Review: MTH HO Big Boy Steam Loco w/Smokin' Whistle!

[@Just_Another_Railfan]

Finally someone posts a video about this model! I acquired mine a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it

[@epiccsx]

@Bill Chisholm Wow!

[@JoeyBPhotography]

I really like that smoking whistle

[@thekeytoairpower]

I just got my son's in from @ModelTrainStuff as an exchange for the faulty BLI challenger I had bought him for Christmas. It just got done with its one hour forward run in and is now doing an hour in reverse.

[@malletstormchaserh3412]

Thank you for this information i am getting one for myself for my table this is gonna be my first big boy locomotive

[@Flatnate]

Had to have some warranty work done on mine, while there they updated the whistle audio file and, man, wow is it spot on now. It was worth the wait.

[@scottgriggs2596]

Nice model and great whistle smoke function. MTH needs to buy a copy of Kratville’s book, though. With the exception of the relocated aftercoolers behind the compressor shield, the locomotive is detail for detail a faithful reproduction of an as-delivered 1941 UP Big Boy. This is right down to the original lubricator linkage (that UP quickly re-engineered to use a more reliable chain drive), the low-mounted turbogenerator behind the driving wheels, and the secondary air inlet holes on the side of the firebox. It is a great model-It’s only that the oil-carrying excursion-era tender is a mismatch for the coal-burning early prototype locomotive.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very impressive locomotive review, I will say that both Broadway Limited and MTH have produced top notch quality models of ho scale big boys. MTH needs to improve their sound recording accuracy on certain locomotives, the UP big boy being one of them, very well detailed model.

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

Blis is better on my opinion

[@lebryantjohnson7306]

bli and mth are the same. i would get the bli tho because it's easier to put a loksound in it

[@GfwTrains]

Wow! What an engine! Thank you for sharing.

[@dadnyfur]

I have an older MTH Big Boy #4012. Twice the smoke blower motor shorted out, and I had to replace the motor and controlling decoder, that wasn't cheap. It's a great locomotive, looks and runs nice with the synchronized smoke, but getting the smoke to work good is tricky. The only way that I can tell if the smoke unit is on or off, is by the measuring the amount of current the locomotive is drawing. Sometimes I have to blow a little air into the smokestack to get it to work.

[@budgiedeluxe]

i honestly can't wait till they make really life looking scale smoke.

[@Greatdome99]

Should use a Juul e-cigarette module. They produce tons of smoke.

[@Denniss7420]

Smoke doesn't scale down well, any breeze in the room makes it wispy with HO. O gauge is about as small as you can go if you want big smoke.........you'll need to install an exhaust fan in the room.

[@jessedax7333]

Now it would be good to see the MTH GS-4 SP!

[@mamanbear1]

Love that smoking whistle. Too bad you don’t have room to let it stretch out. Good job.

[@jimgagne4484]

5 mins in and already in love

[@jessedax7333]

I've contacted MTH about the cab to tender deck plate missing. Midge Wilburn of the parts dept said he doesn't know why the platform is missing. It should be there. He asked for proof of purchase so I imagine they would supply the part. I haven't bought it so I can't send them anything.

[@jlwii2000]

yours is missing a deck plate? what do you mean you haven't bought it?

[@jessedax7333]

No. Yours is missing the deck plate although the hinges are there. I haven't bought it yet so I can't send a proof of purchase like I was requested by MTH. It is that request that makes me think that, if one asked, they would send the deck plate that they haven't included.

[@adimasguntur]

Wow that smoke is awesome. Must buy

[@ghots28]

Any body else had a problem with this model, I got min on the 6/6/20. After one use not even 30 second and the back wheel are lock.

[@FutureRailProductions]

I hate to nitpick about this model but if this is the oil burning version... why does it have the red knobs on the side that dumps out the ash from when it was a coal burner?

[@MrLunchHour2]

FutureRail Productions also the front wheels are all shiny stainless steel colored. It just looks weird.

[@FutureRailProductions]

@@MrLunchHour2 agreed.

[@katerinakittycat3849]

They probably didn't remove them when I they restored the engine

[@MrLunchHour2]

Katerina Kittycat Union Pacific removed them after the restoration

[@James-Railyard]

MTH was probably just using the same engine for the whole production run while only changing the tender, it makes sense on a cost saving standpoint but poor on a prototypical standpoint.

[@mjmonjure]

Jlwii2000 - Were you able to read the decoder? Unfortunately I received mine before they had the manual on line and phone calls into MTH were basically useless. Can't talk to the technical people without going through the customer service guy. He didn't know why the whistle smoke didn't work (F7) and that there was a separate smoke chamber for the whistle smoke liquid. He asked me to send an email with the problems so he could "check" with the engineer, and after numerous calls and emails, no one ever got back to me. If not for the manual that finally was posted online, I would still be fumbling around. Still can read the controller with my ESU Ecos, but that may be a programming track power issue. Otherwise, besides the loud smoke fan and some other whining noise on power up, the Locomotive is fantastic. Very heavy, great smoke (whistle and stacks) and sound. Just a beautiful sight.

[@trainstorm1225]

mjmonjure oof, that must be annoying. Have you taken it to a hobby shop?

[@mjmonjure]

@@trainstorm1225 No, not yet, but I was able to get into a programming mode on my ECOS DCC controller for just programming the address and selected "XL" mode (more power to the programming track) and change the address to 4014. That was main reason for wanting to read the decoder. I bought it from Trainworld and while they were empathic and were willing to refund me, they were not much help on the technical side.

[@trainstorm1225]

mjmonjure I’m sorry to hear that. Hope all gets figured out!

[@theautolad9507]

Wow 😯 now that’s amazing the details on it as well really cool

[@wobblinwheel]

What is with the SHINY CHROME pilot wheels??? Why do they do that...? Are we to assume we should HAVE to paint our brand new models in order for them to look reasonably "realistic"? I wish someone would tell us the reason for this... .

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

Just paint em black if it bugs you

[@gonebamboo4116]

Wondering that myself

[@wobblinwheel]

@@IGaveUpSecondsAgo if they don't bother to paint ALL of it, then why bother to paint ANY of it? If that's your "logic"...

[@greatportlandstreetmodelra6513]

Not a big fan of american locos usually, but I really consider buying one of these, not necessarily big boy, but some other Broadway limited locomotive. The level of detail is just astonishing, especially the smoke function. The whistle is brilliant, haven’t seen a whistle that produces smoke yet.

[@nikospapageorgiou57]

I love MTH models! I wish they will remake Hudson Dreyfuss in HO and add all those new features.

[@nathanschronce8703]

Not an MTH HO fan, but they have really improved this year. Hopefully their O and G scale improves as well

[@edwarddillon6016]

Hi Nathan, I am just getting back into my trains again. What issues are you not happy with regarding MTH?

[@nathanschronce8703]

@@edwarddillon6016 They are over-sized. And the decoders are not user freindly reguarding to using any DCC system. They seem to only work well with a DCS system

[@hohobbyist1098]

I love the whistle.

[@EmPtySworld1]

New found love. Thanks for the review much appreciated

[@tallpaul9475]

Whoa, there are TWO big boys! Seriously, you put on some holiday pounds there buddy, not going to lie. Looks good, too.

[@jlwii2000]

haha. I did...working on the loss now.

[@shawnagilbert4256]

nice video, I only wish it showed it going around the track more to get a real feel.

[@traindad77]

You have to wait after you add smoke fluid to let it soak into the wick.

[@FrankJGZ]

I don't know if anybody has noticed this but MTH (to my knowledge) has only produced Big Boys between 4000 and 4019. They have not produced Big Boys between 4020 and 4024. There are certain plumbing details on the fireman side of the smoke box that is unique to Big Boys 4020 and 4024 with the possible exception of 4008. When Broadway limited Imports produce they're big boys back in 2006 they produced 2 moldes one for Big Boys 4000 through 4019 and the other for 4020 through 4024. They correctly matched the numbers with each mold. What MTH has done is they purchased the molds for the top half of Big Boy 4000 though 4019 and purchase the bottom half of the mold of 4020 and 4024. They then put it together and slap the numbers between 4000 and 4019. I have pointed this out to them to them back in 2010 and they have yet to correct it. Chances are they never will correct. Which is a shame because MTH has a better sound system than broadway.

[@choochoo3985]

Finally one with the correct front rials. By that I mean the safety rails have the 45 degree braces, like the actual Big Boys.

[@colwild]

Nice Train!

[@lukeskywalker6333]

The whistle is great.

[@sherrcon]

you know, one day the engineers will figure out say @ 10:26 startup, the wheels will accelerate several revolutions very quickly and then slow down to a normal starting pace...i wonder if that could be done...

[@trainstorm1225]

Great review! Are you gonna review the rerelease of the MTH HO Berkshire? You’re last one is a little outdated, lol. Not trying to be rude, of course! Just saying that you’ve really improved over the years!

[@jlwii2000]

thanks, I will try to squeeze it in the schedule when it releases.

[@jessedax7333]

@@jlwii2000 Hi James! The MTH GS-4 SP it's been released and it's in stock at trainworld ☺ ... any chance of you reviewing it? Am I asking too much? 😜 cheers!

[@BNSFFREIGHTTRAIN1980]

Can it be ran on DC without burning up the smoke system?

[@ldaudelin]

MTH has the most realistic smoke functions, IMHO. We never saw the back of the tender in action, though...

[@VampyreFOBK]

What smoke unit do I need to get to perform the way this does, chugging, etc., billowing even at a standstill?

[@thekeytoairpower]

Quick piece of consumer info if you buy the original versions of this locomotive. AS OF FEB 19 2020 THE OWNERS MANUAL POSTED ON MTH'S WEBSITE IS WRONG. Use the link for the modified version. The original version manual does not cover the smoking whistle and all the DCC functions are wrong. The info from the modified manual appears to be accurate.

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

Is there a way to make the gap between the loco and tender shorter? I like this model but it just looks weird.

[@matthewmadl2774]

Love your videos and love the locomotive

[@DocLaw172]

But, but, but, it doesn't have 20 figures inside the cab with yellow reflective striped outfits and hard hats!

[@pakked6165]

im gonna start saving up for two years to get this now

[@theplatypus3886]

i love your vids!!!!!

[@Josedav3]

Sudden stops and starts ruin the whole immersion- but it does help in saving money until the hobby grows up...

[@jasonwhipp5721]

When the whistle blows more smoke than the stack does

[@larrytoomey1591]

What size platform and what curve radius is the best run for an ho big boy.....a full city block??

[@Griphook3D]

I can’t get smoking whistle to work, I have a digitrax 51, f7 does not work...any advice?

[@jlwii2000]

put some smoke fluid in it perhaps.

[@Griphook3D]

lol, yes I did that...

[@jlwii2000]

@@Griphook3D sorry, thought it might be a forgotten conclusion. I would also suggest blowing down the hole...but thats probably obvious too.

[@Griphook3D]

Don’t be sorry , I can see that the smoke could be a factor and could be forgotten, but I did add smoke prior and I did try blowing down the stack and it still doesn’t do it, I have to bring it back to the store I’m also having a problem with the rear truck it seems like when it’s making a turning on the track to the right the rear truck gets locked out which makes the train de- rail...

[@jlwii2000]

@@Griphook3D sounds like you need to return and replace it.

[@matthewhancock2127]

What is the minimum diameter that the big boy can go around?

[@2railnation]

18" radius

[@leerushenberg2461]

The eccentrics are way off, they make the expansion links rock back and forth like they are rowing a boat. That and the ashpan on an oil burner. I love my MTH Yellowstone, this however looks like they aren't even trying..

[@OmegaDeus8467]

Hello Willie, again another great review. I think I'm going to pass on the MTH version of the current 4014 and wait for the Athearn Genesis next run of this prototype. The Athearn version will have a smoke unit installed for the first time and also the prototype will be more authentically detailed to the real prototype. The only thing is the boiler and tender will be constructed in plastic instead of diecast metal like MTH.

[@jessedax7333]

The Athearn version is smoke unit-ready = smoke unit not installed

[@badorderproductions3576]

Of the two, MTH & BLI, which big boy is better detailed, sounding and provides more realistic looking smoke from stack & whistle? Getting ready to purchase one or the other soon. Thx

[@hugobozzshih007]

It needs dcs controller to puff smoke whistle

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

No it dont, push f7 on your dcc system. Its off by default to keep you from burning it up if you choose not to use the smoke.

[@thekeytoairpower]

@@southwestvirginiarailfan729 thanks for that. was wondering why the whistle was not smoking. Will give it a try

[@jasonklavirful]

Just got mine in. Not very happy with it. Runs on my DCC system for a few minutes before the locomotive dies sound and movement. and the smoke generator buzzes. Can't get through to MTH technical support. I don't know what to do.

[@gonebamboo4116]

Any progress? Curious because I have an MTH ho that I will likely run with DCC. I'm guessing DCS is dieing out, unfortunately

[@jasonklavirful]

@@gonebamboo4116 don't get a MTH Ho engine my big boy has been nothing but trouble sent it for repair three times came back broken every single time.

[@katerinakittycat3849]

Whistle steam smoke effect on an HO scale engine? Hows that possible

[@STho205]

This is a big model. Biggest locomotive ever built, even in HO the model has plenty of room in the boiler for the VFX and SFX generators.

[@jessedax7333]

Thanks James good vid! In DCS the whistle is quillable and the whistle smoke output varies depending on the sound. Great feature. The smoke fan is kind of loud isn't it? On the other hand the real 4014 has all sorts of whiny dinamy noises. There's no platform between loco and tender is there? Is that right? Should it be like that? The whistle sound is the best!!

[@Prada_AU]

Where’d u buy it

[@JMAN-kk5fo]

Are you going to do a video on the HO scale Bachmann SC-44 Charger

[@calebg844]

Is it just me because or does the whistle sound terrible. Maybe it’s because I’m on my phone but it doesn’t sound anything like it did when I saw it

[@ColAngus]

Well it's not super accurate, you're correct on that but the steam blowout is cool. :)

[@j.reynolds3089]

Is there a reason you don't show the train running?

[@STho205]

He only has one short module up. He took his layout apart for a move. Mentioned that in the intro, but he still wants to produce reviews. I'd guess the module is only three times longer than the model.

[@twice6278]

When will show us the ns heritage units again

[@mack042]

how do get that humming noise lower

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

Cool video. Thanks for sharing. LJL

[@jasonklavirful]

Ordered mine off TrainWorld should be here later in the month. I do have a question about it. I heard the whistle is quillable while running on MTH DCS. Can the whistle be quilled on DCC as well? I have Digitrax DB150.

[@dispLock]

W o w!!!

[@thewangsta713]

Can you buy this on amazon?i can’t find it on there at all

[@rickcorwon5118]

thewangsta713 probably not lol amazon doesn’t have much model trains

[@thewangsta713]

Rick Corwon thanks Rick i found the MTH big boy passenger set with the PS3 UP on amazon I’m a big fan of trains since I was born 27 years ago and I’m a big fan of the 4014 big boy since November 7th 2019 when it made a stop at the Houston Amtrak train station it was really cool to see the big boy here in Houston with the George H.W Bush 4141 UP train also, it was amazing I’m going to buy both of them hopefully soon

[@rickcorwon5118]

thewangsta713 interesting, didn’t know that amazon sells those, cool though!

[@westtexasrailfan]

Check TrainWorld.com and modeltrainstuff.com. They'll probably have it.

[@bobcathyper7797]

What is your remote that you use

[@tankthehedgehog105]

Why Can’t They Put 4014’s Whistle On Ho Scale 4014?

[@Bamakettles]

Damage on the tender railing?

[@LordEverton96210]

See what lionel should do is put all this effort and more into a model...BUT do it with norfolk and western steam locos!!

[@edwarddillon6016]

What is the minimum radias for this HO Scale Big Boy? Thank you

[@coloradongguy]

Wheres the dynamo

[@donavonrobbins1908]

So what all exactly would I miss out on if without dcs?

[@trainstorm1225]

Donavon Robbins nothing really. I use regular NCE Power Cab on my MTH locomotives and as long I can control it and access sounds, I’m good.

[@mjmonjure]

I bought one (not many around to be had) from Mario’s Trains just to make MTH locos work as designed right out of the box. No hassles. You can’t customise CV’s, but should be a tad better than screwing around with my DCC controller. I do wonder how you turn on whistle smoke since dcs was made before they had smoking whistles on HO. It’s probably in the loco manual.

[@brandonwagner3873]

COOL

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Great review. I really HATE MTH passenger/terminal chatter crap. Its annoying as heck.

[@lesandersen4646]

The chuffing sound on the model includes all four cylinders the most important feature for articulated locomotive. Many models have a two cylinder sound which totally destroys the whole effect of the model.

[@wobblinwheel]

Putting an ash pan on an oil burner is a bit ridiculous...

[@jeo7347]

The locomotive used to burn coal, but it was converted when it was restored

[@wobblinwheel]

@@jeo7347 , NEVER would there have been an ashpan on a locomotive with an OIL tender. Not at the SAME TIME!

[@jdpancoast2384]

@@wobblinwheel they wanted to make it look like the original big boy

[@wobblinwheel]

@@jdpancoast2384 , so they put an OIL TENDER behind it?? Makes perfect sense...🤣

[@ginogalante]

I would rather get a broadway limited one.

[@THOMAS81Z]

i have an parajunk 3 4014 save ur money or buy a tcs wow decoder for it

[@mjmonjure]

BLI is in a league of its own. If they could just get the smoke stack fans to work like MTH without the fan noise, their big boy/challenger would be unbeatable, practically is already.

[@markhayes6407]

@@THOMAS81Z Everything they have in paragon3 is junk.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

@@THOMAS81Z Had a BLI 4014 for over a year now and run it a lot. No problems yet.

[@tylerbrown5161]

Dont get a bli I had 2 2019 versions and both of them crapped out on me the decoders are complete junk in them and there service customer support is complete shit. Yes the bli does sound nice but the paragon system is complete Mickey mouse bull crap

[@theplatypus3886]

is this on dcc or dcs?

[@greendayfan4519]

I notice still no dynamo and the pilot wheels arent painted

[@alabamarailfanningproducti139]

what is the website to mth

[@miguelCHIVASFan17]

I see a model of BIG BOY 4014 but I hear Challenger 3985

[@peskybobcat]

For the price of one of thees you would think there would be some smoke coming from the trucks as well

[@northamericarailfan307]

Multimax autorack Atlas ho scale is back

[@WVS-KFD]

MTH does a great job with smoke units. Looks like the tender and loco are pretty far apart. No dynamos on the boiler?

[@Drewtrainfan]

When are you moving out to your new house.

[@eligebrown8998]

Buitifull

[@douglasengle2704]

I was waiting to see the bigboy go around a curve to check out if it was a true articulated locomotive like the prototype, but it never did. Typically in HO articulated steam locomotives have the driving wheels of the both front and back engines are simply made to pivot in the middle not at all like the real locomotive where the front engine can be seen to slide way out to the side when rounding a curve. In 0 scale the bigboy typically articulates like the real bigboy.

[@farmerdave7965]

All of my locomotives smoke and I don't even need to add smoke fluid.

[@IndianaNorthWestern]

It shouldn't have taken me that long to figure out why they're smoking.

[@AceHardy]

📝

[@boblatzer]

I think the smoke is more realistic on this model.

[@dakotareed3654]

I want one how can I get one ordered

[@jlwii2000]

www.trainworld.com/search/?q=MTH+BIG+BOY

[@choochoo3985]

To be honest; my Broadway Limited 4014 has the right station configuration and I believe better detail and sound, then it also has the Rolling Thunder which has its moments. To be direct; I would not consider buying this MTH model.

[@theplatypus3886]

i just got a mth train it was the nicil plate rode "or whatever" it is so hi qualiti!!!

[@Rafe0921]

Isn’t smoking bad?

[@consolidationproductions]

rafe0921 playz not if it’s intended. It simulates real whistle smoke.

[@wobblinwheel]

They should make this one in a "COMBO PACK" that contains the obligatory DIESEL! I don't believe 4014 goes ANYWHERE without its "pusher"...🤣

[@coloradongguy]

The diesel doesn't push 4014. There is too much evidence to prove that. 4014 has wheel slipped a ton on his excursions and I think it's a bit hard to have wheelslip when your being pushed moron. 4014 does all the work, reason for not much smoke when running fast down a straight is because now it runs on oil.Also if you hear the train going by, you can hear the diesel idling. It's only purpose is to provide dynamic braking and contact to others because 4014 isn't a modern engine which doesn't include such technology.

[@wobblinwheel]

@@coloradongguy, takes a lot of "COURAGE" to call someone a "moron" from a DISTANCE...you had your ass kicked lately, or are you still hiding behind MAMA?

[@coloradongguy]

@@wobblinwheel The point I'm trying to make is that 4014 doesn't get pushed by the diesel. You can even go to an interview with ed dickens about it on youtube. The diesel is only there for dynamic braking and I think activating signals

[@choochoo3985]

I do not like the chuff sound on speed step one. That just isn't right. Anyway, enough. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your move. X Air Force.

[@tommyt329]

MTH Now owned by Scaletrains???? I hope when they put out a restored version of 4014 they get as accurate as possible. Many makers have come out with the restoration version but it's no where near as accurate to the real thing.

[@TrevlynTheTrainiac]

Fourth! Nice engine

[@liljohnreplogle]

🏆😎🚂🥇

[@pestilantsoul]

It's still MTH garbage, no updated tender, no dual dynamo, the only thing MTH has going for em is their smoke units in steam locomotives. They were just in a rush to be the first ones to release the chalk writing. Thanks for the review James, even with all you have going on you still can give a quality review.

[@ColAngus]

I can hear the dynamo

[@pestilantsoul]

@@ColAngus Yeah you can hear it on the sound file but physically they aren't on the locomotive. MTH in HO scale is a joke, they're more toy like than they are a scale model.

[@jessedax7333]

@@pestilantsoul Well.... what an exaggeration. .. 😡

[@pestilantsoul]

@@jessedax7333 That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I'd rather buy a BLI that is closer to the real and swap out the garbage Paragon 3 with another DCC manufacturer than buy MTH.

[@jessedax7333]

@@pestilantsoul swapping paragon3 and losing the steam on a steam engine is kind of absurd! This is my opinion and I'm sticking to it!! 😅😂😤