Jim,
This link is a discussion, with pictures, of the Bachmann 10-Wheelers. Both the standard Big Hauler and Anniversary locomotives are covered.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php/2007/11/08/bachmann-10-wheelers?blog=4

This should clear the differences between the two up for you. 

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD 

vic

That's a very credible backhead you've constructed.  Looks great and adds a good level of detail to the locomotive.  Nice work! 

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

That's two flat cars per box for the price stated.

Congratulations.  You both win today's reading comprehension award.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

This is a question that probably should be ask on the Aristo-Craft site.
To the best of my knowledge Bachmann has no two axle trailing trucks available in large scale.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

On page 21 of the Forney Owner's Manual, Bachmann states the following:

"Bachmann's engineers recognize that some large scale model railroaders do not have the space for wide radius curves.  To accommodate the Forney on layouts with tighter radius curves they have come up with a solution that will allow operation on track diameter as little as four feet." 

So the answer is four foot diameter (2 foot radius) curves and switches.

The Forney, in addition to having a set of drivers that will pivot under the locomotive, uses a unique arrangement on the rear truck.  For tight radius curves not only does the rear truck pivot on its king post it can also be set up to slide side to side.  There is a locking pin on the rear truck that will allow the truck assembly to be released to slide side to side.

So kiddie curve diameter track work should be no problem for the Forney to negotiate.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

As Brian states, to the best of my knowledge also, there was never a snow plow offered for the Big Hauler.



This is a resin cast, after market, plow that was offered for the 10-Wheelers. I had two of these.  Not really all that great as far as looks and they set too high to do any meaningful plowing. I sold both of the plows.

Bought the plows years ago. Think they were made by an individual in Oregon.  I have no point of contact.

As suggested you'd be better off making your own.  Should be a simple task.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

A little snow can't be any worse than fording.



In either case a little proper after operations maintenance is all that is required.  Plus it's a lot of fun!

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

The parts do not move. The spools, brakes,  and gears are molded as one piece. 

There is no builders plate or name attached to the skidder so that information could be used to determine scale.  Since skidders were produced in so many sizes it would be difficult to say for certain just what the scale is.

Due to it's size the skidder should be useable with any scale from 1:24 to 1:20.3.  Looking at old pictures where a skidder is on a flat car of known size might help to get a fix on just what the scale could be.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

The CD&StL's new Forney is now in the train shed. It arrived at the dealer's place on Dec. 21.  We were visiting in Canada so could not pick it up until yesterday.





Haven't had much time to go over it in detail. It did arrive with no damage and yes the counter weights and wheels are tight on the axles.

Don Sweet is sending a RCS PnP.  A Phoenix sound system will be installed.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

We ran Thomas for over thirty hours during our club's annual Holiday Train Show.  Had no problem with cars coming uncoupled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1HHNX10xKA

This is short video of Thomas negotiating LGB 1100 curves.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php/2009/11/20/thomas-the-tank-aamp-percy?blog=4

Here's a link to my GRBLOG article that covers initial experience with Thomas.  There is a second video of Thomas in action.  At no time during the show was there a problem with the hook and loop couplers.

We (the club) were well satisfied with the set throughout the show. 


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

gbbari,

I'm not sure they indicated a "name" for the coupler heght as shipped.
The Thomas set is in the States and I'm in Canada at this time, so can't check. 

I still find it interesting that folks will receive a new piece of equipment and not read the supplied documentation.  Result being they miss important information and then "jump" all over the forum playing a blame game for an issue that is not of the manufacturer's making.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Vic,
Had you read through the documentation that came with the set, coupler height is explained along with the use of the "extensions" that the Bach Man mentions.

In the documentation Bachmann refers to the lower coupler height as "garden height."

Interesting what can be learned from reading supplied documentation.


Merry Christmas and enjoy your new Percy.


One of the "Enthsiastic Children"

JD

Absolutly

If you don't get Santa and his bag of toys in exactly the right place a herd of elves will come in the night and take the train away.

In its place you will find a lump of coal. You remember coal, right? Also a pair of too large brown socks.

So be careful!

Merry Christmas!


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Just in case you might have a question on removing the bottom cover (plate) here's a link to George Schreyer's web site.

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html#assembly

You'll only need the first part that gives step by step on removing the bottom cover to get at the gears.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Jack,
Now That's The Way To Run A Railroad!

As Loco Bill said, it will save us a lot of typing and picture taking to answer the same questions over and over.

Thanks.


One ot the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD