Lionel vision line big boy, who is in for one?

being limited by O54 curves, i am out of this discussion...although i will be very interested to see what shows up.

I'll drive the get away car, as that'll be about the only way I could afford it.  I have a K-Line Titan Big Boy and love it.  I'd really love one with all the features of Vision as it is my favorite locomotive.  But please, don't make it #4014, or at least offer different numbers.  It's great and all that UP is going to try to restore it, but jumping on the bandwagon is just lame in my books.

But still, maybe I could talk my LHS to do a payment plan...

Jon,

i am reading very carefully the evolution of this thread. I know that what you are overseeing will be the latest and greatest. I hear, also, what you are saying about limited influence with marketing. I will e-mail Uncle Jerry and Cousin Mike. I will put in some good words for the features we will want. I urge all of you to do the same.

If any of you need Uncle Jerry's e-mail or Cousin Mike's e-mail, please let me know.

I will also e-mail someone special and let him know we need him to urge Lionel to do what we are suggesting.

Curmudgeon Scher

My wife said if I purchase another train she would leave me gosh I,am  gonna miss her

Yes I'm totally In.

I cant wait to lash them up.  Hope they offer several road numbers.

Need a 4014 with the oil tender like it will look like after restoration!

Like Hot Water said, no swinging bells since the prototype's bells didn't swing either.  Late 1940s configuration.  Model it after #4014 as she was at retirement.  At some later date when the real one is back in service, re-release it as a converted oil burner.

I'm certainly interested in one or possibly two; if more numbers are made.  I really like Hotwater's idea on class lights.  Keep it authentic and realistic to the prototype.   John

Seems like this engine would look good with a long line of reefers from that era.  How about  more of those with different numbers to add to it.   John

I have about 25 PFE reefers - Lionel, MTH, whatever - with only a couple of repeat numbers - those and a scale UP caboose makes for a very impressive train. 

Just please don't put a blue/white LED headlamp!

As far as engine features, what about operating brake-shoes? Would something like that be possible? They don't need to actually slow down the loco, but the appearance of them clamping down would be a hoot!

>>Like Hot Water said, no swinging bells since the prototype's bells didn't swing either<<

Prototypical or not, I'd like the swinging bell.  Why not a switch to turn it off so it  rings stationary?  We can both be happy..

Every time a "what feature would you like" appeared on OGR over the past three years I proposed user controlled class lights that change color. I guess Jon finally read a post suggesting it.   Hope the idea materalizes.

Joe

I'd have to see it and hear it before I pull the trigger.

Very reasonable position to take.  Not everyone is gonna plunk down $1800+ based on a catalog representation... which may be why Lionel plans to have a prototype on display at York -- hopefully a fully functional prototype at that.

David

I just hope it's a little better representation of the final product than the LRRC Grand Central Station prototype they had on display in April.

Somehow I really don't think "clap trap stuff" like that would be a desirable feature on a $2000 model trying to represent a SCALE Union Pacific 4000 class locomotive.

But that is just my opinion.

If you're going to have a swinging bell, then there will be people who also expect a simulated lanyard and stanchions included between the cab and the bell to make it look like it's being pulled, especially since other scale models that came out within the past several years have them already.  So that would mean Lionel would be adding another visual detail that is not accurate to the actual engine onto an expensive, high-end model that is supposed to simulate the prototype.

Best to just have the model represent how the actual prototype runs as closely as possible and add a alternate Vision Line features elsewhere that would keep it realistic (like the simulated operating brake shoes or switchable color class lights as was already mentioned) rather than than include an operating visual feature the real thing didn't have.

I like the idea of operating brake shoes. Also how about operating reversing mechanism. I see it is already being done in 2 rail.

Marty,

You are my man !

You are also very special.

I was referring to another very special person.

He has strings attached.

Scrappy

>>I like the idea of operating brake shoes. Also how about operating reversing mechanism<<

Yes, an expensive feature you'll need a magnifying glass to see. The bell may be unprototypical but its neat & very visible..

Instead, I'd rather see the engineer wearing a helmet cam that gives a cab perspective of a BigBoy in operation. They're cheap enough and small enough to make it possible.

While they're at it, make it operate or put another on the rear of the tender so operators can see the coupler when coupling at a remote location..

And not wanting to sound difficult but while on the topic, make it viewable on the Legacy remote screen.

Hey Jon, is there a App for that in my lifetime???

Joe 

I have a bunch of Vision line items and they are all great locos and I love all of them but half of them have been in for repairs, all that swinging bell, smoking whistle and blow down cylinders nonsense means nothing. I didn't even notice the smoking whistle on the challenger until I had it for over a year. Instead of adding a whole bunch of nic naccy nonsense that doesnt really work that well why not put the effort into making a $2000 locomotive that works right out of the box

I will purchase one!  Hope is 4018 - the one that has just moved to Frisco museum right north of us.

Just some thoughts on possible additions to Lionel's new UP 4000 class model, instead of smoking whistles, smoke out of the cylinder cocks, and/or blow down smoke:

1) Sand pipes with the correct nozzle on the tip.

2) Reversing valve gear. Sunset/3rd Rail offered this feature on their last "anniversary series" model of the C&O H-8 2-6-6-6. I have one and it works great.

3) Closer coupling of the engine and tender. At the very least, how about that "self adjusting" drawbar arrangement offered on the Milwaukee Road S3 4-8-4 models.  

4) Movable/working exhaust stack hoods, which were air operated on the real 4000s, and used in tunnels.

5) Mounting pad on the rear of the tender under frame so the 3-Rail SCALE modelers can EASILY mount a Kadee coupler.

I am 100% out. Lionel keeps hitting the 'big engine' crowd, I doubt that the big boy will be much different than the Challenger. I'm excited to see it I guess, but don't think many will be buying it.

Sorry but I am just frustrated after Lionel started putting whistle steam into a lot of their product and have now stopped. 

There was a "what features should the next vision line engine have" maybe a year ago that had amazing ideas.

No.

If they could manage to have these on the Flyer Y3, they should be able to squeeze them in somehow on an O scale Big Boy.

Rusty

I'am in for one. Come on Marty jump in you need one.

I figured  you would be good for 2 Nick.

Hmmm... a special person w/ strings attached.  Makes one wonder:

LOLOL

E-mails sent.

Let's hope.

I'd be in for the swinging bell even though it isn't there in reality. The average person would not know if the real one had one or not & it draws a lot of attention. Also, need to make nice caboose to go with it.

Swinging bell and I'm back out. Lol. 

Why add needless, non-protypical, features to a high-end model? 

Lionel already offered BEAUTIFUL scale UP CA-4 cabooses, a couple of years ago, so reissuing that caboose should be no problem.

Anyone hear when this is supposed to be released?

Only heard it was to be announced in 2014. 

Well I forgot about another engine that maybe out next year.  One near and dear to my heart so the Big Boy is most likely not coming home with me.  I'd much rather have the engine in mind.