I bought a Rivarossi Big Boy 4-8-8-4 Model# HR2099 recently with DCC and sound. The engine is everything that I expected for detail and I love DCC now that I have it. The only problem I noticed so far is that the electrical pickups are staggered between all axles. Starting at the front: the guide wheels and first set of drivers are “positive” polarity only and the second set of drivers and rear guide wheels are “negative” polarity.
I thought that the electrical pickups would be on every axle similar to all the diesel locomotives that I own NOT staggered in this manner.
The problem is that the locomotive frequently loses power and causes the DCC to restart and therefore the locomotive doesn’t move more than a few inches and will not go around corners or the straights.
My trackwork is new, soldered and the DC locomotives run perfect. I also tried the Big Boy in DC mode with the same results of restarting and stalling so I know the problem is power pickup related.
I was going to make my own pickup system for the drivers so that they will always get power but first I want to make sure this is normal for a brand new $350 Rivarossi steam locomotive before I try to fix it myself or send it back to the place of purchase so that I can buy a different brand with “true” pickups on each axle (if there is such a manufacturer)
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF ATHEARN OR ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER OFFERS A BIG BOY WITH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PICKUPS ON SOME IF NOT ALL AXLES???
The Athearn Big Boy is superior to the Rivarossi model in all aspects except for the sound decoder. It has a perfect pickup scheme and beautiful running characteristics. Most people remove the MRC decoder and replace it with a Tsunami.
In the future, I strongly suggest doing research before you buy. Money is hard come by these days and a bit of digging would have brought up these issues…at least a re-direct towards the Athearn would have been suggested.
Can you return the Rivarossi? I would and then get the Athearn. If it is in the budget, I would also purchase a Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU-1000 Heavy Steam or a QSI Revolution-U and have it installed. The QSI chip allows for sound-reloading, but the Tsunami has a beautiful sound file. Both are fine decoders and will serve you well for years to come.
A review of that engine in IIRC Model Railroad News last year pointed out the pick-up problem. The reviewer noted that it had trouble going thru some turnouts on his test track.
The new Hornby/ Rivarossi’s don’t use MRC decoders they use LokSound 3.5 sound decoders. i have two of them and they don’t get used hardly ever any more but the only problem I had was running them through turnouts at low prototypical yard speed 5mph and that was not the fault of the locomotive but rather the non powered frogs. I cured that problem and other stalling issues by using the Hex Frog Juicer from TAM Valley Depot.
Granted they can’t hold a candle to my Trix Big boy but the two combined don’t cost as much so there has to be a trade off some where.
I did some research before the purchase but I didn’t search the Model railroader forums or site thoroghly – oh well, hope I can return it or I will have to modify my Big Boy.
RE: Big Boy electrical issue - Solved Quickly - Very Satisfied!
I just purchased the new Hornby Rivarossi Big Boy HR2358 Cab 4017. I also experienced electrical issues when first put on the track. It would cycle up, start to move, interrupt, reset run a little and repeat. I checked all connections and contacts. When the problem continued I asked my Local hobby shop owner if he had a number of someone at Hornby I could call. He gave me the card of his Hornby Sales rep.
To save time I shot this person an email explaining the issue.
I recieved a response email within hours. When I he indicated that a tech from the west coast would be contacting me by the afternoon.
As promised the tech called me within 3 hours from that email. He explained that they’ve identified a “power hog” with some of the new chips. Basically meaning that the some of the newer installed chips would draw too much power and overload the system. A new chip would have to be swapped out. He explained the process clearly. Believing I could manage this myself instead of sending in the locomotive he said he would ship a replacement chip immediately.
The new chip arrived within days. 3 careful screws to remove the boiler cover. The chip was easy to remove and install the new one. Replaced the boiler cover. Tested loco. Works perfectly.
I recognize we’re talking about miniature and electrical, defects or bugs can happen. I was impressed by the quick and professional assistance provided by Hornby/Rivarossi. Now I’m happy to say I’m really enjoying my new big boy. Thanks!