Does anyone have any experience with Barry's Big Trains Chassis upgrades? My father got a cheapo Bachmann starter set a few years ago for Christmas and as expected, the drive went ka-put. He herd about Barry's Big Trains and asked me to do some research as he is considering the upgrade sometime this spring. The website order form is pretty confusing. If I understand it correctly, there is a "Annie" and a "Plus" upgrade (we're upgrading the 4-6-0), and each variation has the option to replace the wheels or use the existing wheels. It also appears he offers the upgrade in kit form, ready-to-run replacement chassis, and ready to run locomotive, however in the description for all it mentiones sending pieces in to him. :dont-know: Also, I cant figure what the actual difference is between the Annie and the Plus, nor which is considered better than the other. Am I completely missing something? I would like to get the best for my buck, and I am comfortable assembling anything necessary so that I do not need to send anything in. Right now, I'm thinking we can just stick with the Bachmann wheels because I dont quite see how much of an affect new wheels can make, given BBT wheels add $90 to the upgrade. But again, this whole thing is a big ball of confusion. Please help! :weep2:
Barry Big Trains has been upgrading Bachmann locomotives for years, so he has plenty of experience. You can get different stages of upgrading like just getting the up graded motor, but you install it or the entire chassis done and you install the body or a complete rolling locomotive already assembled ready to roll. It depends on what your budget is. If you want to save money, I would at least recomemd the complete chassis only because Barry will make sure everything is square and properly installed. As to why he needs your stuff back? Well it's like when you pay a core charge on a water pump for your car, they want it back so they can rebuild your old one for the next person, the same applies here. I never heard anyone complain about a Barry Big Train rebuild, you get all new metal gearing, metal wheels and metal side rods, etd
Thanks for the quick reply EMD trainman, As far as reviews I've read, I've not seen a single complaint. So we're pretty definite on getting the upgrade, its just a matter of what option we'll end up with. We definitely want to replace the whole chassis. I'm not clear on the advantage the wheel upgrade would add, so right now I'm thinking just the basic chassis kit. So thats either the 4-6-0 Annie/Bach. Wheels, or the 4-6-0 Plus/Bach.Wheels, unless you know of a reason the wheel upgrade would be worth the extra $90. In reading it over again carefully (about my 4th time :/, must be a case of the Mondays.. oh wait, today's Sunday *sigh*) it seems I can order the base kit, $275/Annie, $250/Plus and be done with it, OR if I like, I can also send in old parts for a discount. Nonetheless, I'm still lost as to which kit offers the better chassis. Features for each are slightly different, yet both equally convincing. Price wise, one would assume the Annie to be superior at $25 more, however comparing to the 2-8-0 chassis, the 280 plus is $5 more than the 280 Annie, not to mention aesthetically, "Plus" assumes the superior item. Any recommendations?
Bachmann doesn't use the metals in thier wheels that others have. Barrys wheels has nickle silver, copper and a metal mix giving you a high end machined wheel that will last forever. You will notice that stock Bachmann wheels are a little pourous and has very low grade o nickle silver and doesn't have copper in them. I would recomend the wheel upgrade and you won't need to see Barry any more unless you buy another Bachmann locomotive you want to upgrade.
Mystere: The "Annie" drive has a equalized, sprung front axle--the older "Plus" drive has a stiff chassis, not as good for running on rough outdoor track. Bachmann 4-6-0s are divided into the "Anniversary" model(2000+, separate sale) and the "Plus"(1990ish on, train set). The Annie(versary)s have a bit more detail and metal gears. Either BBT drive can be used with either engine. Considering the cost of the BBT drive, though, it may be worth it to just buy a new Anniversary engine--they're only about $150, and though they have been known to have drivetrain issues with heavier trains, they do have metal gears and should be fine with up to 10 or so cars. Another factor, since you're looking at the 2-8-0: The 2-8-0 does NOT like R1(4' diameter) curves--too long of a wheelbase. Let me know if you have any other weird questions--I have access to two BBT equipped engines(a 4-6-0 and a 2-8-0) and can have a look if need be. And I must say, the BBT 2-8-0 is extremely good looking....
Thanks Robbie, that pretty much decides it right there for me. Being an N scaler, a sprung front axle makes a world of difference. I'd rather have a suspension than rigid frame. No way on this one. I'd rather spend 300 to replace the mechanism of 1 bad loco, turning it into a 1 great loco, than try to save 150 and get a brand new "bad loco". In the long run I'd end up with 2 bad locos. The loco we already have is the post 2000 Annie 4-6-0.
Quick question: metal drive rods? The Annies have metal connecting rods and valve gear, while the train set engines still have plastic and plastic gears. Either way, if you're set on buying a drive, I'd go for the Annie 4-6-0 drive. The equalized axle keeps it steady(trust me on this one--the non Annie drive derails OFTEN on less than perfect track)--and it's just a newer design. I'm about to ship my Bachmann 2-8-0 off to Barry for his new drive for that. Too bad he doesn't have one for the K-27 yet--mine has issues
Feburary my Bachmann goes in for the Annie upgrade. You know how long my locomotive lasted out of the box? 2 minutes then Ka Put.
