Blueline Big Boys Are Shipping - UPDATE !

[Big Ugly Waz]

Hi all,

Just checked my credit card and there's a fresh charge from FDT, can only be the Big Boy ! 

Can't wait to compare it to my Genesis BB. Be interesting to hear the sound to and see how close it is to the sound byte on the website.

Cheers,

Warren

[4-6-6-4 Challenger]

let us know how it is when it come in.

[CAZEPHYR]

Hi all,

Just checked my credit card and there's a fresh charge from FDT, can only be the Big Boy ! 

Can't wait to compare it to my Genesis BB. Be interesting to hear the sound to and see how close it is to the sound byte on the website.

Cheers,

Warren

 The sound byte is interesting and I have two of these on order also.    

Good to hear they are shipping.  Joe only charges when the pipe line is filled.

 CAZEPHYR 

 

 

[Hoople]

Yeah, they shipped from china two days ago I believe. (Either that, or florida. Let's hope the second one.) If their estimate is right, we should see them in 29-36 days.

[Big Ugly Waz]

Hoople,

I'd say it's on the way to me as FDT have never charged me for anything that wasn't in stock. IIRC when I pre-ordered the BB it was with UPS shipping, so if FDT are still using UPS, I should have it within the week. I'll let you know when it turns up.

Cheers,

Warren

[dinwitty]

Hi all,

Just checked my credit card and there's a fresh charge from FDT, can only be the Big Boy ! 

Can't wait to compare it to my Genesis BB. Be interesting to hear the sound to and see how close it is to the sound byte on the website.

Cheers,

Warren

 

o darn, I have to sell my other 25 big boys and buy these...

 

owait...that wasnt me...nudge nudge 

[Hoople]

Hoople,

I'd say it's on the way to me as FDT have never charged me for anything that wasn't in stock. IIRC when I pre-ordered the BB it was with UPS shipping, so if FDT are still using UPS, I should have it within the week. I'll let you know when it turns up.

Cheers,

Warren

Tell me if they say it has shipped. Last I checked Wholesale hasn't shipped yet.

 

[GTX765]

I ordered mine from Wholesale trains too, it will be the first engine that i have ordered from them.  I have my DCC decoder to add already so now i need the important part......the engine..

[New Haven I-5]

The lead time is is the 8th. So they should ship on the 8th or 9th.

[Big Ugly Waz]

Hi Guys,

Just received this from Joe at FDT ;

We have started charging our customers for the Big Boy on Friday the
29th and Monday the 3rd.  Broadway Limited will be shipping them to our
customers all week long.

You will receive tracking information via email this week.

Thank you for your order,

Joe Grubba

Looks like they're coming direct from BLI, I don't know how that works. I always thought that if you "cut out the middle man" and buy direct you saved money, with BLI and FDT you have to use the middle man to SAVE money !!! Spose it doesn't really matter as long as it's cheaper.

At least they're on the way !

Cheers,

Warren

[CAZEPHYR]

Hi Guys,

Just received this from Joe at FDT ;

We have started charging our customers for the Big Boy on Friday the
29th and Monday the 3rd.  Broadway Limited will be shipping them to our
customers all week long.

You will receive tracking information via email this week.

Thank you for your order,

Joe Grubba

Looks like they're coming direct from BLI, I don't know how that works. I always thought that if you "cut out the middle man" and buy direct you saved money, with BLI and FDT you have to use the middle man to SAVE money !!! Spose it doesn't really matter as long as it's cheaper.

At least they're on the way !

Cheers,

Warren

Joe of FDT is a relative to one of the BLi/PCM owners and all of my PCM Big Boys and other various models that I purchased from Joe have been shipped from BLI.   The middle man is cut out when you purchase from FDT.  In general, most of the major distributors do not sign up for any PCM/BLI products that are not pre-sold.  This happened after the first blow out sale from BLI that left many of the LHS with stock that cost them more than BLI charged me at the sale price.  I don't mind getting the deals and have purchased many of my forty or so PCM/BLI products at super sales prices. 

I believe FDT was set up originally to sell off extra stock but they now seem to be more of a normal shop with other brands that they sell in addtion to the BLI/PCM deals.  

Those special deals like the non sound SF 2-10-2 and 2-10-4's and other items for $99 were only offered by FDT.  

They seem to be good people and I would recommend them highly.  

Making Model Railroading more fun by getting more for your money.  

 

 

[Big Ugly Waz]

Well, no doubt about it now ! I just received UPS shipping info this morning so I should see the Big Boy by Friday ! WOO HOO !!!

Cheers,

Warren

[Hoople]

Nice.

Mine still hasn't shipped, but it is in stock.

[R. T. POTEET]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! You know what this means, of course!!!!!!!! We are only a matter of a few days away from our next "Can I run my Big Boy on my 18" (radius) curves?" question!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!

Why does everyone want a Big Boy? It was very corporate specific produced in relatively small numbers. The locomotive wasn't as heavy as an H-8, the engine of DM&IR's M-series weighted more, the Y6s were more powerful, about the only superlative owned by these locomotives was that they were the longest and most of that lay in that monstrous centipede tender!

[Big Ugly Waz]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! You know what this means, of course!!!!!!!! We are only a matter of a few days away from our next "Can I run my Big Boy on my 18" (radius) curves?" question!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!

Why does everyone want a Big Boy? It was very corporate specific produced in relatively small numbers. The locomotive wasn't as heavy as an H-8, the engine of DM&IR's M-series weighted more, the Y6s were more powerful, about the only superlative owned by these locomotives was that they were the longest and most of that lay in that monstrous centipede tender!

So, Can I ? Huh............................................just kidding !

Why do I want 1 ? This will be my 2nd, and probably won't be my last. My layout will be based on areas around Cheyenne, so UP power is what I'm after.

Maybe you should ask Magnus why he has 25 PCM BBs and the PCM brass BB on order ?

I will end up buying a H-8 and an A class (love em both), I have a SP GS-4 and a PRR T-1 on order from BLI, I've got a couple of N&W Proto Ys and a PCM Y6, plus a number of other RRs equipment. I like BIG engines and streamliners and while these other engines will not be run on the layout all the time, they will be run.

I just like TOO many trains !

Cheers,

Warren 

[Hoople]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! You know what this means, of course!!!!!!!! We are only a matter of a few days away from our next "Can I run my Big Boy on my 18" (radius) curves?" question!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!

Why does everyone want a Big Boy? It was very corporate specific produced in relatively small numbers. The locomotive wasn't as heavy as an H-8, the engine of DM&IR's M-series weighted more, the Y6s were more powerful, about the only superlative owned by these locomotives was that they were the longest and most of that lay in that monstrous centipede tender!

Well actually I do model the UP, SP, and D&RGW freelanced in colorado. There are rumors a couple of big boys made it down to denver. Who knows?

Anyways, It says on the box you can run it on 18. (It will look HORRIBLE.) All I have is 22"s... But come on, It's a big boy.

[CAZEPHYR]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! You know what this means, of course!!!!!!!! We are only a matter of a few days away from our next "Can I run my Big Boy on my 18" (radius) curves?" question!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!

Why does everyone want a Big Boy? It was very corporate specific produced in relatively small numbers. The locomotive wasn't as heavy as an H-8, the engine of DM&IR's M-series weighted more, the Y6s were more powerful, about the only superlative owned by these locomotives was that they were the longest and most of that lay in that monstrous centipede tender!

Well actually I do model the UP, SP, and D&RGW freelanced in colorado. There are rumors a couple of big boys made it down to denver. Who knows?

Anyways, It says on the box you can run it on 18. (It will look HORRIBLE.) All I have is 22"s... But come on, It's a big boy.

 I have a few pictures of the 4000 class on the Denver line in my UP books.  It was rare, but they did show up there.  The Big Boy movie also had one northbound at La Salle.

Just don't run them on the Dent Branch line. 

 

 

 

.  

[Lillen]

 

Maybe you should ask Magnus why he has 25 PCM BBs and the PCM brass BB on order ?

I will end up buying a H-8 and an A class (love em both), I have a SP GS-4 and a PRR T-1 on order from BLI, I've got a couple of N&W Proto Ys and a PCM Y6, plus a number of other RRs equipment. I like BIG engines and streamliners and while these other engines will not be run on the layout all the time, they will be run.

I just like TOO many trains !

Cheers,

Warren 

Hi, I was wondering when my name would show up!   

 

For me, the Big Boy simply is a beautiful locomotive that looks impressive. The PCM version is a very nice model that I really enjoy running. Even though as Mr Poteet points out the Big Boy was not many of the superlatives that are often used to describe it. It was close to them all. I was a good all round engine, heavy, fast, strong, tall, long and was around for a interesting time. That fact, that it can be compared against the biggest, strongest etc. in so many ways I think is part of it's lure.

 

Why get so many then? Well, I like them and I like to collect entire series of things. The Big boys where an easy thing to get all of, had I gotten bitten by the Challenger bug there would have been problems, both financially and with the marriage!  

 

Just like Warren I like to many trains, I have some Y6b's, I've also ordered the GS-4 and complete set of cars just like Warren. But I myself is a collector, I will run them, but all 25 BB will never run, that is impossible.

 

I'm currently trying to decide, should I go all out B&O or UP or try to do what I've been thinking of doing all along, making my own world where the two meets some where south of Chicago.

 

As for BB being popular in general, I think the name helps, much sexier then H-8 and the UP public relations office have done a great job. The BB still today ads to their PR. Also, the number of videos featuring the BB alone must be the single most common engine to be seen.

 

Magnus

[Big Ugly Waz]

The reason may be as simple as the fact that "Allegheny" doesn't quite roll off the tongue like "Big Boy" does !

Another thing as Magnus pointed out, is UPs' PR machine and the volume of docos and literature still available on the BB !

Even though there are no BBs still running, there are still 8 around the US as static displays, giving them a far greater exposure level than the 2 remaining H-8s. Even though I may never get to see one, I'm sure if I did it would be unforgetable ! ( as would seeing a H-8 be ! )

You also have UPs' reputation as having a penchant for BIG engines as a whole and also probably the fact that they still have an active steam / heritage program running BBs little brother doesn't hurt either. 

Just my

Cheers,

Warren

[New Haven I-5]

Well, no doubt about it now ! I just received UPS shipping info this morning so I should see the Big Boy by Friday ! WOO HOO !!!

Cheers,

Warren

The clock starts now. Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick!

[Hoople]

I've seen 4004 in person in cheyenne, and on spring break I might go see 4014.

[Tilden]

  UH, can I double head those Blueline Big Boys on 18 inch curves?

 Well, somebody had to start it.

Tilden 

 

[2-8-8-0]

  UH, can I double head those Blueline Big Boys on 18 inch curves?

 Well, somebody had to start it.

Tilden 

 

[Big Ugly Waz]

  UH, can I double head those Blueline Big Boys on 18 inch curves?

 Well, somebody had to start it.

Tilden 

 

NO, absolutely not, you need a minimum 18 1/8 inch radius curves to double head Big Boys !!!

What a silly question, stop wasting the forums time !!! 

Cheers,

Warren

[R. T. POTEET]

  UH, can I double head those Blueline Big Boys on 18 inch curves?

 Well, somebody had to start it.

Tilden

Wisenheimer!!!

[Anonymous]

I just stumbled across this forum trying to search out information on the BlueLine Big Boys.  I have been considering buying a Big Boy for my collection for years.  There seems to be a lot of excitement here about this particular model.  I am just curious if anyone knows what makes this model better or worse than a Mraklin or a Rivarossi or an Athearn?  It seems to be the least expensive one I have found.  Is it as good as the Athearn?  With all the experts here, I thought surely somebody would know this.

Thanks

 By the way, I definitely want DCC with sound.

[Lillen]

I just stumbled across this forum trying to search out information on the BlueLine Big Boys.  I have been considering buying a Big Boy for my collection for years.  There seems to be a lot of excitement here about this particular model.  I am just curious if anyone knows what makes this model better or worse than a Mraklin or a Rivarossi or an Athearn?  It seems to be the least expensive one I have found.  Is it as good as the Athearn?  With all the experts here, I thought surely somebody would know this.

Thanks

 By the way, I definitely want DCC with sound.

 Hi and welcome,

Better is subjective! But for me it's the fact that it's die cast rather then plastic as the Athearn and that it's to my knowledge the most correct version of the mass produced Big Boys. I also like the color a lot more then the Marklin/Trix variant.

Remember that the previous version with a set of other electronics(Loksound) was 750$ so this is not considered a cheap model. I think they are great(I have the PCM with loksound and not the blueline) and can highly recommend them. Get them from FDT, they are excellent.

 

http://029ebf1.netsolstores.com/12-5082bluelineupbigboy4-8-8-440201944dcsounddccreadyho.aspx

 

Magnus

[CAZEPHYR]

I just stumbled across this forum trying to search out information on the BlueLine Big Boys.  I have been considering buying a Big Boy for my collection for years.  There seems to be a lot of excitement here about this particular model.  I am just curious if anyone knows what makes this model better or worse than a Mraklin or a Rivarossi or an Athearn?  It seems to be the least expensive one I have found.  Is it as good as the Athearn?  With all the experts here, I thought surely somebody would know this.

Thanks

 By the way, I definitely want DCC with sound.

 Hi and welcome,

Better is subjective! But for me it's the fact that it's die cast rather then plastic as the Athearn and that it's to my knowledge the most correct version of the mass produced Big Boys. I also like the color a lot more then the Marklin/Trix variant.

Remember that the previous version with a set of other electronics(Loksound) was 750$ so this is not considered a cheap model. I think they are great(I have the PCM with loksound and not the blueline) and can highly recommend them. Get them from FDT, they are excellent.

Magnus

Magnus

 I own serveral each of the Athean, PCM, and Blue Line in transit, Rivarossi and several brass models that are fairly accurate.  I don't have the complete 25 as you have but my collection is mostly centered around the later early fifites.  I agree the PCM for my money is the best recently but it is as delivered new and not modified as the Union Pacific made changes to the engines. 

 I prefer the added coal boards added in the late forties and the modified Wilson Coolers to the first twenty Big Boys.  I have modified some of my PCM Big Boys by moving the turbo generator to the boiler location and started working on the coal boards.   The Genesis actually does a better job with most of the modifications to the later era, but the Genesis model has its own drawbacks with the MRC sound and traction tires.  I have ruined a set of those already.  

The new blue Line Big Boy has traction tires, not as an option, but standard.   I am concerned that they will get messed up quickly but they should pull anything connected to the drawbar as long as the traction tires remain on the drivers.

Cazephyr 

 

[Big Ugly Waz]

Well,

I finally got mine yesterday, and as pretty much everyone else said, I'm dissappointed about the traction tires. I can't for the life of me, figure out why they did that !

 On a brighter note though, mine doesn't wobble ! I've only tested on dc at the moment and hopefully will get to throw a decoder in it tonight. Seems to be a much better setup with removing the coal load to plug the tether in and it's going to be a snap to fit a decoder too.

I'm very happy with the sound though, can't wait to fit the decoder and really hear what it can do ! 

Cheers,

Warren 

[leejax01]

What would cause the loco to wobble? I have a steamer that does the same wobble. It isn't bad, but it's noticeable.