There are no big Haulers with a metal frame..all are plastic, even the "annies"..
Annies (10th anniversary big hauler) have metal main rods and side rods,
while the older Big Haulers have plastic rods.
but all frames are plastic.
Scot
I see thank you. I have another question about the running gear, how does it come on and off, what would be the best choice if you.... umm... cut the stuff off with a pair of pliers?
it comes off quite easily, just unscrew the bolts on each driver, and a few other secrews that hold the running gear onto the body, and the running gear pops right off..all the screws you need to remove are obvious once you get started.
you dont have to cut anything, just remove all the screws.
for some of pics of a Big Hauler being dismembered, check this page:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/anniemallet5.html
Try this, it's not as hard as it sounds. Get a piece of aluminum angle 1/16 x 1 1/2 x 1/2 at a store such as Home Depot or Lowe's. Cut 2 pieces 10 3/16'' long. insert 4 blocks of wood 1 1/4 x 1 7/16 x 3/4. Notch for your axles and set up your drive you prefer to use. I usually use a LGB motor and intermediate gears. Good luck.
Harry
I found all the screws holding the steam valves on, but couln't figure out how to remove the ones in the wheels so I cut the rod. I did this about three weeks ago, so way before this post. I might have to salvage the components from another one. hoe do you remove the screws?
they are simply threaded bolts..with a hexagon head.
put pliers or a small wrench on the bolt and turn.
unless you are talking about a "non-annie" big hauler..the kind with the plastic siderods.
in that case the siderods are held to the drivers with a plastic plug that is just held on by friction..grab onto it with pliers, twist and pull straight out.
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month