Newbie Question Hartland Locomotive Works

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping to purchase a starter outfit for around our Pond. I was looking mostly at Bachmann Big Haulers because of Price and their reputed good reputation. Can I get some feedback please on HLW. There prices seem pretty fair and they have some interesting models. How is their quality, and how well do they back up their engines. Thanks, Dave

[tangerine-jack]

I love them to death! Very indestructable, affordable, pretty good on detail, and made in the USA.

I've not had a problem with any of their products, so I can't answer for customer service.

Hope this helps!


[oX)]

[Anonymous]

dave
BACHMANN BIG HAULER, IS OK , i use aristo craft and USA ENGINES , you need to use brass or stainless steel track, bachmanns track is not for out doors . I SEE YOU LIVE IN EAST PETE , i live near QUENTIN, JUST over the mountian from you , if you would like to see my out side and in side tracks let me know, e-mail me through the forum. your only about 20 minuts from me, i'm just off of 322 , on 241 north .a few houses from 322. BEN

[Anonymous]

Just got me one of them little HLW Mack switchers, the green one. I think I only paid something like $45 for it. I runs good if the track is real clean, but any short 4 wheel loco is going to have that problem. Figur'en on mak'en a little trailing car with some more pickups to solve that problem. I've seen where several people have added battery power to'em.
At 8 to 12 bucks for those little car kits, I bought a bunch of them. The only beef I've got with them is the hoop and loop couplers. The hook sets alittle too high, and lifts the next car off the track. I added a tiny piece of styrene between the hooks and loops and solved that problem. They make great "cheap" bases for bashing!

[Tom The Brat]

And you'll never manage to wear out the mechanics!

[John Busby]

Hi davsachz
I can only comment on the Mack its a neat little loco that is good value for money and will allways have a use on the railway.
I would think a Mack, drovers or bobber caboose and a couple of mini cars would be a good afordable starting train.
Would probably look ok with a couple of shorty passanger cars as well.
No idea of service back up its still running well
regards John

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davsachz

I'm hoping to purchase a starter outfit for around our Pond. I was looking mostly at Bachmann Big Haulers because of Price and their reputed good reputation. Can I get some feedback please on HLW. There prices seem pretty fair and they have some interesting models. How is their quality, and how well do they back up their engines. Thanks, Dave

Hiya Dave

Big Haulers are great values, but track is strickly indoor only

HLW is almost LGB quality, their little Mack is probably the single best screaming deal in the large scale world. There other offerings while being more expensive are also very good quaility. Better than Bachmann not quite LGB, where Bachmann has the advantage is in scale fidelity, HLW and LGB are not good "scale" models

[CandCRR]

I have had the Mack for a year now and it runs great. Some how I burned out the little light. I am thinking of replacing it with directional LEDs.

Being only 4 wheel pickup it lets you know if you have dirty track and where it is.

Jaime

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I keep looking at their website trying to decide between them (HLW) and a Big Hauler set. I realing like the Mining Loko but If I get a "G" I gotta keep the other family interested, and I don't think they will like the little mine set. BEN I need to update my info. I moved from East Pete to Reading, but I'm still pretty close. I've dined at the Quentin Dinner. Thanks, Dave

[piercedan]

If you get the HLW set with track, the track is brass 332 and can be used outdoors.

I also have the 'kit' 2 axle cars. I removed the wheels and couplers and went with metal wheels and Kadee's. The metal wheels allow the cars to stay on the track.

I do not own any HLW engines but fellow club members that have them like them better than the old Bachman line.

I understand the Spectrum line is much better and I do have the Annie and it does run well on clean track. The Climax and Shay are good performers, but you need to run them slow just like the originals.

[Anonymous]

I have a number of HLW locomotives, and some rolling stock. Have several Macks, a "Sparky", a trolley, and the mining set, among others. I really like the stuff they make. I would not recommend the mining set as a first set though. It's a bit oversize, in my opinion--certainly larger than any mining locomotive I've ever seen. I would go with the Mack (very affordable) or perhaps one of their steam locomotives. You can run 'em and run 'em, and they'll just keep going. Very rugged motor blocks, and very durable construction.