Any more information on these locomotives? 

I might have missed it, will the controls and circuit boards be in the tender?

Why wouldn't you use a DCC decoder with components designed for G scale? 

Has anyone fit a kadee coupler to the front of a big hauler?

Maybe we will see them at the ECLSTS in York next month.

These updated moguls were announced in July at the NMRA.  Normally, when there is an announcement of a product in G scale, it takes anywhere from 6-24 months to actually see the product.  For these models, since the molds exist and they have been run a few times over the years, there shouldn't have been too much to update.  The plug and play board is new for the moguls, and I am not sure if there are other electronics being added.  Normally, there will be paint samples before production runs, but perhaps there is not much interest in these moguls?  For me, I am interested in the Grizzly Flats RR version.  I have one of the original run 4-4-0s that I repainted, and it is a beautiful model and runs great, too.  (the 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 share a lot of the same parts, since both prototypes were nearly identical).

Hi Bill! 

Luke will flip when he gets this set next Christmas.  We went HO scale for Christmas this year, so no G scale.  I intend to install a Crest Revolution receiver in the Big Hauler before Dec 25, so it is ready to roll right out of the box. Maybe over the summer when he's not paying attention!  I expect to do the full install in the tender, since there's a lot more space in there than in the locomotive itself.  I'm going to use ball bearing wheels to the tender for power pick up.  I am also planning to paint the wheels to match the locomotive wheels.  Just because!

There are 3 things that attract me to the version 6 anniversary chassis:

1) Much improved lead truck connection.  Our outdoor railroad is 'pretty level', meaning that most of the time, we don't have derailments related to vertical kinks and such.  However, we are an outdoor railroad and subject to creeping plants, acorns, sticks, and mischievous squirrels.  I will do the lead weights to help keep the v5 lead truck on the rails as we zip around.  My minimum diameters are Aristo wide radius turnouts and 12.5' diameter on portions of the mainline.

2) The Walscherts valve gear on the anniversary models is very realistic looking and also adds weight to the model, improving pulling power. I don't think I will add any extra weight to a V5 chassis. Better to let the wheels slip than overheat or overtax plastic gears. Our mainlines do have grades to them, so weight and pulling power are important.

3) The metal gears for the drive should hold up better than plastic gears.  This is a key item for me, since Luke tends to load up his locomotives and then run at full speed (just like we all pretend not to like to do but do anyway!).  The main drawback here is likely added maintenance to ensure proper lubrication, as dry metal to metal is probably less forgiving than plastic.

Bill, you are right though.  Luke can just run this engine, as-is, and will love it!  I picked this set up on consignment from a local hobby shop for a no-brainer price. So low, I didn't even have to consult my wife (and that's saying a lot)!  That means I can add the upgrades necessary to make this engine fully compatible with the rest of our fleet and still be within the Christmas budget.

Jay,

I was over at Bachmann's parts page, and they do list the new, updated versions separately. I have been following the trend of the Annie and Big Hauler for a long time now.  The big hauler in this set has a lube port which I think makes it a version 5 drive.
Old:
Old drive

New drive:
New drive listing

Jay,

Thanks for digging that post up!  That's good news to me! 

Hi Bachmann!

I recently purchased a new, old stock Night Before Christmas set.  I am going to save it and give it to my son for Christmas.  I gave the locomotive a once over, and everything works great.  The engine ran very nice and smooth. 

However, I am curious to find out if I can fit the newest anniversary drive train/chassis to the old big hauler boiler?  I may elect to upgrade this locomotive if that is the case to take advantage of the metal gears and better pony truck design.  Do all the mounting holes line up for Anniversary vs Big Hauler?

So the chassi shown on the online store are version 5 chassi?  THe other improvement is the lead truck, and I'd want that.  I suppose I should consider a new Annie, in that case.

Bill,

I would HOPE that the Dover racetrack was nearly empty last Sunday, as the race was at Pocono!  Which begs the question: who paid to go to Dover to watch the Pocono race?!!  I don't watch car races, I only have this information because my brother took my parents to Pocono!

Speculating is fun!  I'm wondering how the PIKO moguls and 0-6-0s are biting in to the Annie Big Hauler market.  Street prices are similar, but the new PIKO models are coming in a dizzying array of colors and configurations, including the camelback.  I'm wondering if we'll see new 'standard gauge' paint jobs on the veteran Annie.  Earlier (1890s) standard gauge 4-6-0s didn't look too much different than the SPC version.  Perhaps a NY,NH &H version? Certainly a PRR painted loco must be in demand?   Of course, I'm still maintaining that if Bachmann makes a Strasburg RR starter set, I'm obliged to purchase one!

Dear Bachmann,

Do the replacement anniversary drives come with metal gears?

I'm not sure where you are in the world, but in the US:

Wholesale trains shows them arriving early next month:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200835702

Trainworld might have one in stock.  Could give them a call, but have the part number ready:
https://www.trainworldonline.com/manufacturers/bachmann/james-the-red-engine-with-moving-eyes-91403/

Star Hobby - call them, they don't have an updated website.

Only Trains:
http://www.onlytrains.com/model/trains/B91403.html?gclid=CLOrhOeJ2bwCFRAV7Aod8UMAxA

They're out there....

I see these sets as even better than the Thomas line.  The curves and body mounted couplers on the Thomas cars are at the limit of what can work.  These trains, appearing to be a lot shorter, should fit a lot better on the tight curves of starter sets.  I wonder if they could run on an even tighter curve than the industry standard 4' diameter.  That might make them more attractive to families with limited floor space. 

Like Kevin, I didn't show these to my kids yet, either.  We'd have to collect em all!

Good timing.  Now that the 4-6-0 has been re-done again with metal gears, I'm even more tempted to get one.  All I need is a little push over the cliff.  A starter set with a boxcar, flat car and combine.   Even though 475 looks closer to the ETWNC 4-6-0,  I'd suggest lettering the loco for #90, just because its our favorite!! Dallee even makes a sound module (NYC whistle) that would fit perfectly..

This also fits your other G-scale line up, Thomas.   Strasburg trains regularly run side by side with that Blue engine...so you can cross over to your large scale line fairly easily...