Hey, fellas. So here it is, the vision line big boy review...all 55 minutes of it! I hope you enjoy it.
Don't ask me why, out of 55 minutes of preview snapshots to choose from, YouTube had to choose a one of a coal hopper that was shown in the video for all of 10 seconds. But, on the other hand, maybe it'll help build suspense because if you're wondering what in the world an MTH coal hopper has to do with the vision line big boy you'll have to watch to find out the answer! 
Thanks,
Eric Siegel
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Great Eric! Thanks for your videos.
I don't like Eric
His video reviews make me want to go out and buy stuff that I had no intention of buying previously.
Looks like that preview snapshot got updated 
Looking forward to watching later.
Very informative and entertaining, thank-you!
--Greg
Hi Eric & Alex M. • First class railroad history & story about the Big Boy. Lionel has every detail on this locomotive. The cab interior details is very well done. The Lionel designers & engineers went all out with the smoke deflector & depleting coal load. Excellent custom hand held LED studio light. 100% cool review.
• Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway.
As always ERIC, great video!!! Thank you!
Can't wait to watch this! Sure it'll be great as always!
Great video, as is the norm from you, but you did miss a couple of things. 1st of all, like Hot Water has stated since the announcement of this thing, the alternating smoke from the stacks is not prototypical. And as such, Lionel provided the ability to turn it off when you program the TMCC ID so that both stack fire at the same time. 2nd of all, there are actually 6 of the work/wheel lights on the locomotive, not 4. The other two are on the bottom side of the cab near the back. They are tucked up there so they don't have the nifty light cages like the others, but they are there. And they turn off at speed step 22 (I run my BB at speed step 21 a lot so that all the lights are still on. It's fun to do in the dark.).
And speaking of when the lights go off, Eric said they go off at about 20 MPH. My understanding was that Lionel does speed steps, not MPH like MTH does. And as such, speed step 20 doesn't necessarily mean 20 mph. Did I misunderstand that?
Great video, as is the norm from you, but you did miss a couple of things. 1st of all, like Hot Water has stated since the announcement of this thing, the alternating smoke from the stacks is not prototypical. And as such, Lionel provided the ability to turn it off when you program the TMCC ID so that both stack fire at the same time. 2nd of all, there are actually 6 of the work/wheel lights on the locomotive, not 4. The other two are on the bottom side of the cab near the back. They are tucked up there so they don't have the nifty light cages like the others, but they are there. And they turn off at speed step 22 (I run my BB at speed step 21 a lot so that all the lights are still on. It's fun to do in the dark.).
And speaking of when the lights go off, Eric said they go off at about 20 MPH. My understanding was that Lionel does speed steps, not MPH like MTH does. And as such, speed step 20 doesn't necessarily mean 20 mph. Did I misunderstand that?
Wonder why Lionel decided to turn this "running lights" off after the locomotive starts moving? The real ons stay on all the time. Seems odd to me.
Nice rundown on Vision bb.
Bob C.
Great review; didn't know there was that much detail.
RickM46
Great product review as usual. Your work both on the layout and video's are top shelf.
Eric,
Fantastic review as always, I'm glad the pictures helped out
Thanks,
Alex
Eric,
Another great review video. Thanks.
George
Eric, great review! Thanks!
I have 4018 and now that I am home from Taiwan, will have time to get it out of the box. My older Big Boy goes off to Alex tomorrow for upgrades.
Great review Eric! Love the sound on that monster!
Another great review. Thanks for taking the time to do them for us and please keep them coming. I enjoy them all.
Already told you on Facebook and Youtube, but will say it again. Awesome review! I am glad I own this engine.
Chris
Excellent review...very detailed.
Another gem!
Great video, as is the norm from you, but you did miss a couple of things. 1st of all, like Hot Water has stated since the announcement of this thing, the alternating smoke from the stacks is not prototypical. And as such, Lionel provided the ability to turn it off when you program the TMCC ID so that both stack fire at the same time. 2nd of all, there are actually 6 of the work/wheel lights on the locomotive, not 4. The other two are on the bottom side of the cab near the back. They are tucked up there so they don't have the nifty light cages like the others, but they are there. And they turn off at speed step 22 (I run my BB at speed step 21 a lot so that all the lights are still on. It's fun to do in the dark.).
And speaking of when the lights go off, Eric said they go off at about 20 MPH. My understanding was that Lionel does speed steps, not MPH like MTH does. And as such, speed step 20 doesn't necessarily mean 20 mph. Did I misunderstand that?
Thanks for the info, it's good to know. Unfortunately, if I took the time to carefully research every aspect of the engine to make sure all my info is 100% accurate it would probably take me 6 months to finish the video. As with almost every other train I own, I'm not an expert on the prototype so a mistake is bound to slip out here and there. Such is life.
I don't think I ever said MPH in the video. In fact, I recall that I actually had to redo that scene because on the first try I said "20 scale miles per hour" and than I had to go back and correct myself. Also, I was also careful not to say "exactly 20" because it was hard (for me at least) to tell exactly when the lights cut off...so I said "around 20" to be safe. When in doubt, I always try to choose words that are a little vague.
That scene with the ground lights was actually a last minute pick-up shot that I had to get just before I uploaded the video. I was previewing the finished video and had a "uh oh!" moment when I realized I hadn't mentioned the ground lights, so I hurriedly rushed back down to the layout room to grab that shot. So it figures that I missed the 2 back lights...it was a rushed shot. Oh well. I guess it's better than no shot.
Anyway, thanks for the info and I'm glad you enjoyed the vid.
Thanks again,
Eric Siegel
Eric,
Fantastic review as always, I'm glad the pictures helped out
Thanks,
Alex
Thank again, Alex, for letting me use those photos. Glad you liked the video.
-Eric
Eric,
Nice job as usual ... Man I wish I could run this one on my layout. O54 are my widest turns ..... Thanks for the review. Question - Will you try to integrate the LCS Sensor track on your layout?
Watched Eric's Vision Line BB review last night. Great job, as always!
Fantastic detailed video.
Great video, as is the norm from you, but you did miss a couple of things. 1st of all, like Hot Water has stated since the announcement of this thing, the alternating smoke from the stacks is not prototypical. And as such, Lionel provided the ability to turn it off when you program the TMCC ID so that both stack fire at the same time. 2nd of all, there are actually 6 of the work/wheel lights on the locomotive, not 4. The other two are on the bottom side of the cab near the back. They are tucked up there so they don't have the nifty light cages like the others, but they are there. And they turn off at speed step 22 (I run my BB at speed step 21 a lot so that all the lights are still on. It's fun to do in the dark.).
And speaking of when the lights go off, Eric said they go off at about 20 MPH. My understanding was that Lionel does speed steps, not MPH like MTH does. And as such, speed step 20 doesn't necessarily mean 20 mph. Did I misunderstand that?
Wonder why Lionel decided to turn this "running lights" off after the locomotive starts moving? The real ons stay on all the time. Seems odd to me.
I also don't understand why the cab lights go off after the locomotive is in motion. It's not like the crew doesn't need to see the controls after they are moving. At least you can turn the cab lights back on (Although it's a bother to have to do it every time you move the locomotive.). I wish there was an option to have the lights stay on all the time, and that's about my only nitpick of this BB.
Eric,
I too must say that I owe most of what I do to you and your layout and your videos. You are my go-to source as is this Forum. My wife is always amazed that I can go on here and ask a question and have an answer in minutes. So THANK YOU Eric, and THANK YOU OGR Forumites!! I wish I lived closer to you as well so I could visit and run my new Big Boy on your layout!!
Wyndham
Wonder why Lionel decided to turn this "running lights" off after the locomotive starts moving? The real ons stay on all the time. Seems odd to me.
I also don't understand why the cab lights go off after the locomotive is in motion. It's not like the crew doesn't need to see the controls after they are moving. At least you can turn the cab lights back on (Although it's a bother to have to do it every time you move the locomotive.). I wish there was an option to have the lights stay on all the time, and that's about my only nitpick of this BB.
In the real world, those cab lights would indeed be "turned off" prior to starting the train, at night of course. Neither the Engineer nor the Fireman require any lights "to see the controls", as the cab lights were usually only used to read the orders. Any light in the locomotive cab at night, seriously affects the vision of the crew. That is why the various gauges used by the Fireman & Engineer are very dimly lit, so as NOT to affect their "night vision".
Thus, Lionel is correct in turning off the cab interior lights, when movement begins. Those lights under the walkways however, should stay on all the time.
You don't drive at night with the dome light on in your car, do you?
No, I don't, but then I didn't know that the gauges were back lit either. Thanks Hot Water for the info.
No, I don't, but then I didn't know that the gauges were back lit either. Thanks Hot Water for the info.
The gauges in steam locomotives are not "back lit" as they are in diesel units. Steam locomotives equipped with Dynamotors and electric lights, have shielded light fixtures that have a small slit to allow just enough light to show on the face of the gauge/gauges, otherwise the 32volt bulb is completely enclosed within the small housing. These "gauge light housings" are generally mounted above and to one side, so as to illuminate the gauge without blocking the view from either the Engineer or the Fireman.
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