Bach Big Hauler 460
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Bachmann Big Hauler 4-4-0

Engine

This is the single largest selling G Scale locomotive ever made.  It has been in the Bachmann line for over a decade.  The model is not derived from a specific Baldwin prototype.  The exact scale is also somewhat uncertain although as a narrow gauge engine, it would gall somewhere in the 1:20.3 to 1:24 range.

It has been sold in both radio controlled and track powered versions.  It has been through a number of generations of drive trains.  Check George Schreyer's Big Hauler Tips page for details on how to tell the generations apart.  The tips page also contain useful information on how to improve the performance and upgrade these engines.  There are also instructions on how to take them apart.

Given that these engines were mass produced, they are often available after Christmas as part of starter sets at closeout prices.  They are also commonly auctioned on eBay.

While a Big Hauler may be a good starting point for detailing a generic 4-6-0, it is also a very useful source of the parts.  This set of parts came from a Big Hauler that I picked up for under $50 on eBay.  A second set of domes came from a parts engine that was thrown in on the auction.  The cost of the detail parts from a detail parts supplier came to more than I paid for the engine.

The parts are a representative sampiling.  Note the difference between the black domes and the green domes, taken from two different engines.  

Drive Train and Chassis

Significant improvements have been made to the Big Hauler drive train over the years.  As George's tip page indicates, the 4th and later generation drives are reasonably dependable.  Yet keep in mind that these engines weren't built for long-term durability.  The drive train is fully integrated with the chassis.  The following is a 4th generation chassis.  Driver wheels are metal.  The middle driver is flangeless and has an extended journal to handle the piston rod.

Electrical separation is achieved by pressing the two drive/shaft pieces into a center plastic piece.

Once the chassis has been separated from the superstructure, driver wheels can be pulled out from the sides.

Specifications

Component Bachman Big Hauler 4-6-0 Chassis
Classification Fully integrated power block, frame and chassis
Length Width Height Driver 
Diameter		 Shaft
Diameter		 Driver 
Wheelbase		 Overall
Wheelbase
14.125" 2.75" 2.75" 2" 0.25" 5.375" 10.75"

Overall length includes front deck over pilot and does not include coupler mount.  Width is across the front truck pivot and cylinder mount.  Height is from rails to top of frame.  Driver wheels are all metal.  Shafts mate at center with plastic separator that provides electrical separation.  Electrical pickup is via spring loaded brushes recessed in chassis.  Exterior of chassis is plastic.

Drive Train Comments

See George Schreyer's Big Hauler Tips page for comments on the durability of the various generations of this drive.  Also, for pulling capacity, see his Tractive Effort Tests.

Conversions

English - inches Model 1:20.3 1:22.5 1:24 1:29 1:32
Driver Diameter        2.00        40.6        45.0        48.0        58.0        64.0
Driver Wheelbase        5.38      109.1      120.9      129.0      155.9      172.0
Overall Wheelbase      10.75      218.2      241.9      258.0      311.8      344.0
Overall Length      14.13      286.7      317.8      339.0      409.6      452.0

 

Metric - cm Model 1:20.3 1:22.5 1:24 1:29 1:32
Driver Diameter        5.08      103.1      114.3      121.9      147.3      162.6
Driver Wheelbase      13.65      277.1      307.2      327.7      395.9      436.9
Overall Wheelbase      27.31      554.3      614.4      655.3      791.8      873.8
Overall Length      35.88      728.3      807.2      861.1   1,040.4   1,148.1
 

(c) 2007 Iron Horse 1:29