The New MTH Big Boy

[Anonymous]

I've been looking forward to getting the new Railking Big Boy, and not only have waited forever for MTH to produce/ship it, but have also waited untill "CTT" reviewed it.

After reading the latest issue of CTT, I've learned that the sample they reviewed had paint flaws, and that the Proto-sounds 2 were "SO-SO".

Does anyone have this "Stump-puller"?
If so, what would your review be of this engine, in regards to the sound system, or the engine --in general?

I'm more or less, a loyal MTH customer, in respects to the fact that in my opinion: I think DCS is better than TMCC, especially when I realize that only the remote, TIU, and maybe the AIU --is all thats needed to run Protosounds.--And to run TMCC, you need multiple, "sold-seperatly" items to accomplish what MTH can do with just the TIU.

I'm not interested in the latest bigboy from K-line, or an older release from MTH or anyone else, therefore, I'm really hoping to see someone that can say:

"It must have been just the sample that CTT reviewed, because mine doesn't have these flaws".

[Anonymous]

I've been looking forward to getting the new Railking Big Boy, and not only have waited forever for MTH to produce/ship it, but have also waited untill "CTT" reviewed it.

After reading the latest issue of CTT, I've learned that the sample they reviewed had paint flaws, and that the Proto-sounds 2 were "SO-SO".

Does anyone have this "Stump-puller"?
If so, what would your review be of this engine, in regards to the sound system, or the engine --in general?

I'm more or less, a loyal MTH customer, in respects to the fact that in my opinion: I think DCS is better than TMCC, especially when I realize that only the remote, TIU, and maybe the AIU --is all thats needed to run Protosounds.--And to run TMCC, you need multiple, "sold-seperatly" items to accomplish what MTH can do with just the TIU.

I'm not interested in the latest bigboy from K-line, or an older release from MTH or anyone else, therefore, I'm really hoping to see someone that can say:

"It must have been just the sample that CTT reviewed, because mine doesn't have these flaws".

[lionelsoni]

I don't have the current Railking Big Boy, but I do have the earlier one. You say that you are not interested in "an older release from MTH". However, I suspect that the present offering has much in common with the earlier one; so I will relate my experience with it, which you may ignore if you wish:

I had no problems with the paint nor the appearance generally.

I tried the computer controls that it came with and got very frustrated just trying to get it to move at all. So I replaced the 286 computer by a Lionel E-unit, which has been completely satisfactory. (I sold the computer and one from a UP gas turbine for $50 each to a guy I met at a train show.) The only benefit that I got from the original electronics is the electromagnetic tender coupler, which I can activate remotely with a special scheme of my own.

The rubber tires started coming off very early and soon became impossible to replace. I looked into getting ungrooved wheels, but MTH wanted to sell me complete engine assemblies, for too much money. I soon realized that the locomotive ran just fine with grooved wheels anyway. It is so heavy that tractive effort is no problem.

I modified the locomotive and tender for O27 track. I was surprised at how easy this was.

My model's number, 4020, is barely too high for the first series of Big Boys. (The model has painted under the cab window "4-8-8-4-1-..." and has handrail-mounted air coolers.) I think I recall noticing that the newer model has a lower number, but also lacks the handrail-mounted air coolers, so it could be from the first series but later in their life, if the series number is the same as on my model.

The left-side eccentric crank was mounted on the wrong side of the axle. The mating grooves in the wheel did not allow it simply to be reset, as on a Lionel wheel. So I filed the locating tangs off the shaft and now rely on a tight screw to keep it in place.

The incandescent headlight burned out early. I replaced it with a white LED, which required a little drilling as I recall. I also added a back-up light and a red light on the back of the tender.

[lionelsoni]

I don't have the current Railking Big Boy, but I do have the earlier one. You say that you are not interested in "an older release from MTH". However, I suspect that the present offering has much in common with the earlier one; so I will relate my experience with it, which you may ignore if you wish:

I had no problems with the paint nor the appearance generally.

I tried the computer controls that it came with and got very frustrated just trying to get it to move at all. So I replaced the 286 computer by a Lionel E-unit, which has been completely satisfactory. (I sold the computer and one from a UP gas turbine for $50 each to a guy I met at a train show.) The only benefit that I got from the original electronics is the electromagnetic tender coupler, which I can activate remotely with a special scheme of my own.

The rubber tires started coming off very early and soon became impossible to replace. I looked into getting ungrooved wheels, but MTH wanted to sell me complete engine assemblies, for too much money. I soon realized that the locomotive ran just fine with grooved wheels anyway. It is so heavy that tractive effort is no problem.

I modified the locomotive and tender for O27 track. I was surprised at how easy this was.

My model's number, 4020, is barely too high for the first series of Big Boys. (The model has painted under the cab window "4-8-8-4-1-..." and has handrail-mounted air coolers.) I think I recall noticing that the newer model has a lower number, but also lacks the handrail-mounted air coolers, so it could be from the first series but later in their life, if the series number is the same as on my model.

The left-side eccentric crank was mounted on the wrong side of the axle. The mating grooves in the wheel did not allow it simply to be reset, as on a Lionel wheel. So I filed the locating tangs off the shaft and now rely on a tight screw to keep it in place.

The incandescent headlight burned out early. I replaced it with a white LED, which required a little drilling as I recall. I also added a back-up light and a red light on the back of the tender.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input Bob.

Seems like you've had alot of nightmares with that prior release. Far too many, considering what you paid for the engine in the first place. :-)

I'm looking to stick with "Protosounds2", which is why I wouldnt consider any other Big-boy, besides the current release.
If this one has even a fraction of the problems you,ve had with the older one, I'de be inclined to "Do without".
Hopefully, this won't be the case.

Anyone else have any input?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input Bob.

Seems like you've had alot of nightmares with that prior release. Far too many, considering what you paid for the engine in the first place. :-)

I'm looking to stick with "Protosounds2", which is why I wouldnt consider any other Big-boy, besides the current release.
If this one has even a fraction of the problems you,ve had with the older one, I'de be inclined to "Do without".
Hopefully, this won't be the case.

Anyone else have any input?