PLEASE someone help me!!!
I bought a Rivarossi Big Boy 4-8-8-4 Model# HR2099 recently with DCC and sound. The engine is everything that I expected for detail and I love DCC now that I have it. The only problem I noticed so far is that the electrical pickups are staggered between all axles. Starting at the front: the guide wheels and first set of drivers are "positive" polarity only and the second set of drivers and rear guide wheels are "negative" polarity.
I thought that the electrical pickups would be on every axle similar to all the diesel locomotives that I own NOT staggered in this manner.
The problem is that the locomotive frequently loses power and causes the DCC to restart and therefore the locomotive doesn't move more than a few inches and will not go around corners or the straights.
My trackwork is new, soldered and the DC locomotives run perfect. I also tried the Big Boy in DC mode with the same results of restarting and stalling so I know the problem is power pickup related.
I was going to make my own pickup system for the drivers so that they will always get power but first I want to make sure this is normal for a brand new $350 Rivarossi steam locomotive before I try to fix it myself or send it back to the place of purchase so that I can buy a different brand with "true" pickups on each axle (if there is such a manufacturer)
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF ATHEARN OR ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER OFFERS A BIG BOY WITH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PICKUPS ON SOME IF NOT ALL AXLES?????
THANK YOU for any help!!!
--Monty81
Electrical pickup has always been a bit of an issue with a lot of Rivarossi steam, including the Big Boy. They use sprung "plungers" for the drive wheels, which are less than reliable. If too much current goes through them, the springs melt and collapse, and then they don't have the pressure to touch the wheels properly. Adding additional pickups using bronze wipers will help a lot (I like using Kadee coupler centering springs). When all is working right, Rivarossi makes some very smooth runners.
The Big Boys made by Athearn, PCM/BLI, and Trix have better electrical pickup and detail than the Rivarossis, but they're also more expensive (if you pay retail). The Athearn Big Boy is about the closest in price to the Rivarossi.
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I have a PCM Big Boy and, well it was a bit of a challenge to get right but power pick up was not one of them. It now a great runner and puller.
Far as the Athearns, I had two of them. Besides the decoder problems I had issues with them. 1 the tender wheels would not roll freely. On a test track I had to tip it 8 inches before the tender would roll? Athearn had me take it back to my LHS and get a different one. The replacement would not track right, front wheel set would tip up when going around right hand turns. I just about had it fixed when the decoder went nuts. At that point I was done!
If I where looking for another Big Boy, I would look for a Blue Line my self. I have had pretty good luck with them.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
The only Rivarossi engines I've NOT had electrical problems with are this one NYC Hudson and my 0-8-0's. Although my 2-8-8-2 is ok, but the motor is bad.
Thank You to everyone for the advice and input.
First, I will try to return this Big Boy and look into a Athearn Big Boy if I can submit the return.
Since I purchased my Rivarossi Big Boy 4 or 5 years ago, returning it isn't an option. I decided to take a closer look at the "plunger" contacts and yes the springs had lost their spring. I replaced the springs with knuckle springs for Kadee couplers and now she runs nice and smooth down to a crawl.
Now if I could get rid of the coal shoveling noise in the random sounds It would be a happy ending. Even suggesting hand firing a Big Boy is just absurd.
Have you checked if the manual has a list of CV settings? I would think there is a way to turn it off.
I don't have this loco, just going by what CV settings some have.
Mike.
My You Tube
When do the sounds of hand-firing sound? If it's when the engine is at rest it is prototypical. A stoker doesn't necessarily cover the firebox with a even coal bed. In particular the rear corners will not get covered properly. "Trimming" the fire by hand shoveling is necessary, and it's often done when the locomotive isn't running.
George V.
Darth Santa Fe Electrical pickup has always been a bit of an issue with a lot of Rivarossi steam, including the Big Boy. They use sprung "plungers" for the drive wheels, which are less than reliable.
Electrical pickup has always been a bit of an issue with a lot of Rivarossi steam, including the Big Boy. They use sprung "plungers" for the drive wheels, which are less than reliable.
I guess I'm lucky then. I have four Rivarossi/AHM steam locos, including a Big Boy that was made in the '60s, and I've never had any electrical pickup issues with any of them. The only gripe I have about the Big Boy is that the previous owner put an underpowerd motor in it.
Athearn Big Boy.......Found a DC version of 4014 as it will be in excursion service two years ago at Trainworld for $299.99. My layout is soldered brass track requiring cleaning once a year, sometimes a year and a half. Out of the box it ran fine and continues to do so. Detail is fabulous. I have many Athearn engines, some BB units approaching 40 years old and they run fine. With that said....I am very pleased with Athearn products. If your not in a hurry, wait until summertime. That’s when I found this just paging through Trainworld. You might get lucky in the off season so to speak. Check out Micro Mark......they sell trains and their offerings do vary and they do have summer sales. About 5 years ago I checked out their web site in the summer and they had O-gauge scale GG-1 electrics in 5 PRR paint schemes for $149 a piece. Picked up single and five stripe versions in both Brunswick Green and Tuscan Red. I have not had reason to investigate the pickups. Once unpacked and on the rails, I won’t touch these highly detailed locomotives unless absolutely necessary to avoid damaging the details. Best of luck in your hunt......
Wolf359ivarossi/AHM steam locos
Russell