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After searching out pictures of the real UP Big Boy #4012, I confirmed that my JLC/Legacy Big Boy #4012 was missing a Turbogenerator. Lionel, for whatever reason, failed to place this important detail on the JLC (and Vision Line) Boy Boy steamers. As far back as 2000, When Lionel issued their first JLC model, it was the Union Pacific Challenger #3985 and yes, it had it's Turbogenerator.  The turbogenerator is that dynomotor looking piece that sits on the back of the boiler off to the fireman's side.  So after a bit of time thinking about it, I decided to order this part from Lionel. It wasn't very expensive, the postage cost more than the part. When I received it, I was relieved to discover that I didn't even have to take my Big Boy apart  (JLC models are sometimes more complicated to disassemble than other models), all I had to do was place the locomotive properly on my drill press and drill the needed hole in the correct place on the boiler.  I forget the size of the drill bit but for anyone else who, upon reading this post thinks they might want to do this, wait until you receive the part before drilling so you can make sure that you use the right sized drill bit.  After drilling, I put a small amount of JB Weld super glue on the tip of the generator and carefully placed it in the hole.  It set up in less than a minute and after completely drying, it is absolutely solid.  I am so glad that I did this improvement!! I could not believe how the addition of that single piece (which should have been there to begin with to match the prototype) would make my engine look that much better. Now, all is well!!! Uh Oh, I think I am turning into a 2-rail rivet counter. LOL  Let's face it, ever since the late 1990's, we 3-railers have been more and more picky about detail, many of us matching the 2-rail level of detail. We are them now, just with that third rail down the middle.  Enjoy!!

-Ralph

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For what it's worth, if you are attempting to model the 4014, or even the 3985 and 844, there are two "turbogenerators" (actually called Dynamos) , ever since the cab signal equipment was up-graded the the combined UP - CNW solid-state system. Thus the requirement for more wattage, because every time the radio was keyed to transmit, the cab signal equipment would drop-out. Check prototype photos of 844, 3985, and 4014 over the last 15 or more years and you will see twin dynamos, on the Fireman's side.

It's just that one dynamo (that's what I thought they are called too but Lionel called them "Turbogenerators") that I could see. My Allegheny's have two. Now, if the 4012 had a second one, I'll be calling Lionel for another part. LOL  To me, these details are visually appealing. I'll find some more pictures of the engineer's side to see if it had one and where to place it.  On the Allegheny, it is on the engineer's side up between the sand domes. Now you've got me curious.

@Rjm posted:

It's just that one dynamo (that's what I thought they are called too but Lionel called them "Turbogenerators") that I could see. My Allegheny's have two. Now, if the 4012 had a second one, I'll be calling Lionel for another part.

No, none of the preserved UP 4000s in parks & museums have two dynamos. The second dynamo was added to UP 844, and 3985 in their later years of excursion service(maybe in the late 1990s), and subsequently the twin dynamo set-up on 3985 was removed and installed on 4014. Thus, 4014 would be the ONLY UP 4000 with two dynamos, and they were/are always on the Fireman's side.

LOL  To me, these details are visually appealing. I'll find some more pictures of the engineer's side to see if it had one and where to place it.  On the Allegheny, it is on the engineer's side up between the sand domes.

I have no idea why your C&O Alleghney model has two, nor why it would be on the Engineer's side. My HO brass model of C&O Allegheny #1650 has only a single dynamo, and it is mounted on the Fireman's side, just like UP steam locomotives.

Now you've got me curious.

 

Last edited by Hot Water

Hi John,

I just verified from some pictures of the Vision Line models of both 4012 and 4014 and neither have the dynamo. 4014 I understand should now have two on it taken from 3985 but the model does not have them. Mine has it though because I put it there and it really adds to the detail in that area of the model.

Yea, when 4014 was converted to oil burning, that's when it received the two from atop 3985 but as you said originally, as a coal burner, it had just the one. I hope they get 3985 back up and running as well. Proportunately, I believe the Challenger to be more balanced than the Big Boy. Sort of like comparing a 7' Steinway Grand piano to a 9' Steinway Grand piano, both are big but the 7' is supposed to be of the best proportions for the design.

I noticed this too and I think Jack has is who pointed this out. The VL big boy was modeled as built from the ALCO factory  same with the JLC version. And from the factory the dynamo was put under the cab (I think engineers side can’t remember now) obviously that exposed it to a lot of road grime was was eventually set back up to on the boiler. I am no expert @Hot Water will know the full details but on the VL big boy there is the dynamo under the cab. 

Hey Zachariah,

I didn't know that, very interesting. I just looked under my JLC Big Boy's cab  (#4012) and it IS under it as well. So that is the way ALCO had originally built them and later, after road experience, it was moved to the top where it can now be seen in the photos. I had no idea about this aspect of the Big Boy's history, I appreciate it, thanks.

Ralph

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