I have an opportunity to pick up a MTH Big Boy with PS1 at around $300-325. It is unclear if the PS1 board works or not as this has been untested and the seller has no means to test. Lets assume that the board is fried, how much am I looking at to upgrade to PS3. The price should include the work of a tech to upgrade it, as I am not looking to go down that path myself.
Also are there any other "issues" with the MTH Big Boy I should consider?
Thanks in advance
Bill
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I did one of these years ago when the 3v kits first came out. Prices may have increased since then. IIRCC, the upgrade kit was in the $200 range, plus another $100 or so for the install. I had to cut the traces on the smoke unit's board. I forget if if blew smoke constantly, or chuffed. GRJ can probably help you out with the smoke.
Chris
LVHR
PS/3 will handle the chuffing smoke, and the PS/1 smoke unit is modified by removing the electronics for the PS/3 upgrade. If this is a scale BB, that's a good price.
Yes, I paid about $750 earlier this year for an unused Premier unit from 1997, so a used Premier model from the same period for less than $350 is an exceptional deal.
The upgrade will cost you $300, but you may be surprised and find the PS1 electronics are fine, as long as you start with a fresh battery or BCR before trying to start it up.
Note: MTH also made a RailKing Big Boy, which is much smaller. Still a good price at $300, but not as great of a deal.
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