VL big boy review

I would not sell my for the $2,000 that was paid not even if the cost of additional track was added.  I like mine.

Brent

Might be the best steamer Lionel has made ..love the sound

Worth every penny spent!

+1

 

-Pete

My opinion is it by far exceeded my expectations. I love the sound, smoke volume, I did learn to get the blow down smoke working favorable. I had to redo part of my layout to accommodate all 072 curves, that was well worth the time. If I was offered $2000. cash I would not sell it. 

 

Bob

It's a legendary locomotive, clearly the top of the heap right now.  It's amazing how much they crammed into that locomotive, and I'm glad I got one.

 

Bob, How does it handle the 072 curves?

I don't own one, only because I have the JLC version, however I have been fortunate to run one many a times and yes it very nice. 

2k is steep for a toy, but maybe I will upgrade soon.

The good news is they are available still.

Handles the 072 perfect. I use Fastrack, I have had no problems.

when you say "perfect," you should give a caution about the overhang.

It goes round the curves no problem, but as Forrest says, it does hang over.

 

Looking at getting another one... The selection of big articulated locomotives in the 2015 c1 catalog was... well null. Got some extra money so maybe this will at least get me part of the way there. I can still get nearly any road number I want for a good price. I'm waiting to see how fast the market goes on these. hopefully I can wait till the C2 catalog comes out to see what it holds. Other option is and older locomotive but to be honest the BB has spoiled me and everything else seams lacking. I just got the Y6b and that is a great locomotive (better than the AC-12 everyone loved) but I still gravitate toward the BB. With the addition of the vision line freight sound reefers its a hands down winner. Same thing happened to me when the VL ATSF 2-10-10-2 came out. I would buy another one of those in a heart beat. These VL products have an unexpected consequence of ruining all your other locomotives. That is a good thing!

I don't own one and probably never will.  That does not mean that I don't like them.  A guy in our club owns one.  As far as eye candy on a scale of 1-10 it is a solid 10.  But the real grabber is the sound(s) produced from the super speakers.  On the same scale as abovt it rates a 15.  I just can not imagine anything that will ever top this Bad Boy.

Ditto on the 072 curves, there are 2- 072 tracks on the lower level, adjustment had to be made on 2 or 3 of the trestles holding the 084 track  upper level that the Big boy runs on but after the adjustment to the trestles it will run on lower level, no problem.

Brent

 

Very pleased with look and operating features of the VL Bib Boy. Like some of you, I replaced my outer track with 072 curves to accommodate minimum curve requirements for the BB. However, I have no regrets on the purchase.

Frank

I love mine... the BigBoy has been at the top of my want list for years and this is the best one made so far.

Detail is great and as everyone who's heard one knows the sounds are wonderful...

Several guys in my club own them. They are very impressive, especially triple headed, and sound great. It took some time to make necessary modifications to accommodate the "Big Boys" even on our very large layout. They can really stretch their legs. I hope most people who bought them can enjoy them running as they were intended on their club and home layouts.    

Thank you VL Big Boy... For years I heard complaints about how the big locomotives could not negotiate the tighter curves. All the while I'm thinking why the heck don't these people put bigger curves on their layout. Finally a locomotive comes along and forces the issue with people. That is saying something right there. All of the locomotives in the past that required 0-72 curves could not get these guys to improve their layouts... but the VL BB gets the job done. Maybe now the complaints will stop and Lionmaster will go away and stop eating up the Lionel catalog of big locomotives.

Thats a bit harsh on those who can only accommodate Lionmaster!

My son got the Big Boy for Christmas.  Its our current favorite locomotive.  The sounds on this engine are very impressive.  It is a show stopper.  Well worth every penny.  Lionel did an amazing job in building this engine.  Its a fantastic runner and smoker.  If you are trying to decide to get one and money is not an issue, you will not be sorry you bought it. 

"Thats a bit harsh on those who can only accommodate Lionmaster!"

 

i agree. 

And I third that.  I wish Lionel did more Lionmaster locomotives.  I love all the semi-scale locomotives from Lionel and MTH that are big locomotives that can handle tight curves.  It allows for more action in a small space.  And they still look impressive.

Ok... Maybe too harsh on the lionmaster as a lineup in the catalog. It is good to have the lineup to build interest in the hobby. But not even close to the criticism that is posted about the big scale locomotives. Too much over hang, won't fit my layout, no clearance... You guys realize that this is not the locomotive's fault. The excuses you guys make up for not owning a certain locomotive is depressing. Hopefully because of the VL BB there will be less of that negativity.

Yes, it's a Fun to Run Locomotive, and I am happy that Lionel Had a Vision to Produce this Once in a Lifetime (for me) Historic Locomotive. Great Thread....

Winston,

 

     I think you should stand your ground......the title of the tread is "VL BB Review" not Lionmaster BB Review or Lionmaster/Railking Review. If you want to praise/critic Lionmaster/Railking start your own tread.

 

JohnB