Train Layout #2, Video #10, Unboxing the new Broadway Limited Imports UP Big Boy 4014

[@JPOGers]

The smoke feature is revolutionary. Things like this will contribute to N scales usurpation of Ho scale as the most popular scale I think

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I agree that it is revolutionary. It will definitely help make N more popular.

[@MegaChallanger]

I bet in the Coming years the smoke feature will improve

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I agree. Now that it has been done, it will get better.

[@JamieMakin]

Nice unboxing and comparison. I just got the BLI 4012 and am hoping to have time to run it tomorrow for the first time. I'm partial to Kato too, but had the BLI pre-ordered before Kato announced theirs. I could have changed my order, but I wanted 4012 since it's the local one I know and love at Steamtown. It'll be cool to see how the Kato compares to your other two. Have fun!

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks. I could have changed my order also, but decided to get all three to be safe on which I like. Besides matching the Kato excursion car set, I got to see 4014 in Houston in 2021, so since I don't have one of the others near me, I am sticking with it.

[@NotGavin]

Love to see smoke back in N scale, would be nice to see it on their other steam locomotives eventually, though they may be too small at the moment. Excellent video!

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks for the compliment. I agree that I would love to see smoke in more locomotives. They have announced some other new N scale steam for 2023 but none I see with smoke yet.

[@joepinto509]

Don't run it past medium ..the cross member the hood the siders is made out of rubbery plastic that flexes to much. .my friends pop out and bent everything on the fireman side rear drivers and had a defective smoke unit. Said BLI will have serious problem with that rod pop out do to the slider brace flexes to much .. I'm waiting for mine and I have the promotory gloss coming and my athearn is the same but I'd did allot of extra details that athearn didn't do and bet BLI did do. Cut the ash box out add the tube under it chrome the side rods and piston covers .put engineer and fireman in the cab. Put a decal on the cab floor 4014. Add radio box on tender side and box in the front of the tender where can of the engine at ...

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks. You are not the only one to say the locomotive is fragile at high speeds (etjulian said it above also). I will have to examine it more closely.

[@etjulian]

Hey Joe, I got a nice email from Kevin at Factory Direct Hobbies telling me hes sending me out a new smoke unit since mine never worked, also sent me the the replacement tracking number. I do all my pre-ordering from them as their one of the best. Also these problems I figure everybody will eventually face is not the problems or faults with any of the distributers, its on BLI only.

[@edeinhorn6016]

Hi Steve. This is my second attempt at a comment. I think KZbin deleted my first comment because I included a link related to what I am about to say. My wife and I were in Cheyenne, WY in 2019 and there is a park there with a BigBoy #4004 on display. I got to walk around the engine and video it. That locomotive is a monster! It's fun to see the n-gauge version of it. In May, my wife and I will be on Amtrak from Los Angeles to San Antonio on the Sunset Limited and then it joins the Texas Eagle to take us to Chicago. It would have been fun to hook up after all these years, but we will be in San Antonio only from about 5 AM to 7 AM. Maybe when you have your layout completed, I wouldn't mind getting off in San Antonio and seeing your setup in person. I don't often see people I went to school with, so it would be an interesting reunion. I'm sure San Antonio has some nice sights to see, too. Take care! Ed

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Always good to hear from you Ed. A little disappointed that you will be that close and not able for us to meet, but I understand the time schedules don't always cooperate. I got to see 4014 when it came to Houston on its excursion in 2021. I remember playing on the Baldwin 60000 at the Franklin Institute and the Big Boy is a monster even compared to that. Amazing.

[@edeinhorn6016]

@@Rothstein_Model_Trains Ahhhh, the Franklin Institute. One of my favorite places to visit during the Birney years. I'm definitely hoping to make a visit to see your train setup in person at some point. I'd love for you to show me how today's digital train setups work. I really enjoy riding Amtrak so any excuse to ride is a good one. L.A. to San Antonio is only a 1 1/2 day ride. Anyway, you keep posting videos, I'll keep watching, and one day we'll make our reunion happen.

[@williamsquires3070]

Looks like I’m not the only one to shop at Dibble’s. 🙂 Or to have the Kato UP Excursion 7-car set + the two auxiliary water tenders. 70 seems a bit fast unless you’re specifically modeling the excursion runs. I’m not even sure the Big Boy got up to 57 back in the day pulling long drag freights up Sherman Hill.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Good people at Dibble's. Very helpful, especially when we were interested in starting this hobby. When I talk bout my preferred speed for a locomotive, I generally refer to what I find as the reported nominal top speed for it. I agree that with the heavy loads, it probably never got to 70 but its top speed according to Wikipedia was 80. I do cheat a little bit by trying to keep all my locomotives of a specific type (freight, excursion, or passenger) set to match up with each other. It makes it easier to create consists that way without worrying about if two specific locomotives are matched.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Beautiful locomotive and nice layout 👍

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks, I think this one is the best looking of the three Big Boy models available in N scale. I saw the new Kato version (my LHS has the DC version now with the DCC and sound versions hopefully coming in next month). They told me that it is probably the best runner (powerful and smooth) but it has the brighter silver smoke box instead of the graphite gray this one has.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

@@Rothstein_Model_Trains nice that would be awesome 😃

[@pinchy08]

Are you looking to getting the Kato Big Boy 4014? I am.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I have it and the matching SD70 #4015 on preorder already. I can't wait for it to come out.

[@ronhart4166]

I have been checking out your videos and have enjoyed your layouts 😍I myself have a similar shelf layout. I kept hearing you talk about limited track power. So I wanted to mention that I often see many modelers pack away their DC power packs when they discover DCC. So, I would suggest using your DC power packs by incorporating DC tracks into your layout. It could be done by designating loops of tracks or adding additional shelf layouts. It really does bring a lot more trains to your layout. Your train room has plenty of vertical space for additional loops. I have a 36" DEPT bottom L-shape and a second level 30"DEPT L-shape at the moment. I use 12" shelf brackets with 1x4 frames as you built your lower bench work with. There is not much weight with N-scale, so you will find plenty of videos of people doing the same. Happy modeling !!! Love your videos

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks. I had not thought of using the dc packs now, but it is possible. I was originally using them as jump throttles for the Zephyr so my granddaughters could run trains (and I could limit them a little). when I upgraded to the new Evox control set, I was going to use them for the small HO layout. But we decided to build another shelf layout (kind of like your idea) for the HO trains. It will be a complete circuit of the shed with a duck-under part at the door. We are now going to use the Zephyr for controlling it so it will be DCC also. But I could use the DC for the separate trolley loop I have, assuming the trolleys will work on it (they are dcc and I need to check if they will take both).

[@jamesdenson4730]

I have both models as well and I think the differences in paint are due to the changes that were made between the Promontory tour which the Athearn model was based on and the later Big Boy tour which the Broadway model is based on. I'm not certain about the physical differences though, especially with the 3895 tender. Very different there.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks. I did not remember which excursion the Athearn was based on.

[@watchtrainsnow1099]

N scale has come a long way. It’s more popular than HO it almost seems like.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I agree, it has come a long way. N may be getting close to HO in popularity with model railroaders, but the manufacturers sure seem to think otherwise still.

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video and channel just subscribed

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks for the support.

[@Powie1965]

Just got mine, noticed it ran slow like the Athearn too. And very disappointed that it wont use BLI's own smoke since I have some already.. I haven't put my speed tester for the loco, but not sure it's even going as fast as yours.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I did not have time to check mine, so I took it back to the hobby shop on Saturday. The cause of the slowness was that the speed curve in the decoder was set too slow. Normally, I would ask them to check it out and tune the programming, but I really like to do a real unboxing for the factory settings on special order models like this one. I can find small problems like this that way.

[@THOMAS81Z]

2006 or 2023 the electronics always sound the same 🤣🤣🤣

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Yeah, not much change in electronics recently.

[@williammyers9773]

Scale Trains has the excursion tenders

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks. I have the tenders from Kato and there are still some sets around and easily available. My local hobby shop even has some of the tenders and an excursion car set in stock.

[@elleryparsons2433]

The One Big boy without the Lighted cab would be The Day version and The Lighted Bigboy would Run for the Night Edition.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks. I had not thought about that. I do have one set of excursion cars with lights and one without, so it keeps it even that way.

[@elleryparsons2433]

That Works.

[@Iabrams3985]

The cab light can be set to remain “off” with a CV.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Sorry to take so long answering this. I missed it somehow with the recent ice storm in my area. I do appreciate that tip and will have to look up the CVs better. BLI has some unusual choices buried in them sometimes.

[@robertrussell2166]

Just wait for the Kato version

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I am. Believe me I am eagerly waiting for it.

[@edtoomuchfun957]

Im surprised it didnt come pre-loaded with smoke oil. That and I thought BLI said there was included a small vial of oil.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I was a little surprised that there was not a small sample of oil in it also. I would guess that in testing it they found their oil would not work and they couldn't get a deal worked with Marklin for sample vials of their oil. They do include a small plastic pipette to get oil out of a bottle and into the smoke tank though.

[@etjulian]

@@Rothstein_Model_Trains BLI's Rep at the show said they couldn't ship them with smoke fluid any more due to Customs, recommended using Markiln Smoke Fluid. # 02421

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

That makes sense, thanks.

[@hu792]

I've been using jbs mega steam fuild and it's been fine

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I will have to see if I can find that. Marklin is hard to find.

[@juandesantos6238]

Same here and it's been fine ,I use the fire smoke scent. And cherry as well .good product

[@hu792]

@@juandesantos6238 I've been using the coal fired steam one been loving it

[@juandesantos6238]

@@hu792 that's a good one , I actually cranked my CV 5 to 200 and it's been running fine have been running it for 3 days straight and it's been fine . I've been seeing post of the driving mechanisim messing up after half throttle. So I wanted to check mine and so far no problem.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks.

[@etjulian]

Be causious running it past a medium/slow speed. My first one at a much faster speed as you were doing, one of the crossheads fell out of the crosshatch slides, and while still moving forward pulled the steam chest rod out and bent it in a U shape with only the very tip still in the steam chest, totally locked the engine up. Had to straighten the rod using two needle nosed tweezers, placing the rod back in the steam chest and snapping back in the crosshead slide, then had to straighten the front edge of the rod as it bent inwards. Problem is their made from a cheap flexible plastic and all rock forward and backward while running instead of a perfect smooth straight slide. Also some are having problems with the side rod pins comming out of the drivers, which is an easy fix by lightly squeezing the very tips of the pins gentely with needle nosed pliers from 100% round to 99% round then lightly tapping back in, will never come back out again. Now I'm working on a perminent fix so none of the crosshatchs will ever fall out of the slides again.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Thanks for the tip.

[@fattywithafirearm]

KATO is also releasing a UP 4014 BIG BOY. No smoke though

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Yes, I have mine on order. They are also releasing an SD70 with number 4015 and paint matching the one used by UP for their last excursion run.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Just thought I would let you know that the Kato Big Boy is in hobby shops now. Well, the DC version is now but the DCC and Sound versions should be out next month.

[@poopjeans1135]

I wonder how much cheaper they would be if everyone and their uncle on youtube wasnt buying them to review.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I am not sure it would make a difference. But, just as a minor point, some of us are not buying them to review. I bought it for my collection and to run it, just like everything else I own. My unboxing videos are always just to show that I got a new item I liked and thought others might like. One way you can tell if it was bought to be reviewed or not is to look if the channel is monetized. If it is not monetized, like our channel isn't, no one is buying it for a review. They are buying it for their collection and then reviewing it. An easy way to check is to remember that you can only make money on KZbin if you have over 1,000 subscribers. I can tell you now, that my son and I are doing this for the hobby only. We are interested in trains and the model railroading hobby. We originally started the channel so our family (spread all over the country) could keep up with what we were doing as a hobby. We cannot control any ads that KZbin shows with our videos, but I can guarantee we will never monetize this channel, no matter how many subscribers we get. We are doing it for the fun of model railroading.