Hi guys I have always wanted a bigboy model since I was a kid and now that I have a new layout with broad curves I would like to get one. But I am torn on what to get
I was all set to go with the broadway limited but the issues the paragon 3 motors and chips have plus my expreance already with two models has me also looking at the new athearn genesis, I know its plastic but is it more relaible? sound seems to be better also.
thx for any insight guys
Happy Railroading
"Best" is subjective.
BLI's P3 Bigboy is the only one with known defects. I havent heard anything wrong with Athearn, MTH, Rivarossi, and BLI Blueline Big boys. Just go by whichever one you think looks best/sounds best.
Usually, I like to spend a few hrs comparing photos of each model with photos of the real thing and/or photos of brass models. Im sure there are detailed reviews out there that will tell you which is the most accurate, but quite frankly, I couldnt care enough about Big Boys, the most overproduced engine in HO.
In short, you cant go wrong with any of those. If I were to get one I'd choose Athearn for their reliability, and detail. I dont care for BLI's gimmicks, and P3 sound.
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
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Don't forget the Trix 4-8-8-4; although that will be a little more difficult to find these days. IIRC, MR did a comparison years back and the Trix edged out the Athearn Big Boy in a couple of areas. I love the Trix 2-8-2 Mikes and have two of them in my roster.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Hello All,
Trix (Märklin) has just issued a "Big Boy"!
Give the reputation of Germain engineering I would suspect this might be the "superior" choice.
It's expensive at about $1,000.00, but if you have your heart set on one it's worth the price.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I had a Bowser Big Boy for many years (over 50 yrs) and it was a great locomotive. As I model the Southern Pacific I finally decided to sell it to a Union Pacific modeler that would give it a good home. If you could find a Bowser it would make not only a beautiful locomotive but a very good runner with a lot of drawbar.Selling it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, it took me over a year after I decided to sell it before I finally sold it. It was the best running locomotive I ever owned and I really miss it.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Ah yes, how could I have forgotten! Trix Bigboy is probably the best, although as stated super expensive and rare.
I also had two Trix 2-8-2s, ended up selling one, but theyre some magnificent engines! I personally love the "drifting gearbox", where the wheels are free spinning without power.
I have quite a few of the newer Athearn genesis diesels and they are just incredible. Great sound, great detail and no problems.
If I were in the market for a big boy I would go with the Athearn model.
Dave
Three of the Trix are up on e-bay $638 each.
I have a Rivarossi model with the Loksound decoder. Runs and sounds great... It's probably the most affordable among the "modern" models. Mine arrived by mail with some disconnected linkages, but I managed to put them back in place without too much trouble. It will run on my 22" radius layout no problem, but it gets most of its mileage at the local club. It's a real hit during open-door events!
Simon
I Have 30 big boys lol so i can answer this question,
bli paragon 3 is hit or miss electronics wise .
MTH same issue
athearn big boys run great
the new rivarossi with esu is great too
dont have a trix big boy yet .
all my rivarossi big boys have TCS WOW STEAM DECODERS in them
i love them. no real dogs but be ready to replace the bli or mth electronics with tcs or t2 decoders
CoreyH Hi guys I have always wanted a bigboy model since I was a kid and now that I have a new layout with broad curves I would like to get one. But I am torn on what to get I was all set to go with the broadway limited but the issues the paragon 3 motors and chips have plus my expreance already with two models has me also looking at the new athearn genesis, I know its plastic but is it more relaible? sound seems to be better also. thx for any insight guys Happy Railroading
Thanks everyone for the feedback
I was seriously ticked off after my son's new BLI P3 UP 4-6-6-4 #3985 failed within a week, but Seneca at Train Service Depot had it fully repaired and back to me in less than two weeks. With the new, upgraded BLI motor and the new, upgraded P3 decoder, the thing is a total beast. It is a serious 100 car pulling engine now, with more torque than we will ever need. It pulls everything we can put behind it, clearly with power and speed to spare, but we've only had it to 70 cars. The 2014 second production run BLI ATSF 2-10-2 is stated to pull 100 cars on YouTube, and I know this challenger will too.
So, yes, some earlier P3 steamers can have electronic issues. The recent ones with the upgraded motor and decoder are much better.
Also, I have a recent Athearn SP&S 4-6-6-4. Being plastic, it is more delicate to handle, as are the other Athearn Genesis Big Boys and Challenger I had.
I personally prefer the BLI diecast, heavy engine over the Athearn plastic version, but again the one I have is not the Big Boy. However, if the BLI Big Boy is as good, it would be a great runner.
Sound, I am not qualified to have an opinion on. I was not there to hear the real thing, ever, in person.
John
DAVID FORTNEY I have quite a few of the newer Athearn genesis diesels and they are just incredible. Great sound, great detail and no problems. If I were in the market for a big boy I would go with the Athearn model. Dave
No one has said so, but to the forum! As you have discovered, initial posts are moderated. The more you participate, the more you get out of the forum.
People either have good luck or bad luck with BLI locos, in general. I've never owned one, but I am swayed by the negative posts I've seen.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy No one has said so, but to the forum! As you have discovered, initial posts are moderated. The more you participate, the more you get out of the forum. People either have good luck or bad luck with BLI locos, in general. I've never owned one, but I am swayed by the negative posts I've seen.
HONESTLY i have the blueline bli big boys & they run fine
i have 1 bli big boy paragon 3 & i have replaced every piece of electronics in it & i still need a current keeper with is crazy .
so i buy bli & a tcs wow decoder & just wait lol
CoreyHThanks everyone for the feedback
I am glad you are here. The moderation delay will end soon... make a lot of posts and it will happen sooner.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I can recommend the Blue Line Big Boy as a fantastic runner although i am a straight-out DC fellow.
I have quite a few BLI locomotives and, with the exception of a 2nd hand Blue Line N&W A Class which has the dreaded split gears thing going on, they have always proved great runners.
Personally I miss the days when they offered DC versions for those of us who don't have the interest in sound, or who just like to stick them on a shelf and stare at them (those people are unpopular with the opinionated minority around here it seems in spite of the fact that the item on the shelf is a model and this is a model forum).
I have recently picked up a couple of MTH locomotives a GS4 and a C&O H-8. They are great runners but I have not put much beyond a few hours on them so I cannot comment on longevity.
Athearn wise I have a very early Genesis Big Boy. It's a nice model but from the get go the electronics were dire. Now they are anti-matter, so whether it will ever run again I am not sure.
I have had very inconsistent results with Athearn Genesis locos. Some are great and some are just not.
When Athearn produced the early version UP Challengers, I pre-ordered one (just a couple years ago). The one I received was not good--you touched it and stuff fell off, and I've seen that on others of that production run.
Earlier Genesis Challengers and Big Boys were indeed better made. I had one of the factory weathered big boys, plain dc, and should have kept it, but that was now several years ago.
Here's hoping the 4014's and other latest run versions are like most of the earlier Genesis steam for looking good and not falling apart.
PRR8259 I have had very inconsistent results with Athearn Genesis locos. Some are great and some are just not. When Athearn produced the early version UP Challengers, I pre-ordered one (just a couple years ago). The one I received was not good--you touched it and stuff fell off, and I've seen that on others of that production run. Earlier Genesis Challengers and Big Boys were indeed better made. I had one of the factory weathered big boys, plain dc, and should have kept it, but that was now several years ago. Here's hoping the 4014's and other latest run versions are like most of the earlier Genesis steam for looking good and not falling apart. John
Athearn is well known for using minimal/no glue on many detail parts. I believe this is so it is easy to replace/modify details, and prevent glue marks. It's sort of the standard for many manufacturers, to have press fit details, whether you like it or not.
Engines are not meant to be constantly touched, and the details shouldnt fall out on their own. Only if handled too often/not carefully.
Thats what Athearn(and others) thinks anyways.
Trainman440Engines are not meant to be constantly touched, and the details shouldnt fall out on their own. Only if handled too often/not carefully.
That is why I prefer less fine detail on locomotives than on freight cars. Locomotives Need to be touched for maintenance and repair.
I ended up getting the Athearn Genesis version and it runs perfectly, the only crappy thing is why dont they put two speakers into the tender? the model only comes with one but has space for two! for the price of the model it should be included.