Older Bachmann Big Smokey Set

[thehumantorch]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum, and I have a question I hope can get answered...

I was helping my grandparents clean out their attic, and I found my old train set, in perfect condition!

I took it home to my house today, and upon examination, I cannot locate a manufacturing year.  I was wondering what I should be looking for in order to obtain an accurate date for these pieces.

The set I have is the Big Smokey HO Electric Train Set, and comes with engine and kaboose, several cars, track, power pack, bridge, water tower...and some plasticville items.

I was born in 1976, and I remember this train set from when I was really little, so it must date around there somewhere. 

Any help would be much appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

[jettrainfan]

Well taking a few hints from experience... I would look at the box itself and the loco. It should be on the back but might be on the front. if not try the loco, look under it between the wheels. Hope this helps you.

P.S. Nice to have you here on ask the bachmann!

[thehumantorch]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I checked, double checked, and then check again....and I cant find a date on any of the boxes or pieces!  The only thing marked on the belly of the cars is "Bachmann Hong Kong" but no date 

Thanks for the quick reply, but I'm still at a loss...

Any other thoughts?

[rustyrails]

The only clue I can give you is this:  Great Britain ceded Hong Kong to China in 1997.  Since that time, objects manufactured in Hong Kong have been marked with "Made in China."  At least that's how it works with my Bachmann passenger cars.  Sooooo, it would seem that your set is at least 12 years old.
Rusty

[thehumantorch]

Thanks for the reply Rusty!

Yeah, its definately older than 12 years, as I was born in 1976 and had this set as a little child.

[Conrail Quality]

Bachmann started making HO scale trains in 1971, so that's the oldest it could be.

Timothy

[Guilford Guy]

http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmannhoscaletrainsets/index.html
Unfortunately its not listed here, but it does show up in the picture about half way down the page.
You can try searching on Ebay. Someone may be selling and have more knowledge on the date produced.

[thehumantorch]

Thanks for the advice!  The train in that picture is actually "Ol' Smokey" and mine is "Big Smokey". 

I did check on ebay, but didnt find anything similar, and even doing google searches hasn't come up with anything.  It's really weird....it's like I own a ghost train