Lionel Big Boy or Mth?

I am very happy with the new Lionel, detail is great and sound unsurpassed

I cannot say how the sound is on MTH BB.

But on the lionel vision line BB the sounds are awesome as well as the engine itself. I own some MTH ps-2 steamers and diesels all sound anemic to me.

 as to purchasing a BB tarry not am sure the latest from lionel is getting scarce.

if you haven't been to lionels video of the BB watch that video I do believe you will make a choice right after that viewing.

remember you need 0-72 minimum curves and 3 1/2" from center rail to wall to clear and also a straight section at least 12" or more to clear anything close to end of the curve as I have a tunnel with a 10 7/8" straight track and the front boiler just barely comes up straight prior to it entering the tunnel bore!

hope this helps you decide.

Now if you are talking the newly catalog MTH Big Boy, it will represent 4014 as it will be rebuilt and will run in the future.  It will be an oil burner.  It will also have a quillable, variable intensity steaming (smoking whistle).  An when the 4014 is running MTH will record a new "sound" file of the engine so it model will sound as the running Big Boy.

Ron

I would get a MTH big boy because it has more detail then the Lionel Vision Line/JLC big boys. Any of the premier big boys from the 2004 and 2010 time frame are good but I like the ones from 2004-2006 more than I do the ones from 2010. Reason being the sound I like more on the older ones. 

I just watch Erictrains video, I am going to have to stop looking at this forum.  It's costing me too much.

I have order the big boy and the Leipzig Station this week.

I went for the MTH 4014....only 11 months left to pay it down

and I lost count of how many and which UP caboooses I bought

rat

ironically ratpak, I recently watched a video rails vcr tape of the big boy and on one scene it actually had a yellow caboose!

Were there any Road of The Big Boys boxcars, in the video

rat

beta or VHS?

My PS1.0 BB from the MTH Dealer Appreciation package of yore is jes' fine, thank you!    And, such a deal it was.

Less is more, IMHO of course. 

But TEHO.

Why would there not be yellow cabooses behind a Big Boy.  The order to paint the cabooses in yellow went out early/mid 1947.  The Big Boys survived into the late 50s.

I guess a bigger question is would there have been any "red" cabooses behind a Big Boy without exposed after-coolers.  Must edit this to not include 4020 through 4024.

Ron

Light hearted question...MTH and Weaver produced a string of UP box cars with Multiple Numbers marked as Road of The Big Boys.

rat

I think in another thread it was said that a brown caboose with a certain number was the correct caboose behind big boys.

not sure if possibly a certain style of caboose is what they meant. I just noticed in video it had a yellow caboose tacked on.

Based on my reference material all the red cabooses were most probably repainted yellow by 50/51.

As I edited my above post a bigger question would be was there any red cabooses behind a Big Boy that did NOT have exposed after-coolers(except 4020 through 4024).

Ron

Lionel has the market cornered on these big articulated steam engines.There must be a reason for it.Nick

I prefer this one:

http://www.3rdrail.com/found.htm

The Lionel BB is an awesome machine. Only a brand loyalist would buy any other.

That would be a yes, as the exposed after coolers where removed, starting in 1946, and the various UP cabooses were still "red/brown" through the late 1940s and into the early 1950s (with four digit road numbers).

Most hilarious post of the month, IMO.

Pete

ps - Or did I mean ironic?

To try and answer the OP's original question; it really depends on what era you desire to model. Lionel chose to go with the "as delivered in 1941" configuration with their Vision Line models. Thus, the Vision Line models of the UP 4000 class do not look like the 8 surviving 4000s in museums and parks around the U.S.

On the other hand, MTH chose to model their recently announced 4000 class models in the "in service 1946 through 1959" configuration, which also matches the appearance of the 8 locomotives saved in museums and parks.

Hope this helps a bit in your choice.

rboatertoo,

You must ask yourself if the disappearing coal load is worth the extra $500.

i picked up a new mikes premier bb/p2 about$1100 less. just gotta know where to look. it does everything i expect a  1/48 th scale loco to do.-jim

My buddy only runs MTH engines and he thinks MTH is the best thing since sliced bread. But after he seen and heard  the new Lionel Big Boy run he said MTH has some catching up to do! Now he wants to buy a Legacy system because he wants the new Lionel BB.

I do not run MTH , but I own MTH engines, Standard gauge engines, subway cars, and rolling stock!  I just do not like the sound.

Careful searching will find MTH BBs with protosounds in the $500 range.  Command versions bring more, of course.

If you just want a Big Boy and features aren't a factor, consider the original Lionel TMCC BB. Captures the essence of the BB though not the best detail.  These can also be found in the $5-700 range with careful searching.

JLC Legacy BBs are still commanding a healthy premium.  Nice detail though.  One of my favorites.

VL BB may be hard to find.  Getting to the point where dealers are selling out (a few have popped up for sale here).  If you want one, act quick.  Expect to pay a premium.  Those on the Bay are a joke, calling forum sponsors would be your best bet at a reasonable price above pre-order value.

There was a 3rd Rail BB listed on the forum, sold recently on the Bay.  Very reasonable.

Good luck, let us know what you choose.

Dumb Question...

Why can't they change the swivel point on the articulating locomotives to decrease the overhang? 072 curves and you still need almost 4 inches? 

not only that but they look terrible on 072 radius corners, just my opinion--Mark

While the MTH BB is a very nice unit, I'd go for the Vision Line Big Boy.  It has the best sound of any locomotive I've ever owned or even heard!  The detailing and operating features are top notch.  Of course, the smoke effects have been discussed at some length here.

Because then it wouldn't be prototypical.  These scale locomotives are trying to be as true to the real deal as possible.  The LionMaster and RailKing BBs do have the pivot in a different place to reduce overhang and allow tighter curves.

To the OP, guess it depends on which system you use.  I went to Lionel because it had the most features and worked with the system I use, TMCC.

No Big Boy Frenzy • On my layout. I like this LionMaster Challenger

4 - 6 - 6 - 4.

I purchased this engine new at my LHS. Great sounds, whistle, wireless tether, Odyssey and much more.

   Click photo to enlarge. 

First rogerpete asked:  

"Why can't they change the swivel point on the articulating locomotives to decrease the overhang? 072 curves and you still need almost 4 inches?" 

upmontman followed with:

"not only that but they look terrible on 072 radius corners, just my opinion--Mark"

Guys... They are B-I-G  B-O-Y-S what the heck were you expecting?

Jim I know I wouldn't pay $500.00 more for a depleting coal load. IMO, that just seems to be a waste of money. Don't get me wrong it's a great engine but in all honesty, the VL Big Boy is way over priced and out of my budget. 

Bought the 4014 Big Boy.

Here are the videos that convinced me, heard that sound and that did it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ap0c6DWCM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ond7dnvD3Es

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgksZm1a-Ts

If you are going to do something, then, do it!

Tim, the depleting coal load is one of the lesser features for me.  The sound and great smoke features were high on the list as was the great detailing of the locomotive. 

SantaFejim, are you running this engine on 072 curves?

Nice looking loco Alex, but the sounds don't begin to match the VL-BB.  The smoke looks pretty lazy, usually MTH locomotives blast it out a bit more vigorously.

The Lionel VisionLine Big Boy was an engine I had planned to pass up as I have the JLC Legacy Big Boy. However, with all the discussions, videos and Talk about this new Feature Rich Locomotive, and a Dealer Offering a Fantastic Deal, I purchased one at the last minute. It Truly is an Amazing Locomotive, wheel slip mode, depleting coal, Smoke out the Whistle, Super Blow Down Effect, and on top of all of these features, It Smokes in Rhythm between Two Smoke Stacks, Like a Dragster on the Race Track. Couple all of this with a TWO YEAR WARRANTY, And Your Question is Answered. Have a Vision! Happy Railroading....

No, all my engines are Santa Fe and they never had any Big Boys.  In addition, I am very lucky, the layout that I run on has a minimun radius of 120".

There are 3-4 Big Boys in our club and they are smo-o-o-o-th on those curves.

BTW, our largest radius is 138" and they look awesome on those.