I was working at Lionel when the first Big Boys were made (in Korea) in 2000. They came in a container, we had to unload them and prepare them for shipping. I unboxed one and was amazed at the size of it. I was almost afraid to take it out of the box, so I left it in the box. I do not remember how many we got, but they were all spoken for, so we had to ship them out right away.
I've been out of the model railroading loop for over 30 years now, and had no idea that Lionel still exists! And this new technology is amazing. I bet steam and ash aromas area coming soon! I may get back into it when I retire.
I saw it in Omaha and you are right. Someone had to draw this thing inside and out before even he or she ever saw it.......and it had to fit. Great museum in Omaha too.
Ted I started out collecting G scale trains over twenty years ago, then the prices started soaring, and they moved all their productions to China. I then went to O scale, and the same thing happened, now as you stated, I am down to N scale, and even they are getting pricey!!! Most of these hobby train companies have moved their productions to China stating that they have to do that to stay competitive..... BULLSHIT! Their prices are going through the roof.
@@dodoboodrough6044 It's sad. We're paying through the nose for stuff made by an 11 year old girl working for 5 cents a month that if she paints a dot for an eye of a passenger that's slightly off they'll cut her finger off.
@@rudolphguarnacci197 These train companies are not going to get me to believe they moved their production works to China to be competitive...FOR WHO? Only those who can pay big dollars will be able to own top notch train sets anymore. Most of my trains I get today are second, and third hand trains that I find at train shows, or at some thrift shop. It truly pisses me off, and I've written letters to ever train manufacturer selling trains here in the USA just how much they are screwing some many hobby train collectors.
@@dodoboodrough6044 I set up an oval 2 days ago. First layout in 50 years. I purchased a legacy dining car 10 years ago. I just bought the cab-1l remote and base. $250! Yikes! I bought a Williams locomotive 10 yrs ago. Not compatible. I'm done. I don't need this crap. My imagination is better than their sounds. Keepin' it simple.
@@rudolphguarnacci197 I truly understand where you are coming from. My eldest son goes to a thrift store close to where he works called SAVORS. It's in an area that is quite affluent and there are always people bringing in household items. The other day he spotted a KATO N scale Southern Pacific starter box engine and four freight cars with a $8.00 price tag on it, and it was like brand new. When he told me about I of course said...GRAB IT! Priced it online for $120-$135.00 I was so elated to get it. This is about the only way I can afford trains now. I also used to have a business remodeling rooms, etc etc etc, the last job I did before I retired I helped a couple who was moving back east, and they were getting rid of non essentials. I spotted a boxed Monopoly n scale set that they had bought for their daughter and she never played with it. I offered to buy it, but they just gave it to me. I almost had a heart attack on the spot! Hope you find the right trains, and equipment you need. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Great video, Eric!! My dad's sister-in-law once worked at the irvington, New Jersey Lionel plant. That's how my brother and I got our first train set, back in the mid-1950's. I really do like the Big Boy, but my all-time favorite is the GG-1. I used to go to the Penn Station in Newark with my very best friend, to watch them going from Penn Station NYC into Washington D.C. Great stuff, Eric. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and share your layout with us!
@@johngregory5424 I'd AGREE, 100%. To a boy of 10 or 11 years of age, that GG-1 was about 15' taller than I was!! I'll never forget the sound that it made when it departed Track 3...
I like the staggered smoke effect..very realistic. The overall model, though, is too clean and shiny. The real 4014 was covered in oil and grime within hours of its first run....
The most impressive thing when I walked around the 4014 was the amount of water that it was dumping out The drive wheels were soaked and it was just dumping water from what I can only assume were steam relief valves And they were wiping the engine down too.
Hi Eric & Alex M. • First class railroad history & story about the Big Boy. Lionel has every detail on this locomotive. The cab interior details is very well done. The Lionel designers & engineers went all out with the smoke deflector & depleting coal load. Excellent custom hand held LED studio light. 100% cool review. • Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway.
when driving cross country in the early 70's i saw a big boy on display at a park in chyenne wyoming. i actually drove my car up next to it to give it some scale and took pictures. it was HUGE!!!!
In Holiday Park...she's still there... In fact looking better then ever! UP even recovered some parts off of her to get another Big Boy up and RUNNING!!! Come by for Frontier Days and hop a ride up from Denver! Happy Trails from Ole Cheyenne!
@@andreworiez8920 hey, i got an itchin for a xcountry trip that would be a good stop over. i still got boots and a hat and i'm a goat roper from way back.
Far cry from my previous 1953 Lionel steam engine, all metal and tough as nails. Like many others from that era, wish I still had it! Very nice review and video presentation, a lot of fun to watch.
Truly wonderful as always! And a fantastic job on the review and congrats to Lionel for going those extra steps to make it special...even for Vision Line! And I totally agree that a small VL steamer would be great to add to the line up, as well as UP 844 so people can have the trio of operating UP steam locos!
Stunning simply amazing what a locomotive and what a model. A huge fan of the Big Boy's and so glad that 1 of them will fire up and run again. Thanks Eric for this review. All that's needed now is the Allegheny :)
Thank You ! Everybody thinks the big boy was the biggest. You can take the boiler of a big boy and but it inside an Allegheny's. Plus they built 25 big boys and 60 Alleghenys' ! ! !
A few years a go I saw the 4012 big boy in person and it was amazing. I also have the Lionel legacy 4012 JLC big boy too, I got it for Christmas this year so that was the coolest gift ever!
One flaw in the whole thing: The linkage is set to where the shuttle valve doesn't move. No shuttle valve, no locomotion. Just giving you a hard time. Gorgeous piece. ;)
Great review and engine Eric. I like the look of the drivers on the Big Boy. The dual stack smoke is really nice and the wheel slip sounds are a cool addition. Thanks for sharing!
Was glad to see the builders plate so clear , The Real Big Boy's were built in my home town of Schenectady ,N.Y. the ALCO was at the lower end of Erie Blvd and the massive bridge still spands the blvd when they would bring these giants on the main line .
WOW, FANTASTIC video as always Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 55 minutes, I know that is a lot of work, I love it and appreciate it bro! And the Big Boy is awesome, I got the # 2014 too, great engine and I hope there will be another Vision Line offering in the up coming 2015 Signature Edition Catalog! Anyways, THANKS for the review my friend and have a great one!
That was SO darn awesome. I wish I could start my own O-scale train hobby. As I and James Gordon would say about that Big Boy, "I gotta get me one of those".
To anyone that complains about the length of tme on this review you need to just hush lol There were so many features and detail that had to be covered you couldn't do a full comprehensive review in a shorter amount of time. Eric this was fantastic! You reviewed my favorite locomotive by my favorite manufacturer. I only wish Lionel would take their locomotives into the Ho Scale Market. I'd love to own one of these. Should we be expecting to s a double heading video between the Big Boy and the Challenger? ;) lol
Eric your reviews are always spot on. However, seeing this thing up close I just can't justify the money for it. For the cash put out, I think one of the 3rd rail brass versions is much more beautiful. I also do not care for the coal load and the effect of it depleting, just looks and feels gimmicky. The sound is awesome though, especially the horn. Can do without the cab chatter. I know the Lionel lovers will skewer my remarks, but hey, they're just my opinions. Eric, as always thanks for sharing and being a MR ambassador.
A 3rd rail model will definitely have more accurate detailing, but the sound effects and extra features on a 3rd rail model won't be as good. There's no single company that does everything right. It really comes down to what's more important to you. 3rd rail is very expensive and while the engines are gorgeous for me I prefer to have really good sounds and features with the engine.
The color and texture resembles real coal in that tender. But in the N&W coal hopper, it looks like spray painted macaroni foam. You know the kind used in packing boxes?
Wow, great review! and what a beautiful steam engine, I think it must be one of the best scale hobbies and quite expensive by the way, but is just so nice for all the things it includes like creativity and ability to desing you own layout. Congratulations and always a pleasure to watch your reviews. Kind regards.
Beautiful locomotive. Even though I would like to have O scale, but I don't have enough room to lay out a display that would be worth it. I have a decent sized HO scale layout in a horseshoe configuration and it's been working nicely. On to my point. I have a Lionel Union Pacific Challenger that is remarkable. All cast, no plastic, smokes, chugs, and has all the sounds whether it's moving or is sitting idle.
These are nice, and thanks for the vlog and sharing! But, i prefer my American Flyer, it only uses two tracks for the rails. Had it since my Christmas 9 or 10 years old. I am now 75 and it’s still going strong.
I saw big boy 844 in alamogordo when they were doing a nationwide tour. One of the best times i had. Missed it rolling in as they made better switch time than expected but did see her roll out.
Okay, so after seeing the review for the MTH 4014 Big Boy, I had to view this one. I think it's neat that you have both. One that represents the locomotive as originally used and one that will represent it's future. The amount of detail being added to locomotives and rolling stock now really makes them stand out. A great review as always Eric! Thanks!
Beautiful model, really nicely done. I got a Lionel Standard last year for a decent price and I'll check it see if it looks like the same tooling. I can say it's the same size, so I'd guess it is, very impressive loco in the flesh. Great review.
I believe the restored 4014 is now running on fuel oil and/or diesel to fire the boilers. There was a conversion done. Thus, this scale replica is honouring more the original configuration of a Big Boy because it is coal fired. I really like how the scale model is really articulated.
I really like these reviews, really good stuff. I thought I might add some technical detail that you might wish to add for future reviews. On the Big Boy the trailing truck has SKF on the axles. This is the "bearing" manufacturer, they produced roller bearings for locomotive manufacturers. The other major roller bearing supplier would be the Timken Bearing Company. I have noticed the Timken logo on several of your locomotives. The orange colored "knobs" are "handwheels", we have them on hundreds of steam and water valves here at the power plant I work at. Keep the reviews coming, I watch one almost every day!
You would need a 400 foot radius to make this engine look good on the track. Otherwise the boiler swing out over the rails will knock over lamps in the next room. Great video, awesome locomotive!
Other than that, this is Lionel's best Big Boy ever, even better than the one back in 2000. Even though the O Gauge Big Boy from 1999 / 2000 one set the benchmark for next generation of O gauge Big Boy's this one is the pinnacle of the O Gauge Big Boy.
Eric, superb review as always. Seems a bit light on pulling power, no? I remember from one of your earlier blogs where you tested the pulling power of several of your engines...the VL Challenger and Die-cast ES44s were right around 4 full pounds. One would surmise the Big Boy would have been right up there...if not surpassed the pulling power of the VL Challenger.
mjc6184 I think the reason for the lighter pulling power is the weight, a Diecast ES44AC weighs around 14 lbs if I remember correctly, and all the weight is on the drive wheels. The combined weight of the tender and engine of the big boy is around 12 lbs, and that's including the tender (and even the engines weight is not entirely on the drivers). However with 3+ lbs of pulling power I don't think much will stall it.
bradstrains Very good points, Brad. Again, when I saw the stat, it just sparked my curiosity a bit...especially whence compared to the VL Challenger, which arguably should not be all that different in weight from the Big Boy. Perhaps it distributes it's weight more efficiently on it's drivers. ES44's different animal, agree completely. Thks!
Opinions vary, but this locomotive, when it was first put on the market, generated much enthusiasm. I do like this series of Lionel products. The price is, as many have stated, a bit over the top for most people in this hobby. I have a Williams all brass 2-6-6-4 A steam locomotive which, though an older model cost a fraction of the Big Boys overall price. There is no doubt and thanks in no small part to Eric's gift for providing great reviews, that this particular locomotive is a nice catch, but again, if one can afford it. That of course, is the conundrum. Price vs I need to have it. This hobby of ours is very very expensive and no matter what level you happen to be on, it can be taxing on our wallets. Be that as it may, I highly recommend one shop around for such an expensive locomotive. Be smart, be wise because our eyes tend to be larger versus our cash flow. As for the product itself. I like simplicity. Therefore aside the overall expense, I would not spend money on this item. If, at a later date, I see one used and in reasonably great shape, for the right price, I might purchase it. It is very beautifully done and very scaled. The features are great with, as Eric pointed out, many bells and whistles. This review was posted in 2015. Here three years later, this product has had time to filter out into the real world. In short, plenty of people ready to make you a deal. The review is excellent and very detailed. Shop around, don't be fooled into spending more then this is worth. What comes around, goes around. Remember that.🚂🚉🚈
Man, this is so awesome! The moving shot from the second train @49:25 is so cool! Would be awesome to shoot on a macro lens to really play with the sense of scale.
I am actually planning on getting an HO scale model of X4014 but made by BLI (Broadway Limited Imports) along with some HO tracks. Maybe you could do that too, but idk if you actually can.
Love the set up you have for the Big Boy here. If only there could be a complete train set pack that featured both this engine and those passenger cars...that'd be the greatest train set ever! :D
Dude the Chinese are preying on us they're using our love for nostalgia and sentiment to steal our money Lionel went out of business man wake up they simply bought the rights and the logo I could do the same and manufacture them in my garage why would you pay 3 Grand for a toy train that causes you to run them like a scared rabbit forget about Full Throttle because we're scared to death God forbid it derails and that colorful Chinese crap winds up on the floor in multiple pieces doesn't anybody take pride in our country no more boycott lionel they could manufacture them here at those prices and still make a handsome profit But that will never happen because greed comes first shame on us
I think running passenger cars behind the engine in this video is quite accurate because once #4014 is restored it's going to be in excursion service like 4-6-6-4 #3985 and 4-8-4 #844 thanks to the Union Pacific Steam Program.
Hi Eric Excellent locomotive, details, sound, everything is excellent, I have but in Ho scale but not perfect as the scale you have, I really like the whistle, is very real. Excellent. I congratulate you. Best Regards Leonardo of Argentina.
There were 2 incidents of the Big Boy. On May 16, 2019, #4014 partially derailed, with two axles from one set of drive wheels falling into the gauge, while entering the yard at Rawlings, Wyoming. The derailed drive wheels were returned to the rails within 3 hours. On April 27, 1953, #4005 was pulling a freight train through southern Wyoming when it jumped a switch track at 50 mph, throwing the engine onto its left side, tearing up the rails, derailing its tender, and the first 18 freight cars of its 62-car train. The engineer and fireman were killed on the impact. The front brakeman survived with serious injuries. His left leg was twisted and pinned down between a wooden seat and the steel side of the cab. He was stuck for 10 hours while rescuers remove tons of coal and cut through steel to free him. He asked them for a drink of water and a cigarette. A doctor was able to reach the narrow opening and administer a dose of morphine to subside the brakeman's terrible pain. He also told rescuers that his hands hurt and he was chilling a little, but could no longer feel pain in his foot, indicating that he was beginning to go into shock. When was finally pulled free, he told the rescuers, "He threw it right in front of us. The switch. He threw right in front of us, they didn't give us a chance. I felt the engine rock. I don't know how many times it rocked. Next thing I knew, I felt the steam hittin' me in the face and I thought I was a goner. All I could think of was gettin' my hands over my face." The brakeman would pass away at the hospital from his injuries a few days later. The tender destroyed the cab of the locomotive, and the loads from the 18 derailed cars were scattered. Despite the relatively heavy damage, the locomotive was repaired by Union Pacific at its Cheyenne facility and returned to service. A different tender was used for the repair. It was retired in 1957, along with its siblings, and was donated to the Forney Transportation Museum in Denver, Colorado, where it still stands today on static display.
Ive watched you for years eric the first video i ever watched of yours was the vision line challenger, i always wanted a lionel o scale bug biy but these things are so dang expensive, then i had dreams of having an ho layout with a big boy but that went out the windw me and my dad never got around to building a layout, I still love trains but we will never build an o scale layout like yours i always wanted to have one lie yours, still keep up the great work eric.
What would be incredibly cool is if Lionel had recorded different crew chatter voices for the different Big Boy locomotives, so that the voices of the engineers driving them aren't all the same.
I saw the 4014 recently in action. The real 4014 whistle is deep and haunting. In my opinion this model comes real close in capturing that sound.
F G indeed it does, I saw it in Palestine, TX
Wasn't it coverted 2 oil burning?
Me too
Imagine what 4014's whistle would've sounded like had she stayed on coal.
@@TheMrPeteChannel yes it burns Number 5 fuel oil
I was working at Lionel when the first Big Boys were made (in Korea) in 2000. They came in a container, we had to unload them and prepare them for shipping. I unboxed one and was amazed at the size of it. I was almost afraid to take it out of the box, so I left it in the box. I do not remember how many we got, but they were all spoken for, so we had to ship them out right away.
I've been out of the model railroading loop for over 30 years now, and had no idea that Lionel still exists! And this new technology is amazing. I bet steam and ash aromas area coming soon! I may get back into it when I retire.
there's smoke fluid that has scents like that, i haven't tried them personally but i've seen them around!
The model is outstanding and the photography is excellent. But your narrative, Eric, is first rate. I always learn so much from you.
Excellent!!
I saw the big boy in college station. You can’t get a sense of how big this thing is until you stand next to it.
There is a 4-6-4 Pacific in the Smithsonian. It is bleeping huge. 6' drive wheels. The Mallets, I have a hard time envisioning.
Yup... I got to see this thing rolling into Lordsburg New Mexico. It's an impressive piece of machinery... WOW!
Yeah It’s Huge
I saw it in Omaha and you are right. Someone had to draw this thing inside and out before even he or she ever saw it.......and it had to fit. Great museum in Omaha too.
Ron Car Indeed
Impressive! My heart wants O scale, my wallet says N scale.
Ted I started out collecting G scale trains over twenty years ago, then the prices started soaring, and they moved all their productions to China. I then went to O scale, and the same thing happened, now as you stated, I am down to N scale, and even they are getting pricey!!! Most of these hobby train companies have moved their productions to China stating that they have to do that to stay competitive..... BULLSHIT! Their prices are going through the roof.
@@dodoboodrough6044
It's sad. We're paying through the nose for stuff made by an 11 year old girl working for 5 cents a month that if she paints a dot for an eye of a passenger that's slightly off they'll cut her finger off.
@@rudolphguarnacci197 These train companies are not going to get me to believe they moved their production works to China to be competitive...FOR WHO? Only those who can pay big dollars will be able to own top notch train sets anymore. Most of my trains I get today are second, and third hand trains that I find at train shows, or at some thrift shop. It truly pisses me off, and I've written letters to ever train manufacturer selling trains here in the USA just how much they are screwing some many hobby train collectors.
@@dodoboodrough6044
I set up an oval 2 days ago. First layout in 50 years. I purchased a legacy dining car 10 years ago. I just bought the cab-1l remote and base. $250! Yikes! I bought a Williams locomotive 10 yrs ago. Not compatible. I'm done. I don't need this crap. My imagination is better than their sounds. Keepin' it simple.
@@rudolphguarnacci197 I truly understand where you are coming from. My eldest son goes to a thrift store close to where he works called SAVORS. It's in an area that is quite affluent and there are always people bringing in household items. The other day he spotted a KATO N scale Southern Pacific starter box engine and four freight cars with a $8.00 price tag on it, and it was like brand new. When he told me about I of course said...GRAB IT! Priced it online for $120-$135.00 I was so elated to get it. This is about the only way I can afford trains now. I also used to have a business remodeling rooms, etc etc etc, the last job I did before I retired I helped a couple who was moving back east, and they were getting rid of non essentials. I spotted a boxed Monopoly n scale set that they had bought for their daughter and she never played with it. I offered to buy it, but they just gave it to me. I almost had a heart attack on the spot! Hope you find the right trains, and equipment you need. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Back when you started 15 years ago, your channel keeps getting better! Have a good night!
Great review as always Eric! The UP Big Boy is one of my all time favorite locomotives along with the F3 and the Southern Pacific AC-12 Cab Forward.
Great video, Eric!! My dad's sister-in-law once worked at the irvington, New Jersey Lionel plant. That's how my brother and I got our first train set, back in the mid-1950's. I really do like the Big Boy, but my all-time favorite is the GG-1. I used to go to the Penn Station in Newark with my very best friend, to watch them going from Penn Station NYC into Washington D.C. Great stuff, Eric. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and share your layout with us!
The GG1 is to railway engines as the Constellation is to Aeroplanes
@@johngregory5424 I'd AGREE, 100%. To a boy of 10 or 11 years of age, that GG-1 was about 15' taller than I was!! I'll never forget the sound that it made when it departed Track 3...
I like the staggered smoke effect..very realistic. The overall model, though, is too clean and shiny. The real 4014 was covered in oil and grime within hours of its first run....
nothing a little weathering can’t fix, right?
Indeed. But Im not doing that, I have nowhere enough persion.
The most impressive thing when I walked around the 4014 was the amount of water that it was dumping out
The drive wheels were soaked and it was just dumping water from what I can only assume were steam relief valves
And they were wiping the engine down too.
Saw this beast in person and was awesome! I got to miss school and got so close to it! A day I will never forget.
Hi Eric & Alex M. • First class railroad history & story about the Big Boy. Lionel has every detail on this locomotive. The cab interior details is very well done. The Lionel designers & engineers went all out with the smoke deflector & depleting coal load. Excellent custom hand held LED studio light. 100% cool review.
• Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway.
when driving cross country in the early 70's i saw a big boy on display at a park in chyenne wyoming. i actually drove my car up next to it to give it some scale and took pictures. it was HUGE!!!!
In Holiday Park...she's still there... In fact looking better then ever! UP even recovered some parts off of her to get another Big Boy up and RUNNING!!! Come by for Frontier Days and hop a ride up from Denver!
Happy Trails from Ole Cheyenne!
@@andreworiez8920 hey, i got an itchin for a xcountry trip that would be a good stop over. i still got boots and a hat and i'm a goat roper from way back.
@@steveperry1344 lol....
@@andreworiez8920 It's called the big boy so technically it's not a 'she'
@@chaosdemonwolf1 Ask those who operate them... Trains and ships are all ladies....
Skip all the yakety yak and jump all the way to 44:00 for the clickety clack.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if he put it at 40:14?
Who disliked my comment?
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions I would never dislike that comment
Lol I realized now I got a notification that I got a like but there were no likes. They must have hit the like button by mistake lmao
Best rr comment ever.
Great job Eric, love all your videos. Congrats on making such a great impact on this hobby!!!
My all time favorite steam engine, Lionel blew it out the park with this one. Love the whistle sound, sounds pretty close to the real 4014's whistle.
I finally got to see the BigBoy in person back in November, and it was well worth going to see it. When it came through my area.
A worthy goal to eventually attain. This hobby is truly amazing!
Far cry from my previous 1953 Lionel steam engine, all metal and tough as nails. Like many others from that era, wish I still had it! Very nice review and video presentation, a lot of fun to watch.
I hope you got yours for free, taking into account how valuable this review must certainly be to Lionel. You're the best at this! Cheers!
I really love the wheel slip sound effects and the whistle steam smock affect.
@@retrokingranch that was from 5 years ago...
S M O K
Truly wonderful as always! And a fantastic job on the review and congrats to Lionel for going those extra steps to make it special...even for Vision Line! And I totally agree that a small VL steamer would be great to add to the line up, as well as UP 844 so people can have the trio of operating UP steam locos!
Christopher Edens Thanks!
Stunning simply amazing what a locomotive and what a model. A huge fan of the Big Boy's and so glad that 1 of them will fire up and run again. Thanks Eric for this review. All that's needed now is the Allegheny :)
Thank You ! Everybody thinks the big boy was the biggest. You can take the boiler of a big boy and but it inside an Allegheny's. Plus they built 25 big boys and 60 Alleghenys' ! ! !
the big boy was faster and more efficient but i know what u mean, the Allegheny is wronged by so many people.
A few years a go I saw the 4012 big boy in person and it was amazing. I also have the Lionel legacy 4012 JLC big boy too, I got it for Christmas this year so that was the coolest gift ever!
One flaw in the whole thing: The linkage is set to where the shuttle valve doesn't move. No shuttle valve, no locomotion.
Just giving you a hard time. Gorgeous piece. ;)
Great review and engine Eric. I like the look of the drivers on the Big Boy. The dual stack smoke is really nice and the wheel slip sounds are a cool addition. Thanks for sharing!
bradstrains Thanks!
ericstrains Such overhang on even on O-72! It could run on O-70.....but thats risky.
bradstrains it is also very difficult to make
Was glad to see the builders plate so clear , The Real Big Boy's were built in my home town of Schenectady ,N.Y. the ALCO was at the lower end of Erie Blvd and the massive bridge still spands the blvd when they would bring these giants on the main line .
Great video, your work is appreciated. Awesome features on this train, loved it
WOW, FANTASTIC video as always Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 55 minutes, I know that is a lot of work, I love it and appreciate it bro! And the Big Boy is awesome, I got the # 2014 too, great engine and I hope there will be another Vision Line offering in the up coming 2015 Signature Edition Catalog! Anyways, THANKS for the review my friend and have a great one!
That was SO darn awesome. I wish I could start my own O-scale train hobby. As I and James Gordon would say about that Big Boy, "I gotta get me one of those".
Excellent preview of the engine & tender, good shots - pictures.
To anyone that complains about the length of tme on this review you need to just hush lol There were so many features and detail that had to be covered you couldn't do a full comprehensive review in a shorter amount of time. Eric this was fantastic! You reviewed my favorite locomotive by my favorite manufacturer. I only wish Lionel would take their locomotives into the Ho Scale Market. I'd love to own one of these. Should we be expecting to s a double heading video between the Big Boy and the Challenger? ;) lol
TheSteamKing every second counts
Eric your reviews are always spot on. However, seeing this thing up close I just can't justify the money for it. For the cash put out, I think one of the 3rd rail brass versions is much more beautiful. I also do not care for the coal load and the effect of it depleting, just looks and feels gimmicky. The sound is awesome though, especially the horn. Can do without the cab chatter. I know the Lionel lovers will skewer my remarks, but hey, they're just my opinions. Eric, as always thanks for sharing and being a MR ambassador.
A 3rd rail model will definitely have more accurate detailing, but the sound effects and extra features on a 3rd rail model won't be as good. There's no single company that does everything right. It really comes down to what's more important to you. 3rd rail is very expensive and while the engines are gorgeous for me I prefer to have really good sounds and features with the engine.
I'M SO GLAD TO FIND THIS CHANNEL!
46:09 I almost spit out my candy cane
lol
The depleting coal effect is slicker than snot on a doorknob.
Toby Pasman gross
Ew a neckbeard lol
Nom nom noms!!!
The color and texture resembles real coal in that tender. But in the N&W coal hopper, it looks like spray painted macaroni foam. You know the kind used in packing boxes?
Anthony’s trains and stuff It’s a figure of speech
Wow, great review! and what a beautiful steam engine, I think it must be one of the best scale hobbies and quite expensive by the way, but is just so nice for all the things it includes like creativity and ability to desing you own layout.
Congratulations and always a pleasure to watch your reviews.
Kind regards.
My favorite train of all! Loved it, I'm in the process of revamping my 8x5 HO scale train set
Only 2 words... TOO COOL!! you are lucky to have that engine.
Just outstanding model! I remember when I was little and I had a smoking model train but nothing like this.
I watched you make the video when you had the webcams on. Its cool cause you get to see how the videos were made. Good Review none the less!
At 2:16, the story of how the Big Boy got its name is 100% true. The ALCo employee actually wrote BIG BOY on the smoke box door of UP #4000.
1 of the actual big boy's is at the national railroad museum in Green Bay, WI. in second grade I went there on a field trip! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!
Beautiful locomotive. Even though I would like to have O scale, but I don't have enough room to lay out a display that would be worth it. I have a decent sized HO scale layout in a horseshoe configuration and it's been working nicely. On to my point. I have a Lionel Union Pacific Challenger that is remarkable. All cast, no plastic, smokes, chugs, and has all the sounds whether it's moving or is sitting idle.
These are nice, and thanks for the vlog and sharing! But, i prefer my American Flyer, it only uses two tracks for the rails. Had it since my Christmas 9 or 10 years old. I am now 75 and it’s still going strong.
This is awesome, the most detailed and functional model steamer ever, nice U.P carriages too
I saw big boy 844 in alamogordo when they were doing a nationwide tour. One of the best times i had. Missed it rolling in as they made better switch time than expected but did see her roll out.
Totally awesome. I thought my 1/16 RC tanks are expensive but this would take the cake ;)
RC Tanks & Trucks 24/7 I have a 1/16 scale dc tiger tank
Amazing all of the circuit boards, fuse boxes, and craziness that run this thing. Look at my 1952 Lionel, and there is nothing to it, lol.
May have been asked already, but could you provide the make/model of UP passenger set?
mjmonjure the brand is MTH for the UP passenger set,he said it right before he moved it out as he would say?
Very detailed description of the features of the engine a must see video
Okay, so after seeing the review for the MTH 4014 Big Boy, I had to view this one. I think it's neat that you have both. One that represents the locomotive as originally used and one that will represent it's future. The amount of detail being added to locomotives and rolling stock now really makes them stand out. A great review as always Eric! Thanks!
Beautiful model, really nicely done. I got a Lionel Standard last year for a decent price and I'll check it see if it looks like the same tooling. I can say it's the same size, so I'd guess it is, very impressive loco in the flesh. Great review.
Andrew Jackson Thanks!
Ironically, you could actually buy a used Honda Civic for the price of this locomotive.
Keyboard Warrior jigsawuses
But it's worth it. Lionel hit it outta the park with this one.
What about a used vision line big boy?
Keyboard Warrior for only 30$
Yea but which is cooler
YEAAAA!!!! FINNALY A GOOD REVIEW ON THE VISION BIG BOY!!!
Awesome review Eric! The depleting coal is by far the best feature like you said.
Sir you have a very nice train layout...i enjoyed this video very much...thank you
Man that whistle I love it
Very Good video. I like how you filmed it. Gotta love Lionel.
Love you videos! Just bought my Lionel Big Boy - Found one at a hobby shop in Jersey! A 4012. Had to save up my $$$ They had 2 left.
I believe the restored 4014 is now running on fuel oil and/or diesel to fire the boilers. There was a conversion done. Thus, this scale replica is honouring more the original configuration of a Big Boy because it is coal fired. I really like how the scale model is really articulated.
Very awesome video. I loved it from start to end.
Toby Pasman Thanks, Toby.
What I find so amazing this that a engine and tender is so big and heavy and rides on track only 4 ft 8 in wide. Great review.
Thanks!
Big boy dream...am seriously impressed. Even condidering return to model rail!
I really like these reviews, really good stuff. I thought I might add some technical detail that you might wish to add for future reviews. On the Big Boy the trailing truck has SKF on the axles. This is the "bearing" manufacturer, they produced roller bearings for locomotive manufacturers. The other major roller bearing supplier would be the Timken Bearing Company. I have noticed the Timken logo on several of your locomotives. The orange colored "knobs" are "handwheels", we have them on hundreds of steam and water valves here at the power plant I work at. Keep the reviews coming, I watch one almost every day!
You would need a 400 foot radius to make this engine look good on the track. Otherwise the boiler swing out over the rails will knock over lamps in the next room. Great video, awesome locomotive!
Other than that, this is Lionel's best Big Boy ever, even better than the one back in 2000. Even though the O Gauge Big Boy from 1999 / 2000 one set the benchmark for next generation of O gauge Big Boy's this one is the pinnacle of the O Gauge Big Boy.
Brains are you
This is 5th time I've watched this and I'm amazed every time
Jesus christ! I almost had a heart attack when you tipped that thing back. I had no clue you were holding it! :)
Eric, superb review as always. Seems a bit light on pulling power, no? I remember from one of your earlier blogs where you tested the pulling power of several of your engines...the VL Challenger and Die-cast ES44s were right around 4 full pounds. One would surmise the Big Boy would have been right up there...if not surpassed the pulling power of the VL Challenger.
Anything over 3 pounds of pulling power is excellent.
ericstrains I completely agree. I was speaking more from a comparative standpoint with respect to the VL Challenger.
mjc6184
I think the reason for the lighter pulling power is the weight, a Diecast ES44AC weighs around 14 lbs if I remember correctly, and all the weight is on the drive wheels. The combined weight of the tender and engine of the big boy is around 12 lbs, and that's including the tender (and even the engines weight is not entirely on the drivers). However with 3+ lbs of pulling power I don't think much will stall it.
ericstrains when are you doing a new layout update?
bradstrains Very good points, Brad. Again, when I saw the stat, it just sparked my curiosity a bit...especially whence compared to the VL Challenger, which arguably should not be all that different in weight from the Big Boy. Perhaps it distributes it's weight more efficiently on it's drivers. ES44's different animal, agree completely. Thks!
I remember seeing a big boy at the museum in dallas before they moved it. And that thing was BIG!!
Opinions vary, but this locomotive, when it was first put on the market, generated much enthusiasm. I do like this series of Lionel products. The price is, as many have stated, a bit over the top for most people in this hobby. I have a Williams all brass 2-6-6-4 A steam locomotive which, though an older model cost a fraction of the Big Boys overall price. There is no doubt and thanks in no small part to Eric's gift for providing great reviews, that this particular locomotive is a nice catch, but again, if one can afford it. That of course, is the conundrum. Price vs I need to have it. This hobby of ours is very very expensive and no matter what level you happen to be on, it can be taxing on our wallets. Be that as it may, I highly recommend one shop around for such an expensive locomotive. Be smart, be wise because our eyes tend to be larger versus our cash flow.
As for the product itself. I like simplicity. Therefore aside the overall expense, I would not spend money on this item. If, at a later date, I see one used and in reasonably great shape, for the right price, I might purchase it. It is very beautifully done and very scaled. The features are great with, as Eric pointed out, many bells and whistles. This review was posted in 2015. Here three years later, this product has had time to filter out into the real world. In short, plenty of people ready to make you a deal.
The review is excellent and very detailed. Shop around, don't be fooled into spending more then this is worth. What comes around, goes around. Remember that.🚂🚉🚈
Man, this is so awesome! The moving shot from the second train @49:25 is so cool! Would be awesome to shoot on a macro lens to really play with the sense of scale.
Sound effects are quite good! I can hear it pulling out from Tower A as we speak. Thanks for sharing!!
Excellent! Thank you for this great vlog! Love this.
the big boy is my favorite engine and the review is awesome plz keep making great content!!!!!!!!!
I am actually planning on getting an HO scale model of X4014 but made by BLI (Broadway Limited Imports) along with some HO tracks. Maybe you could do that too, but idk if you actually can.
Melody Dumb why that name?
Love the set up you have for the Big Boy here. If only there could be a complete train set pack that featured both this engine and those passenger cars...that'd be the greatest train set ever! :D
Dude the Chinese are preying on us they're using our love for nostalgia and sentiment to steal our money Lionel went out of business man wake up they simply bought the rights and the logo I could do the same and manufacture them in my garage why would you pay 3 Grand for a toy train that causes you to run them like a scared rabbit forget about Full Throttle because we're scared to death God forbid it derails and that colorful Chinese crap winds up on the floor in multiple pieces doesn't anybody take pride in our country no more boycott lionel they could manufacture them here at those prices and still make a handsome profit
But that will never happen because greed comes first shame on us
@@philipcasa7379 Xenophobic much?
Your really good at weathering rolling stock. Oh, and this loco is just flipping amazing I wish I could get one.
That is so FREAKING COOL! I absolutely want one. I just wish the bell would shake a bit.
I think running passenger cars behind the engine in this video is quite accurate because once #4014 is restored it's going to be in excursion service like 4-6-6-4 #3985 and 4-8-4 #844 thanks to the Union Pacific Steam Program.
Hi Eric Excellent locomotive, details, sound, everything is excellent, I have but in Ho scale but not perfect as the scale you have, I really like the whistle, is very real. Excellent. I congratulate you. Best Regards Leonardo of Argentina.
Looks like a beast of a train. Good videos. 👍
One of your best, Eric!
They should have had this in DOOM 3.
This is a monster! Superb effects, sounds,everything.
A1.
as in the video game? Why?
Wish i was born when these beast ran. Now i gotta get this
Very beautiful little machine..!!
Great review Eric and a fantastic engine! I would love to see a Vision Line Pennsy K4. Maybe I could afford that one!
All time, best review!
DaylightGS24412 Thanks!
Baltic 144 Productions Agreed
There were 2 incidents of the Big Boy. On May 16, 2019, #4014 partially derailed, with two axles from one set of drive wheels falling into the gauge, while entering the yard at Rawlings, Wyoming. The derailed drive wheels were returned to the rails within 3 hours. On April 27, 1953, #4005 was pulling a freight train through southern Wyoming when it jumped a switch track at 50 mph, throwing the engine onto its left side, tearing up the rails, derailing its tender, and the first 18 freight cars of its 62-car train. The engineer and fireman were killed on the impact. The front brakeman survived with serious injuries. His left leg was twisted and pinned down between a wooden seat and the steel side of the cab. He was stuck for 10 hours while rescuers remove tons of coal and cut through steel to free him. He asked them for a drink of water and a cigarette. A doctor was able to reach the narrow opening and administer a dose of morphine to subside the brakeman's terrible pain. He also told rescuers that his hands hurt and he was chilling a little, but could no longer feel pain in his foot, indicating that he was beginning to go into shock. When was finally pulled free, he told the rescuers, "He threw it right in front of us. The switch. He threw right in front of us, they didn't give us a chance. I felt the engine rock. I don't know how many times it rocked. Next thing I knew, I felt the steam hittin' me in the face and I thought I was a goner. All I could think of was gettin' my hands over my face." The brakeman would pass away at the hospital from his injuries a few days later. The tender destroyed the cab of the locomotive, and the loads from the 18 derailed cars were scattered. Despite the relatively heavy damage, the locomotive was repaired by Union Pacific at its Cheyenne facility and returned to service. A different tender was used for the repair. It was retired in 1957, along with its siblings, and was donated to the Forney Transportation Museum in Denver, Colorado, where it still stands today on static display.
If I recall, you can still see the scars left behind on its left side
Ya
I want that so bad very nice engine and good review as always Eric. I'm very excited about 4014 being rebuilt.
Ive watched you for years eric the first video i ever watched of yours was the vision line challenger, i always wanted a lionel o scale bug biy but these things are so dang expensive, then i had dreams of having an ho layout with a big boy but that went out the windw me and my dad never got around to building a layout, I still love trains but we will never build an o scale layout like yours i always wanted to have one lie yours, still keep up the great work eric.
What would be incredibly cool is if Lionel had recorded different crew chatter voices for the different Big Boy locomotives, so that the voices of the engineers driving them aren't all the same.
Gorgeous! Just needs some judicious weathering to make it complete.
Another great video eric cant wait for more in the future
I like how this engine has the steam blow down effect.
Eric, at 46:10, if a train on the adjacent track was traveling towards the BB, would it clear? 12/24/2020
Terrific video review & locomotive Eric. Many thanks for sharing.
halothewynd1 Thank you
I love the sound of the whistle the engine was awesome great review as always keep it up Eric
A work of art! Thank You for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
how mucth does it cost now
Still over $2,000.
1,600 currently (USD)