Broadway Limited N Scale Big Boy With SMOKE Video!

TrainWorld Jan 13, 2023

  1. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a project in mind that I need one of the 'smoker units' out of a locomotive for...hmmmmmm

    :whistle::whistle:
     
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  2. 308GTSi

    308GTSi TrainBoard Member

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    Sigh ........... :( ........... still no SP AC9

    :(
     
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  3. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Get a Seuthe unit. Runs on 12V.
     
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  4. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    While the smoke looks OK in the later parts of the video, I just really don't think it is really bringing much to the party and isn't needed. Kind of like sound: is it something that is really needed (but I would rather have 1-2 engines with sound than 1-2 with smoke)? I won't be spending any of my money on these or any new steamer that comes with smoke.
     
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  5. brokemoto

    brokemoto TrainBoard Member

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    BLI is doing prototypes that no one has done, such as the Centipede and a better job on prototypes that others have done (USRA light 2-8-2). Ihave had mixed results with them. I got so frustrated with the constant stalling on the Centipedes that I sold mine. The USRA light 2-8-2s, on the other hand, almost never stall. I like even the limited sound that I get on DC. I did buy two of their Penn P-70 coaches and must admit that they have the most consistent lighting that I have seen on any N scale passenger cars.

    When BLI is on, it is on, but when it ain't, look out.

    I do not run big steam, so I will not be buying this one, but it does look nice.

    I wonder about this, as well. I am guessing that BLI's gimmick is the smoke but i do wonder why both Kato and Athearn did one. Yes, big steam sells but there are other big ones out there that also will sell despite their being road specific. B-mann's EM-1 was a big seller. It is the only big steam that I run and only because it is B&O specific.

    OH GOODNESS! Girlfriend likes nineteenth century trains because they are colorful and "pretty". Now she will want something that smokes if there are those scents available. The nest thing that you know, there will be L''Air du Temps and Burberry scented smoke. For those of you who prefer the drug store stuff, there will be Windsong, so you truly will not seem to be able to forget her. Her Windsong will stay on your mind because your steam engine will be spouting it!

    Youdda' thunk someone wouldda' dunnit as there are all of these Big Boys out here. Big Steam seems to sell, even if it is road specific.
     
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  6. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    6FB18BC6-8CE5-4F64-9848-7504DB936E98.jpeg 1D95340E-0ABA-476E-97E4-00EDC9A3584C.jpeg BD5F3657-EE43-4735-A426-3E40AFC4B212.jpeg AD82DEB2-E36C-4582-A558-53DB932131F8.jpeg 082C0E4E-BE8F-47A1-A6A5-7C8D771B5DAC.jpeg B52A715C-BBE3-400B-823D-8C9D5710B9E4.jpeg AC068DF2-C02C-45CF-8A35-E86F3A2DA2FA.jpeg 030A7C71-C26A-4511-B016-DD2D3F5E7552.jpeg AA80A13A-AC50-4605-85EC-F86D28624AC0.jpeg Here’s a look at my 4012. It’s very well done! Builder plates look fantastic. Front pilot opens to expose a coupler. Deck plate behind cab. Wood deck planking can be added to tender. Coal load looks great. Will run it soon and see how it runs sounds and smokes!
     
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  7. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    My two BLI Big Boys should be shipped soon.
    While looking for a place to put up the BLI Big Boys... I found a couple of EM-1 units. I think Northern Pacific Had a few similar 2-8-8-4 units but modifications would be tough. Z5 Yellowstones 5000 to 5005.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2023
  8. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    The NP's Z5 class, 5000 - 5011, was a huge step forward for the NP. They were huge, and powerful. The EM-1 is quite a bit smaller, but faster. It will make a nice base for a Z5, but yes, a lot of modifying.

    Argueably, they are nearly as large as the Big Boy, which was built for speed, and thus had larger drivers.

    All of which leads down the rabbit hole of which is biggest, most powerful, etc....
     
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  9. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I still think they go too far with the blackening. I mean, when you see 4014 in real life, its rods are silver, not black, and the drivers and other working parts are a lighter color than black, You can easily see them.

    Doug
     
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  10. Hoghead2

    Hoghead2 TrainBoard Member

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    Respect to Broadway, they've made some great locos and have helpful aftersales. But, smoke? Naw.
    I'm still amazed that three manufacturers bother making something that has little place on 99% of prototypical layouts.
     
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  11. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes... agreed. The EM-1 are smaller in many catagories... primarily length and weight. The drivers and valve gears are similar in size... but these Yellowstones are 'babies' compared to NP and DM&IR versions. These Bachmann EM-1 units look large in their packaging... but had never been set along side of the Big Boys, Challengers or the AC12 Cabforwards.
    It was noted that a railroad in Utah had ordered 2 Yellowstones for their copper ore mining chores...but never received them.
    Perhaps in an alternate universe they got two of the EM-1 units (Bingham & Garfield RR).
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2023
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  12. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    BLI is doing great things for N Scale. The fact there are so many Big Boys produced is merely an attempt to capitalize on the 4014 being under steam and touring the country. If another famous locomotive is put under steam... we will likely see models produced as well.
     
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  13. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have helped rebuild and run many different steam locomotives since 1990 and the silver rods are done to highlight the rods for looks. I spent many hours with a wire wheel and cleaners making rods shiny silver and again cleaning after a trip. When steam ran every day the rods were cleaned, but not polished like you see on excursion locomotives. The blackened rods are correct for a working freight BigBoy, or any steam locomotive in regular service for that matter. And the lighter color on the drivers is from sanding. And that can be added to models by airbrushing easily.
     
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  14. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    4014 in the 50’s……rods blackened from use.
    And now….. shiny excursion service rods. 7F4449FB-5925-4D9B-99F4-8AFCBDB7D4AF.jpeg F3EFF410-213B-4CE6-94A3-A903969748C2.jpeg
     
  15. Hoghead2

    Hoghead2 TrainBoard Member

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    Oooh yes, Milwaukee Road 261 would've be nice.
    Pity Bachmann never followed through with their Russian decapod.
     
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  16. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    I found this by accident on the steamlocomotive.com database. It is an entirely academic data comparison of the big loco's,

    https://www.steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=4-8-8-4

    Such a data base will not solve which is best, or can pull more or whatever. But it is a neat side by side chart. The 1" difference in drivers size between EM-1 and Yellowstone makes for a great starting place for a Yellowstone.
     
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  17. C&O_MountainMan

    C&O_MountainMan TrainBoard Member

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    While you are correct, I think the particular photos exaggerate the effect, since in the 1950s photo shows the divers and rods are in the shadow of the boiler, and the modern-day excursion photo seems to have them basking in the evening sun.

    I presume (not having done it yet), that it is much easier to age/weather a “bright” locomotive, than it would be to brighten a blackened locomotive.
     
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  18. C&O_MountainMan

    C&O_MountainMan TrainBoard Member

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    C&O 2-6-6-2 #1309 was returned to service in the last couple of years (under Western Maryland Scenic RR colors), but no love.

    Not really “famous,” but how many Eastern articulateds get restored? NW 1218? How many in the last ten years?

    The unfortunate truth to face, is that for mass appeal, UP 4014 is head & shoulders above the rest. Everything else is “famous” only among hardcore types, or among locals to where particular restored engines run.
     
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  19. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2 MM articulated was done about 15 ago for Wheeling & Lake Erie and followed up by a more road specific B&O - C&O model soon after.
     
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  20. 308GTSi

    308GTSi TrainBoard Member

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    The coal load in the tender looks particularly good. To me that is a detail that lets a lot of steam (coal fired) models down. ............ So when someone makes an AC9 please start with the as delivered version. :D

    ....... and don't worry about the smoke effect. A well run steam loco emits absolutely minimal smoke.
     

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