Can a Lionel BIG BOY engine run on 031 tubular track?

Yes, a Lionel LionMaster Big Boy can run on 0-31.  Makes sure it's the LionMaster version and not the full scale version.

Stu

@GG1 posted:

I'm hoping somebody can advise this, as I want to BUY a Lionel or MTH Big Boy engine and I'm having a tough time finding somebody that actually has a Big Boy engine and has tried it on 031 tubular  track.

Is there anybody that  knows  for sure?

Thanks,

Norm Schreck

Which "Big Boy", i.e. a scale one or a semi-scale version? Maybe provide a product number?

The Lionel Lionmaster Big Boy, the MTH RailKing Big Boy, and the K-Line Big Boy will all handle O-31 curves.   They are semi-scale with the K-line being the smallest of the bunch.  HOWEVER, the K-Line is made in a way that all its parts are proportionate to one another on a smaller scale...whereas the Lionel and RailKing are selectively compressed.  I've included a pic of the K-Line locomotive. 

I can assure you that the scale Lionel Big Boy will not run on O-31.  It is rated for O-72 but will very slowly get around O-63.  Anything smaller than O-63 will derail the engine.  NH Joe

All Lionel "Lionmaster" locomotives especially the Big Boy and Challengers are semi-scale and look good pulling traditional size and scale cars because they are so massive.  In my opinion, they look good parked next to other scale locomotives and only look small if you park them next to a scale Big Boy, Allegheny, or Challenger.  If you don't own the scale counter parts, no one will ever notice except the rivet counters.  They came in TMCC, Legacy, and the latest ones are now Lion Chief Plus (comes with a plastic remote).  The reason they can all do O31 is the rear drivers are articulated like the front drivers.  On the scale locomotives, the rear drivers are fixed to the frame just like the prototypes.

Does the locomotive look "silly" on O31 curves?  IMHO, "A little" as that's very tight, but put your curves in a tunnel or block them behind scenery and no one will notice if that matters.  Opening up to wider curves if you can makes it look amazing!

By the way, go to my Paul's Trains youtube channel in the layouts playlist and you will see my Lionel Legacy Big Boy in action going around on O42 curves on the outside track and O36 curves on the inside track.

@pmilazzo posted:

They came in TMCC, Legacy, and the latest ones are now Lion Chief Plus (comes with a plastic remote).  The reason they can all do O31 is the rear drivers are articulated like the front drivers.  On the scale locomotives, the rear drivers are fixed to the frame just like the prototypes.

Actually, the new LC+ 2.0 doesn't come with a remote, they expect you to use the LC Universal Remote, Bluetooth on your phone, or TMCC/Legacy to control it.

i have the lionmaster lc2 bigboy.  yes it runs on o31.  but if you have existing scenery adjustments may be needed.  It swings  wide and i had to adjust tunnel's and  cliff walls.  However i love love this engine!!!

I have the Vision Line Big Boy, and scenery adjustments are most CERTAINLY needed if you put them too close.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Actually, the new LC+ 2.0 doesn't come with a remote, they expect you to use the LC Universal Remote, Bluetooth on your phone, or TMCC/Legacy to control it.

Thanks for the correction.  Mine is the first legacy lionmaster big boy which doesn't have the additional whistle smoke which was re-released later.  I'm glad they are keeping the model updated as it's a great compromise for those of us with smaller than O72 curves.

The LC+ 2.0 BB is a pretty impressive looking beast, it's a nice compromise if you can't run scale locomotives.

I have the K-Line Big Boy and it can take O27 track.  It's a great runner and my 7 year old loves running it with the Cab-1 while I run my Vision Line Big Boy with the Cab-2.  The only issue is it's rather quiet sound wise.

All of the MTH Raii King Big Boys run on O-31 track, as well.

Wow, I finally got back here and found my answer. I had forgotten about semi-scale & scale and am glad to hear that the Big Boy can indeed run on 031 track. Ya just gotta get the right "scale"!

Thanks to all for the information, now I know what to look  for.

Norm Schreck

@sinclair posted:

I have the K-Line Big Boy and it can take O27 track.  It's a great runner and my 7 year old loves running it with the Cab-1 while I run my Vision Line Big Boy with the Cab-2.  The only issue is it's rather quiet sound wise.

The K-Line Big Boy version is much smaller than even the Lionmaster "semi scale" Big Boy when we did a comparison of it against the Lionel version many years ago.  I think if you have the Kline version it would be pretty noticeable that it's not close to scale when using it with scale cars or parked near other scale locomotives, but perfect for traditional trains and really tight curves!  If all you have is traditional size equipment, this is a good choice.  The Lionmaster version does feel "massive" with traditional equipment (as it should be) and visually acceptable with scale equipment and other scale locomotives as long as you don't park it next to the scale Challenger, Big Boy, or Allegheny.  All the above is my subjective opinion of course...

Where can you buy one of them now?

I have the Grey Hound #4000 LC+ 2.0 Trainmaster Big Boy from a couple years back Lionel # 1932170.

I bought mine about 6 or so months back but have not seen any for sale since.

It runs fantastic on o31 and actually has much less overhang then I expected due to the articulating drivers. More overhang in the back then the front for sure.

Its my favorite locomotive. Whistle is amazing!

Brad

I have a LionMaster Big Boy and Challenger and SP cab forward. I also have the Lionel Vision Line scale Big Boy and Challenger. My home layout has 054 curves so I can only run the LionMasters at home. Our club has 80 and 72 inch curves and so I run the Vision Line as well as the LioneMasters on the club layout.

As for the LionMasters, I like them as they do give a good representation of the scale versions. Having a small home layout, allows me to run these with my scale cars. One thing I do, is avoid putting scale box cars behind the LM's. I usually put a flat car or 2 or a gondola behind the tender. This way, the larger scale cars do not detract from the LM's smaller size.

RAY

@pmilazzo posted:

The K-Line Big Boy version is much smaller than even the Lionmaster "semi scale" Big Boy when we did a comparison of it against the Lionel version many years ago.  I think if you have the Kline version it would be pretty noticeable that it's not close to scale when using it with scale cars or parked near other scale locomotives, but perfect for traditional trains and really tight curves!  If all you have is traditional size equipment, this is a good choice.  The Lionmaster version does feel "massive" with traditional equipment (as it should be) and visually

The K-Line Big Boy was actually built to S-scale (1:64), and is the same scale as PW American Flyer equipment, but mounted on 3RO running gear (the same thing that AF did with their then-new 1:64 locos in the 1930's, making the K-Line S-scale/O-gauge BB sort of a full-circle thing).

The former K-Line BB has been produced by Lionel as a proper S-scale AND S-gauge loco, has it not?