Here's a link to my GRBLOG.  First item posted deals with Thomas.

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

It contains tabulated data on the locomotive.  Some may find it of interest.

Outside/In Review has been completed.  It will be published by LSOL in its weekly E-Magazine. 

As Cale points out, and since I've had the locomotive apart, there is plenty of space for a RC receiver, sound and batteries.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

What version?

There are two.  Most 3-truck Shays are DCC ready. They do not have sound. Usually these are the ones that folks use to install RC, batteries, and after-market sound.

There is also a version, not too many of these around, that comes with DCC installed along with factory sound.  These will run in the DC mode but the full range of sounds would not be available.

I have no experience with the factory sound equipped version. 

The more common version without DCC and sound installed are easy conversions to RC, battery, and added sound.  Just completed an installation of RCS Basic 3, batteries, and Phoenix P5/P5T sound system.

All will fit in the tender, but it's a tight fit.

A number of our club members have the DCC ready version equipped with the Revolution. Some are using the P5/P5T Phoenix with a couple of Shays having the newer Phoenix PB9 sound installed.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Three trucks = three motors.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Thomas and his consist arrived at the CD&StL's AJ Yard this afternoon.



Arrived in good condition.  Very well done.



Weather too foul to do any running.  Should be clear tomorrow.  Thomas ran well on a short test track.



One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Let's clear this up once again.

The Anniversary 4-6-0 10-Wheelers, known as Annies, have the metal valve gear and side/connecting rods.

The 10-Wheelers sold in sets are the standard versions and have plastic instead of metal.  There are several sets that do contain the Anniversary locomotive, but as a general rule the set engines are NOT Annies.

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

The link listed above will explain the differences between the Anniversary edition 10-Wheelers and the standard version.  In either case they are both Big Haulers.

Most, if not all, other LS rod locomotives now being produced by Bachmann have metal valve gear and side/connecting rods.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

It's safe.  This unit is for large scale.  It is not DCC compatible.

You are reading the wall unit output.  It's the controller that "manages" DC voltage going to the track.

Plug it in, connect controller to track, run your train and don't worry about it.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

My dealer just called to say that the Thomas sets have arrived at his distributor.  So, looks like folks will be able to have a new LS Thomas under the tree this year.




One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Tom,
Nice set of pictures that show off the 2-6-6-2 T Mallet.  Enjoyed the video. The QSI system sounds great.

Good review.  Danny and the "Amen Choir" will no doubt take exception!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t31nsEfMuCo

This is a link to a video of the Mallet with 27 loads behind the tank.  The video was made some time ago.  The locomotive handled the consist without any problems.  Need to do another with more cars and the new B'mann caboose.

One of the "Blind Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Loco Bill is the authority on Bachmann Big Haulers. He's "out of pocket" for a few days.  I'll answer till Bill gets back on line and to this site. Anything I might say that is incorrect, Bill will set it straight.

Checking Bachmann catalogs from 2000 to the present there is no B&O Anniversary 10-Wheeler listed. Bachmann did offer a Royal Blue set for a few years during this period.  The set contained the "standard" Big Hauler.

Anniversary Big Haulers were cataloged in 2000 to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Big Hauler line.

The Anniversary 10-Wheelers did not make it into distribution till 2001. Bachmann missed the anniversary date.

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

You might find this link of some use.  It explains the differences between the standard Big Hauler and the Anniversary editions.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

There is no pilot under the plow.

Bachmann offers a Switcher Pilot Item #88015 and a Road Pilot Item #88016.  You remove your plow and either of these can be installed.  The MSRP, as listed in the catalog for either of these pilots is $18.50.

Or, maybe you can find someone that will trade with you.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

I have over 50 cars with link and pin couplers.  I've been running L&P cars since 1993. Most, but not all, cars are either disconnects or skeleton log cars.  You better have a lot of patience if going to link and pin.

A number of the skeleton log cars are Bachmann.  Also have four Bachmann box cars and one bobber caboose equipped with L&P drawheads.

Most all the link and pins are Ozark.  On Bachmann locomotives that come with L&P drawheads I use them.  If a locomotive does not come with L&P drawheads then four pocket drawheads are installed.

Link and pin equipped cars will not handle 2 foot radius (4 ft. diameter curves) unless you use short draw bars between the cars in place of the links.  In some cases you may even have to use a rooster.

The cars will back OK but track work must be first rate and the consist must be backed very slowly.

Putting the pins in place is a chore.  Fat fingers don't work well when trying to place pins in the drawheads.  I use an offset tweezers to put the pins in place.

L&P looks good but are a real pain, but for equipment of the L&P era they're the way to go.  Just allow plenty of time to assemble a consist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3eb1dbX0M

This YouTube video shows two Shays.  The first Shay is pulling a consist of all cars with L&P couplers.  The second Shay's consist is knuckle equipped cars.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Item #92421.  Four per card.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Rich,
First, let's clear one thing up.  Version 5 drive trains are used in all currently produced Big Hauler, to include the Annie, locomotives.

I doubt that Bachmann will sell/provide a Version 5 chassis.

You could check to see if Bachmann still offers its upgrade service for older Big Haulers.  You might get them to upgrade your Big Hauler to Version 5 drive train.  Contact Bachmann Service to get that answer.

Another choice would be to shop around for a good price on a Version 5 Big Hauler.  Swap the drive train with your Big Hauler.  Then sell the remainder on e-bay.

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

Here's a link to my GRBLOG that discusses the "standard" Big Haulers and the Annie.  You might find it of interest.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Bob C.

Thanks for the additional report.  Seems like you've the problme solved. Have fun with the Climax and Shay.

One ot the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Run time with on-board batteries would be a SWAG at best.

Run time will depend on just how many and what type batteries you can cram into the locomotive.  There won't be much space available in the bunker once an on-board receiver and sound system is installed.

For most RC systems and the Shay you'll want at least 14.4 volts of power available to operate the locomotive.

You'll probably end up with the batteries in the boiler of the locomotive. No easy task, but it has been done by any number of folks.

What you'll probably find is the need for a following battery car in order to gain extended run times.  It's possible to set the locomotive up to run, usually light and for short periods of time, off of the on-board batteries.

A following battery car can be plugged in for those times that extended running is desired. 

Possibly someone that visits this site and has both the RC receiver, sound, and batteries on-board will be able to give you more detailed information.

Good Luck!

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD