Hi all,
I am new to this forum and hail from The Blue Mountains, Australia. I am going to be in Canada in about 3 weeks and am looking to pick up a model of a big boy while I am over there. I already have an old Rivarossi Big Boy but want something newer and more detailed. I have been searching around and reading reviews etc. and cannot make up my mind. I ahve narrowed it down to the MTH, BLI or Trix Big Boys. I have seen comments that the Trix has undersized drivers as opposed to the other models.
Could someone please help me out and possibly post a picture of the drivers of a Trix big boy and the drivers of the MTH, so I can see exactly how small they are?
Thanks
ps. If anyone can recommend any good train shops in Vancouver or the state of B.C, that would be appreciated.
sean-390, a big from shivering cold norther Europe!
you are right, the Trix Big Boy has slightly undersized drivers. Trix has chosen to do so to be able to accommodate RP 25 wheels and European pizza cutter wheels, using the same frame. Otherwise it is a very nice model, built at a quality standard the other brands don´t reach. Unfortunately, it is not a bargain item, should you be able to find one.
I don´t have a picture to post, but I have seen the Trix loco a number of times, also next to the Athearn model. Personally, I could live with the slightly smaller drivers, as it is hardly noticeable.
Go with the Athearn or the BLI Big Boys, either one of them is excellent, MTH has theirs set up for their DCS system, the drivers too small on the TRIX and it is grossly overpriced, the MTH is a close second there.
For the price of either one of those you can buy a Tenshodo brass Big Boy.
The Athearn or the BLI can be had for between $200 to $350, (or to put it in prospective you can have 2 for the price of a Trix or MTH), and are beautiful models, there is only so much detail on a Big Boy anyhow, anything more is just extra "icing" and how much is that really worth? $200-300?
Mark
Pretty much all the modern Big Boys are excellent models.
Athearn's is the best value as long as you don't mind getting a plastic model. The first run came with cheap MRC sound electonics that have been fine for some people, but haven't worked so well for others. Many have replaced the MRC sound with Tsunami, and the current run comes with Tsunami sound.
BLI's is an all metal model with an excellent reputation. It's been offered in both their slightly more affordable Blue Line and their high-end Paragon line. The only difference between the two is the electronics.
MTH's Big Boy is BLI's model (they got it from a lawsuit). It should be pretty much the same quality as the BLI Big Boy, but it comes with MTH's DCS electronics.
Although it's a few years older, the Marklin/Trix Big Boy is the best of all the non-brass Big Boys. Its detail is on the same level as the BLI/MTH and Athearn models, and it has a top-quality drive that I believe is unmatched so far by any others. I can't say that for sure since I've never actually seen one run, but my comment is based on the fact that I've never heard of a single one ever having problems out of the box or even after years of operation. The small driver issue is only really noticable if you put it next to a model with the correct wheel size.
As much as I like Rivarossi, I can't recommend their current Big Boy. It uses the same shell that they've been using since the 60s, and the electrical pickup is poor. And on top of all that is that it's only a little cheaper than the others.
To sum it all up, my recommendation for a Big Boy would be in this order:Marklin/Trix (if you can get one for a decent price)BLIMTHAthearn
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I've owned 2 of the Trix Big Boys and also the new MTH Version. The MTH runs fine and has chuff rate adjustable to wheel rotation and a lot of other features. The Trix engine only chuffed once per revolution but they can crawl so slow you won't believe they are moving. No jerking just floating along. Not much I can say for the LokSound decoder sound.. By far smoothest Articulated engines I've ever owned. Nothing else in my stable comes close. Bill
You do know that the Loksound decoder is also possible to adjust the chuffrate on?
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I was told that but don't you need a Locsound programmer and be knowledgeable on downloading the files etc? Bill
If you download the manual from ESU, you will se that it is just some CV adjustments.
No need for a Lokprogrammer, I program the CV´s on my Loksounds when necessary. It is only if you are going the load another soundfile that you need the Lokprogrammer.
I believe that it is a Loksound V2 in the Big Boy. If it is, here is the CV adjustments for the chuffrate:
Speed step dependent methodWith this method the interval between chuffs is setwith CV 52 and CV 53. This method is recommendedif an external wheel sensor cannot be used. Theadaptation of this variable to the combination of wheel/ gearbox may require some tests. It pays to spendsome time in order to achieve an optimal result. Thisfeature works best with Back EMF control. WithMaerklin® locomotives with universal motor (BackEMF is always switched off) only a compromise maybe reached. In this case we recommend the use of anexternal wheel sensor.For CV adaptation proceed as follows:Set CV 52 to 100 and CV 53 to 200.Put the locomotive onto the track and drive withspeed step 1 (sound is switched on).Measure the time it takes in seconds for the drivingwheel to do one turn at this speed. Divide the time by 0,04608.Enter a rounded value without decimal points in CV52.Increase the speed and check whether the chuffrhythmmatches the turns of the drivers. If thechuff is too fast, increase the value in CV 53gradually, if it is too slow, decrease the value inCV 53.
The link to the manual:
ESU
I know I'm probably not in step with all of the new "gadgets" that everybody seems to be so impressed with, but for my money if I was willing to spend Tenshodo money for an engine then I would buy a Tenshodo. I have 3 of them and they haven't skipped a beat since the late 60s/early 70s. That's 40 years of continuous usage and still going strong, a fairly decent track record in my book. The only upgrades I've made on them was conversion to 20X32 Sagami motors some years back and although they ran fine with the Tenshodo motors in them the Sagami's are far superior to any open frame motors regardless of who makes them, and at the time they were fairly cheap.
I lost my interest in sound equipped locomotives when I packed away my Lionel when I was about 12 years old and haven't missed it since so as I said earlier if I am willing to spend Tenshodo money then I want a Tenshodo.
Hi guys,
Thankyou for all the replies. Unlike the mountain bike forums I often frequent (one of my many other hobbies) you guys provided ,much valuable and informative information!
It sounds from the majority fo the replies that the Blue Line/MTH models are really great and the Trix is just as good if you can live with the slightly smaller drivers. This has given me a bit to think about and I will definitely keep an eye out for one. I could always buy one online and have it shipped to Australia but would prefer to pick one up while in Canada.
Although the opinions of the Rivarossi seems to be fairly low i just say that the one I have, which sat on a shelf since the late 80's till earlier this year is running like a charm. It stutters a bit at low speed but for what I paid for it, I really couldn't ask for any more.
If you can find a good price, I'm sure one of those will be a very good choice.
I have a Rivarossi Big Boy from the 70s. It had some problems that needed to be worked out, but it's a good runner now, and I've liked it since the day I bought it. The current RR Big Boys just aren't a very good value compared to the competition they have now.
I picked up a Riva at a show in 1999 new for $150 and ran great
Sat on a shelf till now and won't run as the lube turned to goo
Am dropping it off Friday to have it cleaned out ( I hope ) and relubed
Here is a pic
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sean-390 Hi all, I am new to this forum and hail from The Blue Mountains, Australia. I am going to be in Canada in about 3 weeks and am looking to pick up a model of a big boy while I am over there. I already have an old Rivarossi Big Boy but want something newer and more detailed. I have been searching around and reading reviews etc. and cannot make up my mind. I ahve narrowed it down to the MTH, BLI or Trix Big Boys. I have seen comments that the Trix has undersized drivers as opposed to the other models. Could someone please help me out and possibly post a picture of the drivers of a Trix big boy and the drivers of the MTH, so I can see exactly how small they are? Thanks ps. If anyone can recommend any good train shops in Vancouver or the state of B.C, that would be appreciated.
The drivers are sized at 64" scale instead of 68". It does look good overall and has most of the later modifications such as the coal boards on the tender and the turbo generator is correct for the later changes. Nice model and it does run very well. My choice is the PCM or BLI model, but they have the turbo generator in the as delivered position on the right side near the rear trailing truck.
The MTH model uses the tooling from the company that built the PCM / BLI model and is as delivered with the DCS installed. The PCM, BLI and MTH version of the model has the correct sized drivers and they do run well. I purchased two of the Trix Big Boys when they were new and several of the PCM and then some more of the BLI versions. The orginal Trix did not have sound and the second run sound version was not an articulated sound. Go figure. The first run PCM sound was completely incorrect but it was Loksound and new files could be uploaded.
Good luck and enjoy