Anyone own a Big Boy?

I really want one...

Yes... and, a Challenger, too.

Thanks for the reply.

If I may ask you couple of questions...

Do you run them or do you just collect?

If you run them, how do they perform? I've seen a couple of videos where it appeared they had continuity issues with the track.

stonysmith wrote: Alex is neither a runner nor a collector.. he's a HOARDER!!

Stony,
That's not fair, he occasionally sells some. Besides if it weren't for people like Alex, there wouldn't be all the great bargains in resale.

Getting back to the question, I don't have either steam engine. It's not that I wouldn't like to, but I'm an operations type guy and I just don't have the size layout that would do them justice: >245mm curves and at least 50' of track. These locos want to be pulling 40-50 cars minimum.

I've seen them running at shows and they're most impressive.

Mark

Mark, being a z scale hoarder is a badge of honor. .


The second problem I have it is that it's not dcc ready. Your warranty is voided if you add a decoder.

I own both a Bigboy and a Challenger. They are both excellent running locos in my experience. While they both look better on 245mm radius track or greater, I have found that the Challenger will also negotiate 220mm radius. I use Rokuhan track. Both of these locos are a great improvement over the tractive and running ability of their earlier AC-12 Cabforward. Whatever AZL did between their first articulated, the AC-12, and these later efforts I don't know, but the difference is obvious. I look forward to more steam locos from AZL. I own 4 of their Mikados, and they are also excellent performers!

Steam guy, do you have a layout. Please post some pictures. I agree with the Mikados, they are great runners. I ran one all day in the NTS with 14 heavyweights. Right now, I am in a process of having one dcc with sound. Cant wait to see it running with steam sound.

Is it true that on these articulated engines, that only the rear engine is powered, and the front one is just free wheeling?

regards Garth

Yes, Garth. The 3 articulated brass locos that AZL has produced are all powered on the rear drivers only. I was initially disappointed when I received my AC-12 Cab Forward several years ago, since Marklin has had several articulated locos where both sets of drivers are powered. I figured AZL would do the same. I have always had problems with my Cab Forward, but AZL seemed to get things right with the Challenger and the Big Boy, which both run flawlessly.

Shamoo, I inherited Michael Hilliard's layout when he passed away nearly 2 years ago. Michael at first did the layout in MT track, but he did not like the performance of their turnouts, so he had converted all the trackage to Rokuhan. Unfortunately, he had not completed any of the scenery other than foam, so pictures won't show well. His largest radius was 220mm, and I recently added an outer loop of 245mm to accommodate the Big Boy. I agree completely with Mark however. These locos look best with even broader curves and pulling long trains.

What time is it?




It's time for me to order that Big Boy! Wooo!!

Is there ever was a Big boy released in Z-Scale?
I didn't find any at the internet.

www.americanzline.com/

I'd love opinions from my new friends here!

Now that the new Big Boy is circling the tracks, what would be your first investment in appropriate rolling stock?

I've added the two AZL PFE Reefers. Wish they made a runner pack, but at least I got two.

Ideas welcome!