Description

Often called the largest steam locomotive ever made, and certainly a contender for the Worlds Most Famous Locomotive, the Big Boy was forged under some of the most strenuous demands ever placed on a locomotive. The UP Railroad needed a locomotive that could be used to pull a 3,600-ton train over Sherman Hill and the 1.14% grade from Ogden to Wasatch, Utah without the need for helpers. When the design specifications were complete, it was decided on the use of a simple articulated, high speed, 132 ft. long locomotive sporting sixteen 68 diameter drive wheels. What they created was the longest and among the heaviest, most powerful steam locomotive legends in the world. And had not the worker at ALCO chalked Big Boy on the front of the smoke box of one of the 4-8-8-4s under construction, a name that immediately caught on, it is rumored that the name of the type would have been Wasatch, for the mountains they were built to conquer.

Quote from Worlds Greatest Steam Locomotives by Eugene L. Huddleston:

“There were 25 locomotives fabricated in two different groups. Class 1 were locomotives #4000-4019 and Class 2 was numbered 4020-4024.  The first Big Boy #4000 was delivered to Omaha, NE on September 5, 1941. Union Pacific’s commitment to the Big Boy required them to replace the lighter rail and straighten out many miles of track for clearance, as well as to resize elements of their service areas (such as turntable lengths, etc.) for the entire line these locos would run on.”

The Big Boys demonstrated fantastic strength and speed as they faced these challenges throughout their storied careers. With the total mileage on the Big Boy fleet being approximately 1,000,000 miles for each locomotive, one must say that they earned their reputation.

In this release, BLI presents 12 exclusive models of the legendary Big Boy locomotives. Leading the lineup are the modern-day 4014 with updated generator and PTC details, the 4014 as seen during the historic Big Boy Tour, and the 4019 featuring its short-lived in-service experimental smoke deflectors. Additionally, BLI will offer four models in striking fantasy paint schemes, produced in highly limited quantities for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Industry-leading Model Features:

• ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
• Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
• Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
• Separate Whistle Smoke Feature – smoke streams from whistle area when whistle is blown
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• Heavy Die Cast Boiler, Tender Body, and Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Scheme
• Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, Front Numberboards, Front Marker Lights, Rear Marker Lights
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Optional Smoke Hood can be Installed if Desired
• Optional Operating Front Coupler Included in Box
• Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
• Two After-cooler variations – As-Delivered for the Class-1 and Wilson Aftercooler for the Class-2 models
• Three Accurately Modeled Tender Variations: 25-C-100 for the Class-1 models, 25-C-400 for the Class-2 models, and the appropriate Challenger #3985 tender for the #4014 Excursion Service models
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Piping, Cab Glass, Whistle, Brass Bell, Markers, Numberboards, Air Tanks, and Many Others
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the Union Pacific Big Boys
• Locomotive Weight:  2 lbs 15.5 oz
• Tender Weight:  15.5 oz
• Coupler to Coupler Length:  19 inches
• Wheelbase:  16.5 inches

Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:

• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Built-In capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track
• Capacitor Pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro
• Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
• Switcher Mode for precise low speed control
• Record & Play Operation – Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• High Resolution Audio
• Quillable Whistle for various whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable Whistles / Horns
• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle – both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal – When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse, toots three times.
• Chuff sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

** Specifications on this page subject to change.