MTH Premier Big Boy

Mod the Big Boy?..😳🤨😬.....

         survey says: NO

Pat

Make a tool like this. Measure the swing of the engine on the smallest diameter it will travel. Measure from center rail out. I attached this bass wood using that measurement from the screw head and use it whenever I’m laying track. Place a car on the adjacent track and make sure the end of the gauge clears. Works great for tunnel portal clearance also.

Yes, I got that too! I run two rail and thought I had larger center to center curves in spots where I'd need it.

So for now, The Big boy has trackage rights and other trains have to park. Sounds good, right?

Nope. It matters where you park them!

I believe that 4.5" centers would work with the largest curves only. I think I have 5' radius curves and in spots in must not be. I noticed the Bigboy overhang looked dangerously close in more than one area.

Up until now, my Challengers were doing fine with what I had. I really didn't think the Bigboy would be a problem. Wrong again.

I can only run my challenger on the outside track for this very reason.  I can’t even run it turned around in the other direction without it hitting signals and such.  There’s no way I could run a big boy.

I maintain a 5"-5.25" center rail to center rail distance on the curves and 4.5" on the straight always. No issues with big power/big over-hang engines colliding. I used Gargraves, so transition into and out of the curves was easy.

That said, I just did a PS3 upgrade on my Chessie M1 and learned that it collided on a new section of scenery. Thankfully I was running it slow and without the shell during the test. I had a similar issue with a tunnel portal and it's proximity to a curve.

We have the same issue on track 1 on our club layout as my premier big boy can run on track 2 with no problems. Have a spot where it cannot navigate on a curve where our double Atlas bridge is located for the upper runs.
If you have followed our thread under the announcements section, I and Bud go back and forth picking on each other. Since he was so precise in building our new club layout, I often tell him to rip it down and start over! Lol!
The BIG boy has some swing.

4.5" track spacing isn't even in the ballpark, start with 6" and work from there!   I know my VL-BB will clean 21" passenger cars off adjacent O99 curves spaced at 5", watched it with my own eyes!  The owner of the passenger cars wasn't as amused as I was, I really can't blame him.  Fortunately, no damage was done and we're still friends.  When you start running multiple scale articulated locomotives, a whole new set of rules apply!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

4.5" track spacing isn't even in the ballpark, start with 6" and work from there!   I know my VL-BB will clean 21" passenger cars off adjacent O99 curves spaced at 5", watched it with my own eyes!  The owner of the passenger cars wasn't as amused as I was, I really can't blame him.  Fortunately, no damage was done and we're still friends.  When you start running multiple scale articulated locomotives, a whole new set of rules apply!

John: I learned that real fast last night. I need to rethink my entire layout if I want to run both the A and the Big Boy or the Centipedes together in any combination. Back to the drawing board after all the track is down along with switches and sidings not to mention a TT installed.

Yep, I'm glad I learned that BEFORE I started this layout, I tried to maintain 6" wherever I can.  There are a couple closer spots on the layout, we'll see how that shakes out.  I've also discovered that the MTH Premier big boy has the widest swing of any engine I have, even wider about about 1/4" than the Lionel VL-BB.  Not sure why, but it really clears the track sides in front of it!  I won't be running any really huge passenger cars, I limited my self to 18" cars for the most part.  There are some shorter cars, the MTH Woodside Passenger cars, and of course stuff like the set Polar Express and Hogwart's cars when I'm in a fantasy mood.

If I find a bottleneck, I may just add some signals and track power control to deal with it.

I have found that I could maintain 4.25 or 4.5 Center to Center in straight aways, MTH Double Track Bridges, Atlas Double Track Bridges, an Ross Double Cross Over. CURVES Require a "Spiraling Curve Effect" I would use a Ross 096 Sectional ( 4 pieces to make a 90 deg curve) Outside Track, then use a Ross 104 to an 088, 088, and return with a 104 for the next Track in, use a Ross 112 to an 080,080, and return with a 112, I believe I even used 072 in the apex of the curve in some cases. The larger Radius creates an "easement approach" (Technically it may be called something else) into the apex and back out. I can run MTH Big Boys and 21" cars with enough clearances., sometimes only a 1/4" or so.    Sectional Ross allowed me to play with clearances, try this or try that, until I got the desired clearances. Zig-Zags, S's etc. 120's help in some cases also. Worked Great for me, with a nice look to the track.

Dean

Straight sections are no sweat very close, it's the curves that are the problem.  And, since the curves enter the straight section, they would have to be matched to that 4.25" spacing, and 4.25" spacing on curves is going to be a problem.

Rick, Ouch!!  I'm so sorry to see this topic about clearance problems with your big engines! 

The RK ps3 C&O Allegheny is no slouch when it comes to boss of the rails either .   Cab swing is where this girl has fun with the other trains.

I have a double outside loop coming down from a bridge onto a section with multiple sizes of curves . O31 in one section .     If the Allegheny moves on the inside track it will play with the consist on the outer track.........as long as they are moving at the exact same speed.   If not .......well ! #%>$%

The center rail to center rail is 4 3/4 inch and inside , Allegheny side, is about an inch lower.

I usually run the Allegheny with two other trains at the same time on the 5'×16' double loop.     Gotta keep  track of where I'm  rotating  these girls at all times.  Usually have a RK Triplex pulling 17 coal cars and caboose in the mix.     Sure is a lot of fun and keeps my mind occupied.