PCM or Trix Big Boy?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi, I live in Sweden and wonder…
I´m consider to buy a Big Boy. Either PCM or Trix both DCC sound, which is the best looking, most detailed and best sound?
Now I know the PCM brass model is the best, but it´s out of my price range. [xx(]
Open for suggestions… [:)]

/Mika in Sweden

2

Both are excellent. I would use the unit cost as my determinant. I believe both use a LokSound decoder (?), and both run like Swiss watches…so I would suggest you go with the best price. Model Railroader magazine rated both very highly, with the PCM getting the nod for pulling power…by a few grams.

If you wanted to know which I would buy if I could afford it, it would be the Trix.

3

Both are excellent runners for sure and I have copies of each one, but the Trix has non scale 64" drivers and the PCM has 68" correct size drivers. If you only have one engine, you might not notice the Trix driver size until you compare it to the drawings or another model that is correct.

The PCM is a great runner and is a better puller than the Trix, but both are acceptable on most layouts. Both do use Loksound for the Factory installation, but the orginal Trix sound model did not have the articulated chuffs. The PCM sound package is a later Loksound that uses the wrong whistle and bell for the PCM Big Boy, but does have articulated chuffs. We were able to update the PCM sound by adding the correct bell and whistle with the Loksound programmer to the PCM sound file.

Both are nice.

Enjoy

4

To have the articulated chuffs, is it possible to update the Trix Big Boy with PCM sound added to the correct bell och whistle?

/Mika in Sweden.

5

Hej Mika, this is Lillen from modellrallaren. I have three PCM BB and I’m very pleased with them. I haven’t tried one of them yet but they are sweet runners, very heavy and nicely detailed. I’m considering parting one from one of them though…

Anyways, mine are unlettered and I think they are the most impressive egnines that I got. Even more then our beloved IORES. However, I don’t have any experience with putting sound in them. But there is a decoder availabe to buy from PCM that should have the correct sound. After having seen the Trix BB in person I would have to say that the PCM BB is better looking, it looks more “real” but that is probably a very subjective opinion and it’s probably up to the individual.

Magnus

6

I don´t care for the money if I bye Trix or PCM. I´m locking for the best locking Big Boy. [:D]

/Mika in Sweden.

7

Hi Magnus,

Do you have the 1941 or 1944 Big Boy?

/Mika in Sweden.

8

I also have one of each one. And I also have a Overland Big Boy, Sunset Big Boy, and Athearn Genesis Big Boy. The OMI was the most expensive, but is very well detailed and runs flawless. But IMO the Athearn Genesis is just as detailed and any of the others. Do you need brass?

9

To have the articulated chuffs, is it possible to update the Trix Big Boy with PCM sound added to the correct bell och whistle?

/Mika in Sweden.

I am told the original Trix Loksound in the 4015 cannot be updated, just the latest Loksound in the PCM. Loksound sells the sound unit as a separate unit and you would replace the original Trix sound module. This would cost even more than just a Trix alone. The PCM is a great looking model and is on a par with the Trix in every way including the running qualities. .

Is the PCM available in country or do you have to order from the USA to get one?/ I would guess you can probably get the Trix in most of Europe much easier than the PCM.

Enjoy

Both are very nice overall but I prefer the PCM with the correct sized drivers over the Trix.

10

I actually have both of them. But I got two of 1944 variant.

CAZEPHYR, PCM is not available in Sweden but Trix are. But the price is about the same. It doesn’t take much longer to order from the US then to order through a local store. But there is always the option to buy Trix from Germany direct.

Magnus

11

After a research on the internet i can say that i can find a PCM w/o sound new with 348 dollars.The cheaper trix that i found w/o sound in europe is 589 ! dollars.It’ big difference.

And as you people say, they are both egual in quality, so better buy the cheapier i can find.

Plus 120 $ for a loksound and tsuf tsuf tsuf tsuf…[:D]

12

I have 7 of the PCM Big Boy(I plan to model Sherman Hill) and I love them. I normally only see that detail on Brass or custom made hybrids. The Whistle and Bell are incorrect for a Big Boy, but it is fixable, versus Trix’s non-fixable chuff. Here is a link to PCM’s site, and you can click on the link on the right-hand side to hear the PCM sound module. http://precisioncraftmodels.com/PCM---UP-Big-Boy-4-8-8-4,-HO-c3151.html

Here is a Video of a trix in action

http://youtube.com/watch?v=g1XwAW-d5EI

Two more quick notes:

The PCM has a better Smokebox color and DON’T USE THE SMOKE!!!

13

I go with PCM.

I whole heart second the idea DONT USE THE SMOKE. In HO that is really dangerous and damaging. That stuff should have never left the Realm of O scale where it does a good job.

They need to get the sounds right. But seems that they can sell programmers and track/connections and let us take the trouble and time to get the correct sounds on our own.