Doug,

Some of the models from other manufacturers do have operating doors for the longer cars.  Nonetheless it is good to see Bachmann reissuing the Aristo cars for the modern era fans. As you know many of the Aristo cars do have opening doors in fact the Evans Cars might be the only ones with non operating doors.  Can anyone confirm that??  Because my son is a big G scale fan of diesel era models, I have caught the bug as well, but for the early diesel era. 

Take care, Bill

Mike,

As far as I know the previous tips are only for the early version.  Yours should be up to date including the new style driveshaft.

Bill

Thanks Yardmaster, We will look forward to them!

Hi, looking at the main site I dont see any diagrams or available parts yet.  Maybe Yardmaster can give us an idea as to when they will appear.

Hi Mickey,


In 1994 Bachmann made a "Limited Edition of 1200"  of the Durango & Silverton Boxcar Item 93322.  It was a hit and sold out in a year.  As the real D&S became more popular as years went by, Bachmann made a Durango & Silverton  Freight Set 90057 The set also had a Durango & Silverton Boxcar with the same number.  The set was in the catalog from  2006 to 2013.   


Based on old photos I believe the set had the Box car 3633 with the Red Roof while the 93322 limited edition car had the black roof and the same number 3633.


Bachmann was horrible about not changing numbers when they did a second run of most products.  Back in the day I yelled and screamed at them to change the numbers when making a new run but they never did except for a few of the Big Hauler 4-6-0's


Take care, Bill

Hey Mickey,

Just post the Ebay link, or post the pic to a host site like Dropbox and post that link here.

Bill

Hi Guys,

While the old style truck has been out of stock, the new style pilot truck is available even with spoked wheels.  It is easy to retrofit your older 4-6-0 with this truck. Same for the older Annies as well. 

Here is a link to it:
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_623&products_id=9850

I just requires one drill hole a screw and connecting the two wires to the truck.

This truck can be installed on any of the Big Hauler Standard line 4-6-0's or older Annies as well!!

I strongly recommend that you get this part while they still have some, all to often once parts are out of stock they rarely return. 

I your 4-6-0 needs a new pilot truck without spoked wheels Then replace the wheels in the new truck with solid wheels from your old damaged truck. 

If you give this a try please post how it went for you!

Bill

RJJ,

Congratulations on your new purchase!!

If your loco is otherwise undamaged I just wanted to mention that an easy to retrofit replacement truck is available in the parts store for your 81088 loco.  It is the new type front truck for the 4-6-0

Here is a link to it:
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_623&products_id=9850

I just requires one drill hole a screw and connecting the two wires to the truck. 

This truck can be installed on any of the Big Hauler Standard line 4-6-0's or older Annies as well!!

Bill

You are most welcome. Always willing to help on historical questions!!  Bill

HI Guys,

Stokerman has nailed it, so I can confirm the story. ET&WNC was and is very popular and was included when Bachmann reissued them in a "new and improved" model.  No baggage cars had lights.

the 97xxx series ET&WNC passenger cars were first in the catalog in 1993. Back then they had the plastic handrails, they also had battery powered lighting and the battery box was under the car.  The full baggage was not lighted.  Many modelers loved the battery powered lighting because they stayed lighted when stopped, some hated them because it was a pain to turn the lights on or off and batteries depleted quickly and had to be changed too often. 

The ET&WNC 89xxx series were introduced in 2002.  Bachmann listened and eliminated the battery powered lighting and equipped the cars with track powered lighting. The metal wheels were improved and the cars had metal handrails which was a great improvement over the flimsy plastic ones.  The baggage cars were not lighted. When the train stopped the lights went out.

I remember the unhappiness of some modelers over the track powered lighting. They loved the new handrails but wished the battery lights had been retained.  Some like me installed batteries in my locomotives and did not have any kind of power to the tracks,so if I wanted lights in my passenger cars, I had to use the 97xxx series. Some  modified the cars and installed batteries in the 89xxx series cars. Others added metal handrails on the 97xxx series cars. 

What you get is up to you.  In my case I got lazy and went with the 89xxx series when I could and never did add batteries,because 99% of the time I ran in daylight anyway.  I had a mix of the passenger cars from both series.

Well that's the story and I'm sticking to it!!!!   

Cheers and Beers,
Bill

HI Mudhen,

Those are really tough questions.  There is a C-19 on Evilbay right now and it has a bid of $1500 on it with six days remaining.  It is the 346. 

I couldn't find any K-27's.
Bill

Hey Stokerman,

Wish I could be of more help on this but the older 81xxx definitely had the issue. Bachmann even gave out a free replacement part.  They were the ones sold in 2000 and up.  The newer ones sold starting in 2011  85xxx and 86xxx series I believe did have the slip joints.  However I am only 98% sure.  My memory has faded somewhat.

Mine is the older 81xxx series and I had to modify it using the part below:

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_641&products_id=9985

Unless someone can confirm yours had the new ones I would certainly dig them out and check them out. An easy way to check them out is to put it on your workbench upside down. Power it up, then apply enough pressure to one truck to slow it down considerably.  If the other truck slows down as well you will need the new part. 

Then there is the catch 22 in Bachmann it goes like this: "If you are not sure you need the part and don't pick one up whilst they are in stock, you can be sure they will be out of stock when you are definitely sure you need one"

Some old guy known as Old Loco Bill is noted for saying this.

Can anyone 100 % confirm that the new series 85xxx and 86xxx has the slip joint for Stokerman???

Keep having fun.

It was an R/C Big Hauler.  He used the wrong transmitter, and once he picked up his other transmitter he connected right up.  Sorry I was not clear about that!

Jay, Glad to be of help! Bill

Jay,

Glad you figured out that you were using the wrong remote! Easy to do when you have more than one. Also glad you found my instructions helpful!

Keep having fun with all your 4-6-0's.

Bill