This guy had a youtube video of g scale and ho scale. might give you and idea.
Ken, I'm interested in the "G" scale Oil version. I hope you get enough pre-orders in G so they actually make them
I just got word (email) that my very limited production Big Boy (20-3807-1) has shipped from Trainworld! Can't wait to run my new Big Boy, now I have to sell my other Big Boy 20-3714-1 from 2017.
@TRAIN COLLECTOR 2 posted:I just got word (email) that my very limited production Big Boy (20-3807-1) has shipped from Trainworld! Can't wait to run my new Big Boy, now I have to sell my other Big Boy 20-3714-1 from 2017.
Richard,
When it does arrive, could you be so kind to post a video review and what your first impressions are vs. the one you currently own?
I imagine that others like myself would like to know how different the two models are from one another in terms of detail, sound and running capability.
Thanks!
Sure! It is coming ground, so will take a few days. From what I can tell you right now is that my older Big Boy from 2017 was the second run that had the smoking whistle (20-3575-1 was the first run with smoking whistle). The new Big Boy is produced at only 150 units (I think this may have changed due to extreme interest in additional orders). It comes with a signed letter of authenticity on production numbers, has glossy black paint to resemble the real one and also comes with work lights on the drivers. I will do a full a review when I get it.
Does it come with Mel Blanc doing announcements for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga? Yeah, I know, not a passenger engine, and not its territory. But for Train Collector 2, might be fun.
I have one on order. Haven't heard from dealer yet on arrival.
David
@NKP Muncie posted:Does it come with Mel Blanc doing announcements for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga? Yeah, I know, not a passenger engine, and not its territory. But for Train Collector 2, might be fun.
I have one on order. Haven't heard from dealer yet on arrival.
David
????
Well, I wrote that based on where your profile says you live. The Jack Benny radio and TV show line by the station announcer about the train now leaving for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga. Voiced by Mel Blanc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVdmstYXdRE
A few examples of it in that video - first at about 4:20, then about 5:45, and a later callback - and Sheldon Leonard makes an appearance.
David
I have the Lionel versions, don't need these. Plus I have the original oil version of the 4014 by MTH.
The key wording in the title to this thread is “LAST Mike Wolf”. I feel confident we will see more production of MTH design Big Boys. If profit can be made from limited special production runs then there is even greater profit from larger runs. It seems the delay may stem from transactional hurdles associated with sale and transfer of ownership of business assets. MTH produced quality products and there is unmet demand for more of that production which market forces will attempt to fill. Not everyone has to have a preserved locomotive for their collection - I prefer to memorialize those no longer with us by purchasing locomotive cab numbers that did not survive scrapping.
Strange as I took it for what the ad says. "Final Steam Locomotive Production for 2021 announced". Since MTH is still in business (Thankfully as I love their product), and did not sell off their steam molding it is possible they could produce steam locomotives in 2022 or later!
I think Mike sold some of his steam tooling to Lionel. Look at there 2022 catalog.
@NYC 428 posted:I think Mike sold some of his steam tooling to Lionel. Look at there 2022 catalog.
No where near all of it just a couple that's it and not the big boy!
@CurtisH posted:No where near all of it just a couple that's it and not the big boy!
True, Lionel or any other company interested in MTH tooling, would only be in the market for models not currently in there inventory. Lionel doesn't need Big Boy tooling as they have there own.
As far as Mike is concerned, he would have sold everything if he got the right offer.
Received mine from Trainworld yesterday, but haven't unboxed it yet. Luckily enough the wife didn't notice me hauling the rather large box down to the basement when it arrived...
Arrived today. Awesome looking engine. The glossy paint job looks like it is not die cast. Hard to explain. Following are a couple of videos;
1. the tender does not like going through my Ross 092-072 curve. It will not go into it from the points direction where it will ride up the points and derail.
2. I do have min 072 curves on my upper loop. The Big Boy overhangs about 2 1/4 inches around those curves - give it 2 1/2 to be safe - measured from the outside rail.
3. I had to move my crossing light and "mountain" to allow passage through the curve. I am about a 1/2 too much thickness to accommodate the overhang in the curve.
4. While I am not much on reading instructions, there is a shipping bar across the steps at the front of the tender. It needs to be removed to attach the wireless tether. Ask me how I found out.
5 rather odd? the Imperial Big Boy had a larger overhang at the cab end. The Premier is at the lead boiler.
Good thing there is a new layout planned in the next house. Going to need 092 curves maybe bigger where he is in prime viewing. Smokes you out of the room.
Video of the overhang - pretty extreme to my eye.
At the end of the video you can see the tender jump as it clears the curve. At speed it seems less of an issue.
For those of you familiar with TwinPines RR, I had to pull the mountain scenery to provide clearance. Also pulled the cross buck back as it did not like being swiped by the boiler.
Attachments
Videos (3)
Thanks for posting, is the certificate hand signed do you think? Beautiful piece.
Dear @ScoutingDad,
Thanks for posting those video's! I agree the overhang is really extreme.
It would be interesting to see a comparison of the two different models side by side on a piece of 072 inch track to see the overhang differences.
Could you post some still photos of the models side by side for a detail comparison?
Is the detailing appreciably different from what you could tell?
How did you like the new sound system vs. the previous version?
1. the tender does not like going through my Ross 092-072 curve. It will not go into it from the points direction where it will ride up the points and derail.
I have the last version he did and I tried backing mine through a Ross 072 Turnout from the points direction and the tender derailed and broke the drawbar to beware.
I have 3 MTH Premier Big Boy's (first run 20-2031-1 cab#4012, DAP 20-80001 cab#4018 and 20-3575) and the overhang seems normal on your new Big Boy. These are huge engines and require allot of space. Once I get my new limited edition Big Boy (I live on West Coast, so it will arrive in a few more days) I plan on selling the 20-3575. The reason I opted to buy this new Big Boy as I figured it would be the last Big Boy under the old company, plus I meet Mike Wolf a few times and he's a very friendly guy. The last time I saw Mike was in San Diego running on my friends public layout on the Old Town San Diego Model Railroad Depot. We had lots of fun running that day and though it would be a great tribute to have one last engine from him (old company). I told him he was the modern day Joshua Lionel Cowen and he smiled at me and laughed.
Here's a YouTube video of my Big Boy 20-3575-1 running on my clubs layout in San Diego, the San Diego 3-Railers. If you look carefully, you can see allot of overhang and we use 80+ radius curves as a minimum.
