Skip to main content

@H1000 posted:

Anything Railking will run on O-31. My RK Big boy, Challenger, and cab forwards all do without issue. Just be mindful of the overhang needed for track side items to clear on a curve.

This all true but the Lionchief Big Boys cost $300+ more vs. the MTH imperal model. My Imperial Big Boy came with three refer cars and a caboose for $729 back in 2018. I priced a LC2.0 version that was just the loco for $1079.

I was also able to upgrade my Imperial BB with a quillable whistle at no cost.

Not sure how this turned into an MTH vs. Lionel discussion. That was clearly not my point.

I was simply responding to a poster who intimated that he could not run Legacy steam on 0-31 curves and/or was limited to 0-6-0's and Camelbacks. Another poster responded that there were many varieties of Legacy steam that would run down to 0-31 and I was simply adding an additional option for the poster for an LC+2.0 Big Boy that would also run on 0-31 curves and is compatible with the Legacy system (as opposed to other models in the LC line-up).

Congratulations on your Imperial Big Boy.

Brad and H1000 , the only RK I can remember that had a limit of O42 curves was my ps2 Triplex .

I did  skinny part of the pilot on the engine and after that it was basically an arrangement like the Imperial Mallets which have no problem with my O 31 curves.    The most  needed work was on the tender .   After that was done I had no problem with the O31s.   I could even move the connector bar  to the  "  display only  "  hole with no problem .       There was a post sometime ago dealing with this issue.

H1000 i also had a cab swing very wide on my Imperial  Allegheny  2-6-6-6  that required a few adjustments in the layout.

I've had the misconception for a while now that all RailKing operated on O-31, but I'm wrong. I just verified in one of the recent catalogs, and it says that most models can do O-31, but it doesn't say that all of them will.

To recapitulate what has been written previously and announced by the remaining MTH skeleton crew, MTH has plans to maintain some production for a while (undetermined) and has leased a new smaller space to receive shipments and distribute products in the greater Baltimore area.  Not clear that products such as Railking locos and rolling stock, premier steam, track, transformers, etc. will be produced in the future by anyone.  Premier diesels and rolling stock/passenger car tooling has been sold or leased to Atlas and is no longer going to be produced by the residual MTH firm.  The exact location and operational features of the promised parts supply and DCS firm are still not public knowledge.   

The future of key employees such as Andy E., Rich F. and others has not been revealed.  Best that can be stated with certainty, in my view,  is that some production is continuing through 2021, but in limited, special run fashion, mostly by dealers making custom small runs.

What the future holds overall is uncertain for the longer run, but the days of huge catalogs and full line train company appear over, at least for the time being. Caveat emptor?

Last edited by Landsteiner
@Richie C. posted:

Not sure how this turned into an MTH vs. Lionel discussion. That was clearly not my point.

I was simply responding to a poster who intimated that he could not run Legacy steam on 0-31 curves and/or was limited to 0-6-0's and Camelbacks. Another poster responded that there were many varieties of Legacy steam that would run down to 0-31 and I was simply adding an additional option for the poster for an LC+2.0 Big Boy that would also run on 0-31 curves and is compatible with the Legacy system (as opposed to other models in the LC line-up).

Congratulations on your Imperial Big Boy.

That wasn't my intent Richie, I have the Imperial and I really feel it was a great value especially with the additional cars included and the added quilling whistle. I still would like to get the LC2 version from Lionel but price tag was my deterrent. I'm just going to have wait to see if a nice used one will ever pop up in the future on the 2nd hand market. To me, semi-scale models like these are supposed to be affordable and paying over grand for a single semi-scale articulated engine was just too much. However not so for others, as I understand the new LC2 Big boys are sold out pretty much everywhere.

@Richie C. posted:

A Lionel Lionchief Plus 2.0 Big Boy will run on 0-31 curves and will operate conventionally, BT or with Legacy. It has 4 chuffs per revolution, enhanced lighting and sounds, electro-couplers, firebox flicker, etc. and has good detailing.

The new LC+2.0 Baby K-4's look great.

Richie C, does the LC+ 2.0 big boy have as much overhang as the Railking?

I saw a review by Erics Trains and he showed that it actually swivels in 3 locations instead of 2. Or maybe it was 4 locations instead of 3?

Brad

@H1000 posted:

That wasn't my intent Richie, I have the Imperial and I really feel it was a great value especially with the additional cars included and the added quilling whistle. I still would like to get the LC2 version from Lionel but price tag was my deterrent. I'm just going to have wait to see if a nice used one will ever pop up in the future on the 2nd hand market. To me, semi-scale models like these are supposed to be affordable and paying over grand for a single semi-scale articulated engine was just too much. However not so for others, as I understand the new LC2 Big boys are sold out pretty much everywhere.

No problem - I didn't think anyone wanted to go down that rabbit hole.

I have both systems, but pulled the trigger on the LC+2.0 and think it's a fine locomotive. I still believe that line-up is an affordable alternative - like the new Baby K-4's - but when it comes to UP Big Boys, it seems like all pricing logic goes out the window.   

Coincidentally, there is a current, updated thread on all it's features.

Lionel UP Big Boy Lionmaster LionChief 2.0 Plus features | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

@B rad posted:

Richie C, does the LC+ 2.0 big boy have as much overhang as the Railking?

I saw a review by Erics Trains and he showed that it actually swivels in 3 locations instead of 2. Or maybe it was 4 locations instead of 3?

Brad

Well, I don't have a Railking to compare it to, but it has a significant amount. My layout is a mix of 0-36 and 0-48 and there is definitely overhang.

I'd have to check tonight to see in how many locations it pivots.

@Richie C. posted:
but when it comes to UP Big Boys, it seems like all pricing logic goes out the window.   

Very True! To this day $729 is the most I've ever spent on a set until recently, I'm not sure I would have if it didn't include the additional cars.

As for MTH, It's nice to see that they will still be making some nice stuff for a while and Mike has a hobby to keep him involved in his retirement.

@Richie C. posted:

Well, I don't have a Railking to compare it to, but it has a significant amount. My layout is a mix of 0-36 and 0-48 and there is definitely overhang.

I'd have to check tonight to see in how many locations it pivots.

I'll get my Imperial setup on a loop of O-36 and maybe we can compare the overhang. I know on O-31 it is quite a bit and almost a little beyond my comfort level.

Last edited by H1000
Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×