The Liberty Bell was first cataloged in 1995.  It will have the Version 4 drive train.

The only instructions that came with a Big Hauler was an owner's manual. You might be able to get one from Bachmann Industries.

You will find information on the Big Hauler at George Schreyer's web site.

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips.html

George's site should answer some of your questions.  There's not much to do to get the locomotive's functions to work.  It only has chuff and a smoke generator.  A 9 volt battery is used to power the chuff.  It goes under the water hatch on the tender.  Smoke off-on switch is behind the smoke box door on the front of the smoke box.  Don't count on getting much if any smoke from this unit.

Do a complete lubrication of the engine.  George's site will help you understand what is required.

Good luck.

Possibly a picture will be of some assistance.  Never realized that the 10-Wheeler and its smoke box door could be this complicated.



This picture is that of an Annie.  The less detailed 10-Wheelers will be exactly the same as far as the smoke box door and switches are concerned.

If the locomotuve in question does not have a smoke box door and switches behind then it should be put in a special case for all to see.  It has to be one of a kind and worth big $$$$.

Paul,
Battery power?

But of course!  You mean to tell me there are other ways to power an outdoor railroad?

The utility car is based on several pictures of an Ely-Thomas utility car. The car body was placed on a skeleton log car.  It was used to transport supplies and loggers especially to and from the cutting site.

Of course it's real water.

Shay's like to go wading on occassion.   It had been a wet few days, but that didn't stop the Shay.



This was taken a few days later. Here the Shay has a utility car in tow.

We run in rain, why not let the locomotives wade once in a while?

QuoteStan Ames and I are working on the wiring for AirWire and Phoenix. Taking some time to work out the kinks. Results will be posted on Bachmann for all to use.

QuoteWill be posting pics of the install on MLS.

OK, I understand the first comment. After all, this is the Bachmann site, it's their locomotive, and Stan Ames is helping to work out the kinks.  As well he should, since it's Stan we have to "thank" for the socket.

It's the second quote that seems to raise a question.  Why the pictures of the instal on MLS and not here on the Bachmann site?  As I mentioned above, this is the logical place for all the details that will be required to get the K-27 up and running and that would include any pictures.  Pictures of the installation will certainly help us all with converting our locomotives.

If MLS is selected for posting pictures of the instal it only seems right that sites such as Trains.comForums, Large Scale Central, and Large Scale on Line also receive photos of the installation.  Seems only right that folks that use these sites have access to the same information. 

JD

Good Grief!

That's a hose used to draw water from a pond or stream.  The "affair" on one end represents a screen that would keep out debris.



The hose goes along the left (fireman's) side of the Shay just under the running board.  There  are hangers to hold the hose.  At the rear the hose attaches to "L' shaped pipe that represents the inlet (suction) pipe. Water is drawn through the hose and into the tender by a steam syphon.

You can see the drafting hose along the running board of the Shay pictured above.

JD

kybaugh,
They sure look to be the same.  I've only the pictures to go by.

The 2004 set has a 04 built date on the box car.  In the 2007 catalog it does not show a built date on the box car.  There may well be a built date on this car. Have not seen it in person.

Either way, the 2007 catalog set #90047 is good looking.

JD

kybaugh,
This is the Sam's set offered in 2005.



The 2005 set was lettered as North Star Express.



This is the 2004 Sam's set. It was lettered as North Pole & Southern.  This is not a very good picture.  Not shown is a Combine decorated for Christmas.  It was packed at the top of the box and I didn't get it in the picture.

Loco Bill has an extensive list of sets.  He should be able to provide additional, factual information on most sets offered over the years by Bachmann.

JD

Grumpy

QuoteThere is also another set, Wonderland Flyer item #90047 catalogued this year that contains the Anniversary 10-Wheeler.

QuoteSome folks have a tendency to "shoot from the hip" giving out information that is incorrect.  A little research before posting would sure  make a difference in correct information being given.

JD

This is just a WAG since I don't have any of the 10-Wheelers built in the last year or so.

Do the new Anniversary 10-Wheelers have the three position switch behind the smokebox door?  You know: NMRA-Off-Large Scale.

If they do then possibly the switch is in the center OFF position. 

Might want to check to make sure that switch is fully to the right in the Large Scale position or to the left in NMRA.  Left and right  as you face the front of the engine.

Bill is right on the money when it comes to the Annie being included in the White Pass Passenger Set # 90059.

There is also another set, Wonderland Flyer item #90047 catalogued this year that contains the Anniversary 10-Wheeler.

Some folks have a tendency to "shoot from the hip" giving out information that is incorrect.  A little research before posting would sure  make a difference in correct information being given.

Another example of this incorrect information has to do with the new 1:20.3 Spectrum tank cars.  In another fora one of the "experts" indicated that Bachmann would not allow dealers to sell these new tank cars even though they are in dealer stock.  This is totally wrong.  Again, it appears no research was done. 



Here's one of the new tank cars.  It was received from my dealer last Thursday.  My dealer has delivered six of these new tank cars since last week. 

So, it's probably best to come here to the Bachmann site to get information from either the Bach Man or folks that take a little time to research an answer before jumping on a site with just a guess.

Loco Bill is one of the sources that you can count on.  Bill has developed a plethora of information on Bachmann sets.  He has extensive documentation of Bachmann sets that goes back to the first Big Haulers that were introduced.

JD

Yes, it is a manifesto!

To receive it you have to have the secret handshake from either the Bach Man or H. Lee.

Having failed that, go to the top of the page and click on Newsletter.  There you can sign up to get on the mailing list.  Not that won't be too difficult will it?    

Thanks for resending the December News Letter.

I look forward to receiving it.  On the first try this time those little boxes with the red x just didn't get the job done. 

I print the news letter and keep the copies.

JD

chenashea,
If you believe that simplistic explaination of converting to and operating your locomotives with DCC then make sure you put out some cookies for Santa.  Because if you believe that "story" then you sure must believe in Santa.

Now the Hybrid drive comes up again.  That's the band-aide to keep that great DCC converted locomotive operating.  But then what the heck  that axe will be ground  right down to the nub.

Ask about the cost of all the additional equipment you'll need to purchase just to get that locomotive with the decoder running.

JD

You mention derailing after a gentle curve.

Bill mentions the track being level from side to side. 



Place a level at right angles to the track as depicted in the above picture. The bubble should be centered.  If the bubble is not centered then the track will have to be adjusted so there is no variation in cross-level.  That's what side to side  level is known as.  If anything, the outside rail of a curve could be just slightly higher than the inside rail.  Still it's best to have the track perfectly level, side to side.

You also might want to check the front wheels on the pilot truck.  The wheels have stubs that slide into the plastic tube (axle).  These wheels should be tight against the axle tube.  I don't have a picture of this to illustrate.  If you have a way to measure the back to back gauge of the front pilot wheels they should be 1.575 inches.  The wheels can be adjusted by moving the wheels in or out just slightly to achieve the 1.575" back to back gauge.  Once set they can be held in place with a very small amount of CA.