Al, This loco was not a standard Gem Big boy, but a Gem Ruby series one of 50 made in 1961. It was way ahead of its time, although other Big Boys during this period were also quite good. This would be Tenshodo, M.B.Austin, and Paragon..and possibly a few I cannot remember. Jan Willard modified it somewhat mainly by close coupling the loco and tender and adding DCC plus the works.(cab, marker lights, fire box and front and rear lighting.. He is now changing the Pizza cutter wheels on the tender. Of course, this will lower the value presently at around $6000, but I do not plan on selling it after a friggin' 10 year search. The original retail price was $350 in 1961 making it the most expensive brass loco in 1961. Jan also added a huge Faulhaber can motor to make up for the rear drivers only being powered. It is quite powerful now, but still is not in love with anything less than code 100 track....standard for the time.
lionel just came out with new big boy with their visionary line. 3 grand but they are sold out now until next time. It's modern though with all the new tech. that's the problem with these train lay outs. You put a bunch of money into them and then something new like technology comes along and takes a crap on your lay out with the new tech lay out but I personally still love old analog things.
HEY GUYS, its Doug Wilson. Jan Willard put a bunch of my lighted marker lights in Howards locos. It's been a while since I have been to see Howard and the layout. I would love to visit again! I have been waiting for someone to put Howard and his talents on a channel. Great idea AL! And great content! Keep it up. This is a blessing to us guys in the peanut gallery. Hope to see u guys at the show in Feb.
Al, This loco was not a standard Gem Big boy, but a Gem Ruby series one of 50 made in 1961. It was way ahead of its time, although other Big Boys during this period were also quite good. This would be Tenshodo, M.B.Austin, and Paragon..and possibly a few I cannot remember. Jan Willard modified it somewhat mainly by close coupling the loco and tender and adding DCC plus the works.(cab, marker lights, fire box and front and rear lighting.. He is now changing the Pizza cutter wheels on the tender. Of course, this will lower the value presently at around $6000, but I do not plan on selling it after a friggin' 10 year search. The original retail price was $350 in 1961 making it the most expensive brass loco in 1961. Jan also added a huge Faulhaber can motor to make up for the rear drivers only being powered. It is quite powerful now, but still is not in love with anything less than code 100 track....standard for the time.
Beautiful build.Merry Christmas gents.
Impressive. And beautiful! 🥰
I enjoy that you do so much stuff with Frank Zane and his layout. It's cool to see this layout so often.
I wish to hell I looked like Frank Zane as he was a well known body builder.....I'm Howard Zane
Great fun; thanks for sharing a little history on our great hobby. We just subscribed .
Thank you alot more to come
Wish yall would run these without sound. Love hearing the clickety clack and the mechanics of the brass locos
Many of the better brass engines are nearly silent and in HO scale it is almost impossible to hear clickity clack
Very nice engine, and a history lesson too. Merry Christmas Al & Howard.
Hey thanks Man! The model from 1961 runs like a Swiss watch!
What was that guys name that wouldn't give the Ruby back and settle for the one he paid for?
Hi all, I have one of these myself, but there isn’t a serial number such as in the video, it says E-02. Anybody have any idea what this means?
lionel just came out with new big boy with their visionary line. 3 grand but they are sold out now until next time. It's modern though with all the new tech. that's the problem with these train lay outs. You put a bunch of money into them and then something new like technology comes along and takes a crap on your lay out with the new tech lay out but I personally still love old analog things.
HEY GUYS, its Doug Wilson. Jan Willard put a bunch of my lighted marker lights in Howards locos. It's been a while since I have been to see Howard and the layout. I would love to visit again! I have been waiting for someone to put Howard and his talents on a channel. Great idea AL! And great content! Keep it up. This is a blessing to us guys in the peanut gallery. Hope to see u guys at the show in Feb.
Thanks so much hope you subscribe and please spread the word about the channel
Have any CP steam loco's?
A good choice I don't know if he has any but if he does we will eventually feature them
I do, what are you looking for?
@@HowardZane Old CP steam, DC