Can We Make This Rivarossi Big Boy Run Again? Sitting for 20 Years

[@MMRails]

Did you see the initials? ES? That big boy belonged to Ed Sheeran! So cool. Speaking of initials, SMT now stands for So Much Talent. Great job!

[@MMRails]

Soldering Machine Teen

[@MMRails]

Superior Model Technician

[@johndoblinger6805]

i thougt it stood for slow moving train

[@SMTMainline]

Ed Sherran!? Must have been run on a layout with many lego houses

[@Petemonster62]

Sudbury, Montreal, & Toronto Railway.

[@beefs0ck911]

I love that you film repairs on virtually every make and model, especially vintage ones. Watching these videos has been teaching me to repair mine

[@NorthmassRails]

Nice locomotives!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I don’t want to be dedicated to only doing repairs on certain types, this can be a learning curve but makes future projects easier.

[@ShipRail_Studios]

I love seeing your restoration videos; always great to see a Big Boy running again. Keep up the great work!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@LoneLodeStar]

As soon as I see the "Can we make it run" in the title I already felt like yes it will and I hope it runs.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@NorfolkSouthernRailfan754]

Same here!

[@katies6426]

Has SMT ever failed at repairing a model on one of these “episodes”?

[@stephenlongtin6441]

SMT mainline I think u should do a charity for people who are with any food to eat and for the people who are homeless and for people who are trynna get off drugs Those are some charity ideas for you to do that are good ! 3:45am

[@mercuryoak2]

@@stephenlongtin6441 um he had done that before. International food bank. That was a live stream he did before

[@adamhinkle7982]

Excellent job on the repair someone will be a happy camper.

[@stripes497]

Great job on the rebuild. This was a fun video to watch. This reminds of when I was a little boy and my Paternal Grandfather took me to the train yards of The Santa Fe Railroad. Seeing anything train related reminds me of my childhood days. Thanks for showing this particular video

[@cjfauxx6266]

I just got myself a Rivarossi 4005 Big Boy that needed some new oil and grease. I got it from my local railroad club where it was running rough but with the help of your video here, I got her going smoothly! Hope you have a happy new year!

[@derekalexander4030]

I’m blown away that you took that Big Boy apart (which I could do) but then cleaned it, got it running, and most importantly, put it back together with no leftover parts. (Which I could not do, lol.) A+ to you.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, it's taken me a while to learn how to work on this stuff.

[@johnallred716]

man, discovered your channel yesterday. You have got this KZbin thing nailed. Great vid work, great lighting, perfect narrative, fun storylines, for us model train guys and gals to enjoy. Love your "rehab mechanicals" videos the best but the Train Store archeology tours are very cool. Spent many hours in them across the US collecting in my travels. So thank you, and your friends for saving the old stuff we had as a kid and then an adult. Had to part with my collections several times, (space, no basement.) Great to see some Gen Zs enjoying this hobby.

[@LighthouseProductions1]

You probaly are unaware of this youtuber, but your like the Growling Sidewinder of HO scale train repairing, meaning every episode gets more amazing and you learn alot more than you think you knew

[@SMTMainline]

I haven’t watched them to be honest but I appreciate the kind words

[@ShinGojira1]

Good thing you worked on that cabforward before, now you know how to deal with big engines

[@beyondtheouterrim3025]

Love that there was a little 0-4-0 in there I love those little guys

[@philipvandyke5980]

Another great fix and video. I am surprised you haven't run out of space in the basement

[@normanrowe2831]

As a lover of old Rivarossi locos, thanks for the tender loving care. Lol. Always enjoyable watching you work your magic. See ya. Happy New Year.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks 👍

[@tommyt329]

You do a great job on repairs. You leave no stone unturned. I'm watching your channel from New Zealand.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks 👍

[@joallawestervelt6918]

Toys for tots is a great charity. An incredible idea. This is a beautiful locomotive. It was great watching you fix and service this locomotive. The Harrison Touch again prevails. I know it has been some Time since this aired but I explained in your latest video as to why. Thank you so much for sharing this video. 💕❤💕 I hope you raise a lot of money for what you choose for the charity.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, hopefully it will.

[@tyw123]

With that closeup cam of you cleaning the wheels, it really is so cool to see exactly how dirty the wheels get, and it is super satisfying to see them cleaned as they become shiny again!

[@SMTMainline]

More to come!

[@khtrains]

I've had a few of Rivarossi's articulated locomotives. I've never been game to disassemble the drivetrain quite as far as you did. But I think I'll be able to give it a go on the next one I get thanks to seeing this!

[@realcanadian67]

I remember when you were at 5k subscribers... Man have you grown. The quality of the videos you produce always increases. I can really see your channel being a well known name in model railroading, but that's in the future. It's a long way to get there, but you will.

[@SMTMainline]

I really appreciate that, I’ve been trying to improve the quality over the last few months so hearing that means a lot.

[@alanwbelcher]

Great work bringing it back from the scrap yard. Never doubted you could.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@willamcombs1106]

I've been watching your video's for well over a year now and I've noticed that you have become very good at Model Locomotive diagnosis and repair. Keep up the good work. I look forward to all of your video's.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks I’ve been trying to learn more, the community is constantly giving me good suggestions which helps.

[@ehcatsfaneric2211]

You are a very talented young man..great work and care

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@waynemcdonough5174]

First post: I thought I should let you know how much I enjoy your videos. Not only are the successes great, but your presentation is also very engaging. It just shows that old does not mean trash worthy. Much can be restored with patience and attention to detail.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. Some people don’t get why I bother working on these types of locomotives but I find it satisfying when you get something written off as junk running again.

[@cheesyman321]

Its always so interesting to watch the intricate breakdown of these bigger engines. I personally like my N scales as it feels a bit easier for me with less parts!

[@SMTMainline]

I haven’t worked too many n scale locomotives but I actually find them trickier haha

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Nice job getting this one going.

[@bc5441]

I had a Riv Big Boy oh, so long ago. I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together. Fortunately I was intimidated by my steam locomotives and never attempted to disassemble any of them, because if I had, they never would have gone back together!

[@SMTMainline]

They can be tricky, especially when you don’t have a parts diagram.

[@rayhuntermusic]

So cool!!! I love that layout.

[@MozanaRN]

Thank you Harrison for the excellent restoration of the Rivarossi Big Boy (aka..beast). And thank you especially for the track side running shots of this monster in real time and slow motion. Happy New Year to you and yours!! :-)

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you too!

[@gpalmt]

another great video. You inspire me to try and repair my locomotives and to be sure , all of us are in awe of your ability. Keep up the good work, we all look forward to your videos

[@TonyLasagna]

These videos are always so satisfying. Glad this ran!

[@D1rtyDon]

Don’t know why the hell this was in my recommended but it was fun to watch

[@SMTMainline]

Glad to hear it lol

[@gorgewashington1216]

nice job and nice piece in youre collection !

[@SantaFeBob]

Great demonstration. I will use these techniques on my own Big Boy that needs repair. Thank you for posting another valuable video.

[@pd1jdw630]

Sadly I don’t have the space anymore for this hobby. I have other expensive hobbies anyways. Love the repair. Loved the video though. 👌🏻

[@RobertEHunt-dv9sq]

excellent video. I have one of these engines, in fact 4005 like yours. Once clean and lubricated can pull 40 cars on level track. Love these large articulateds

[@davidokelly1140]

Looks like you took a tip from Ron form classic model trains on that wheel cleaning technique. Those wheels look SO clean... Thanks, enjoyed the video...

[@carterputnam4229]

What a nice rig. Always have been a fan of the big boys, even as a child! Let alone model trains in general!

[@az80311]

Good job with the Big Boy Harrison . I enjoyed every second of the video.

[@petershepherd53]

I feel a lot more confident servicing a big boy after your video, well done from across the pond, regards pete

[@massari4u]

What a great locomotive, came across your channel randomly, glad I did. Great content. subbed

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@dupity1]

Excellent as always, thanks for the video Harrison😀👍 I'm resurrecting a RivaRossi Cab Forward. She has significant Zinc Pest, I'm going to slather a layer of JB weld all over that😁 Motors good, drive train too. Got lucky and found her at an estate sale for $60 USD I've got screenshots of your Cab Forward Video for reference. Thanks alot, take care.

[@Agamemnon2]

A locomotive so big it comes with another locomotive so the crew doesn't have to walk from one end to the other.

[@matthewhazelip843]

This would make a cool addition to my starter set up nice loco for sure

[@Fxe4014]

It is incredible to see the process of how to repair a Rivarossi Big Boy, plus it reminded me that if one day I have one of those locomotives, I would like to customize it so that it looks like the BIG ONE, is from the anime "The Galaxy Railways", greetings and good video!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@montetude_tripple2706]

These things are so damn expensive, I wish I could get my hands on even a used one, or 3d print my own. Good find man.

[@tracynation2820]

Super. The drive is a lot better than I imagined, and oiling the siderods, bearings, and valve gear is very important on a locomotive like this. I like the Big Boy, but will probably not buy one for my railroad, but if one just happens to come my way, I'd find an excuse to operate it on my railroads fantrips. 💙 T.E.N.

[@thatsimulatorguy]

Oh jeez, I need this. My Rivarossi mallet blew itself up and I would love to have another beast on the rails once again until I fix mine… I will get this loco until I can’t… then I’ll be sad. Also that speed up edit at the end was hilarious and it jump scared me 😂

[@jonas2431]

This is amazing. Im currently looking for a big boy for my layout. I love big steam locos. Ive seen the big boy in person and it was amazing. Really a beautiful sight to behold

[@SMTMainline]

I saw one too at steamtown. Super impressive!

[@An_Official_Scratcher]

Did you mean sight instead of site?

[@NotGavin]

Great job on the repair, runs beautifully Harrison!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@jasonanderson6583]

This man can make anything run

[@UnionCentralSystem]

Another great job Harrison!!!

[@randybrening9528]

Love watching your can we make it run videos. They're really enjoyable and relaxing to watch.

[@SMTMainline]

Glad you like them!

[@tannerdoty7429]

This was such an impressive fix.

[@F40M07]

I want a Rivarossi Big Boy!

[@GaryDavis-ir6fh]

yaaaay! another piece of model train history saved, i love it!

[@dfwrailvideos]

Bit of history on 4005, it was the only Big Boy to wreck. It was later repaired, then retired and placed on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I've actually visited it before, and it's in pretty rough shape. Great video like always Harrison! Keep it up.

[@Wemfsh]

Your wrong it’s displayed at Forney museum in Denver Colorado and I now for a fact it is there because I have seen it a million times your thinking of 4004 when you say it’s in Cheyenne

[@RayBoebel]

Nicely done Harrison!

[@josephschuster1494]

I just bought my first-ever Rivarossi Loco, a 2-8-8-2 N&W mallet, and will use this video for maintenance/repair guidance, as it’s the most complicated engine in my Roundhouse. Thanks, SMT, and keep repairing! 🚃

[@mercuryoak2]

That's really cool that you got this locomotive running. The tender looks like it goes to a Riverrossi mallet locomotive my uncle used to have one. My current uncle has it and you won't let it go for anything maybe I'll buy it off of him who knows but they claim that there's no parts available which I heard the same thing from a hobby store. I'm glad that you are careful taking apart this locomotive because the availability of parts I bet is slim. Everything you do in these videos I do to my locomotives that's why they run so good. I loved the run bys that you did.

[@bassmanzh]

I want to get a big boy for my layout ! I love these gorgeous machines ..me and my pop pop chased one from saint peters mo to pacific missouri ... amazing beast ... every time I see one it reminds me of him!

[@RonnyTheEngineer]

I love the big boy! It's really cool looking.

[@stevencaskey8502]

Got to see the real thing. It stopped at a crossing in front of the old Standard oil refinery where my dad worked. Not only that it stopped right in front of his office.

[@paulbervid1610]

Look at you Harrison. Big Boy engine detective. Great video as always.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@TheOtherBud]

Loving the camera work on this video keep up the good work

[@bartholomewsorrentino9013]

Great video! Loved seeing and hearing the engine run and pull a train!

[@SMTMainline]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nimbly1693]

My 6 year old loves trains. We got to see the big boy when it came through eastern Oklahoma.

[@curtisbezanson8156]

That big boy looks amazing goin around ur track

[@MattKonsol]

Wow man! I bet you got another big boy for fun but I’m glad you got this thing running here and pretty cool that your giving it away as a raffle.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks 👍

[@bulwinkle]

I used to use a small brass wire brush to clean wheels. I attached a wire between it and a 9v battery and had a return wire to complete the circuit so the brush itself powered the loco whilst cleaning the wheels.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

You did a great job! 👍😎

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

good job to make it run that way. Happy New Year Harisson

[@AdamChancellor4449]

Good job on fixing the Bigboy Man 🎉

[@umbertospilotros3986]

Nice video. Greatings from Brazil.

[@gerardburton3741]

I have one of these made in mid 1970s. Mine has the dreaded mazak rot, and the chassis expanded and stretched the drivetrain so far apart it no longer connected together. Think it must be easier for you to get these engines second hand in the USA. As I have never found one in the UK for spares and repairs. So sadly it remains in its broken state.

[@antonbruce1241]

Darned fine runner there! I was rather surprised the motor was in as good of a condition as it is! Another fantastic Dr. SMT surgery - ya brought her back to perfect health!!! Now..if you could only convert her to DCC and a sound decoder....

[@dbtech7914]

Good job. Really nice engine. Just needed a little cleaning and maintenance.

[@JackDangerous]

I love your videos, and i'm incredibly jealous of how much room and how many trains you have since i live in a small apartment and i've never had a model train. I love your repair videos but your choice of screwdrivers always triggers me a bit 😅 Keep up the good work, buddy, best wishes of a happy new year from Portugal!

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah, some of the screwdrivers kinda suck but I’m looking to upgrade them soon

[@Papa_Shurika]

Hello! You are the best locomotive doctor!👍

[@kuzzyjo]

A one of a kind toy you really out done yourself here great job

[@bobkohl6779]

Well done and nice to see someone open them up. We used to look at 4014 and wonder if it was just going to rot

[@ferrovocho28]

So great! It's very interesting seeing the guts on that kind of locomotives. The engineering work done to do them run is amazing. And Rivarossi always surprise with such small motors. Great video!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@si12volt1]

nice job on that one iv got a couple older Rivarossi big boy locos in N they run well if you keep up the maintenance on them

[@jerrycokeane6123]

Sure would like to add that to my collect of my one Mikado Light. Just getting started with my train layout. 🙏

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

I had one kinda like that one, but now a member of my family has the train set, the more I watch your videos I am getting the bug again hoping to maybe find a small train set for the Christmas tree this year.

[@brianbaird3]

My mom found me a limited edition HO scale Publix Express train set by International Hobby Corporation for Christmas. I work for Publix in the state of florida and it’s a grocery store chain. For 25 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work

[@oceanmm]

Ive been thinking about a video like this! This is so cool to see its like youtube read my mind lol.. how much would a running big boy model train cost? or a display one? I cant find any.. I have a lionel set from the 1950's with two steamies tho

[@whip-its_dad4239]

I was hoping you would show what was making the tender roll over ? Great videos , thank you .

[@kuhndj67]

Nice old Rivarossi - that's a model I always wanted as a kid. I'd have cleaned the wheels and checked the wheel pickup brushes before I did anything else with an old engine like that - most of the time that's the only problem.

[@beast1624]

Awesome! Got three Rivarossi Big Boy's new in the box, never run. Bought in the mid '90's. They probably need the same treatment.

[@SMTMainline]

The grease inside might have hardened but otherwise they should be good to go.

[@michaelhardeman6004]

Hi Harrison. Decided to dig out the HO scale train set. Found out most of my track and track jointers are bad. Both of my Norfolk southern and Santa fe run pretty good without being lubed over the years.

[@SMTMainline]

I’m guessing they are both by athearn?

[@michaelhardeman6004]

@@SMTMainline I wish. They're both Bachmann locomotives. Definitely tough as nails. Fired to life when I placed them on the track. I hate bachmann eztrack. You know a great place to buy new track. I'm thinking about building a layout.

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Was just testing my rivarossi big boy after upgrading it pulls 35 freight cars now and bam you posted this so I stopped what I was doing to watch great works as always sometimes the magnet on those the glue let's go and magnet touches the motor it's self and makes noise I sent you one of those motors in the package I sent you .Hope you christmas was great.

[@swdw973]

Three possible suggestions. If it's brass, polish that strip between the 2 driver sets. Check the gauge on the wheels. That front end pops up a lot when going through the street crossing. See if you can remove the brushes and check to make sure the contact surface with the commutator is flat. Sand if it won't make them too short.

[@nitrorrat8190]

One of my favorite locomotive

[@wowdad3055]

Have a happy New Year . Great job again.

[@KosibaMotors]

Love your content, keep making more vids please

[@PirateChiefPC1]

You are really a good repairman! Hats off to you Sir.

[@ChristopherBrown-mq1lg]

Nice job 👍 ! What a cool engine.

[@SMTMainline]

It sure is!

[@irenecraggs6123]

that looks great nice job

[@scotteggleston7693]

Nice job. It's a beautiful engine. I'm surprised it wasn't dirtier.

[@SMTMainline]

You and me both

[@benjaminmcclatchey9814]

I’m happy about the trains he repairs too! I think it’s great!