The BIG 3!! My Largest O-Gauge Steam Engines

Here are the three biggest steam locomotives in my collection. As a kid, these were the BIG 3. The one's I never thought I'd get. My 10 year old self would be proud.
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[@JDStucks]

Made An Editing Error: Promo Code for Trainz.com is "jdstucks" For some reason, my editing software changed it to a MTH item number. DOH!

[@alanolson546]

It’s in iikjjjjjjhhhh high the r high jergeheeegeeegeeeggeeegeegegejegrgrrr high the high je the tree try tree

[@tonysavarino6987]

Hi. Jason my name. Is Tony Savarino. My father was an engines on the Erie Lackawanna rail road.ibusedbto go to work with him every week for years. At 12 years old I ran the hole job from Cleveland to Melville pensalvania.while my father sat at the other side of the cab. And in would tell him whats going on and what I was gona do about it. I did well and had a great at doing it. Lol you'd be surprised at the looks of get going threw the crossings. Befor that my brother andbi would just fuel and sand the engines. They called that hopping the engines. We'd get the number of the engines that needed duel and sanded pull them out of the round house on to the turn table move it to the fueling station. Fuel them and fill them with sand out them back in there HOUSE and move on to the next one. We'd take turn on the table and on the engines. Things were much differant back then.we were able to do this without any trouble from the railroad or the workers. Now like most things they changed. There isent anyway in HELL this would be over look. Anyways. My father has passed away and I am trying to build a lay out for my Erie rail road. I've bin collecting o gauge since I was 9. I'm 60 now. I can't seem to come up with a good enof layout to satisfy. Then I started watching you make yours. That's what I want. What you have made. Close anyways. Want to be able to go up a level and go down a level without touching anything. And I want a yard so I can switch out cars and engines with out being touched by my hands. I was wondering if you would assist me with this layout by showing me or telling me how yours was built. Maybe your videos would explain that But i can't seem to find the ones of the begining build. Will you help me to find them. I could really use your help on tgis Jason. Oh ya I go to stock yard express as well clyde has bin a nice guy and works with me when I go there. I have the Erie triplex as well. And I've got a duplicate copy of the Cleveland union terminal engine that was. In the yard back in the 70s. Thanks for reading this Jason I hope I get a response from you.

[@richardpomeroy2146]

What a touch with WTAM 1100. Truly Cleveland. Listened when it was KYW Radio11!

[@JDStucks]

I'm glad you caught that!

[@markarrivi5754]

I have been a model rail guy for 60 years but your 3 engines impressed me very much. Nice layout and great presentation THANKS

[@davidmerkle5971]

you live. in Cleveland

[@hush6149]

@@davidmerkle5971 dang don’t go around ddos-ing people bro

[@davidkoehler136]

I remember seeing a Yellowstone In the 60's MN. , my first Big Boy in the Late 70's Green Bay. and the third is a simple 2-6-6-2 Mallet of which i have never seen

[@Chessie1985]

Very impressive steam engines and which of course i love the C&O engine and everything involved about C&O and B&O and Chessie Jason!!!

[@CountryBunkersTrains]

That Triplex!! 😍

[@joeystrains.9316]

Very impressive locomotives! Imagine seeing these in their heydays!

[@williammacdonald3173]

We can see big boy out and about these days

[@JDStucks]

I'm glad we can still see two of them!

[@robertrussell6774]

I CAN FEEL THE RUBBLINGS OF THE GROUND IN FLORIDA NICELY DONE WHAT CURVES IS OK FOR THE TRYPLEX I LOVE THE GEARS AWESOME POWERPOINT OF STEAM

[@JDStucks]

It says O-72 MIN but I've heard people running it on O-63

[@henryszubielski8601]

Jason, You own three of MTH's finest, IMHO. Congratulations and thanks for sharing them with us.

[@leterguyschroeder4919]

Wow, love the tri-plex, great steamer's

[@fredogden936]

I have just seen O-scale Nirvana. Nay! I have just witnessed the height of model railroading! Thanks for sharing.

[@JDStucks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Calebro4]

Rio grande, and UP greyhound challenger. Plus a UP 844 northern.

[@Barb5001]

I grew up in a three RR town and one of the RRs was the "ERIE", The iconic vintage ERIE station was converted into the town's library and, the freight building is now the library's used book store.

[@richardjayroe8922]

Man, I still wish I had the ho model of the Triplex. Also Belgium had a quodroplex

[@billysdepot1090]

Thanks for sharing those great steam locomotives. My three are Lionel the Big boy, Gray Challenger and the Santa Fe 2-10-10-2 yellow Valley Flyer

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks for the video. I have the railking Russian Triplex and I just love it. Thanks again

[@Porschedude8]

Beautiful! All of them.. 👏😏

[@shawngallagher7578]

Great Engines! Let them roll.

[@genethesurveyor]

Hay Jason, I just recently came back to my love of 3 rail 'O' gage model train hobby. I have been pleased to converse with you before but recently I have kind of lost track of your feed. Anyway, I found this video and enjoyed it thoroughly. You asked us to share our favorite large steam power. Well mine is the 4-8-8-2 cab forward used in California by S.P. As a child growing up in Bakersfield, CA. we had them being used on the Tehachapi climb out of Baktown and I was star struck at the massive engines. I also traveled to Northern Cal every summer to visit my Grandma and Grandpa in Etna, a little town near Yreka. We had to drive through Dunsmuir, traveling there and S.P. had a large number of the Cab Forwards to help push the heavy freights from Redding north to Oregon. Dunsmuir was originally called "Pushier" by the R.R. Anyway, my most expensive engine is an MTH Cab Forward painted in a phantasy finish to look like the S.P. Daylight passenger train which operated in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. I don't know if it traveled east or not. Keep up the great videos, I have enjoyed your content.

[@JDStucks]

Glad you made it back to the channel Eugene and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@garyruark9506]

All these engines are MTH Premier proto 2 or 3. 2 UP Challengers, one black one gray. UP 9000. Great Northern R2. I have UP and NYC Northern types. I found I don't really like the articulated engines because they don't look realistic on even O82 curves but I run them. I like the Northerns best of all and the Hudsons and Pacifics. I like ABBA diesel passenger trains. I have Santa Fe E8's with passenger cars that is 11 feet long. I like my PRR GG1 with 9 passenger cars too. My problem is keeping them all operating. My gray UP Challenger just bit the dust. MTH is forcing me to switch to Lionel.

[@RBPTrains]

So much power! The big steam is right at home. Nice use of the turntable for the glamour shots!

[@JDStucks]

Hey, gotta use the expensive item that shows off the trains the best! MOW POWA BABY!!!

[@kleetus92]

I actually saw a 1/8 scale Triplex in Oregon once... it was made from 3 mikados.

[@OGRDETROIT]

My big three that I had the amazing good fortune to see in operation would be the Alco C636, C630/628 and GE U33C. As always great video, Thank You!

[@christopherholliday1567]

I am looking into this as a new hobby. However we will be moving to Florida after my right hip gets a new replacement.

[@carlmiles8655]

Hello Jason great video like the layout progress and that ERIE TRIPLEX LOOKS AWESOME enjoy it and thanks for sharing hugs for Shelby ;-)

[@JDStucks]

Thanks Carl!

[@tonyordaziii7250]

My favorite locomotives are Union Pacific 4014, 844, 3985, 9000 and 5511.

[@keithneal3253]

Superb video. Thanks Jason.

[@eagle6833]

This is what I have in my collection. I have the MTH Premier Southern Pacific cab forward. The MTH Premier Northern Pacific Z6 Challenger. Lionel Santa Fe Y3 2-8-8-2 and Lionel Northern Pacific EM1. My Big Boy is almost paid off from Eastside Trains in Seattle. But I love articulated. Looking forward to seeing you and others at York. My train club the National Capitol Trackers is doing the layout with the Richmond Hi-Railers. Got to break out my Northern Pacific steam for the event.

[@danielboone3770]

I love the 3 large steamers! They’re all inspirational to me ❤❤❤

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

I have enjoyed watching you and your collection grow since 2010! I’m happy you have your “unattainable “ engines now in your collection! Fun and relaxing video Jason! 😃🚂

[@JDStucks]

Thanks for sticking with me for so long!

[@Trainguy05]

Really enjoying everything you bring to the hobby. You need a Pennsylvania S-1 6-4-4-6 to add to your giant collection.

[@danielboone3770]

I love these 3 giants and the trains they got behind them.

[@randyjacobs9489]

Though I do have other Streamers I only have 2 large ones. The Lionel Visionline CC-2 and the MTH Triplex. Thanks Jason you have an awesome fleet for your amazing new layout.

[@alleghenyshenangorr2017]

Great video, nice to see your awesome steam power, also glad to see you picked up the "Holy Grail" Locomotive!!!

[@FallFoliageRailroad]

They all awesome! Can’t wait to see more! I love steam trains.

[@jbatman5092]

Terrific, Jason! I love steam locomotives. Three of my favorites are my N&W Class A, J, and NY Central Hudson. Thank you for another great episode!

[@burlingtonbill1]

You do a really nice job doing videos! Enjoyed this immensely. Thanks!

[@aaronbrinkerhoff3787]

Your film quality gets better and better every time. Excellent video man!

[@JDStucks]

Thanks Aaron!

[@cbgadget4740]

Absolutely incredible locomotives, seeing all three running at the end of video Was Epic, thanks for sharing Cary 👍😊😎

[@williamschlenger1518]

Great looking layout.I love the background scenery.The engines are amazing.

[@user-ob2hl7ec2b]

Breathtaking! Both the locos and the layout! I had a Big Boy and a Challenger in HO some years ago and a club made a layout that we sometimes put up at the mall. My contribution was two sections. To see these in 'O' gauge would be awesome! Thank you!

[@5007erwin]

Good looking video! 👌 I enjoyed watching the engines run. They are beautiful.

[@ralphmiller2265]

Great video!! Thank you JD! I once had a conversation with a scale brass two-rail modeler and he related to me how impressed he was with these new generation die-cast models from both Lionel and MTH. He pointed out two things concerning both the Allegheny and the Big Boy that I've never forgotten. First, while both Lionel and MTH nailed their scale dimensions on their Challengers, MTH's Big Boy was a "pencil on wheels" as it was too long by nearly an inch. The Lionel Big Boy was actually the correct length (barring the oversized couplers and spacing for sharper curves between the engine and tender.) As for the Allegheny, both MTH and Lionel models are absolutely correct in length dimensions but his problem with them were the over-fire jets on the sides of the fire box. These jets were present only on C&O Alleghenies nos. 1645 and up. Earlier Alleghenies did not have these over fire jets. In 2006, when Lionel came out with their JLC Allegheny, they boasted of their model being an accurate model of a 'late' Allegheny and they were correct due to these jets. However, when they later released their Legacy model, they gave every one of them early numbers (1601, 1604, 1608) but retained the jets which is prototypically totally incorrect. The Virginian Blue Ridge never had over fire jets. I found all of this to be so interesting. 3rd Rail built both an 'early' and 'late' Allegheny and when comparing them, they reflect these differences. I do have a Virginian triplex which looks great but it is only a copy of the Erie of which MTH's model is awesome. Again, loved your video. I wish I had the space you have.

[@JDStucks]

Its a good point you bring up. I know that you can swap draw bars on the engine and tender and shorten it up by nearly an inch. Not sure if that makes it closer to scale though. I just thought it it was interesting to point out.

[@stephenpalmer8286]

Hmm, I can't help but notice the length of the video is 16 minutes and 01 seconds... I think the Allegheny is your favorite. Anyways, great video as always, Jason!

[@JDStucks]

I wish I could say that was planned lol

[@petersneesby6396]

Magnificent to watch I must say as I used to be into model railways so much as a teenager in the 70's The Big Boy Trains are a joy to watch 😮 thanks for posting .. ❤️ 🚂 😉👍

[@longislandfanvictor3812]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful and educational private rail road.

[@joegennari395]

Thanks for sharing!! So impressive!!!

[@rogerstrate5727]

Great video Jason, I really love all these locomotives and what you are doing with your layout. Your videos featuring all your trains are always on the top of my list for quality and professionalism.

[@JDStucks]

Thanks Roger!

[@Bigboy4018]

My big 3 are the MTH Premier Big Boy 4018 from the late 90's converted to TMCC, my Williams E9 A-B-A in Illinois Central colors, also TMCC and a Lionel conventional F3 A-B-A set in NYC colors. All three units are monsters!

[@RutlandMilk]

Great video, Jason......my "big three" show my attachmancent to the New York Central.......A Niagara, A Mohawk and a Hudson. See you at York. Come check out the Trackers layout in the Purple Hall......I'll be there

[@JDStucks]

I'll swing by!

[@codystrainsnjazz]

My dad and I are semi-scale guys so all of our engines are either Railking or Lionmaster. We both love big articulated steam engines. We have a Lionmaster T1 and big boy from 2003 and 2004. Two Railking alleghenies, one from 1996 and one from 2015(?). My dad has two Railking cab forwards, one from 1997 and one from 2016(?). And then I have a Railking 3985 challenger and a Virginian Railking triplex. Love the big steam. Thanks for sharing.

[@andycruz7039]

An E9 set with those UP excursion cars would make a beautiful train 😍😊🤩

[@charlesmcclure5994]

Those are some great looking engines you have there Jason must feel great that you have the space to have those curves to run those locomotives thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@eal8645]

This is by far one of the best train videos that I have seen in a long while. Great Job, Jason. Thank you for sharing.

[@JDStucks]

Thank you very much!

[@TomzTrainzandAccessories]

Very cool video Jason! My 3 favorite large steam engines are the Union Pacific Big Boy, the Union Pacific DD40X “Centennial”, and the Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Duplex. Those 3 locomotives amaze me.

[@mamanbear1]

Great locomotives - I love the Big Boy passenger consist and the Triplex.

[@louislankford8614]

Awesome video! Keep up the good work, love watching as always. My big 3 steam engines are. 1601 C&O Allegheny, 4014 Big Boy, and 3985 UP Challenger. All lionel legacy.

[@Cfox2000]

Trainz is great I have been purchasing there for over 10 years! They used to have amazing auctions as well. Can’t wait to see you do more on your layout

[@itsthatcrx]

You have the best content around! I don’t even care to watch anything else besides your videos, I LOVE YOU

[@JDStucks]

You're too kind. I'm sure you'd be a lot of fun to play video games with.

[@ClintHackney]

Very enjoyable content! Keep up the great work!

[@fokusnikfim]

Hello. Klasse video.. Klasse projekt 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍. Thanks..... Fim 🚂👮‍♀️✋

[@SASEntertainment]

Jason, I really enjoy hearing the stories behind these beautiful locomotives and what they mean to you. The layout is looking good with the downtown strip from the old layout bringing back so many great memories of the story it told. I am still as excited to see you finish this amazing layout. I also want to add that I love the Cleveland gear and they have been such an inspiring story of young players getting it done on the diamond, Baltimore as well, which RBP Trains and Sid’s Trains are from that area. Can’t wait to see you again, running trains ❤

[@JDStucks]

I really can't believe they're in the playoffs. All I've ever wanted was to see them win the world series

[@JohnHuntt]

Thanks for showing your big three. To see them go through the switches is pleasant for me to see. I have the C& O Allegany and the Tri-plex. I enjoy MTH engines. They give plenty of smoke which seems more realism. Phil Huntt

[@tomrogers5516]

Thanks for this great update, Jason. Quite an impressive collection of steam giants! They are all favourites of mine. Steam is the epitome of what makes for real railroading.The only one I actually own is the semi-scale C&O Allegheny from K-Line. Still in the box as I have no layout to run it on. Though smaller than O scale, the detail is exquisite. I bought it when I had a larger space and bigger plans and the strength to build a table. Then I moved to a house that has smaller spaces, including the basement. So I'm glad you share your great collection and layout progress with your fans regularly. It gives me a taste of what achieving the dream looks and feels like.

[@JDStucks]

Thank you Tom! Glad to hear they're all favorites of yours.

[@johnstup4479]

Great seeing these big engines run Jason. The largest steam I have on my layout is the Western Maryland 4-6-6-2 Challenger and the Pennsylvania 4-4-6-4 Q2. I had the MTH Imperial version of the Erie Triplex long ago. It could handle the 0-42 curves on my previous layout. Will be at York on Thursday and Friday. Hope to see you there.

[@JDStucks]

I'll be there!

[@EFCLARK]

Excellent collection...never heard of the Triplex until this. Enjoy!

[@1.6JuJu]

Hopefully one day I’ll transition from “broke JD” to the current “big 3 JD” lol.

[@JDStucks]

Hahaha! Takes some patience

[@ChrissTrainsandMore]

Great video Jason, I can’t see enough of these large locomotives running instead of sitting in boxes. I hope my bench work and track comes out as nice as yours

[@JDStucks]

I'm sure it will be great Chris! Excited to see.

[@charliestraindepot3117]

Nice! Amazing layout 🚂

[@byronpeterson795]

Love big steam. Great video and amazing locomotives.

[@JDStucks]

Thank you!

[@snydedon9636]

@@JDStucks have you ever weighed those three locomotives? I’m curious what they weigh. Thanks for the video, really nice stuff.

[@christopherwagner2395]

Superb model railroading. Congratulations!

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

They were ahead of their time when they built the Triplex. Freight wasn’t even that long and heavy back in the 1910’s.

[@charlesferebee263]

OUTSTANDING. ! WELL DONE. 🇺🇸 My Big 3 are EMD SD40-2s. ALCO PAs. And EMD E8s. Great Video. Stay Safe. ! 👍👍🇺🇸

[@JohnJohnson-wt8zc]

Awesome steam engines!

[@mckinleyminer]

Man, was that a 'Gomez Addams' moment seeing that Triplex cross the bridge at the same time the Big Boy and Allegany went under it! For sure a bit more expensive than the Postwar units Gomez repeatedly blew up on screen! 👍

[@thecomanchekid]

All three pulling in the same shot was cool

[@lifewithroscoe6513]

Love the backdrop!!!

[@GoldStandardTrains]

Very cool, the layout progress is looking great. My Big 3 are my Lionel VL Big Boy, Lionel Legacy AC-12 Cab forward, and my Lionel Legacy Allegheny. I have other large Engines, but these ones are my most unique large scale engines that are what I consider "cant miss" engines when among others.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Wow! Superb

[@djsden6124]

The triplex was never a design I cared for, but I have to admit - it is very sharp looking. Looks great going over the trustle bridges. My son and I have an MTH big boy ps conventional.

[@railroadguy100]

I enjoy your videos of your train collection for years. Great layout so far. Kinda wonder if you were going to work on scenery soon. My big 3 engines from a small fleet of O Scale are K-Line SP 4449, Lionel Polar Express 1225 and Jersey Central 4-6-4 Blue Comet.

[@JDStucks]

I'd like to start soon. But still need to make some more progress.

[@Bruno.Trains]

What it beautiful layout! I love the way you do your videos because it’s hard to believe that these are not real full size trains - you are an amazing videographer, salutations de France

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi Jason, great video! That triplex really is something. I'm glad you have been able to obtain your "Big Three." I believe my "Big Three" would be the C&O Allegany, the B&O EM1, and of course the B&O S1a. Your videos are always so much fun to watch! Bill B.

[@JDStucks]

Thanks Bill! I know you love you B&O!

[@kramr7012]

Exception! Great stories and presentation. Regards-

[@jonathanzobel1662]

What about the 2-10-10-2? I remember seeing that in the Lionel Vison line series and thought it would be simply huge! Sure the Allegheny and Big Boy would be larger but the Santa Fe 2-10-10-2 would be fairly close.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

You need a Y6B and you are set! Beautiful engines and GREAT video.

[@mattburke1869]

Amazing! Nice to see the Triplex get some love. Also, You can’t hide that T1 Duplex forever, Stucks!

[@JDStucks]

Hah! Unfortunately, Its not mine

[@davidmaust1415]

The Allegheny is one of my bucket list locomotive to get sometime. I was fortunate to get a premier proto3 challenger for $450 last year, and was also able to get the UP DDA40X for 300, there was a Virginian triplex that sold for less than 800 at same auction. I do have a K line big boy which is not scale, but still looks cool

[@nscalefun]

AWESOME!!!

[@elijahglasser1421]

Very excellent trains

[@ross4143]

Wow!!!! Cheers from SpoCanada.

[@Senate51]

Love all the big steam that you've got running on your layout Jason! Although one has to wonder, are you going to get a Small steam engine?? 🤔 Maybe a the Lionel Strasburg #89 would do the trick!! But you never know!

[@JDStucks]

Maybe some day! I might pick up a mikado one of these days

[@jtbassgambler2594]

Beautiful

[@JDStucks]

Thanks!

[@randyrobey5643]

This is a very nice video of some fine scale model engines. I have a soft spot for plain plywood layout too. Plain plywood allows the equipment to be the stars of the show without distractions.

[@JDStucks]

There will be scenery eventually!

[@randyrobey5643]

@@JDStucks First things first!

[@DesiTrain91]

Fantastic video my good and dearest friend Take love From Bangladesh ❤️

[@stuartuhlhorn5324]

Except for the Triplex, I have MTH’s HO versions of these. I must say the whistle on my Allegheny would blow yours off the track! It rivals your Big Boy for bass and volume. I’m sure I scare the neighbors sometimes. 😉 Good to see a stack of coal cars out too.

[@petemarchi5112]

❤beautiful. Thank You

[@TheElectrahog6]

Good job

[@dff19707]

I once sat in the engineer’s seat of C&O No. 1604 at the B&O RR Museum. Not only is that locomotive a behemoth, but I don’t know how the engineer could see anything over that mile-long boiler.

[@boblandess9349]

MY FAVORITE LOCOMOTIVES WILL BE THE LIONEL SCOUT AND THE #736 FROM THE 1950'S ... they both still run great on my dog bone layout ...