I have no idea what I am doing.

taterbugbrown

taterbugbrown

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My name is Mike and I've had trains my whole life although I will admit I've been more of a set them up and take them down and forget about them type of enthusiast. My Wife decided she wanted a Christmas train to run around the tree this year having had the cheap ones while growing up. I picked up a Bachmann Big Hauler R/C at an antique store and after doing a bit of research I determined I needed to join a group or two to get the most out of this new to me set. So, here I am. I'm going to go ahead and ask forgiveness for any stupid questions I ask. I promise to try and search previous threads before asking. Thanks for having me.
 
Welcome to the forum.

No questions asked here are regarded as stupid.

There are plenty here with experience of the Bachmann Bug Mailer as it's known here, and I'm sure those owning one can help....
 
Hi there Mike, good to see you and diving straight in. There is information and advice aplenty here but there is one, and only one, stupid question - the one you don't ask.
Before P Paul M says anything we are a jovial bunch with a cracking sense of humour.
Cheers from the tiddly land.
 
well, you've been warned about the humour, told, that there are no stupid questions.

so, let's get down to business:
you should learn, how to post pics (for the members, that can't read)
and you must tell us some things about your train, for us to give counsel.

what kind of track do you have? plastic, hollow steel, brass?
you say, R/C - what kind of batteries (if any)?

pics, descriptions...

so, that, may be, we get you rolling till Xmas 25.

and be welcome.
 
taterbugbrown said:
My name is Mike and I've had trains my whole life although I will admit I've been more of a set them up and take them down and forget about them type of enthusiast. My Wife decided she wanted a Christmas train to run around the tree this year having had the cheap ones while growing up. I picked up a Bachmann Big Hauler R/C at an antique store and after doing a bit of research I determined I needed to join a group or two to get the most out of this new to me set. So, here I am. I'm going to go ahead and ask forgiveness for any stupid questions I ask. I promise to try and search previous threads before asking. Thanks for having me.
Click to expand...
I bought a second hand RC Bachmann, and this is the work on it:

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

Bachmann 10-Wheeler Battery Conversion

The Starting Point I came upon a Bachmann Big Hauler battery operated train set via the well known auction site, and my goal was the p...
tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com
 
Welcome to the forum Mick, probably fair to say none of had a clue till we got started, like all projects hardest part is getting started. I got a very early battery powered big hauler back in the late 80’s/early 90’s. This is what it ended up as:-
IMG_3456.jpeg
 
Welcome to the Forum, Mick. You'll find there's bags of experience and expertise here -we were all new to this hobby once, and the chances are that someone will have dropped/lost/melted/trodden on the thing you are interested in at some point in their modelling career...

Don't ask me how I know this. :worried:
 
PXL_20241231_013208231.jpgPXL_20241231_013221555.MP.jpgPXL_20241231_013225503.jpgPXL_20241231_013231588.jpgPXL_20241231_013236866.jpgPXL_20241231_013241259.MP.jpgPXL_20241231_013257767.MP.jpgPXL_20241231_013355761.jpg

As requested, here are some pictures of my Big Hauler. It runs on 6 D cell batteries and by some miracle, the batteries that were in it had not corroded. I replaced the batteries and it runs. It makes sound but I suspect the speaker it shot as its sounds more like a burst of static than anything. The remote works for speed and direction when you turn it on but here doesn't seem to have much range. The tracks are plastic and so far, I haven't been able to get the train to run without jumping off of these tracks. When running, the rear wheel of the locomotive will ride out of the track. I think I need more weight on that rear wheel but I am open to suggestions.
 
Check the back-to-back of the axle that is derailing..
There could be a spring missing, if it is a trailing pony truck?

You can stick a coin to a pony truck, to see if a little more weight helps.

PhilP
 
taterbugbrown said:
View attachment 336873View attachment 336874View attachment 336875View attachment 336876View attachment 336877View attachment 336878View attachment 336879View attachment 336880

As requested, here are some pictures of my Big Hauler. It runs on 6 D cell batteries and by some miracle, the batteries that were in it had not corroded. I replaced the batteries and it runs. It makes sound but I suspect the speaker it shot as its sounds more like a burst of static than anything. The remote works for speed and direction when you turn it on but here doesn't seem to have much range. The tracks are plastic and so far, I haven't been able to get the train to run without jumping off of these tracks. When running, the rear wheel of the locomotive will ride out of the track. I think I need more weight on that rear wheel but I am open to suggestions.
Click to expand...
The Bachmann sound module is known for being rather underwhelming. For those with an ability to solder, there was an easy modification worked out by George Schreyer. I've modified a couple of Bachmann sound cards according to his instructions - not sure whether you can still access the details online.
 
Rhinochugger said:
The Bachmann sound module is known for being rather underwhelming. For those with an ability to solder, there was an easy modification worked out by George Schreyer. I've modified a couple of Bachmann sound cards according to his instructions - not sure whether you can still access the details online.
Click to expand...
You can, but a bit of a hunt..

It appears George suffered a stroke, a while back, and so the registration / hosting of the site has lapsed..

There are breadcrumbs in other Forum and the Way back Machine is of some help.

PhilP
 
taterbugbrown said:
View attachment 336873View attachment 336874View attachment 336875View attachment 336876View attachment 336877View attachment 336878View attachment 336879View attachment 336880

As requested, here are some pictures of my Big Hauler. It runs on 6 D cell batteries and by some miracle, the batteries that were in it had not corroded. I replaced the batteries and it runs. It makes sound but I suspect the speaker it shot as its sounds more like a burst of static than anything. The remote works for speed and direction when you turn it on but here doesn't seem to have much range. The tracks are plastic and so far, I haven't been able to get the train to run without jumping off of these tracks. When running, the rear wheel of the locomotive will ride out of the track. I think I need more weight on that rear wheel but I am open to suggestions.
Click to expand...
Mike, your set seems to be in good condition and you can consider it a bit of a miracle that it runs. That said, it is more of a toy than a model. Most sets of that vintage are missing the controller and have corroded contacts. The derailing could be a weight issue, but take a close look at the track. Any unevenness will bump the loco off. The sound is probably the way it came from the factory. My advice; enjoy it the way it is until you have a better understanding of Bachmann's Big Hauler series. You have a Version 1 out of 6 (or is it 7 now? I think number 6 was skipped?) Maybe buy some LGB metal track, if your track seems uneven.

You'll find that there are lots of possible repairs and upgrades; the most common one being a replacement chassis. The gears are a weak spot on the 4-6-0 and don't get much better until the latest versions. But replacing that chassis will probably mean modifying the body to take a different kind of battery, etc, etc. It can get overwhelming and become more than it is worth. Read, a LOT, and keep asking questions. Above all, remember Rule #8 (It shows up in some posts)

Take a look at these links for a start:
Repairs to the Bachmann Standard line Big Hauler 4-6-0, and Anniversary 4-6-0

Happy Railroading!
 
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