Steam Giants

[Anonymous]

Hey Everyone!!!

I'm from Brasil and I'm new to this Hobby. I'm now living in the U.S and absolutely fell in love with 3 big steamers I came across so far. I want to build an DCC layout so all help is appreciated. Sooo.... I have a few questions for all of you guys

1. I received today a Marklin 37990 Big Boy... Road number is UP- 4013. As far as I know this locomotive is DCC & full of features. I wanted to know if this model will run on DC track also. Because it's new and I don't have a digital layout ready yet, I wanted to make sure the locomotive is operational. BUT I'm afraid to even try it without first knowing it. The last thing I want to do is damage this work of art =(

2. As I was looking in the packing... I saw the manual... I was browsing through it when I came across the name "Delta Controller." Now, does that mean I have to buy that exact one in order to make all the sounds and features of this model functional? Because I was thinking of getting the Digitrax Zhepyr Basic Set. ( I'm not going to build a HUGE layout... Just something that my family and I can enjoy, and is eye catching ;) Is this also compatible with this model?

3. My second steamer is the Rivarrossi Allegheny... It hasn't arrived yet. I bought it on e-bay and it's brand new. One of the features of it says: "DCC-Ready for Plug-and-Play Decoder Conversion" I wanted to know what that means. (if it has sounds or anything or it just runs on digital layouts, if I can test it on the DC layout that I have to see if it at least works, and if I need to install a decoder in it in order to make the sounds) Whew... sooo many questions...

4. Ok... I promise it's the last of it, at least for today that is. heh heh heh... I've heard there are different types of tracks. (different codes and stuff) My question is: What is the best track I can buy for these giants? I know at least that my layout will have 22 radius curves because I want it to look the best for these articulated locos. Who makes the good stuff so I can get it? I also have the Athearn Challenger UP 3985... So these are the 3 Giants I have so far...

Also... Need opinions... What other giants are out there that I haven't heard of that Looks as good as it sounds, and who makes them?

Wow... It's a lot of questions but its definitely for a worthy cause... Thanks for taking the time for reading my post and any help is greatly appreciated =)

[Anonymous]

first off[#welcome]. Plug and play means there is no decoder installed but there is a wiring harness with a dummy plug on it. a dummy plug just takes the place of a decoder for DC operation. all you have to do to install a decoder in a plug and play engine is pull off the dummy plug and put in a decoder. no soldering[swg]. Many decoders these days are whats called "dual mode" that means they will detect wether they are on DC or DCC and run on both. I dont know whats in the marklin though.


on the curves- 22" radius is just about the minimum those steamers will take if they even make it around. i use 36" curves on my layout but I understand you might not have the room to do that. I would suggest using flex track instead of buying the sections. it takes a little more work at first but once you get the hang of it it looks and runs better and you can bend it any way you like to maximize your space. Code 100 track would be my choice, atlas makes good flex track and you can get good deals on track and roadbed in bulk on www.standardhobby.com

I have a Digitrax Zephyr and am happy with it, it should run all DCC locos unless for some reason that marklin doesnt conform to NMRA standards. but it should.

Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) makes a very impressive cab forward, along with several other articulated locos, some even have smoke if that interests you, the athearn challenger is a great engine, im a diesel guy myself but my friends have engines like yours.

Good luck, check back if you have more questions, and have fun.
[:D]

[Anonymous]

Awesome... Thanks Joe... I feel like I should have joined trains.com long ago. heh heh heh... It's good to be welcomed. Specially when everyone here is a train fanatic ;) When my trains started to arrive I felt like a kid at christmas. weeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Anonymous]

im just waiting for christmas to open up a big box of train stuff myself[:P]

[Anonymous]

As far as the Rivarossi it is dc you will have to buy a decoder to get dcc control and sound,Might want to check out soundtraxx. The atheren is dcc an dc but if you spend a little time searching the forum you will find alot of mixed reviews on this engine.If you are loking for top quality steam with dcc and sound right out of the box Broadway limited Class a 2-6-6-4 and Life Like hertiage 2-8-8-2 both have qsi sound the best going in ho scale.These are the top two manf. of big steam with the best sound and detail.Lionel had two releases this year a Challenger like your athern but with Qsi sound instead of the mrc installed in the atheren,it also has had some mixed reviews.There other release was a ge gas turbine ,not steam but very cool and the turbine sound is outstanding.Welcome to the hobby,good luck here in the states

[Anonymous]

Ahhhhh nice!! This season brings a lot of surprises I'm sure... Btw Happy Holidays TO ALL.... Thnx RailGuy. I will look into those also... The best part of all this is that I feel like I own a little part of the U.S. history inside my house. Heck.... it's not a lot but it's a start... I know a lot of people like to model specific railroads but for me, getting these locos and assembling a beautiful scenario for them to run will be my satisfaction most of all =)

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SteamedDude

fell in love with 3 big steamers I came across so far. I want to build an DCC layout
1. I received today a Marklin 37990 Big Boy...
3. My second steamer is the Rivarrossi Allegheny...
I also have the Athearn Challenger...

That is an impressive set of locomotives.

QUOTE:
4. I've heard there are different types of tracks. (different codes and stuff) My question is: What is the best track I can buy for these giants? I know at least that my layout will have 22 radius curves because I want it to look the best for these articulated locos.

Well my opinion is that if you want those beasts to look reasonable going around a curve, the curves are going to have to be a lot bigger than 22" radius. I would guess 30" minimum probably more like 36" before they began to look prototypical.
I'm still partial to Atlas code 83 flex track. The smaller code rail will make the locomotive look larger. Plus it is easy to work with.

QUOTE:
Also... Need opinions... What other giants are out there that I haven't heard of that Looks as good as it sounds, and who makes them?

My favorites are the Yellowstones and Challengers.
The 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones as used by the Northern Pacific and DM&IR were a bit shorter by inches than the Big Boy but heavier (biggest locomotive by weight). Several companies have made them through the years mine is by United Models. I think PFM imported one in 1983 or so. There is rumor the BLI is going to do one soon.

My all time favorite HO scale model of a steam giant is W&R's NP Z-6 4-6-6-4 Challenger.

[Anonymous]

Awesome =) All the info I'm gathering here is very helpful guys... thnx ;) If using 36" curves makes it look more prototypical, then that's what I'll use... My plan is to have an layout about 4~5 feet high above the ground... I still have to measure the living room where I'll assemble it but It is pretty big and I'm sure will suit my plans just fine... I'll keep everyone posted as I start my project... My brother is pretty good at taking pictures so that won't be a problem at all =)

[Anonymous]

One thing to keep in mind when the manf. recommends a min.radius that the track they test on is probably close to perfect,probably not pulling anything close to what a typical model railroader is going to put behind one of these awesome beasts.Like Texas Zepher said 30 in is great but 36 in is greater. espically if your are building to get the best look and prototype operation, There are alot of rigid frame locos like the 2- 10 -4 and 2-10 -2 and i would allmost bet that they wont operate as well as advertised on 22in radius curves.Bli is soon to release the C&O 2-10-4 it states a min.radius of 24 in,but i bet after it is released 30 in probably will be the min.you can operate and stay somewhat trouble free.Looking forward to see ing some of the pics when you post them.

[twhite]

welcome aboard! Since you seem to like steam 'giants', I can add one to the list, along with the Yellowstones and the Challengers--Southern Pacific's AC class of cab-forwards. BLI makes an AC-5 that is just a honey of a locomotive, and will pull the paint off the walls. It's not as 'big' as Big Boy, but the prototype was more powerful than the Challengers--and could travel almost as fast, when it wanted, by the way. Southern Pacific was the only railroad to use them--they were designed cab-first for the tunnels and snowsheds on SP's Donner Pass route over California's Sierra Nevada mountains. They ended up system-wide, though, since they were a very powerful, very versatile dual-service locomotive. Congratulations on the Rivarossi Allegheny, I think you'll find it a very smooth, and very powerful locomotive. Also, VERY handsome! Again, welcome to the club--hope you enjoy the hobby. Oh, yes--as far as radius is concerned--don't even THINK of anything less than a 22" radius at the very minimum. if you've got the room, I'd go with 28" or larger. I've got 34-36" minimum radius, and if you start falling in love with long-wheel-base non-articulated steamers (a 4-8-4, 2-10-2, 2-10-4), you'll need as wide a radius as you can muster, unless you like to hear a lot of squealing when those babies hit the curves.
have fun--again, welcome!
Tom

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher
My favorites are the Yellowstones and Challengers.
The 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones as used by the Northern Pacific and DM&IR ..... There is rumor the BLI is going to do one soon.

Are you serious? Where did you hear this?

[Anonymous]

hey if you want something thats large and articulated try the pennsy T1 (4-4-4-4) by broadway limited looking at 1 myself. also by broadway is the pennsy J1which is i think a 4-10-2. and good luck on your new adventures.

[Anonymous]

Steamedude, retain your proof of purchases.
If during the first year your Allegheny developes a problem, the loco may may exchanged through the Rivarossi distributor, Walthers, providing you provide proof of purchase. Walthers does not repair nor is there an authorized warranty repair vendor in the US.

The Challenger also carries a one year warranty against defects but Athearn will also repair .
Fill out the warranty form that came with the loco and return to Athearn.

Both units will operate on 18" radius but larger is better.
I run mine on 22" DC and both locos have traction tires.

WELCOME ABOARD & HAPPY RAILROADING.

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fastribs85

hey if you want something thats large and articulated try the pennsy T1 (4-4-4-4) by broadway limited looking at 1 myself. also by broadway is the pennsy J1which is i think a 4-10-2. and good luck on your new adventures.

The T1 is a duplex drive steamer, not an articulated. The frame is ridgid.
And that BLI J1 is a massive 2-10-4 that requires at least 30" radius curves, regardless of what the manufacture says.

[Anonymous]

just a tip on track planning, dont get all in a ru***o run trains and regret it later, take your time making a good track plan and post pics of it here on the forum for advice

happy railroading

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fastribs85

hey if you want something thats large and articulated try the pennsy T1 (4-4-4-4) ...

I didn't realize the Pennsy T1 was articulated. I thought it was fixed frame just with opposing pistons on the rear two driving axles. I guess I can count this as my lesson for today.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher
My favorites are the Yellowstones ...The 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones as used by the Northern Pacific and DM&IR ..... There is rumor the BLI is going to do one soon.

Are you serious? Where did you hear this?

I don't remember but I goes something like this. The current SP AC-5 frame is the same wheel arrangement and with minor changes and adjustments (mostly the rear truck or is that the front truck?!?) it will work for the Yellowstone, so tooling won't be have to be from scratch.

[pedromorgan]

you could have rather a serious problem here. the marklin loco coud well be 16v AC 3 rail. the 2 rail version would be made buy trix. it is the same company using the same moulds but the 2 brad names cater for the 2 different markets.

first of all take a look at the bottom of the marklin loco and see if it has a metal skid between wheels.
some people get 16vAC 3 rail mixed up with 16v AC DCC.

if it is 3 rail you might be able to rturn it and swap it for the trix model.

dont let anyone tell you can convert a markling loco to 2 rail. it simply cant be done. people will tell you that all you have to do is unsolder the wire from the skid and put in a wiper to pick up from the other set of wheels.-this is rubbish. the wheels are not insulated from each other making a conversion either fantastically expensive ( the purchase of a compleatly new set of wheels and a new chassis and motor) or simply unfeasable.

a few years ago i was asked to convert an 0-6-0 loco to 2 rail. even that turned out to be impossiable without scratch building a chassis. imagine how difficult it will be for you to do a big boy!!!

peter

[Anonymous]

Great, thank you all for your thoughts and concerns... I was browsing through the BLI's website... The Cabforward would defnetly make an addition to my layout. If rumors are true about them releasing the Yellowstones, I'll be first one on the list to get one. heh heh heh... Thanks for the heads up... I'll check out my 4-8-8-4... I'm pretty sure it's a 2 rail loco but it never hurts to be 100% sure does it? ;)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher

QUOTE: Originally posted by fastribs85

hey if you want something thats large and articulated try the pennsy T1 (4-4-4-4) ...

I didn't realize the Pennsy T1 was articulated. I thought it was fixed frame just with opposing pistons on the rear two driving axles. I guess I can count this as my lesson for today.

It's not articulated. It's one big rigid frame locomotive. Needs atleast 26" radius. It's a monster, all right.

[Anonymous]

does anyone make a non-brass model of the triplex? Not that im looking to buy one, just curious