Large Scale Central

Mike Wolf On MTH G Scale Big Boy

General Discussion
#1

Hi Everybody,

I spoke to Mike Wolf the other day and I thought I should share some info on his G scale Big Boy. The G Scale Big Boy should be out in June 2016. He also stated “We re-tooled the Tender to make it an Oil Tender as the 4014 Big Boy that is being restored will use. We have added a SMOKING WHISTLE as we had on the G-Gauge Triplex. So when you blow the whistle in DCS smoke will come out of it. It has two powerful DC Motors. Every G-Gauge Collector will need this engines as it is the most famous MTH has ever built. It will now come with PS-3 Sound System that now includes all the DCC Functions. All MTH prior G-Gauge Steam Engine had PS-2, which didn’t have DCC.” I saw it at Germany last year at the toy fair and it looked spectacular! He’s going to take some pictures and videos soon so I will post them once I receive them. Click here to see a sketch of the big boy

Best,

Ken Bianco Jr.
TrainWorld

#2

Thank you Ken !

#3

I’ve got one on order I’ve been paying for, should be paid off before then.

#4

Just wanted to let you all know MTH is already pre sold out on item #70-3027-1 Road #4012

We have limited room available. If your interested please place your preorder ASAP

#5

Very cool they are doing the oil tender for it. How will the big boy fair on curves. I know will likely never own one but just wondering what it’s operating limits are.

#6

Thank you, but no thank you.

#7

Tony Walsham said:

Thank you, but no thank you.

Come on Tony it’s all good!

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#8

I’m happy to see that even Mike Wolf sees that adding DCC will help his product, it is a selling point.

I have a friend changing all his PS-2 systems to PS-3… now he can run more locos on the same track at the same time. Standards help.

Greg

#9

like Jerry, I have one on order also. Can’t wait!

Devon, these engines will run on 8 foot diameter curves, not real pretty, a lot of front over hang.

Jim Miller

#10

I wish these engines didn’t have the ugly gap between the bottom of the boiler and the front power truck, it just looks horrible IMO.

Makes it look like the boiler is just floating! I know they do it so it can negotiate tighter curves, but it just looks ugly.

#11

Well, that is the compromise that had to be made though, right?

Like the F3 and F7 front truck where the pilot pivots with the truck.

Of course, the LGB GG-1 can look weird too:

#12

Greg Elmassian said:

Well, that is the compromise that had to be made though, right?

Like the F3 and F7 front truck where the pilot pivots with the truck.

Of course, the LGB GG-1 can look weird too:

But at least with the LGB they look normal sitting on a straight track! The whole between the boiler and power truck on the MTH is there no matter what position the locomotive is in.

#13

here’s the real one… just so U know…

#14

Joe Paonessa said:

here’s the real one… just so U know…

Yes, you confirmed it, no big gapping hole under the boiler.

#15

Well then I don’t understand your comment? You say U know that there’s a compromise to be made for a Big Boy to go around 8’ curves when the USA model, which may or may not meet your ideals needs 20’ min. can’t run on most RR’s around. So you want both? Have you looked closely at the USA or Accucraft models?

(and I’m sure that the buyers using eight or ten foot curves are strictly using DCC???)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

take a look at the two full size catalog pictures of this engine at the end of the brochure:

http://mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/catalog_files/2015_mth_euro_eng/index.html

the catalog picture taken at track height over states the gap between the boiler and engine. It’s just a catalog rendering. I don’t believe everyone stares at the loco from that vantage point. If they did, there’s a lot to be desired in G scale from everyone making stuff. The Aristo Dash 9 would look like it’s jacked up on skates. Many electric steamers would give up their look of being realistic at that angle.

The MTH model is a lower priced entry in the RailKing line. It has great value for what’s included, smoke, sound, and now even DCC/DCS and conventional control.

My MTH Challengers look the part on my RR and are better looking than even some higher priced releases by other makes.

#16

What is there not to understand about my comment? I don’t like the looks of this particular locomotive that MTH made.
Like the look of my Hudson (even though it doesn’t run anymore) and my VO-1000’s look and run great, just feel they missed the mark on this one.
And my GG-1 looks and runs fantastic, but really needs large diameter curves to look right!

#17

Joe Paonessa said:

My MTH Challengers look the part on my RR and are better looking than even some higher priced releases by other makes.

I think they did a much nicer job on the Challenger and wish they would re-release that model so I could add it to my collection (still to big to run on my layout though)

#18

I understand the overall comment. I think the pilot ends on the MTH DASH 8’s are in need of upgrading, but that’s another story.

I just can’t think of any way to add detailing that wouldn’t obstruct the tight curves on many RR’s it will run on. It would have to swing out of the way somehow or fold down?

So, I actually don’t stare at the flaws when I understand why an omission of detail was purposely made. They could restrict the turning radius so that the large steam pipes wouldn’t hit, and lower or tighten the gap. That would make it unable to run on many RR’s and force away customers that want the oversized model to run on their small RR’s.

That leads me to ask what the radii of the real one requires?

#19

Here’s a pic on the net of how it looks in person. I didn’t know if you had seen it in person?

#20

I seen one running at the Amherst show last year, that is what made me originally notice the spacing under the boiler.
I actually thought something was wrong with it.
the USAT version looks much nicer but it is 3-times the price.
I understand the need to make them to run on layouts that have 10’ diameter curves so they can sell more, I just wished they did a better job on it so I would buy one!
As mine would end up being a shelf queen anyway I wonder if it could be modified… Hmmm…