Bachmann big hauler freight wagon trucks

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Hi,
I’m after a pair of Bachmann Big Hauler trucks (bogies) preferably with metal wheels. I am hoping to use them fitted with Kadees as interchangeable conversion trucks to enable the occasional coupling to Accucraft stock.
If not too expensive, I could consider a complete (preferably) D&RGW wagon.
Thanks, Richard.
 
Rusty, the one thing LGB bequeathed to this hobby was the open right for 'other' manufacturers to use the LGB mounting for couplers of their choice. Most of the other big name players adopted this, thus if you want to couple a big mauler to an aristo, you could just unscrew the loop/hook, or Bachmann coupler, then screw on an Aristo head. Don't be blinded by the superiority of Kadees, they are better looking etc. but require a more expert modeller to mount them satisfactorily. Think, if you have to 'cut and paste' the mounts and shanks, well, you are asking for trouble. Screw, and/or unscrew, is surely the way to go. And, remember, not all knuckle couplers are compatible.
 
Hi Gavin,
I did remove all the ‘hoop and hook’ couplings from my Piko wagons and simply replaced with Bachmann knuckles.
The problem with coupling between the Bachmann Big Hauler and the Accucraft wagon/loco/coach is that the couplings have a height disparity as in my photo below (Ok it’s a Piko caboose but same difference!)
2BD37552-61AD-4771-BA17-3398AFC1B3A0.jpeg
 
Accucraft couplers will couple to Bachmann knuckles, but the height disparity is because Accucraft use all body mounted couplers while only Bachmann Spectrum 1:20.3 use body mounted couplers (we'll ignore the 20 ft stock for the minute). Bachmann Spectrum rolling stock comes with straight and bent shank couplers in the box, and are the best way to mix and match between Accucraft body mounted and other makes of bogie mounted couplers.

Back to the 20ft stock - while these have body mounted couplers, they have plastic shanked knuckles that are designed to be the same height as 1:22.5 bogie mounted couplers.
 
rusty spike said:
Hi,
I’m after a pair of Bachmann Big Hauler trucks (bogies) preferably with metal wheels. I am hoping to use them fitted with Kadees as interchangeable conversion trucks to enable the occasional coupling to Accucraft stock.
If not too expensive, I could consider a complete (preferably) D&RGW wagon.
Thanks, Richard.
Click to expand...
Richard;
Where do you reside ?
I could send you a pair of B'mann bogies, in a bubble wrap package. The metal wheels would best be purchased wherever you live, as they would greatly increase the shipping charges.
I gather you want the coupler arm on the bolster, for truck mounting couplers.
There would be no charge for this, as long as you aren't located in some location beyond reason. In most situations, a pair of LGB (Archbar) bogies are interchangeable, and are much more durable.
 
Fred Mills said:
Richard;
Where do you reside ?
I could send you a pair of B'mann bogies, in a bubble wrap package. The metal wheels would best be purchased wherever you live, as they would greatly increase the shipping charges.
I gather you want the coupler arm on the bolster, for truck mounting couplers.
There would be no charge for this, as long as you aren't located in some location beyond reason. In most situations, a pair of LGB (Archbar) bogies are interchangeable, and are much more durable.
Click to expand...
Hi Fred,
I have sent you a pm. Thanks!
 
I personalky would not think of anything but KD if I was into US modeling. They look good, work well with minor reservations. Yes they can be a bit of work to fit but surely the effort is always worth it in the end. I

I have to say that I get somewhat confused about the logic of wanting everything to be 100% right out of the box. Where is the fun in that, after all we are supposed to be in a modeling hobby.
 
I have ordered a pair of #909 Kadees. I’ll put these on the ‘spare’ trucks one either end of the train to enable coupling to my Accucraft loco and caboose.
 
I'm adding new cars to the line for the first time in 45 years....soooooo...I'm dealing with early 70s LGB couplings. Should I be planning to replace those or try to match those? From what I've read, it sounds like the old LGB couplers are different than the newer LGB couplers. The four new cars are 1 Bachmann, 2 newer LGB and a USAT. We also have one AristoCraft switcher loco en route.

Based on all I've read so far, it seems like newer LGB hook and loop will eventually be the standard on our garden railway (but my mind could probably be changed...lol).
 
Many people maintain a 'conversion' car, which has different couplers at each end. I used to put 1/32nd couplers on my EBT coaches (prototype was 3/4 size) and my caboose had both a 1/32nd and a 1/20 coupler on opposite ends. It works well if your trains are relatively fixed so you only have to deal with one end where it meets the loco. My USAT streamliners don't couple to my Accucraft loco so I had to adjust (drop) the loco coupler down to USAT height.

3Bird said:
I'm adding new cars to the line for the first time in 45 years....soooooo...I'm dealing with early 70s LGB couplings. Should I be planning to replace those or try to match those? From what I've read, it sounds like the old LGB couplers are different than the newer LGB couplers. The four new cars are 1 Bachmann, 2 newer LGB and a USAT. We also have one AristoCraft switcher loco en route.

Based on all I've read so far, it seems like newer LGB hook and loop will eventually be the standard on our garden railway (but my mind could probably be changed...lol).
Click to expand...
What you will find is that you have to standardize if you end up with lots of different cars - in particular, you will have to make them all the same height. I had all the same couplers on my passenger cars (Accucraft 1/32nd) and the larger 1/20th couplers body-mounted on the freights.
Many couplers will mate, although some need a hand to drop one coupler into the maw of the other, as long as they are the same height. I ran trains of 1/32 couplers pulled by 1/20th locos, and Aristocraft coaches coupled to 1/20th tenders. As long as the height is the same you can get it to work.
 
I have found that for mounting couplers LGB, USA Trains , Bachmann have the same (almost exact) couplers (I find the Bachmann spring lacking). All others need the tab cut off the truck.
 
Richard;
The pair of B'mann freight trucks are in the mail, as of noon today (December 24th) Merry Christmas.... I included the B'mann knuckle couplers in the package.
 
Dan said:
I have found that for mounting couplers LGB, USA Trains , Bachmann have the same (almost exact) couplers (I find the Bachmann spring lacking). All others need the tab cut off the truck.
Click to expand...

Old trick if you are not going to use the 'tab'.... remove truck. take off coupler, reinstall truck with tab facing inwards on the wagon. That way, you still have truck that you can retro fit with a coupler.
 
Fred Mills said:
Richard;
The pair of B'mann freight trucks are in the mail, as of noon today (December 24th) Merry Christmas.... I included the B'mann knuckle couplers in the package.
Click to expand...
Thanks Fred,
That is very kind of you! I will let you know when they arrive!
I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas :party:
 
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