Mike,
I agree with Kevin.  You can use these heavy batteries.  As Kevin mentions carrying that much weight makes the use of ball bearing axle sets just about a requirement.  Plus, remember with that much weight your locomotive must pull that weight up any grades.

Years ago I used lead acid batteries that had a weight of 4 1/2 to 5 pounds.  With ball bearing wheels there were no operational problems.

RC systems such as the Aristo-Craft Train Engineer or Radio Control Systems will work just fine in a following car.

JD

Bob,
The couplers do mate up on all the Bachmann equipment.

If I understand, you want to run the Spectrum 1:20.3 rolling stock with  the locomotives mentioned. In each package of extra items packed with each car you will find offset couplers.  These couplers drop the coupler height to that of cars equipped with truck mounted couplers. 

By using these offset couplers the 1:20.3 rolling stock coupler height will match the locomotives you mention.

Now, if you want to raise coupler height to that of the couplers that come factory mounted, i.e., the straight shank, that your Spectrum cars have from the factory, then Kadee offers the couplers and draft gear boxes needed to raise the height.  I understand from your post you do not want to use Kadee couplers.  So that leaves one choice. Change the 1:20.3 Specturm cars to the offset shank couplers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzj4SmT87I0

This is a short You Tube video that shows a consist of 1:20.3 Spectrum cars running with 1:20.3 cars that use truck mounted couplers.  In this case the 1:20.3 Spectrum freight cars and the K-27s have had their rear couplers replaced with the dropped, offset couplers.

All the the Bachmann locomotives you mention, I have, and they will all mate when the dropped, offset couplers are used where appropriate.

So you have two choices to match coupler height.  Use the offset drop couplers, where appropriate, or change out your equipment to Kadee couplers to raise coupler height on your locomotives and other rolling stock to match that of the the Spectrum 1:20. 3 rolling stock and the K-27.

Either solution should solve the situation you have with minimum effort. 

Not really that though to figure out the coupler height issue.

JD

I took the K-27 to York last week for the ECLSTS.  Don Sweet put the new RCS PnP in so the K could be run at the show.

It seems like it took longer to get the loco off its carrier and remove the three tender shell screws than it did to install the system.  Don had previously installed a E-Cubed Azarr antenna.  Drilled two small holes in the tender top and placed the antenna under the coal load.  Buttoned it up and the K-27 was ready to rock and roll.

Using the socket and the PnP is the easiest instal you will find.  And the system works like a champ. 

Range at the show on the Central CT G Gaugers module was 75 feet, the length of their module.  The hand piece (TX) is first rate.

Back home the K-27 was given a test run on the layout.  Range is easily 90 feet.  The range is probably greater.  On the test run there were no missed signals from the transmitter to the receiver.  Very smooth, positive response.

Finally, a system that is really PnP.  I should note that I prefer to use a following car for the batteries so we did save time with the installation by not having to install batteries.

If you want an easy to instal RC/battery system this new RCS is just the ticket.  And you don't need to gut anything.

JD

Here's the Indy with the cab kit and tender coal boards.  The larger cab makes it a good looking small engine.



With 16 ounces of weight added and the front pilot truck spring modified it will easily pull six flat cars on level track.  I also use it to pull two J&S extended length coaches.

I've had the Indy since they were first introduced.  It has been a good runner with no drive train or other problems.  Too bad it is not available at this time new from Bachmann.

What will it pull?  Here's a link to a YouTube video of the Indy with a box car and three J&S extended coaches behind the tank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbLCm9VTJak

JD

HoboHarley.

Here's a topic from this site that should give you some ideas.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,4312.0.html

This is a picture of the type carriers I use.  I have seven of these carriers.  They aren't fancy or furniture grade but they are easy to use.  Loading and unloading a locomotive is easy.  It takes minimum effort to build one of these.  I find this design works well for the K-27.



JD

Here is one size comparison.  Spectrum 1:20.3 on left, Big Hauler 1:22.5 in middle, Aristo-Craft 1:29 on right.



You can run anything with anything.  It just doesn't look to hot!  Note the difference in the Big Hauler box car and that of the 1:29 Aristo.

JD

Contact Jerry at Split-Jaw.  Phone 1-877-762-4822. FAX 1-503-761-2311. I would think he'll get a set of instruction right out to you.

JD

The Kit cars, reintroduced by Bachmann some time ago are exactly the same at the 933XX cars.  Decorated or kit they are all considered Big Hauler cars.

JD

Actually there are three box cars offered by Bachmann.

953xx
933xx
880xx

The 933xx is generally accepted to be 1:22.5 scale.  These cars are 15 1/8" long, 3 5/16" wide, 4 3/8" height.

The 880xx is the Spectrum series of 1.20.3 scale.  These cars are 17 7/8" long, 4 5/8" wide, 5" height.

These are car body dimensions. Height was measured from bottom of end beam to top of roof walk.

Don't own any 953xx box cars.  There has been debate that these cars are not 1:20.3.  Whatever their scale, they are really small.

These measurements do not account for grab irons, brake staffs, etc., or height of car mounted on their trucks.

Martin,
Sent the information, per your latest request, this morning.

JD

bigreds,
E-mail with pictures was sent yesterday with the Climax information.

JD

bigreds,
Check your new Climax to see if it has this rear drive shaft.



As you can see, this drive shaft has a plastic end that will rotate on the shaft.  Originally the Climax had a one piece rear drive shaft.  Front and rear drive shafts connected to center gear box would have a tendency to put a strain on either drive train.  Result would be a broken universal joint or some other part of the drive system

The two piece drive shaft, if yours doesn't have it, is available from Bachmann.  Contact their Service Department.

Here's a place to start to look at prototypes.

http://drgw.free.fr/DRGW/Freight/Tankcar/Citerne_en.htm

I can tell you this. The placards look good on the cars.  Just don't expect them to withstand any type of handling.  Great for display, not so great for running the cars.

JD

Mick,
The power transfer between trucks and locomotive is a rather simple fix.
It involves hard wiring.

If interested, contact me off net and I can provide the explaination with supporting pictures. 

E-mail is  jlsclw@aol.com

JD

Here's a picture taken looking up inside the boiler.



To the left of the picture is the cooling fan. It is mounted so it will move air to cool the motor.  Not sure just how much good that will do since the motor is not finned nor does it have any openings in the case.  But what the heck, it's there and like chicken soup, it can't hurt.

JD