Hi Andy,  The #14 Annie does come from Set 90059,  The number 14 Annies all have the Simplified Stephenson vale gear. 

I have heard that one guy swapped the running gear from #10 WP&Y Annie so he could have the Walschaerts gear on his number 14.

The only WP&Y Annie as manufactured with the Walschaerts gear was the #10 Bachman no 81096,  All the others have the Stephenson!

Happy railroading!

Try mylargescale.com for the disassembly instructions.

Hi Paul
If you have a power pack but not the track connector, you can run wires from the power pack and solder them to the rail joiners instead.  If you have neither the power pack or the track connector you can buy an aftermarket power pack at you local hobby shop and use that instead. Any brand will do.  Connectors vary from brand to brand.

Bachmann sells a replacement track connector, but it is listed as out of stock.

Your Thunderbolt Express was made from 1989 to 1992. It was the first Bachmann large scale set made.  There should be 14 pieces of track,  the power pack, connecting wires, the track connector, a vial of smoke fluid, and plastic track clips to hold the track together.  The larger plastic clips are used on the curved track.  There is also a conic book style set of instructions.   

You willl need a 9 volt battery, which goes in the tender hatch, to get the chuff sound. There is a switch behind the smoke box door on the very front of the loco which controls the smoke unit.  The smoke unit is most likely burned out.  If the switch is left on and there is no smoke fluid in the stack it will bur5n out very quickly.

Good luck with you set, and welcome to large scale!!

There may be some good stuff on the internet.

I got lots of hits when I googled them.  Here is one sample:
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/diesel97.html

Good luck & have fun!!

Nice work Brian!!

Welcome to the party!!   The best advice right now would be to go back to the store and see if they can get you one.   On the left of the screen you could click on the order parts bar then click the Scale of your set and see if the picture matches what you need then order it.  There are ways to work around the problem with wire, but without a picture of what you have it is hard to suggest a way. 

Hope this helps at least a little.

I always get a hard copy for my historical record,  I am one of those who must touch and feel the product I am interested in before I buy.   The catalog is a great item to pass out at the various train shows as well.   The problem I also have with the online sites is that they often carry a limited stock or none at all. 

Still the idea of an online catalog is a good one as lots of the younger folks like to buy that way even if it means paying a higher price and shipping to boot.  My son uses online because his work keeps him too tied up to shop in a real store.  It is best for Bachmann to serve all styles of buyers.  We need new younger folks in the hobby just to keep it alive.  Everything possible should be done to attract them to the hobby!!

Merry Railroading

Great pic Jon,  The comparison shots were perfect!

A friend of mine got his last week. He  lives in St Louis.  I am visiting in Denver and as of yesterday they were on the shelves at Caboose Hobbies, and also Mizzel Trains.  I could have bought six of the beasts, alas I had no money i9n my pockets.

It is a beauty tho, and it was great to be able to look at is super close up next to a K-27.

Enjoy your new toys, boys   and Merry Railroading!

Thanks Bruce, I have been researching Bachmann Large Scale for almost eight years now,  with the Idea of writing a book. I actually have written it, but no publisher or even railroad related publisher is even remotely interested.  I have enjoyed the research none the less, and I still learn something new every few weeks.  I am still trying to keep up with all the new goodies, so it is still fun.

I wouldn't worry too much about the spelling, mine is terrible at times as I have serious eye problems, and my arthritis filled fingers don't seem to hit the right keys all the time.

Sadly there are some sticklers on the board at times who are critical of others spelling, or grammer, but it is best too let all that roll off.   The idea of this board ity to get info and enjoy the hobby and as long as you are that is all that counts.

Have a great Christmas!!!

Sorry guys,  >:(My mistake entirely!!  I am away from home and my detailed database. I should not have posted from my memory which at my advanced age is poor at best!   Sorry for any confusion I may have caused  .

Please disregard my earlier reply entirely, as I have obviouslyconfused this loco with something else!!

Tom,

Be patient and keep trying to contact service,   Tell them what happened,  no organization is perfect, but I am convinced they will do everything possible to make it right.  This is their worst season as far as workload and phone calls go, so even though you are frustrated you  can only do your best to contact them.  Use this number 215-533-1600 and ask for the service manager!!

gj,
You are correct unlettered versions did come with extra parts, so other than checking with Bachmann Service from time to time, hopefully someone will be willing to part with an Oil bunker.  Unfortunately guys I know don't want to part with extra items, because they feel that missing items will hurt resale if they decide peddle their Loco..

Some web sites like Mylargescale.com do have classified sections where you can post a wanted ad.  That might help.

I missed your good news while typing my last response.  Glad you got the motor block!!  It is always best to get a hold of service, rather than any other department. and it is always best to use 1-215-533-1600 which Jon provided!!

Cheers & Beers!!!

I found some of my data and can tell you this much 96241 came in red or white!  The white is the latest with the better motor and gearing. although better than the red and even earlier green one they have never been great runners.  There may be an "M" after the number, which was found on most of the improved units.

Hopefully you can get a new motorand fix it yourself rather than sending it to Bachmann. Since yours is older than one year you would still have to pay the current service charge plus pay shipping to Bachmann.  This may not be a very economical option.

I made some comments in another thread on the general forum!

Cheers.