to stop derailments. I'll pass this on to the owner of the locos.

Rik
Click to expand...
Yep, George Schreyer's site - apparently he was a rocket scientist :clap:

I found his tips to improve the Bachmann sound board quite helpful - if you want cheap sound (as opposed to cheep :p )
 
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Yes, George Schrayer's mine of information. Invaluable even now, 23 years on. My 2006 bought "Annie" in a classic D&RGW formation, video below. Track powered then. They are all quite quiet, even though the Annie actually has a very basic built in chuff sound (9V battery in the water filler !) It doesn't look too out of place with the more accurate and larger 1:20.3 scaled Spectrum counterparts. Sold the "Annie" 7 years ago, still looked like new. The other 2 are now battery/rc operated. The K-27 uses the late Tony Walsham's RCS gear and has an old Sierra K-27 sound card and the other Fosworks RC and a DCC C-19 sound specific ESU v5, that acts as the loco's ESC too. The final "Annie" evolution, Gen 8 (?) only came out about 8 years ago, very expensive, it had priced itself out of its entry level market sector. Max

 
ge_rik said:
Thanks chaps.
As I said, not my locos, just interested and intrigued as to how different the two locos were when digging below the surface.

I've done a bit of digging and found this site - Big Haulers Tips - which lists at least six "generations" of the Big Hauler "ten wheeler". Looks like the spur gear version is Gen 2, using the same gear train as the battery powered Gen 1 but with a more powerful motor. The worm gear model seems to be Gen 4.

Some useful info on this site about how to stop derailments. I'll pass this on to the owner of the locos.

Rik
Click to expand...
Very interesting Rik, did you use the original sound card? If so be interesting to see how you interfaced it with the Rx.
 
dunnyrail said:
Very interesting Rik, did you use the original sound card? If so be interesting to see how you interfaced it with the Rx.
Click to expand...
You don't really need to - most of them have a PP3 battery, and the trigger wires do not run off the track.

However, a decision would be needed as to whether you are going to:

  1. Replace the PP3 when it runs out
  2. Have a rechargeable PP3 with separate charge socket
  3. Power the Bachmann sound card from the main battery pack (using a buck converter)
I think I may have done all of these over the years :think::think:
 
AHH yes, I had three anniversary versions about twenty years ago. They were excellent machines for someone dipping their toes into this scale. I did convert them into battery running (no RC, just a variable resistor for control). They would haul anything I could hang on the back of them. A hundred and thirty quid bought me a fully functioning, huge locomotive. I can still remember the flak I got in some quarters on a long gone forum for buying such rubbish. Some clown advised me to bin them. Not that I hold a grudge or anything. Oh no. Not me.
 
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