compare Big Boys

[Anonymous]

Is there any comparison to the Trix and Riv. B-Boys. $500 bucks is a big chunk of change for Trix. Are the Riv's any good? let me know what you think........Jamie

[Anonymous]

Jamie, I have been asking myself the similar question along with Lifelike's 2-8-8-2 and the Riv Allegheny.
But your question is about the Big Boys.
Some Rivarossi advertising stated that the NEW Big Boys now have the Allegheny Drive which is a great improvement over the prior model and the new Riv line-up does carry a full year warranty as does the Trix.
I see from May MR that trainworld is selling the Rivs for $230.00 + $8.00 shipping.(Assuming here Allegheny Drive)

You almost have to own both models in order to get
an operating evaluation/performance.
Did you see the Feb/April MR reviews?

[Anonymous]

Hi Chuck, I know the Trix weighs around 2 pounds, so you would have some pulling power there. I don.t know the reliability of the Trix. As we all know, the Rivs had had there problems. I f the Allegheny drive is installed, we can hope it to be better. Maybe one of the hobby shop guys or someone with both engines came tell us. All I know is that for the money, these things should be gold plated. If they run and are reliable, I guess I'll have to save my allowance and my lunch money for a few more months. Ha, Ha. .........Jamie

[Anonymous]

Jamie,
I think the Trix is German made and comes in at 36 OZ and without traction tires and has ( I think)
29 electrical wheel pick up.

Some of the Rivs, Allegheny included do have traction tires but don't know about the Big Boy.

[Anonymous]

OK, I guess my questions are....Is the Trix really worth the big bucks? Is it reliable and dependalbe? How are they to maintain? And I have the same questions for the Riv....Jamie

[Anonymous]

Jamie, the Allegheny drive is all too new and so is the Trix Loco.
Too soon to tell, but if one is on a budget, it's the Riv, almost half as much, if the Trainworld add is the allegheny drive.
You can almost buy two Rivs and double head for the price of one Trix.

[Anonymous]

hello guys,
you can buy the trix big-boy with your eyes closed.
no joke,this machine will stay with you and run on your railroad for decades!!
we've got here in europe people whow still run theire 1964 marklin locs!
so if you want to invest for looooooong term,buy trix.anyway,it's a bell shape motor type,one of the higly smooth motor you can have on the market.
regarding the riv loc,you must ask and look for the last runs,the only one with motor inside the boiler and not the old one with motor insteade of the cab's crew.
so,here come the choice for you,but make sure you've got what you ask for:accuracy-size of the driving wheel-,reliability,warranty,and also weight.
yes,make sure the trix won'tt fall on your first plastic bridge because it's a huge beast,like the real.even marklin recomanded to attatch the rail of his own indestructible system to prevent any trouble.
up to you to make a decision with this infos.
anyway,both deserve to be working and pulling heavy trains.
all the best,
nick

[Anonymous]

Jamie, I have a Trix bigboy and a riv. bigboy there is no comparison. The Trix bigboy looks far better than riv. and as far as the performance with all the pickups on the Trix there is no comparison. I pulled 80 ore cars (34') up a 3% grade all with plastic wheels thats about 40-50 footers. When it runs it sound heavy on the track and no tires the riv. has two tires on the rear set of drivers. I have thought about selling the riv. I would like to get one more trix. The riv. pulls good but only because of the tires. The trix is the best investment to me. I got mine for 450 dollars on ebay. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CHOICE.....Eric W

[Anonymous]

Eric, assuming your Riv is one of the latest production models, your comparison is the testimonial is what all modelers have been waiting for.
Does the literature that came with the trix spell out procedures for servicing during/after warranty period and part replacements.

Even thou in most cases servicing may not be necessary, for $450.00 it's nice to know modelers
recourse in that event.

Thanks for your replies.

[Anonymous]

Chuck, Nick, and Eric, Thanks for your feedback and opinions on this question that I'm sure many of us curious about. A real comparison is what I was looking for and it is much appreciated........Jamie

[douginut]

http://www.trixtrains.com/bigboy01.html
a place to look for more info.
Doug, in Utah

[Anonymous]

HI ALL: I HAVE A FREIND THAT RUNS TRAINS ON OUR LIONEL LAYOUT,THAT OWNS A BIG BOY IN EVERY SCALE,THAT IS OUT THERE EXCEPT FOR THE ONCE YOU RIDE>>WHEN HE GET BACK FROM CALIFORNIA,ILL ASK IF HE WILL COME ON AND GIVE ALL SCALE COMPARISON,I DO KNOW THE TENDER FOR THE G-SACLE WEIGHT IS 40 LBS BY ITS SELF,HE CAN ONLY RUN OUTSIDE MAIN ON OUR LAYOUT BECAUSE OF SWING OF FRONT END>>>> AKA HUB

[Anonymous]

hello,
i go to the paris model show-france- where i can find marklin-trix manufacturer.i'll bring you some infos about the big-boy warranty.
but you can expect lifetime use for this model without any trouble!
also,as it been says,the weight makes the difference between the trix and the riv. model.
all the best guys,
nicolas