4884 big boy

[Anonymous]

im planning to buy a new mainline steamer(of course iwant some big ) and i it said that the noises (whistle, bell, clanking, water tanks, gears,) only worked with DCC, now would i need a DCC transformer to get these sounds to work for me, im running an DC right now, don't excactly have the greatest funds,. what can i say, im only 16 ha...

[Anonymous]

What Big Boy with sound were you planning on buying, the Trix Big Boy? If so, you will need "the greatest funds" for that puppy.

[selector]

No. Most of the current crop of hi-end plastic big steamers come with decoders that will operate on DC circuits. So, QSI equipped steamers will make some of the sounds you want. You won't get wheel screee (flange squeeling), or the doppler effect, by pushing a button.

HOwever..., you will only be able to control the volume overall, not control the individual sounds. For example, if you wanted to dimini***he horn volume, and raise the bell's, you must do digital configuration variable (CV) adjustment (programming), and DC won't do that. There is where you would want to also fork out the bucks for a starter DCC system.

[Anonymous]

i believe its an athern, im not sure but its 359$, but i can buy that, the problem im going to have is trying to get used to using DCC i mean how easy is it once u get the hang of it, i mean, of course each one is differnt but do they get easier as time goes by?

[selector]

I can't say I am 100% familiar with US prices, but $359 sounds like an AWFUL LOT of money for that loco. Have you shopped around? Tried ebay, if you are allowed to do that? Maybe your parents could assist, especially if they were reasonably assured that you might save up to $80 with a winning bid? Just a thought.

For a young fella who uses computers, operating any DCC system will be like falling off a log. You'll catch on very quickly. I am 53, and I taught myself how to use the Digitrax Super Empire Builder in about two weeks. The Digitrax controllers are among the least intuitive of the whole bunch, but once you learn them, it's like anything else.

The Digitrax Zephyr is an excellent starter set. There are others, like Prodigy, that also have a strong fan base. Another is Easy DCC, ...not to be confused with EZ-Command, a Bachmann product that is basic, and will get you into DCC, but still unable to program some loco functions and to operate them.

[tstage]

Joe Joe,

For $60 (discounted - MSRP is $100) you can buy the Bachmann EZ command to run your 4-8-8-4 on DCC. Granted, It is a "limited" DCC system in what it can do - e.g. only 1 amp max. output, no access to CVs. However, you can still run 2-3 locomotives with only 2 wires going to the track. I've been told by Bachmann that the 10 function buttons will allow you access to your sounds.

The Bachmann EZC gets a number of frowns for it's limitations. But its real pluses are that it's a good, basic, inexpensive and simple system that is not too hard on your pocket book. I have no regrets for purchasing one.

Tom

[Anonymous]

thanx guys i appreciate it....and i will try looking at ebay for an engine cheapoer, i just hope that wit will be in good condition and it runs smoothlly

[Anonymous]

I think there is some confusion as to what engine you are exactly talking about. I assummed you meant a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy as you titled your thread that. However, $360 is the MSRP for the Athearn Genesis 4-6-6-4 Challengers. You won't find one anywhere near $80. You might be able to find an older Riverrossi Big Boy for around that (probably more like $120 - $150 range) but those won't have sound. If you feel constructive enough, there is a website I found on how to convert the Riverrossi Big Boys to DCC & add sound in the tenger. If you want a Big Boy with sound, the only one I know of at the moment is the Trix Big Boy which had an MSRP around $750.

[Anonymous]

yes now that y mention it it was the athearn challenger, which is what i wanted anyway. i was planning to use it as a mainline engine, i am currently making the radius' for it and doing all the track work, i'm doing a 1940's era, during WWII , to me, any articulated type will work,. but i would love to own a challenger..feel free to correct me if the articulated challenger was around in the 1940's..if it was, i must';ve missed something while reading...thanx guys..much appreiciated

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jandii

. ...You won't find one anywhere near $80....

I stated that he could expect to SAVE as much as $80 on an ebay purchase.