New Big Boy

I like the 4019 because of smoke deflectors. I ordered it, haven’t received yet.

I totally agree with you.  However, just torn on the excursion cars with the 4014 oil burning. 

I got my 4019 and I think it’s great. I like how the handled the deflectors they are packed separately. As with most new locomotives I’d go through and check everything just to make sure it’s all good. If your a runner/ operator I’d go through oil everything and add some grease to the gear boxes.

Thank you Zachariah

@Ron Casamento posted:

I like the 4019 because of smoke deflectors. I ordered it, haven’t received yet.

Must admit that I never knew that any of the UP 4000 class locomotives ever had Wind Wings, which was the proper name for the "smoke deflectors" referred to.

I got the 4012 because it was the first Big Boy I ever saw. A friend and I were on a trip in Scranton because we're huge fans of The Office. I knew there was a railroad related museum there but I did not know it featured a Big Boy. I was pretty excited when we pulled up and it was sitting there! I couldn't get over the size! So I had to get it. I never had a Big Boy on my model railroad so this will be an exciting acquisition!

I ordered but haven't received it. I'm pumped to finally add a Big Boy to my roster!

Billy, that’s great, I’m sure you will love it. Enjoy. I haven’t received my 4019 yet. I’m a little anxious. Hopefully everything is good. I’m taking everybody’s advice. Going to lube and grease etc. Ron

@Hot Water posted:

Must admit that I never knew that any of the UP 4000 class locomotives ever had Wind Wings, which was the proper name for the "smoke deflectors" referred to.

Smoke Lifters on Union Pacific Steam Locomotives

From that page...

"Wind Wings"

The smoke lifter feature on Union Pacific steam locomotives that railfans and modelers know as "elephant ears," were actually known on UP as "Wind Wings," the name used on the company's engineering drawings. Most of the 4-8-4 steam locomotives on Union Pacific were equipped with smoke lifters, and a few of the railroad's 4-6-6-4 Challenger engines, as well as one of the company's 4-8-8-4 Big Boy engines.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Smoke Lifters on Union Pacific Steam Locomotives

From that page...

"Wind Wings"

The smoke lifter feature on Union Pacific steam locomotives that railfans and modelers know as "elephant ears," were actually known on UP as "Wind Wings," the name used on the company's engineering drawings. Most of the 4-8-4 steam locomotives on Union Pacific were equipped with smoke lifters, and a few of the railroad's 4-6-6-4 Challenger engines, as well as one of the company's 4-8-8-4 Big Boy engines.

Interesting. I checked the UtahaRails site, and found that #4019 was tested with Wind Wings, from late 1945 to January 1946. The test was apparently not very successful, so the Wind Wings were subsequently removed. Locomotive #4019 was the ONLY 4-8-8-4 ever equipped with Wind Wings, and then for only about 3 months at most.

@Hot Water posted:

Interesting. I checked the UtahaRails site, and found that #4019 was tested with Wind Wings, from late 1945 to January 1946. The test was apparently not very successful, so the Wind Wings were subsequently removed. Locomotive #4019 was the ONLY 4-8-8-4 ever equipped with Wind Wings, and then for only about 3 months at most.

Well, you know that if a truck drove by a Big Boy with a load containing the Wind Wings that it would be enough for Lionel to add them to the model.

I have the 6- 11210 VL Challenger with wind deflectors. For me I just like the look of it. That’s why I ordered the 4019. The good news I understand they come on and off easily by magnets.

I ordered the 4000 from the Custom Run from Mr. Muffins.   Received it last week and just got around to doing a quick inspection and test this last weekend.   No issues and everything tested out OK and absolutely pleased.  Have not had the chance but will open it up to check for grease and add as needed as per the other thread noting this potential issue prior to running it further.   Appreciate that awareness on the lack of grease.

Only issue I had was that I was missing the manual in the box which will reach out to get one.

Shortened the video of the early part of the test.

Sweet, impressive smoke!

If you want a Big Boy and can swing it, this is the one to have! From sound to smoke output and so many more features, Lionel did an incredible job!

The sound on that is really nice!

I've had my Brady's Trains 4013 Big Boy for a few weeks, I love it. Looks amazing and performs well so far. I like it so much I just purchased the 4014 coal fired version. Looking forward to receiving it.

@Hot Water posted:

Must admit that I never knew that any of the UP 4000 class locomotives ever had Wind Wings, which was the proper name for the "smoke deflectors" referred to.

If you google the engine there is a picture of the engine near 29th and Pacific streets in Ogden with the wings attached. It looks pretty sharp. When previous Big Boys were released I remember that several people made requests for them to be included of future models.

I always wondered why they were declared a failure, when they seemed to work well on other UP engines

@cbojanower posted:

If you google the engine there is a picture of the engine near 29th and Pacific streets in Ogden with the wings attached. It looks pretty sharp. When previous Big Boys were released I remember that several people made requests for them to be included of future models.

I always wondered why they were declared a failure, when they seemed to work well on other UP engines

The Wind Wings were not successful on the 4000 class locomotives for two supposed reasons: First, they were all coal burners (except for only one oil burning experiment). Second the 4000 class locomotives were much slower operating speeds than the 800 class and 3900/3700 class Challengers (the oil burning Challengers received the Wind Wings).

@Hot Water posted:

Interesting. I checked the UtahaRails site, and found that #4019 was tested with Wind Wings, from late 1945 to January 1946. The test was apparently not very successful, so the Wind Wings were subsequently removed. Locomotive #4019 was the ONLY 4-8-8-4 ever equipped with Wind Wings, and then for only about 3 months at most.

The narrative reads:

"By January of 1946, tests showed that improved exhaust nozzles were a better option for smoke control and the smoke lifters on UP 4019 were removed."

Says nothing about being "unsuccessful", just that exhaust nozzles were a "better option".

Question: I want to swap out the dummy coupler on the front of my new Big Boy to double head. Is there some trick to get at the screw holding the coupler in? I flipped it over and there is a metal bar right over it preventing me from getting at it with the screwdriver.  Has anybody swaped theirs out yet? Any thoughts or feedback would be helpful.  Thanks!

Scott Kelly

@rscott

yeah that’s a fun project. It’s the same as the previous 2 runs, what I do is I remove two screws that are hidden by the pilot truck. That should make the whole top portion of the pilot, deck, headlight, and all loose. Then you can get to the one screw to swap in the dummy coupler

Ok,  I loosened those two screws under the forward truck, and indeed the top portion with the light came off, but it did not seem to loosen the metal grill that sits right on top of where the screw is,  looking at it upside down.

the pictures show the two screws that i think are the ones that you mentioned, then the result, the top deck coming free, but in the last picture, that metal grill is still firmly in place above the screw, i can get the screw driver in there at an angle, but the screw is too tight, trying to turn the screw driver when it is at an angle.

My bad I was going off memory. After you get the platform loose there are two more screws that were under it and that should get that piece loose

Thank you Zachariah,

Your instructions did the trick! You weren't kidding, it was a mini-project.  There was nothing in the manual about how to get at  this screw. Well, it all turned out good.  Thanks again for your help, it was much appreciated!

Same as the 2014 VL-BB, it is a bit of a project to add the dummy coupler.

Looks like it was worth it. The two boys look sweet going down the track! 👍