Retro Review HO Athearn Genesis 4-8-8-4 Big Boy UP

[@steamfan4014]

I have the Race to Promontory edition of the Athearn Genesis Big Boy and I love it. I would like to eventually add working class lights on the smoke box and put the old ones on my static model of 4006. With it being an articulated locomotive, I have no issues with the boiler wobble. It's definitely my favorite locomotive in my collection and I can't wait to get a layout set so I can run it again

[@DanielCortopassi]

That sounds cool. I added working class lights to my Athearn model of 844, and it was well worth it. I want to do it to the rest of my steam locomotives eventually. Thanks for watching!

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

8:22 I am surprised points weren't taken off for the front driving rods compared to the rear. The rear driving rods move in a more realistic circular motion, while the front has a piece that seems to barely move at all.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm guessing you're referring to the eccentric crank, which appears to move a little more on the rear than the front. It could probably be adjusted, though to be perfectly honest it's not something I really noticed. Also, when I did this review, I had no footage of a working Big Boy to compare it to. When I evaluate a steam locomotive model, I'm more concerned with overall smoothness. If the side rods have a bind that's bad, and would likely merit a deduction. Thanks for watching!

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

@@DanielCortopassi sure thing!

[@rickdee67]

I love this locomotive despite the shortcomings you pointed out and agree ,Athearn take note! Honestly I’ve yet to hear scale steam that wasn’t tolerable at best and this is no better. Still a beautiful locomotive. Good video Dan!

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you found the review informative. I will probably redo the sound in this one eventually. I'm not a huge fan of the decoders that Athearn uses, and the speakers have a lot to do with it, too. We're always limited by the size, though, and the small speakers suitable for HO scale can only do so much with low-end frequencies. Thanks for watching!

[@thecaliforniantrainchaser5620]

Amazing review Dan and that’s a really cool WP shirt by the way! 👍🚂

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks, I got it at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, California. Thanks for watching!

[@thecaliforniantrainchaser5620]

@@DanielCortopassi That’s awesome and you’re welcome!

[@mercuryoak2]

I remember when model railroader was reviewing this model. I think the reviewer wasnt please with the tracyion tires which I would agree. Honestly the price point for this being so high is crazy. When Rivarossi made one years ago but difference is having a 3 pole motor and they are harder to find even if they work parts can be a challenge. Good review Dan.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I like it when an extra driver set is included with a model so you can swap out the traction tires if you're not into that. I'm not a big fan of them either, although they do definitely help with the pulling power. Thanks for watching!

[@steamier4472]

Matt, Rivarossi under Hornby ownership did release 4014 as a limited edition model in its as delivered coal fired version in 2019. It does feature the traction tyre driven wheel and the extra regular non traction tyre driven wheel. The loco now features a 5 pole motor, less deep flanges wheels which should meet the NMRA HO standards gage tool and the NMRA approved RP25 wheel contour profile standard and can now handle 15” radius curves as proven by Hattons.

[@mercuryoak2]

@@steamier4472 I know who owns it. But I just think traction tires are garbage. Also I don't pay attention to nmra standards I don't follow their standards

[@steamier4472]

@@mercuryoak2 I think traction tyres are a great improvement and necessity for any Big Boy haulage capacity wise, but I do however agree with you on the dreaded maintenance nightmare of replacing them every now and then. I follow not only NMRA standards, but also the NEM and GB standards and also accomodate older models made before the introduction of such.

[@mercuryoak2]

@@steamier4472 thats you. I don't. My railroad isn't the whole idea of prototype stuff. I used to be on a group on Facebook that was so nmra obsessed that they actually made it that I basically left the group because they were so rude and crude

[@mgr_video_productions]

Awesome review! I especially love the sprung cab door that opens. I didn't know Athearn big boys had that. Hope to see more retro reviews in future.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I will be doing more from time to time. I have a lot of models that would be good candidates. Thanks for watchiing!

[@randallellison6421]

Nice retro review Dan, that's definitely one LARGE locomotive!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes, it is! Thanks for watching!

[@Mauscmkwk]

And the tender was not from 4014 it is 3985’s tender

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for the info!

[@jaredwayman985]

4014 has 3985s tender I think. Not enough time to rebuild before 150th anniversary.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@duanewhite3275]

Dan, FYI The tender being used for the restored Big Boy 4014 is actually the tender from Challenger 3985, as it was converted to oil years ago. The 4014 tender is sitting in the UP yard in Cheyenne, Wyoming near 15th Street and deteriorating in the weather.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I have Athearn's model of 3985, too. I didn't think about it but I could have done a comparison. At least as far as the models go, the tenders look similar. Thanks for the info!

[@BritanniaPacific]

It’d be something to see the real 4014 in person when she comes to town. Seeing her and the 3985 reunited would be historic.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I still haven't seen 4014 running. I'd like to. I'd love it if UP put 3985 back in service, too. Seeing them together would be amazing. Thanks for watching!

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

Very impressive locomotive !!!!!

[@DanielCortopassi]

It is! Thanks for watching!

[@struck2soon]

These are great pullers, really strong and smooth. Although the Soundtraxx sounds are better than the previous efforts (QSI?) the exhaust chuffs still sound like a snare drum in a military band. Slipping an ESU item in this loco is bound to make a big improvement.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm pretty sure this model has an older Tsunami in it. I'm sure the newer one with a Tsunami 2 is better, though I'll still go the LokSound route eventually because I've standardized on those. As you mentioned, the chuff sounds in it right now leave a lot to be desired. Thanks for watching!

[@struck2soon]

@@DanielCortopassi I remember your Loksound install into 844 from years ago. It would be nice if you did a video for this one as I also have a Loksound decoder to install into an Athearn Big Boy…

[@NicksCollectableCreations]

My own humble opinion is that you would be ahead of the game if you sold this and bought a current release since it has been updated and has accurate sounds now as well as a Tsunami 2, but even if you wanted to use Loksound their sound fonts are also accurate now as well.

[@DanielCortopassi]

That's something to consider, but it would probably be expensive given the large price increase on the more recent release. I've been planning to redo the lighting eventually anyway, and changing the decoder is something I'm comfortable doing. I did a decoder and lighting makeover in my Athearn model of 844 and I really like it. Thanks for watching!

[@houseofrandomness]

Another great review! I drove by Colton yard after they moved it from the fairplex. Missed that chance. Saw it in 2019. Oh man. 😃 going to see it again next week.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I still haven't seen 4014 running. I hope to one day. Thanks for watching!

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

That headlight is awful. I have the 2019 version of 4014 and Athearn did fix the headlight issue. The one mine has will blind you, its very bright.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad Athearn improved the headlight in the newer version. Thanks for the info!

[@Shane-Singleton]

Nice review, Dan. I agree with the deductions and also the lack of deductions visa vis the appearance differences that Athearn could not predict before 4014's restoration was completed.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@steamier4472]

Good review on the Big Boy as always, Mr Cortopassi. Is there any chance you might review the Athearn Genesis DDA40X Centennial and also the Lionel HO Polar Express Berkshire loco? And have you ever come across a loco or rolling stock that has gotten an F or red signal throughout your honest reviews? As the BLI and MTH Big Boys although being highly detailed and heavy weight pullers, unfortunately have teething troubles and some design flaws which cause them to perform poorly and become derail prone. Also, will you be reviewing the Trix and Rivarossi versions of the Big Boy in the future as well as a future Scaletrains Big Boy since they now own the MTH HO tooling?

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. So far I have not given out any F grades or red signals. I've had to cut back on the number of trains that I buy, so I probably won't be getting any of the models you mentioned. ScaleTrains usually puts out good models so I'd hope that they would release an improved version of the Big Boy if they decide to do another run. Thanks for watching!

[@steamier4472]

@@DanielCortopassi if you do decide to review a Scaletrains Big Boy, make sure to watch out for the front driving wheel on the rear set of driving wheels derailing on even the slightest bump on the trackwork in case Scaletrains haven’t found the flaw and rectified it, even when customers and reviewers have found the problem, especially since MTH HO Big Boy tooling is now in Scaletrains’ ownership. Even the BLI Big Boy has that exact same problem mentioned above as the MTH version as well. Thank you for your reply.

[@andresgarces10]

I think I know which is going to be my second locomotive

[@DanielCortopassi]

Cool, thanks for watching!

[@dave3156]

Even with your point deductions, this is an impressive loco. Good review Dan. I will be interested to see how you fix the wheels.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I will have to figure out what tool to use for the wheels. I think there is a tool out there for that. I will have to look into that, or possibly into finding replacement wheels. Maybe that could be a good subject for a future video. Thanks for watching!

[@James-Railyard]

Personally I’d install a Tsunami 2 big steam as it does have 4014 sounds on it or a Wowsound decoder for more realistic sounds. For this model though I’d pick the TSU Big Steam just because it is already set up for a Big Boy or Challenger right out of the box and is what is recommended for an Athearn Big Boy.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Just my preference, but I don't use anything but LokSounds in my models. They're recording a sound set from the real 4014 which will probably be available soon. Thanks for watching!

[@Steamer96]

Do you like 3985 or 4014 better?

[@DanielCortopassi]

I like them both. I suppose I'm a little partial to 3985 because I've seen that one in person. I haven't seen the real 4014 running yet. I do remember it when it was on static display in Pomona. I'm a little disappointed that UP seems to have put 3985 aside now that they have 4014 running. Thanks for watching!

[@BattleshipOrion]

"Material cost" is the excuse to rack up prices. They should have a selection of always in production product to help that.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm used to seeing small price increases between production runs, but I was surprised by how much this one went up. It makes me glad I bought mine when I did. Thanks for watching!

[@miguelCHIVASFan17]

adding the Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 sound would be better for the Athearn Big Boy since the sounds for the decorder was recorded off 4014

[@DanielCortopassi]

I thought I saw something just the other day about ESU doing the same thing. They'll probably have the new sound file out long before I'm ready upgrade this model. I've pretty much standardized on LokSound decoders so that's probably the one I'll use when the time comes. Thanks for watching!

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

This is an impressive model of the UP big boy 4014, too bad that Athearn doesn't produce the full diecast metal locomotive body shell unlike the BLI and MTH production models, additional locomotive weight equals higher traction pulling capability.

[@DanielCortopassi]

More weight would probably increase the pulling power, though this engine is no slouch in that department as it is. If I ever get a chance to borrow one of the other brands' Big Boys maybe it would be interesting to test the pulling power with the force gauge. Thanks for watching!

[@TrainQuest-Model-Railroad]

Vice review 🚂🏆

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for watching!

[@hohobbyist1098]

Haha, I made some reviews of old engines a while ago and called them "Retro Reviews" too.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Great minds think alike? Thanks for watching!

[@northcoast261]

Wow! That’s a lotta mula paid for a lotta choo-choo.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes, it is. I'm glad I got mine when it wasn't quite as expensive. Thanks for watching!

[@needs2quit1atgmail87]

The new one isnt much better. I like my brass one better

[@DanielCortopassi]

Brass models can be really nice. At the rate the prices keep going up for these, they might also be more cost effective. Thanks for watching!

[@needs2quit1atgmail87]

@@DanielCortopassi i ended up getting a brass tank car for 30 bucks!! On ebay