The GIRR Mountain Division Roster consists mainly of Bachmann manufactured equipment. I prefer this stuff because it looks good, runs fine, was real cheap, and looses no value when modified or weathered.
The Bachmann Heisler is the latest addtion to the GIRR Mountain Division. This one was purchased long after production of this model ceased. The loco required some work to get it to run properly, but it does indeed run very well now. As soon as I find my white lettering materials, it will get a road number.
I actually
have two Shays, one at the GIRR and one at the GIRR, Mountain Division.
The other one has had the
most work with a digital sound system and DCC installed. The one here
at the Mountain Division has only been shortened to meet the tight
vertical clearance requirements of the Mountain Division, has had
Hillside Railway contacts installed and it has had an old Bachmann
analog sound system installed. This one has also been relettered.
This is one of my oldest Big Haulers, a 2nd
generation version. It has had many modifications to make it
a serviceable engine. It runs pretty well now, but the front truck
(which is already weighted) still needs it's mount modified as the
truck still has a tendency to derail at particular spots on the
railroad.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Big Hauler is a
nearly box stock 5th generation locomotive. It has had contacts added
to the tender wheels and the 4-chuff modification to
it's sound system.
The Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus Big Hauler is a
3rd generation locomotive that also been extensively modified. It has
the revised pilot truck mount, a 4-chuff sound system, new power
pickups, shimmed drivers and various other modifications.
The Radio Control Big Hauler is a 1st generation unit,
besides getting metal drivers, it hasn't been extensively modified. It
also doesn't see service very often because it's radio control system
is just so flakey.
The
Bachmann Columbia had
received a new bottom end from Bachmann as the original one was just so
poor. It has the 4-chuff sound system and power pickups in the tender
as well.
The Bachmann Railtruck had a couple
of fixable problems, but overall it is a fine model with good detail.
It runs quite smoothly and quietly.
The Bachmann Open Side Trolly was not such a good runner,
the original mechanism was terrible, but Bachmann updated it so now it
at least runs. This trolly runs on a dedicated loop to loop trolly line
through the town. Smooth stops and starts are automatically timed with
an automatic
reversing controller. The trolly line is 2 foot DIAMETER track
which the trolly handles well enough.
This is the first version of Aristo's C-16. There is a newer
version that I don't know much about. This one has had a Soundtraxx Sierra installed in the
tender. It's been lowered.
The smoke unit has been changed to an LGB type unit and the loco has an
LED headlight
installed.
The Aristo Rogers has been modified to handle
tight curves better and has power pickups added to the tender.
The
Aristo Classic Railbus is
pretty much stock except that it has a Soundtraxx Sierra sound system
installed.
This LGB 0-4-0 and matching powered tender are pretty much stock
except that the tender has been modified to accept a sound system. This
pair may be small, but they are pretty respectable pullers. Both of
them have been packed with lead weights to help improve the pulling
power even more.
Daisy is mostly stock except that it has had its couplers
changed out an the saddle tank is packed with lead.
The Lionel handcar is the only nearly stock "loco" that I
have. This thing is a very poor puller. It came with couplers that were
fully useless because it couldn't pull anything. It's brass wheels also
get dirty really fast.
James has had power pickups added
to the center drivers and a sound system added to the tender.