How many new Big Boys/Challengers do we need?

[Anonymous]

Ineed POWER! My railroad has 3 to 4 % grades, mountain passes, big bridges & mountains. My main stay right now is 2-8-2's. Lots of them with one small 2-6-6-2. I would like to see some 4-8-4's, 2-10-2's, or 2-10-4's.

My railroad is The Denver & Rio Grande Southern in standard gauge. Next year it will double in size. The grades will remain 2% to 4% with trains not exceeding 50 cars.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

THE MODELERS ARE RIGHT. WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE Big Boys/Challengers. How about paying more attention to detail, like installing engineers in the cabs and why not a smoke unit. I use DCC and really enjoy it . So do all of my nieces from age 5 and on up. I like the 4-6-0, or something that is smooth runing at slow speeds, with fly-wheels . I don't need speed. I need power!

[Anonymous]

THE MODELERS ARE RIGHT. WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE Big Boys/Challengers. How about paying more attention to detail, like installing engineers in the cabs and why not a smoke unit. I use DCC and really enjoy it . So do all of my nieces from age 5 and on up. I like the 4-6-0, or something that is smooth runing at slow speeds, with fly-wheels . I don't need speed. I need power!

[Anonymous]

How many of the new Trix Big Boys have sold? That one goes for $700 also.[?]

Terry

[Anonymous]

How many of the new Trix Big Boys have sold? That one goes for $700 also.[?]

Terry

[Anonymous]

Please see the forum concerning the Lionel announcment for other reactions to Lionels pricing, not good by any means.

[Anonymous]

Please see the forum concerning the Lionel announcment for other reactions to Lionels pricing, not good by any means.

[cbq9911a]

We don't need any more "new" big U. P. steam. There are a finite number of layouts that can handle big articulateds properly.

The steam engines we really need are the ones currently running (or have run recently): Milwaukee Road 261 (4-8-4), C & NW 1385 (4-6-0), GTW 6325 (4-8-4), Frisco 1630 (2-10-0), "WM 734" (ex LS&I 2-8-0), GW 90 (2-10-0).

These are the engines that younger (post steam) modelers can relate to.

[cbq9911a]

We don't need any more "new" big U. P. steam. There are a finite number of layouts that can handle big articulateds properly.

The steam engines we really need are the ones currently running (or have run recently): Milwaukee Road 261 (4-8-4), C & NW 1385 (4-6-0), GTW 6325 (4-8-4), Frisco 1630 (2-10-0), "WM 734" (ex LS&I 2-8-0), GW 90 (2-10-0).

These are the engines that younger (post steam) modelers can relate to.

[ellisjamesrobertson]

When we get all these Challengers, Athearn, Lionel, and a new one from Challenger imports - maybe Model Railroader will do a comparative on all all three (and any others that may have appeared by then!) in the same issue.

Ellis James-Robertrson

Worcester, England

[ellisjamesrobertson]

When we get all these Challengers, Athearn, Lionel, and a new one from Challenger imports - maybe Model Railroader will do a comparative on all all three (and any others that may have appeared by then!) in the same issue.

Ellis James-Robertrson

Worcester, England

[Anonymous]

Who has the space for a large Loco I have a average size layout and this loco is just to big for me.How about smaller steam that will pull more cars in other words how about some weight in the steamers and no traction tires.I have 1 to 2 percent grades and need to have trains with 10 cars, is this to much to ask?

[Anonymous]

Who has the space for a large Loco I have a average size layout and this loco is just to big for me.How about smaller steam that will pull more cars in other words how about some weight in the steamers and no traction tires.I have 1 to 2 percent grades and need to have trains with 10 cars, is this to much to ask?

[Anonymous]

I really don't mind all of the new steamers coming out but what I really have a problem with is that they all insist on doing the same one. If we must have a "new" Challenger then lets make it a new one. Everybody seems to be doing the later versions with no-one attempting the earlier re-numbered 3800 classes. The new Rivarossi drive and body, whilst dated, still works fine. I model Cajon and this loco will pull 35 cars up a 1.75% grade.

I too would like to see other loco's built. Again as said by someone else I selfishly would like to see some of my home road loco's produced. The 3800 class 2-10-2 for Santa Fe comes to mind. This hasn't been done even in brass for over 20 years, I myself would sign up for 9 of these puppies.

And whats the deal with sound, if I want it I can put it in myself. Buying loco's already sound equipped adds to the cost and then means that if all your other equipment is not sound equipped so the one loco that is becomes the odd man out so to speak.

Come on guys Poll the modellers out there and see if you can come up with something other than UP. If we must have UP articulateds then again what about the "Bull Moose" there were other railroads out west.

[Anonymous]

I really don't mind all of the new steamers coming out but what I really have a problem with is that they all insist on doing the same one. If we must have a "new" Challenger then lets make it a new one. Everybody seems to be doing the later versions with no-one attempting the earlier re-numbered 3800 classes. The new Rivarossi drive and body, whilst dated, still works fine. I model Cajon and this loco will pull 35 cars up a 1.75% grade.

I too would like to see other loco's built. Again as said by someone else I selfishly would like to see some of my home road loco's produced. The 3800 class 2-10-2 for Santa Fe comes to mind. This hasn't been done even in brass for over 20 years, I myself would sign up for 9 of these puppies.

And whats the deal with sound, if I want it I can put it in myself. Buying loco's already sound equipped adds to the cost and then means that if all your other equipment is not sound equipped so the one loco that is becomes the odd man out so to speak.

Come on guys Poll the modellers out there and see if you can come up with something other than UP. If we must have UP articulateds then again what about the "Bull Moose" there were other railroads out west.

[Anonymous]

I wonder who they think are buying these locomotives in this tight economy, and why they have to be so bloody big? If you ask me, it's all part of the trend in the industry away from young modelers with limited space and budgets towards the retiring wealthy boomers with big basements who can afford to have everything ready to run, from locomotives to layouts. Although MR seems to have turned away from this to focus on more reasonably sized items, they still regularly publish layout plans with 24" minimum radii to accommodate large locos like these.

I too am glad to see smaller shortline locomotives coming out -- How many 10-wheelers, Americans and Pacifics do we need? How about an NYC F-12 or NH G-4 10-wheeler, a short Pacific such as the NH I-2, and a late American. Don't get me wrong -- articulateds were spectacular, but how many of us can afford them? You can have a dandy operation with 3 short locomotives for the price of one of these monsters, and that's what I think would help the hobby's growth, not unattainable gargantuan trophy locos.

[Anonymous]

I wonder who they think are buying these locomotives in this tight economy, and why they have to be so bloody big? If you ask me, it's all part of the trend in the industry away from young modelers with limited space and budgets towards the retiring wealthy boomers with big basements who can afford to have everything ready to run, from locomotives to layouts. Although MR seems to have turned away from this to focus on more reasonably sized items, they still regularly publish layout plans with 24" minimum radii to accommodate large locos like these.

I too am glad to see smaller shortline locomotives coming out -- How many 10-wheelers, Americans and Pacifics do we need? How about an NYC F-12 or NH G-4 10-wheeler, a short Pacific such as the NH I-2, and a late American. Don't get me wrong -- articulateds were spectacular, but how many of us can afford them? You can have a dandy operation with 3 short locomotives for the price of one of these monsters, and that's what I think would help the hobby's growth, not unattainable gargantuan trophy locos.

[Anonymous]

The manufacturers make what they think will sell. I'm always happy to see a better-made model, but I don't need a Big Boy at all. I don't need a Challenger either. Frankly, the market for UP and SP locomotives far outstrips what the operators need, but I guess the collectors will buy them.

I don't see why any manufacturer produces a model of an odd-ball locomotive, such as the old IHB 0-8-0. The recent trend to offeriing USRA steam is a welcome change, as are the "generic" Baldwin 2-8-0 and 4-6-0 models. These can be used realistically on many prototypes -- they could even be offered with variation parts.

For me, I'd like to see an earlier vintage 4-6-2 in HO. Selfishly, I'd prefer it be a Southern Railway Ps-2.

[Anonymous]

The manufacturers make what they think will sell. I'm always happy to see a better-made model, but I don't need a Big Boy at all. I don't need a Challenger either. Frankly, the market for UP and SP locomotives far outstrips what the operators need, but I guess the collectors will buy them.

I don't see why any manufacturer produces a model of an odd-ball locomotive, such as the old IHB 0-8-0. The recent trend to offeriing USRA steam is a welcome change, as are the "generic" Baldwin 2-8-0 and 4-6-0 models. These can be used realistically on many prototypes -- they could even be offered with variation parts.

For me, I'd like to see an earlier vintage 4-6-2 in HO. Selfishly, I'd prefer it be a Southern Railway Ps-2.

[the-big-blow]

HOW ABOUT A THREE UNIT GAS TURBINE!!!!

[the-big-blow]

HOW ABOUT A THREE UNIT GAS TURBINE!!!!

[RicHamilton]

While i do think a better quality loco is a good step forward I have the same feeling that jfparker did about F units. How many F units from different manufacturers are needed. There are many locos out there that aren't being produced.

Ric
Berwick, NS

[RicHamilton]

While i do think a better quality loco is a good step forward I have the same feeling that jfparker did about F units. How many F units from different manufacturers are needed. There are many locos out there that aren't being produced.

Ric
Berwick, NS

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]