Classic Rivorossi Engine

[arcliff3467]

I have a 2-8-8-2 with tender made by Rivorossi in perfect working condition. It is in HO gauge and is in good and operating condition. I bought this back in the mid 60's. Does anyone know what it is worth?

[challenger3980]

  If it IS a 2-8-8-2, then it is NOT a Big Boy, they were a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement. Union Pacific did have some ex-N&W Y-3 2-8-8-2s, but I do not know if Rivarossi ever did a UP version of them. Big Boy, is not a generic term for any large articulated Steam Locomotive, it refers to a particular class of Locomotive exclusively owned by the Union Pacific.

  I do not know what the value of your Locomotive would be, it would depend a lot on condition. An accurate description of what it is that you actually have would be a good start, and some pics would help others answer your question. As it is, it is like asking how much is a FORD CAMARO worth? FORD never built CAMARO's.

   Also, this question would get better answers over at the Model Railroader Forum-General Discussion. This forum is geared towards O -Gauge, S-Scale and Standard Gauge Trains ,rather than HO models.

                                                                           Doug

[NH_Chris]

I assume that the Rivarossi engine is 1. conventional, 2. more than 10 years old, 3. is scale sized and 4. is in good to excellent condition.  Seeing as how this wheel arrangement has been made by several Mfrs with command control (at least in N&W), I would say that I would think $300 would be a fair price.  I doubt the detailing is as good as that produced now.  Add sounds and command and you can have a new fully loaded engine for ~$600-700.

 

NH Chris 

[challenger3980]

I assume that the Rivarossi engine is 1. conventional, 2. more than 10 years old, 3. is scale sized and 4. is in good to excellent condition.  Seeing as how this wheel arrangement has been made by several Mfrs with command control (at least in N&W), I would say that I would think $300 would be a fair price.  I doubt the detailing is as good as that produced now.  Add sounds and command and you can have a new fully loaded engine for ~$600-700.

 

NH Chris 

NH Chris, I haven't priced used HO much, but I think that $300.00 is very high for this Locomotive. Looking at Factory Direct Trains ad, right now they have the Die-Cast Metal Blue-Line Big Boy with sound/DCC Ready MSRP $427.99 on sale for $299.59. I have heard that many of the older Rivarossi Articulated Steamers are decent runners, but the detail level is not comparable to what is available today. It is also a USED Locomotive, with no warranty, I would guess closer to $100-150.00, but over $200.00, in my opinion someone would be much better off finding the extra $$$ for something like the Blue-Line.

                    Doug

[3railguy]

Mint boxed Rivarossi Big Boys were fetching as much as $300 on ebay a couple years ago. IHC's recent re-issue (using old Rivarossi tooling) and Athearn's Genesis Big Boy with sounds and DCC killed the market for the old Rivarossi models. I saw a like new Rivarossi Big Boy at a show last winter for $100 and it sat there all day. Nobody is going to pay $300 when they can get the superior Athearn model for that.

[NH_Chris]

Whoah! HO?  My mistake.  I assumed that he was asking about an O scale engine.

NH Chris

 

[3railguy]

Whoah! HO?  My mistake.  I assumed that he was asking about an O scale engine.

NH Chris

 

He has to be talking HO. Rivarossi offered a small assortment of O scale equipment in the 60's and early 70's but never a Big Boy.

[traindaddy1]

Hi! 

I was "into" HO for quite awhile and I beleive that the engine is HO.  I would suggest that you post the question on the Model Railroader Forum, General Discussion. Those guys would probably be able to give you reliable information.  Most of us work with the larger stuff. 

By all means, keep tuning into this Forum.  You just may become a 'convert'!  Good Luck.