Best Big Boy to buy and why?

[cudaken]

 OK, I am hooked on Big Boys, I bought a Genesis #4009 and love the way it looks excpet it is to clean. (I all so do not have great eye sight any longer) Beside the fact the MRC decoder sucks ashes I have had problems with the tender. On a test track at a 12% grade it sits there like a brick? I will open that latter and see if I can find the problem.

 I know there are other big boys out there to be had. Beside the decoder it self that came in mine what other big boy is worth having?

 What is important to me is pulling power, DCC ready with replacing the MRC (My Really Crappy) decoder, decoder it self is not the main buying point.

 I don't want to get silly and start thinking about brass.

 I all most bought a PCM, but after reading the Mag article I bought the Genesis with the POS decoder.

 Cost and why is what I am looking for.

             Cuda Ken

[selector]

Rivarossi's new one should be good, but you'll have to add a decoder.  Of course, if you have one already that needs a decoder..........................................................................

Next on my  list would be a Trix BB.

[Daniel1975]

I have 3 of the PCM Big Boys and they not only look good but also pull very well! I bought the non-sound versions and simply added a Lokpilot Decoder myself - PCM has the 8-Pin Plug so you can add a Decoder of your choice.

Of course you can also buy the PCM Big Boy with Loksound - or you can go a step further and get the PCM Brass Big Boy (it's only $2995).

[Virginian]

I would wait until you figure out what is going on with the Genesis you already have before making a precipitous jump.  Comparing a Genesis with a major issue with a PCM or Rivarossi is an apples and oranges comparison.  One of the mags had a comparison between the Genesis and the PCM not too long ago, and if I remember right the Genesis was a lot cheaper and pulled just as well, but I was not looking to ever buy one so I could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

How about the Trix unit?  There is one on Ebay right now that is priced lower than I have ever seen.  I have one but have not run it yet.  If it runs anything like their 2-8-2 Mikado, I will be very happy.  And the 2-8-2 is a bargain at its current price of around $220-$230. 

[MidlandPacific]

Bowser.  You want pulling power, it has pulling power. 

[C&O Fan]

 OK, I am hooked on Big Boys, I bought a Genesis #4009 and love the way it looks excpet it is to clean. (I all so do not have great eye sight any longer) Beside the fact the MRC decoder sucks ashes I have had problems with the tender. On a test track at a 12% grade it sits there like a brick? I will open that latter and see if I can find the problem.

 I know there are other big boys out there to be had. Beside the decoder it self that came in mine what other big boy is worth having?

 What is important to me is pulling power, DCC ready with replacing the MRC (My Really Crappy) decoder, decoder it self is not the main buying point.

 I don't want to get silly and start thinking about brass.

 I all most bought a PCM, but after reading the Mag article I bought the Genesis with the POS decoder.

 Cost and why is what I am looking for.

             Cuda Ken

So you love the big slobbering beasts Huh?

Well they are impressive

I don't own one since i don't model the UP

But there are lots of other Big Powerful Locos

The H-8 is my Favorite and the C&O did use them

Here a link to help you

 http://www.trainweb.org/jlsrr/bigboy/bigboy%20mainpage.htm

 

[Hoople]

 What is important to me is pulling power, DCC ready with replacing the MRC (My Really Crappy) decoder, decoder it self is not the main buying point.

 Cost and why is what I am looking for.

             Cuda Ken

[CAZEPHYR]

I have 3 of the PCM Big Boys and they not only look good but also pull very well! I bought the non-sound versions and simply added a Lokpilot Decoder myself - PCM has the 8-Pin Plug so you can add a Decoder of your choice.

Of course you can also buy the PCM Big Boy with Loksound - or you can go a step further and get the PCM Brass Big Boy (it's only $2995).

The PCM is the best buy for overall operation and it does not use traction tires that will fail in time.  The PCM has scale drivers unlike the Trix and AHM which have drivers that are too small.  I own one of the Trix models also, and they probably are the best running models on our planet, but the PCM with a Zimo DCC drive is extrememly good also. 

The PCM sound is very clear, but uses a whistle and bell that is incorrect for a Big Boy.  I had mine reprogrammed with the correct UP whistle and bell sound.  It is great now.  

 

[loathar]

Bowser.  You want pulling power, it has pulling power. 

Do those Bowsers come with tenders? I don't see any mention of a Big Boy or Challenger tender on their site.

Ken-My . You haven't had that thing very long. I'd call the factory and see about sending it back for repair before I spent $300+ on a different brand. It's not like you bought a $25 cheapy. That sucker had better work for the money. Have you even tried calling the mfg.?

[cheese4432]

 MRC (My Really Crappy) decoder

            

 

Just had to quote that bit.

 

Anyways I recomend the pcm big boy for the following reasons:

• full metal
• no traction tires
• comes with good decoder
• will operate on 18" curves(the athearn is only meant to run on 20" curves according to their website)
• All wheel pick up(because of no traction tires)

there see it is superior to the athearn one minus price but it's FULL(as in completely) metal.

 

Or if you don't mind building one follow these steps:

1. buy three bowser kits besides the big boy
2. build them to the best of you ability
3. buy the bowser mikado kit
4. give the mikado kit to me without building it first
5. buy the bowser big boy kit
6. build it better then you built the other 3(remember you gave the fourth kit to me)
7. enjoy your new self built big boy.

of course by the time you do that it will be cheaper to buy the pcm one but then you don't get the joy of builing it yourself. 

[cudaken]

 Well I have a PC Big Boy coming with the luck of the $ Gods that is. It is a none sound with a LHS installed ESU Lok Sound and speakers installed.

 Here is a Vid he sent me.

 http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j284/cudaken/?action=view&current=BigBoyIWant.flv

 Prices seems fair compaired to my Specturm misstake. It is under $600.00 with shipping.

 What do you think?

                        Big Boy Ken

[selector]

Ken, I have no idea what to think, except that I hope this experience is a lot better for you than the last.  Instead, I would be interested in what the Cudameister thinks of the locomotive since you seem to test the bee-jaysus out of them.

Let us know, will ya?

-Crandell

[MidlandPacific]

Bowser.  You want pulling power, it has pulling power. 

Do those Bowsers come with tenders? I don't see any mention of a Big Boy or Challenger tender on their site.

 For the Challenger and Big Boy, the tender's separate.

[tstage]

Ken,

Looks like the layout that the BB is being run on in the video clip has 22" radii curves.  I'll be curious to see how it handles your 18" radii section.

Tom 

[cudaken]

 Tom, I am sure it will be fine, besides my 18" days are numbred with the new bench section being up. I hope to get the tight section's up to 20" and with luck 21 to 22 inches.

             Cuda Ken

[Medina1128]

 OK, I am hooked on Big Boys, I bought a Genesis #4009 and love the way it looks excpet it is to clean. (I all so do not have great eye sight any longer) Beside the fact the MRC decoder sucks ashes I have had problems with the tender. On a test track at a 12% grade it sits there like a brick? I will open that latter and see if I can find the problem.

 I know there are other big boys out there to be had. Beside the decoder it self that came in mine what other big boy is worth having?

 What is important to me is pulling power, DCC ready with replacing the MRC (My Really Crappy) decoder, decoder it self is not the main buying point.

 I don't want to get silly and start thinking about brass.

 I all most bought a PCM, but after reading the Mag article I bought the Genesis with the POS decoder.

 Cost and why is what I am looking for.

             Cuda Ken

You sure it's a 12% grade??? An M-1 Jeep would have problems with that steep a grade, let alone a locomotive. It sounds like you need a string of Shays to pull up that grade.

[Anonymous]

I've got the Trix one and very happy with it.  Plenty of weight and pulling power. Good volume on the sound decoder too.

 

I would imagine the PCM ones pretty good too if their Y6b is anything to go by.