Hello, at my local LHS they had a used TRIX big boy w/sound and the rp25 wheels that was a trade in. He called me and I went in to look at it. We could not test it there so he said I could take it home and test it. He is asking less than $400 for it but here is the kicker. When going around the track at home with 22” radius track with the throttle at 30% the front set of eight drive wheels seized up and would not move and a grinding noise started near the gear tower and I shut it down. This happens randomly on the 22” radius curves. My track work can run large locos like MTH GS-4s and decapods with no issues. The engine is rated to do 18” radius curves on the Trix website. Everything I have read says this is a great loco. This one is used but may be saved with a little help.
He(LHS) stated tomorrow he would open it up and see what the problem is. He did ask to see if I can get a diagram for it. The model has no instructions or diagrams with it. Trix/Marklin has no information or documentation that I could find. The LHS believes it’s the drive shaft popping out of the gear tower. Since the front set of eight locks up and does not move he does not believe it would be the worm gear. He thought if the worm gear broke then the set of eight might just spin loosely. This is all speculation of course and finding parts would be a real treasure hunt. Also sending to Trix is not fun either. I can just return it but would like try to make it a member of my fleet. Please provide any comments to assist me.
Personally, I’d walk away from it and not risk the possibility that the problem will occur again and it will become nothing more than a very expensive paper weight… That’s probably why the previous owner got rid of it.
If you don’t already know, Trix was made by Marklin, who has gone into into bankruptcy. Repair parts for Trix may be impossible to find.
Still, it might be a relatively straightforward fix on an otherwise sterling engine. I do think the price is a bit steep for this engine, but I am speaking solely for myself. But if you really want it, and can fix the problem easily and thoroughly, then it is worth a shot.
You may have to broadcast your need fairly wide, onto train lists here and there. Does yahoo have a group dealing with Marklin/Trix? Is there a European set of forums that might be able to help you out?
-Crandell
Edit - I went on the 'Marklin HO" website and found “technical resources”. One of the pages in jpeg format is this one.
He offered the engine at that price not knowing of the issue, i did not see any docs that would help me but thanks anyway. The engine is in good conditions and has the wood box but not the instructions. Usually auctions on eBay will sell 550-700 range for these locos in good condition. If it is not fixible or parts are not attainable i will get my money back. I did not know what they were worth and only knew they were excellent runners and prices are good on eBay for the completed auctions. The sound is basic but its still a nice loco. I should have bought more Bigboys when BLI had them out. Thanks for the answers so far, if I have to i may ask to lower the price or just leave it. The LHS does work on Marklin/Trix engines and is very well versed with the German made equipement. He said he will look for the TRIX diagram but it has been while since he had worked on one. Please let me know if anyone has anymore input.
Hello, at my local LHS they had a used TRIX big boy w/sound and the rp25 wheels that was a trade in. He called me and I went in to look at it. We could not test it there so he said I could take it home and test it. He is asking less than $400 for it but here is the kicker. When going around the track at home with 22” radius track with the throttle at 30% the front set of eight drive wheels seized up and would not move and a grinding noise started near the gear tower and I shut it down. This happens randomly on the 22” radius curves. My track work can run large locos like MTH GS-4s and decapods with no issues. The engine is rated to do 18” radius curves on the Trix website. Everything I have read says this is a great loco. This one is used but may be saved with a little help.
He(LHS) stated tomorrow he would open it up and see what the problem is. He did ask to see if I can get a diagram for it. The model has no instructions or diagrams with it. Trix/Marklin has no information or documentation that I could find. The LHS believes it’s the drive shaft popping out of the gear tower. Since the front set of eight locks up and does not move he does not believe it would be the worm gear. He thought if the worm gear broke then the set of eight might just spin loosely. This is all speculation of course and finding parts would be a real treasure hunt. Also sending to Trix is not fun either. I can just return it but would like try to make it a member of my fleet. Please provide any comments to assist me.
I just bought a brand new trix big boy and it does the same thing. Trying to get a hold of the manufacturer. I ran it 10 feet and the front drivers locked up, but the rear ones work. It cost me over $800! . So, any information would help.
you prolly should take the shell off and run it on the curve and observe the action, if its the universal joints, you might want to change to a differrent one, NWSL or A line have styles. other possibilities frayed gears, only knarly on the curves. The wheels may flex and drag on gearbox sides, there could be burrs snarling, this would need disassembly and cleaning, polishing gearbox sides, possble gear replacement. Not impossible especially when NWSL has gears, whether they match or not is the question. But you will need to study the action and determine where the problem might be at.
Check the drive wheels. With tight curved track, the drive wheels have been known to not be fully pressed-on, then slip off the shaft and lock up the all the drivers. An easy fix once the offending wheel is located.