[:D]How good is the Rivarossi big-boy 4-8-8-4??Got one comming in the mail.[8D]
JIM
Hello oleirish. I’ve never heard anything bad about the Rivarossi version. I’m not sure who makes it, but there is one that the wheel flanges are too big on to run on standard track. What scale is yours ?.
Tracklayer
If it is the newer loco with the RP25 wheels and motor in the boiler, I am sure you will be happy with it. The older models with the oversize flanges and pancake motors were not that great. I have a new style Rivarossi 4-6-6-4 Challenger and its detail is very good and it is a great runner.
Agreed. I have a newer model Rivarossi Challenger with the motor in the boiler and brass flywheel. It’s awesome. That’s the only word I can think of…though not good enough.
[quote]
Originally posted by Tracklayer
Hello oleirish. I’ve never heard anything bad about the Rivarossi version. I’m not sure who makes it, but there is one that the wheel flanges are too big on to run on standard track. What scale is yours ?.
Tracklayer
Its my luck its probley the one with big flanges Its an HO.
Thanks
JIM
I am glad I came into this topic cause I am thinking on buying on also. Thanks for the info Jim. [:D]
my track is code 100 will this mallett work on it?If there is a flange problem how do you fix it???changing out motor is no problem,I’ve changed a few!!
JIM
Want mine? I’m not using it since going to On30.
I’ve never seen any versions run, but if it’s old, than there is a chance it will run well and a chance it won’t. The ones with the round motors are probably more powerful than the square motor ones because my E8 with the round motor is pretty powerful, and also more powerful than my square motor U25C. I hear the newer version is great.
Thanks a lot guys,guess I’ll just wate tell it arives an see what is going on???
JIM
Sorry I didn’t catch this posting when it was new. I have an older Rivarossi N&W Y6b with the big flanges and it runs just fine on the code 100 track, so I don’t think your Big Boy will have any problems. By the way if your Big Boy is the newer can motored, traction tired version it’ll be pretty close to a Trix Big Boy for pulling power. And for general info the traction tires are good for about 43cars without slippage (older plastic wheeled Athearn,Tyco,Roundhouse box cars). I have a Rivarossi Allegheny (comparable pulling power to the newer Big Boy) that would spin like crazy with only 17 cars- no traction tires, but jumped to a respectable 43 cars with the traction tire equipped drivers.
Oleirish:
Ditto Berk-fan284’s remark on the flanges. I have a number of old Rivarossi locos with the deep flanges. You should have no trouble whatsoever with Code 100 rail which has long been the traditional hobby standard for HO; however you’ll have problems running the older locos with deep-flanged wheels on lighter rail (Code 83, Code 70, etc.).
Although the newer Rivarossi locos are even better than the older ones (more detail, can motor/flywheel drive, RP25 contour flanges), I always thought even the old Rivarossi locos were great, very smooth running locos with nice detail–certainly the best of their day short of going brass.
Tracklayer:
You may remember them being marketed years ago by AHM, but Rivarossi is (and always was) the manufacturer of these locos. At some point (late 80’s, I think?) Rivarossi began selling them under their own name in the US.
-Dave