BLI BigBoys both In-Stock and arriving soon

[peteski]

A well thought out, engineered, and problem free design.

It can be done.

Ah another example of Kato's clever,  simple, and reliable design.
Yes, that is true, but for some reason many model designers in China think they can design a "better mouse trap" instead of simply using proven working designs.  I see examples of that in many recently produced models.

[wm3798]

Boy, this brings me back to my early teens when I was fascinated by smoking models.

I had to chuckle when I read that...

You can go back to discussing locomotives now...

Lee

[peteski]

I had to chuckle when I read that...

You can go back to discussing locomotives now...

Lee

You made me laugh out loud Lee - thanks!

[TrainCat2]

IMO, Photoshoping smoke after taking the photo of a smoke-free model would look more realistic than the "real" N scale smoke.

Like this Pete??

[bbunge]

I'm going to guess a smoker Big Boy will impress the heck out of young boys and girls who just might be inspired into the hobby, either now or later in life.  I can't count the number of times I've run a Bachmann EM-1 at a show or other public event to have some young people rush up and say "Big Boy."  I suspect the same kiddos will be even more impressed by an actual BB with smoke.  There _is_ a reason a for profit corporation has spent millions restoring and operating the real thing. 

When I was perhaps five, Dad let me operate a few of his Lionel locomotives (A bell ringing 622 NW1 comes to mind), but the real deal was when he pulled out the 726 Berkshire and fired up the smoke.  In 1946, that 726 had run an entire Christmas season in a Department Store display and was and purchased by Grandpa post season (he worked at the store).  A few years ago, I replaced the motor, e-unit, rewired it, rebuilt the smoke unit, had to shim the driver axles with pieces of teflon on one side (perhaps from all those trips around the display layout) and taught my kids to run it.  This weekend, my youngest will be running N-scale at the Great Scale show on two FreemoN modules he has just finished.

[wcfn100]

Generically "Kinematic"  means that the coupler (or a drawbar) is mounted in such a way that allows it to extend as it swings to the sides (so the close coupled models can safely traverse tight curves).  This is accomplished by having the coupler arm (or drawbar) follow a gull-wing shape oping in the floor (just like it is clearly visible in the BLI Big Boy model).

Okay, if you over simplify it, then sure, it's 'typical'.  I would assert that the 'gull-wing' shape is not only a small part of the design, but the also simplest part basically requiring no thought .  The real engineering is getting the coupler back to center, especially under a load.

Jason

[peteski]

Okay, if you over simplify it, then sure, it's 'typical'.  I would assert that the 'gull-wing' shape is not only a small part of the design, but the also simplest part basically requiring no thought .  The real engineering is getting the coupler back to center, especially under a load.

Jason

In my experience with the Kinematic design the centering of rolling stock couplers is done by a spring (either a coil spring or just a thin  flexible steel wire).  With drawbars there usually isn't any spring - the drawbar will center itself when the loco and tender return to tangent track.  The wheels (and flanges) of the "drawbared" vehicles generate enough lateral force for that to happen. Like I mentioned this is nothing new and has been utilized on many models.

EDIT:  Just to give more accurate picture, the (weak) centering springs for the Kinematic mechanism in individual pieces of the rolling stock are only needed to center the coupler when it is not coupled (so the centered coupler can actually couple to other cars). While cars are coupled in a train the springs are too weak to provide centering action. Coupled cars behave the same way as the drawbar Kinematic setup.  They will self center when the cars exit the curve and get to tangent track

[Nato]

    KATO No. 4014 Big Boy on its way to me. Got the notice my sound equipped KATO 4014 Big Boy has been shipped to me from Hog Trainz. I know the BLI locomotive I received represents an in service locomotive not the excursion loco. The the cost the fully featured BLI locomotive is about half as much as the KATO with sound. It will be interesting to see if the KATO locomotive is worth the extra money, since I could have bought an excursion version 4014 from BLI. The KATO is available three ways, DC , DCC, and DCC Sound. Nate Goodman. (Nato).

[Jbub]

    KATO No. 4014 Big Boy on its way to me. Got the notice my sound equipped KATO 4014 Big Boy has been shipped to me from Hog Trainz. I know the BLI locomotive I received represents an in service locomotive not the excursion loco. The the cost the fully featured BLI locomotive is about half as much as the KATO with sound. It will be interesting to see if the KATO locomotive is worth the extra money, since I could have bought an excursion version 4014 from BLI. The KATO is available three ways, DC , DCC, and DCC Sound. Nate Goodman. (Nato).

How much did HOG charge you? The DCC sound Kato and BLI Paragon 4 have the same msrp of 599 so it seems a little weird that the BLI would be half as expensive of the Kato

[Nato]

           My BLI 4023 Big Boy through Hog Trainz was $449.00 the KATO Just around eight hundred some.                  Nate Goodman. (Nato).

[oakcreekco]

Stock #


126-4014-S
Taking Pre-Orders through 12/28/2022

July 2023 Delivery

Description

N Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive w/ Soundtraxx DCC + Sound

Road #

4014

MSRP

$599

From Kato website today

[Glenn Poole]

Well, i got mine this weekend.  First, I need to say I run DC.  This engine is a complete disappointment.    It does not run well on DC.  It has trouble crossing my PECO turnouts.  I have a new KATO steeple cab that will cross these turnouts without any trouble at all.  I think the problem is there can be a quick momentary loss of power when a loco crosses these turnouts. Most of my diesel lights will flicker when going across them, but never stall.  When BLI's big boy goes across and gets this momentary loss, it has to stop and reset itself.  None of my Bachmann locos do this.  In fact, my best steam loco is a Bachmann 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone with it's dual mode decoder. I really have gotten to like Bachmann's steam.  This is one nice loco.  it also out pulls the BLI big boy pulling 19 passenger cars up a 2 percent grade around a 180 degrees turn.
One more thing, you can't add a diesel loco as UP is doing right now with there excursion model, at least not using DC.
I also have 3 Athearn Big Boys.  The first one I got requires a special control to run on DC, which is unacceptable.  It has been redecorated to my own logo.  Any one want to make an offer on this, I would make someone a great deal. The next 2 versions of the Athearn model are much better but don't pull as good as the Bachmann or BLI.
My BLI is an undecorated one.  I'm holding off decaling it because I don't think I will keep it.  Waiting on a KATO version.  If anyone wants this loco, and can't find it at a retail store anywhere, make me an offer.  I will probably sell it.  Might even send it back, but don't like doing that to the retailer.

[Spruslayer]

           My BLI 4023 Big Boy through Hog Trainz was $449.00 the KATO Just around eight hundred some.                  Nate Goodman. (Nato).

If you bought 2  of the Katos from it would be $900 plus shipping
If you only bought one  something could be amiss
This is from the Hog Trainz site
UP BIG BOY RD# 4014 – DCC/LOKSOUND ($449.00 RESERVATION)
KATO 126-4014LS

[Nato]

      I Believe I have purchased two KATO Big Boys not one like I originally thought I had. I will see when my shipment from Hog Trainz. gets here this week. Nate Goodman . (Nato).

[MRLX1020]

Kato's website says May 2023 for the 4014...

What kind of sorcery is this???