[graceco]

Hi all- these posts have been helpful. My grandpa has I think one of the 1st generation big haulers, Holiday Express that I tried to get restored but it was too far gone. I'm now trying to get a replacement one and also feel overwhelmed by the options out there on Ebay. At first I was going to get another used plastic G scale Big Hauler, but after reading your posts, I think the better option would be to get one of the Annies that have metal rods and such. They look nicer and based on your knowledge, run better and probably will last a bit longer. BUT I have a question. Because they have metal wheels and therefore I'm guessing require different tracks than the plastic ones, will I still be able to connect my old train cars that have plastic wheels onto the metal wheeled locomotive/tender so they all run together? The logical answer is probably no, but I really don't want to have to buy all new cars with metal wheels, when I have a whole bunch with plastic wheels already. Thanks for the help

 

[graceco]

Actually the answer is yes, BUT. You will have to replace the track with metal track, which is a whole other rabbit hole (cheaper steel but won’t go outside or brass or nickel or stainless). AND running the plastic wheels on the metal rails will wear them down and leave plastic residue on and around the track. Bachmann does sell replacement wheels which are metal, but more money. It is my understanding that metal wheels on the plastic track will just go thru the track eventually AND of course you would have to convert the engine to battery power and some sort of remote control (RC, DCC, etc.) which adds cost. And watch which wheels as I think they have 2 different sizes. Bachmann Metal Wheel Set (4) G Scale Model Train Truck #92421

Thanks! I actually don't have the original plastic track- it was thrown out years ago. So I would have to get new track anyways. And it would be just for inside. Just to reiterate, sounds like I can use my old plastic cars on this theoretical new metal track for a bit until, like you said, it starts to wear down the plastic wheels, at which point I might want to consider upgrading to metal wheels?

Another question! Are couplers interchangeable? I have all Bachmann cars at this point with knuckle couplers, but at my local model train store they have a lot of LGB train cars with those hook and loop ones I think. The worker there said he thinks I can just change out the Bachmann ones on my Big Hauler cars for the hook and loop ones. But he didn't seem confident about it. I want to be able to connect Bachmann cars with LGB cars, but right now they have different couplers.

Thanks

 

[graceco]

Yes you can use the plastic wheels car to start. The hook and loop couplers are not prototypical but in my experience actually work better at staying connected, which is why LGB probably uses them. Bachmann actually ships with them and can be bought as replacements. Many here don’t even use them so you might get some "donated" ones from folks. Coupler (Hook & Loop) - (Large Scale) [PN-92419-2] - $3.47 : Bachmann Trains Online Store!

Great, thanks. I feel like I've finally got the right knowledge to start putting together my own set. Dumb question- how are these new generation trains powered? My old plastic 1st generation train had a battery powered remote with a wall plug in, etc. But I realized the Annie edition I'm looking at online is only selling the engine and tender. Will I need to buy a power source of some kind separately? I THINK the power comes from the track. Some mechanism plugs into the track, which plugs into a handheld device which you operate? However, that would normally all come together in a box as a set. So if I have to buy track separately, piece by piece, I'm just wondering how available these power devices are as well...