Does anybody have this loco? I have read good things about their older Big Boy locomotives particularly their ability to pull a long train. My layout is transition era, but I do have most of the cars for the current era excursion train. I have Broadway Limited's version of this locomotive and have been happy with it's performance. Since the Trix version is now available I have been curious to how it compares. Thanks for your thoughts. It definitely is pricey!
Is "now" available??? Did Trix re-release it???
IIRC, Trix originally released both the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy and the 2-8-2 Mikado about the same - i.e. ca. 2005. And, IIRC, MR wrote an article comparing the Trix Big Boy and the Athearn Big Boy; with the Trix Big Boy edging the Athearn out.
The Trix Mikes run like a Swiss watche so I wouldn't hesitate purchasing one of their Big Boys - i.e. if I ever were inclined to do so, which I am not. (It doesn't come close to fitting into my NYC roster.) I am thankful I was able to pick up the two Trix Mikes that I have now for less than 1/2 MSRP back in 2006.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage Is "now" available??? Did Trix re-release it??? IIRC, Trix originally released both the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy and the 2-8-2 Mikado about the same - i.e. ca. 2005. And, IIRC, MR wrote an article comparing the Trix Big Boy and the Athearn Big Boy; with the Trix Big Boy edging the Athearn out. The Trix Mikes run like a Swiss watche so I wouldn't hesitate purchasing one of their Big Boys - i.e. if I ever were inclined to do so, which I am not. (It doesn't come close to fitting into my NYC roster.) I am thankful I was able to pick up the two Trix Mikes that I have now for less than 1/2 MSRP back in 2006. Tom
Trix rereleased 4014 in 2019 with all the modernization upgrades:
https://www.maerklin.de/en/lp/2019/bigboy/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
So, does anybody have one of these? I have been modeling the UP for forty years now. Most of my locos are Athearn, BLI, four brass engines, and now I am looking at the Trix offering. I just want to know if it is any better than BLI. If not, then I will pass on it.
blackpowder1956 So, does anybody have one of these? I have been modeling the UP for forty years now. Most of my locos are Athearn, BLI, four brass engines, and now I am looking at the Trix offering. I just want to know if it is any better than BLI. If not, then I will pass on it.
I'm afraid I don't own one (would certainly love to!), but when I was shopping around for a 4000 over the last two months I read and watched countless reviews on all the offerings, BLI, MTH, Athearn, the special edition Rivarossi and the re-re-released Trix model. The latest edition of 4014 from Trix, as I understand it, is the most accurate to 4014 as it looked during the 2019 excursion, with the radio antenna on the cab roof, sheild on the cab floor, and not just re-using a Challenger oil tender but one with 4014-specific detail. I'd say if you want the most accurate 4014 in its 2019 excursion setup, Trix is probably the way to go. Every review I've seen also mentions the heft, the pulling power, the sound is great, and the motor control is top notch, you get what you pay for. The trouble is finding one for sale.
That being said, I went with Athearn for my purchase, as it was available and at a price I was more willing to pay, and I like that Soundtraxx specifically recorded sounds from 4014 for that decoder (now available separately).
Mike
The Backshops - A blog dedicated to modeling projects
Thanks Mike!
Generally, Trix is regarded as making some of the best locos out there. Unfortunantly few talk about their big boys since so few people own one but of those who do, they say it's superior to most other manufacturers, including BLI MTH and Athearn.
Similar to Athearn, Trix's 4014 has the updated modernized details, which I dont believe MTH or BLI has.
I've yet to hear anyone disappointed with their Trix Big Boy, or Mikado for that matter.
If you can manage to get your hands on one and have the money to spend Id by all means get one.
Charles
I have both Big Boy and Mikado (two) versions from 2005. All are superb locomotives - durable, heavy, excellent design and running performance, mostly made of die cast. In fact after I bought one Mikado, when I had the opportunity, I took another one, because I could not resist its excellent manufacturing quality. I was amazed by its mechanics and drivetrain. I found nothing that could compete these.
The only minus for Big Boy is that its driver wheels are not in scale 1:87, they are little smaller then they should be, to be able to negotiate 360 mm radius (edit: the reason for too small wheels is not minimal radius, but Marklin / Trix policy that requires wheels with high flange profile, therefore wheels exact to scale cannot be used. For US market, wheels with RP25 profile are offered (e.g. item. no. 22163, but wheels diameter is unfortunately the same - a little too small). This is caused by stupid Marklin policy that all locomotives must be able to use this ridiculously small radius, no matter how big they are. (edit: this is in fact correct, even Big Boy can negotiate 360 mm radius (14,17" !!!), but this fact has nothing to do with wheels diameter)
But despite that - I like it more over Athearn BB, which has exact wheels. I forget this the moment it starts to move, slowly, but smoothly and without any wobble, hesitation or jerkiness. Like a real thing.
Hrvoje
Thank you Hrvoje for the thoughtful reply! That is the information I was looking for. I have one on order an had contemplated cancelling it. I have a nice custom painted brass version of 844 (with dcc and sound) that I plan to run with it. - Mike
Found this:
http://modelrailroadnews.com/trixs-big-boy-4014-in-ho/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiRDB1KiuqE
The video is interesting, if you have the patience for that!
Simon
There is a Trix ad in the May 2021 Model Railroader for their North American market model of the HO Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy with contemporary detailing such as the oil tender, whistle placement etc. Wheelsets meet NMRA RP25. So it sounds like this is a current model. No price mention in the ad.
My guess is that it is a limited production, with options for more if sales are robust. So, the price will be close to $1K, minus very modest discounts if sales are slow.