I picked up a Rivarossi Big Boy recently an early one in an estate sale It was just on display forever according to the collectors wife, along with an Allegheny and a Challenger all 3 locos just needed a little oil and are working just great I was lucky. Great info on the Big Boy thanks
You my friend have an amazing gift. Not only did you bring the "Big Boy" back to life, your videos are really top shelf! Great presentation and I like the engineer look!!! It all fits. Keep up the good work and thank you!!!
The brushes are original, if you buy replacement AHM brush sets, one will be a little roll of copper mesh screen. The screen likes to collect sludge (lub and dirt) soaking that in some sort of solvent is ok. Very brave to use brake cleaner on the motor, some plastics will melt away under such a harsh solvent. To the design of the wheel bearings, remember that was state of the art 40+ years ago, the art has come along quite a bit in 40 years and it does well for it's age. Prepare to shell money for parts, people slam hundreds of dollars on parts condition engines because they are getting hard to find. Good luck and cool video
The Big Boy is a must have. It just keeps getting better over the years but there's no denying even the older models would be a cherished engine of enjoyment.
Ron! You are one adventurous spirit! Taking apart an old Riverossi loco and cleaning it as you did is nothing short of incredible! All those pieces and parts, and you didn’t have the exploded construction prints in front of you! Remarkable. I tip my engineer’s cap to you. Just so you know iD like to have the big Riverossi engines, but I’d never have curves wide enough for them and they specific enough to the roads that ran them that they would never fit in my free-lanced world, so I admire your collection. The absolute largest locos I have are one Riverossi Berkshire and several Mountain locos which I claim are for my very heaviest freight runs. Looking forward to your next video, my friend! Best wishes!
Greetings 13th, Thank you for the kind words! This Big Boy does not like my 22" radius at all. I have a Mallet that's coming up for a revamp soon, I think its to big also. I would love to have a Rivarossi Berk or a mountain, so now I'm jealous of your collection :-) Take care Mister!
Big Boy is such a wonderful engine; I have a Riverossi BB of a bit later vintage (#4005 and no silver). It sits above my monitor and I love gazing at it. Thanks for a tutorial if I need to get inside mine.
@@rickestabrook4987 I have exactly the same! It was bought by my dad, and had been in storage for about 20 years. It runs, but poorly, and has some cosmetic damage to the front end. I'm just embarking on a cleanup and repair. btw, I still have the exploded parts diagram that came with it, let me know if you need a look. This video will be invaluable, so thanks @classicmodeltrains
What a beast My O scale world has them as well I have a Y6B on pre order from lionel Heaven help me if I live long enough were it will need servicing to this extent Great job Sir Ron I know I am late to your channel but I am enjoying your fun times and how these companies engineered these tiny monsters Cool Thanks😅
Another win! Even if the gear box life is questionable, it was nice to see the Big Boy running! Who knows, maybe you'll find another one for parts, with good gear boxes, and make one or the other perfect! Great video Ron!
Not sure if I'll ever own one of these but your excellent teardown showed me what I might be getting into. Great video -- really enjoy these restorations. Bravo!
@@gunslingerfromwish4656 1/4" rise per foot of run. comes out to just a bit over 2%. Took some brain power to pull these off. the track under the left side goes down 1 1/2" while the exposed track goes up 3 1/2"
You did a incredible job on that Big Boy. I would have gotten it open, apart, and cleaned and that would probably be as far as I got, lol. Way to go! ITS ALIVE!!!
You did a great job, I don't know if you have ever used it but Plastruct plastic weld might help when you have a lot of cracks in older plastic, I have had some luck with it and it is great for building models. I have found that white felt is a good surface to work over, when I drop small screws they don't bounce quite so bad and I can see them. Doesn't help when I launch springs into the air though LOL. I enjoy your videos very much, keep it up if you can afford to buy more engines.
Good on you! Dropping the fundage for what is possibly a pile of junk, just to get it moving under its own power again, is beyond cool! I’m impressed! Thanks for being entertaining and family friendly!
You need to,give your Graphics Department a raise! They did great work! Awesome work on the big boy!! I was able to pick up working tyco pacific from goodwill!
Hello EC, Thanks for the kind words! Glad you found a Pacific, and at a good price I hope. Rumors are floating around the Graphics Department are trying to unionize :-)
@@classicmodeltrains Uh Oh! Well, hope that works ok! Yep not too bad less than $40 with shipping, better than eBay costs for a Pacific that I have seen lately. Hope you can find a solution for the gear boxes and the bit of a wobble. It’s a nice looking locomotive!
@@classicmodeltrains Alas the “new” one does not, I was looking! It seems pretty low mileage though. My old one from my childhood, ex Union Pacific now CB&Q does have the brass bushings! I recently restored it to running order. I also used to have a blue B&O pacific, but that one has disappeared into the mists of time! The new one will be CB&Q as well though inspired by the Chessie Pacifc it’s boiler will be Mandarin Red with light grey roofing on the cab. Not prototypical but how I want to repaint it.
Really enjoyed the video, and have subscribed and been watching some of your others. I would like to offer up a tip for cleaning the motor. I use jewelry cleaner. I get mine at Walmart, a small jar with a plastic lift tray in it. I will take the motor out, connect a power source to it, drop it in the solution and run it. Let it dry after, then lube it. Have brought back many HO slot cars, Stomper motors, and larger scale slot car can motors this way.
Thanks for the sub David! I have heard about fellers using that technic. I always heard it was just dropped in water or maybe soapy water. I believe I shall have to try that technic. I like the solvent jewelry cleaner idea. Sound more better! Thanks for sharing :-). Stompers....Them buggers kept me broke as a kid........
Nice job! There is something rewarding on saving one from the junkpile, even if it has a few minor flaws. Hope you can find the replacement parts to perfect it.
Nice breakdown of cleaning up this Bigboy. I have to see if this is the same setup in the one I have in a box somewhere. I will definitely return to this video often for reference. Thank you for posting.
I remember when you could get brushes and stuff like that from ahm for like 10 cents a set. I had to change them in my Indiana Harbor belt 080 Switcher. For a locomotive they only made three of it's been made in lots of scales.
You are very brave for tackling such a complicated locomotive! But very nice to see it working! A can motor should be much better than that old open frame motor. I've had problems with AHM motors like that before.
as for the cracks in the gearbox, I saw two vids recently, one was mixing baking powder / soda powder with superglue to fill the cracks, the other, if one happens to have a similar plastic, was melting that plastic in acetone, then using it as filler... acetone evaporates and leaves plastic filling behind.
That's cool getting an antique import like that operating again. I understand why you tried to make the existing parts continue to be in it for nostalgia. Maybe there's a Rivarossi parts supplier still around somewhere?
The drive is about the same as theY6B I bought when I was in high school. Nice to see a vintage AHM locomotive run again. I wonder if Riverossi produced 2 “grades” of loco’s, one for their name and one for AHM?
I agree on the drives looking like the Mallet. I have one that needs a video made of it. Ive heard kind of the same thing you mentioned about Rivarossi's different "grades". I think I agree with your statement
I’d like to make the original comments again. I’m not intending to teach the Canterbury Archbishop how to pray, but in my most humble opinion this old lady deserves not one, but two can motors - one for each gear boxes. A bargain big power drive? Two Mabuchi FS-266SA - 6 (!!!) pole motor, huge torque, 7200 RPM at 12 V. At Aliexpress, US$ 1.06 each one, plus US$ 6.47 shipping costs (the two for Brazil; less to Montana). Less than 10 bucks to have a bullet proof motorization!
Good evening Regis. I shall answer all your comments in this one reply. The dual motor idea sounds great!! Two of them would be TWICE as awesome!! THANK YOU for this suggestion, and including where to go to get them!!! As far as the gear boxes, I believe they are experiencing the plastic version of "zinc pest". Petroleum based grease was in them and it made all the gear boxes very brittle. I did "superglue" the hell outa one of them just to get the ol girl to work with 2 gearboxes. I spent 3 days filming and repairing. 3 hours or so a day. a lot of footage ended up on the cutting room floor. I would really like to find them 3D printing guru's out there in UA-cam land and see if they could print up new plastic cases for the gear's. Seems there might be a huge demand for these? I knew you might get around to asking so I will just include this in this reply. When the gears "locked up" the motor would have a stall current of up to 9 amps. It blew my 5 amp track fuse several times when I could not get it shut down soon enough. When running the best it could, it would be pulling almost an amp. I could not pull anything with it, I feared the gear cases would explode. One again THANK YOU for the kind words on my video and a good source for can motors. Take care Friend :-)
You have "one" locomotive with a boiler, two (2) driver-cylinder wheel assemblies, each one called an "engine"... front small truck assembly is called the "pilot" while the aft section assembly is called the "trailing" truck (in real life, built to handle the weight of the fire box/cab) on these mallet (rhymes with ballet) articulated/non-articulated steam locomotives. AHM models are slightly a down-graded version of full Riva Rossi locomotives. There would be brass bearings for those axles and not square axle pockets on Riva Rossi's. Remember, these are precision-built locomotives, built to run on 18" radius curves with great ease... built with quality in Italy. Nice video and congrat's on your success. John
Greetings again John, I'm familiar with the locomotive parts names. When I'm filming I have a tendency to talk to much, and sometimes I don't use the correct words for the parts. I should have fixed this during editing. Thank you for pointing this out to me. I need to be using correct verbiage. Mallet rhymes With ballet? Sounds French to me then, but my upper midwest upbringing has my mispronouncing a lot of stuff. Thanks for the new knowledge! Thank you for the kind words on my video. I appreciate feedback, and gaining new information from viewers who comment. :-)
Your wealth of knowledge is very useful and valuable to all in model railroading I have a quick question will k line o gauge trucks fit on a marx0 gauge rolling stock
I have not tried to do what you ask of. O gauge trucks should all sorta be the same. Marx trucks are riveted onto the chassis. If there is a single hole in the center of the K line truck I would try and rivet it on and see how it works out.
I remember when this engine was $30. It would make it around 18 radius curves but it didn't look good doing it. I like the Southern Pacific Cab forward. That was a unique engine saddened my heart to think that there is only one left.
Good day hope you holiday was nice I rewatched this video and realized the motor is making that noise because the magnets are glued to the block on the bottom of the motor and comes free it works its way up and hits the motor a bit push it away from the spinning motor it self and glue it carefully back in place
Goos day to you Norman, If the stator magnets were rubbing on the stator, it would not turn. I believe all the noise is coming from the deteriorated gearboxes not keeping everything in line. I could be wrong. I have a new updated can motor for this Big Boy, when I get back around to working on it I shall investigate your hypothesis. It never hurts to keep an open mind and learn new stuff. Thanks for your good idea :-)
@@classicmodeltrains no when you were running the motor by its self and it was kinda noisy I just changed another motor yesterday in a 2 8 8 2 rivarossi same motor making same noise when I would pull down on the center block or magnet it would stop I had a motor that I already glue up and up that in .
Nice work with what little you had. It's too bad the manufacturer cheapened it up so much, very disappointing. However, your talents spit shined that turd into a jewel. Stupendous job. And, great choice in the vid tune...
I recently purchased an early 70s Cab Forward and to my surprise it ran really well, however one of the axles slides side to side a bit with each revolution, I assume it probably just needs the wheels quartered
Que maravilla de locomotora nunca había visto algo así ,es inmensa ,excelente trabajo de volver a la vida a tan hermosa locomotora,increíble y un trabajo de muchas horas de limpieza y otras horas de armado ,me encanta ver tus videos son muy buenos ,ojalá sigas subiendo más videos,espero a que puedas hacer un video de una locomotora tyco súper alco 630 y puedas explicar como instalar dos motores a ese tipo de locomotora tyco para obtener una mayor fuerza motriz ,gracias y saludos desde chile 🇨🇱
Hola Ruben, Me alegra que hayas disfrutado mi video. Este fue muy desafiante para trabajar. Tendré presente un video sobre dos power torque trucks en un Alco 630 mi amigo. Gracias por comentar Saludos desde montana estados unidos
what do you use in your ultrasonic cleaner the steps that you do to clean the parts and what parts should not be cleaned in the ultrasonic. I like how your parts come out of it. Thanks
I use simple green. Put the parts in baggies with the cleaner. ultrasonic just has water in it. Dont put painted parts in it. will dull or remove the paint. Metal or plastic is fine. Just dont crank the heat above 105-110f for simple grease cleaning.
One idea for the gearboxes is that if you know someone who can do 3d printing, you could have them fabricate some new gear box housings for this old Big Boy.
Hello Christopher, as a child modeler a lot of my broken loco's ended up with sudden de-acceleration syndrome up against a wall. There was a few times working on this I was having flashbacks. Thanks for commenting :-)
Thank you. .I share the same opinion about the Rivarossi with you about the axle bearings. Trying to figure out where to get some that will fit or make them from something. Interesting enough if you look at a electric guitar string brass end that hold them to the bridge they are very close to the axle diameter and have a slot in them to hold it the loco frame possibly. Really think these locos would run much better with axle bearings .The Riv. 0 6 0 steam engine has them, go figure ,but all the large articulated do not including the later red box and even the Allegheny. Such a disappointment and a bad way for them to cut costs.May start looking for junk 0.-6.-0 just for the bearings and parts.Like to take old locos and make improvements to keep them going if worthy, but find some I learn are a dead end and would not warrant the time .Retired mechanic ranging from heavy equipment to automotive so tinkering can go to another level in that experience constructive way as yourself. Appreciate ya sharing your knowledge ..Anybody ever tell you you would make a good teacher?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Riv's. I also have a lifetime of mechanic work. Same as you, heavy stuff clear down to auto's. My scared up hands tell my story. Tinkering and fabricating is a great skill set that most don't have. I would never give up my blue collar for a white one. Nobody's ever told me I would make a good teacher, but I guess I have been doing that thru all my video's :-)
I have a stand just like that and haven't used and already broke a tooth off on the large gear and I am into N Scale. I would have been afraid to use it as mad as you have used it. I wish it was wider so it would have thicker gears and maybe a couple more bars going across it so it wouldn't allow the gears to jam so easily.
@@classicmodeltrains I don't think they are. I treat my N Scales as made of glass and didn't even have anything inside the work and noticed a broken tooth. It was right after I assembled it. I was a little upset.
I own two big boys and three challengers and two Y6b with a small mantua 2-6-6-2. I am looking for a another 2-10-2 by IHC and a bachman 2-6-6-2 fory Southern layout these are my LS units that run on Saluda, Rat Hole and the loops in the Blue Ridge mountains.
Rods are not supposed to be painted. They don't freewheel because of the gearbox. The wire mesh brush cleans the commutator for you, Thank Rivarossi for that one. To strip the motor, drill out the rivets, clean and reassemble with nut and bolts. No bearings in the driver axles but these things have been running for 50 plus years so it works! 😀
Your layout and train collection is just outstanding! I love that cabin you have em in that is awesome! Your videos are fantastic keep up the great work! Could you do a tour video of your cabin layout and collection! That would be a great video! Thanks Ron's trains and more!
Hello Rons T & M, THANK YOU for the very nice words. Ive been thinking of doing a layout and "studio" tour. Perhaps I should get that idea into pre-production mode :-)
Be glad the motor was riveted. The version I had was screwed together. Disassemble it and you would discover the motor had lots of tiny ball bearings in the motor bearings.
@@classicmodeltrains I had a Rivarossi NKP Berkshire, probably around 1967, and made the mistake of taking the motor apart. It didn't have sleeve bearings but bearings with about 25-30 tiny ball bearings, a nasty surprise.
I just got one of these. Stripped it down, clean and lubed it. I'm an idiot and didn't take pics as I was tearing it down (I wouldn't have gotten it back together if it wasn't for this video) The motor is just too far gone, do you suggest a new one or find an old one online? Not sure if there even any out there. Fixing to do a search momentarily.
@@classicmodeltrains I was trying to clean the motor again, and the end popped off. Someone else popped the end off. I cleaned it and now it works great. I even installed a decoder. That was fun.
Thanks. That rotating work stand is sold under the Bachmann name. I found it on Amazon. about $80ish. I don't really use it much. Not all I hoped it would be.
I have an old AHM 2-10-2 that is setup the same way. Mine is in a bit better shape I must say though. Bought from a buddy of mine about 5 years ago for $50...to me it was worth every penny!
No there do not. My 22" makes it look silly. Gives me more reason to build the "next" layout...... only BIGGER!! Thanks for the nice words on the video and commenting :-)
When Lionel branched out into ho gauge trains the Italian bosses contacted River Rossi in Italy for trains for the ho line. The ahm River Rossi locomotives were very finely detailed but we're cheap and for production and ruined Lionel's reputation in the HO scale trains. There were lots of repowering kits for engines like this back in the '70s and '80s. I liked Bowser's line of all metal diecast locomotives. There's just something about the half of a real steel locomotive as opposed to plastic.
Not sure what your referencing, but I will guess. Does it have an alligator clip on each end? It's called "helping hands" used for soldering electronic stuff.
I have thought about it, but getting the "data" into the computer seems above my pay grade :-) Perhaps one day I will meet someone with those skill sets.
How do you remember where the screws go? I have failed so many times trying to get one of those to run. Had to sell it back on ebay as I could not do it. Gimme a Broadway Limited.
Ive been a mechanic for a long time. Guess they all look a bit different to me, so its easy to know where they go back to. P.S. B.L.I.....yes please :-)
I never have got a boiler cover for it. Just found the upper gear boxes I need and lost the bid on the lower gearboxes. BUT... steadily moving forward :-)
@@classicmodeltrains Lost the bid… I know that feeling I purchased a Rio Grande GP40 NOS Blue Box last year and one of the hand railings was badly rusted. It took me over a year to find a replacement where the seller did not want as much as I paid for the locomotive. I should have tried making my own like you did in your one video.
The front drivers and rear drivers are mostly never in time. The original locomotive has two separate steam valves. I've seen video of a BigBoy and the engineer is having problems with one set spinning out while the other set has traction. Some BigBoy models actually have 2 motors in them.
How do you date marx postwar steam locomotives and rolling stock I have a marx 2666 die-cast steam locomotive and trying to figure out what year it i it has a pin and coupler I forget what the coupler is called but it's not svtilt coupler it's a pond and slot coupler I was wondering how to date this locomotive
Never heard of a 2666 locomotive. Have heard of a 666 locomotive. They were introduced in 1955 and were in production for quite some time. Your spell check did not kick in enough and it's very difficult to read your post. Tab and slot couplers? Tilt couplers? I actually google a lot of stuff and do some digging in on the interweb and find a ton of info. Sorry I cant help out more Sir.
@@richardnelson-ux1zz I cant find any reference to a 266, but a 1666 2-4-2 is referenced in my pricing book but it does not say what year (s) it was produced. Sorry I cant help you out there.
Some gear boxes would be wonderful, This old gal also need a boiler cover. The mailing address is. Classic Model Trains. P.O. Box 51137. Billings, Mt. 59105. If you reach out to me on my FB page classicmodeltrains we can discuss what you might like to have for these gearboxes.
Hello again 4ever, Thanks for commenting. I did plan on making this a static display beside my train station if it did not work. The way the gear boxes are deteriorating, and lack of repair parts it still might end up there.
I’ve been trying to find a used big boy for months, but I’m afraid to bite the bullet on some thing old and the prices they’re charging for these now is ridiculous
@@classicmodeltrains my bad. I strayed off topic. but on topic, the BB appears to be a mid to late 60s AHM which sold for $39.95. it was not a highly regarded model at that time. cracking of plastic like that is sometimes caused by the use of 3 in 1 oil or over tightening of screws.
@@suppylarue220 Thanks for the info. I dug around on hoseeker.net and figured this one is a model #5114 made from 1969 to 1977. I figured the petroleum based grease that was used in it deteriorated the plastic gear boxes. I'm shocked it only sold for $40 back in the day. E-bay sellers are "asking" $400 for good runners. I'm kinda thinking the Riverassi one's from the 60's thru the 80's are all probably suffering plastic failure.
Hello Peter, I tried the Hornby America website, they only support the newest version of their Big Boy. The old Rivarossi stuff is orphaned. Thanks for commenting :-)
I have used connector cleaner, tuner cleaner, best thing I have used for cleaning out a motor with gunk in it been using it over 35+yrs, with no problems👍. 👋😎🛤🚂
I picked up a Rivarossi Big Boy recently an early one in an estate sale It was just on display forever according to the collectors wife, along with an Allegheny and a Challenger all 3 locos just needed a little oil and are working just great I was lucky. Great info on the Big Boy thanks
WOW! nice score all at once. Thanks for watching
I have an old river Rossi AHM Berkshire with the same typo mechanism. Thanks for the video now be able to service it
Right on! Yes they all kinda operate the same once you get the boiler shell off.
I always like to watch your videos, they are very helpful for fixing and restoration projects
Thank you Emily
You my friend have an amazing gift. Not only did you bring the "Big Boy" back to life, your videos are really top shelf! Great presentation and I like the engineer look!!! It all fits. Keep up the good work and thank you!!!
Thank you kindly
OH yeah! ...good job, SO Glad I never wanted a used BIG BOY, I have my hands full working on the Locomotives I have, Thanks again, Ron.
thanks. I've finally got the parts to fix this all the way now.
@@classicmodeltrainsCan't wait for that video.
The brushes are original, if you buy replacement AHM brush sets, one will be a little roll of copper mesh screen. The screen likes to collect sludge (lub and dirt) soaking that in some sort of solvent is ok. Very brave to use brake cleaner on the motor, some plastics will melt away under such a harsh solvent. To the design of the wheel bearings, remember that was state of the art 40+ years ago, the art has come along quite a bit in 40 years and it does well for it's age. Prepare to shell money for parts, people slam hundreds of dollars on parts condition engines because they are getting hard to find. Good luck and cool video
Thanks for the great information, and the kind words on my video's :-)
Great video! I'm addicted to these articulated locos!
Thanks! They sure are Pur-dy
The Big Boy is a must have. It just keeps getting better over the years but there's no denying even the older models would be a cherished engine of enjoyment.
They are one of the top 10 loco's to posses. The other 9 are debatable :-)
I appreciate your dedication to reviving these old engines. I admire your wealth of knowledge. Keep up the great work Ron!
Thank you for your kind words :-)
Ron! You are one adventurous spirit! Taking apart an old Riverossi loco and cleaning it as you did is nothing short of incredible! All those pieces and parts, and you didn’t have the exploded construction prints in front of you! Remarkable. I tip my engineer’s cap to you. Just so you know iD like to have the big Riverossi engines, but I’d never have curves wide enough for them and they specific enough to the roads that ran them that they would never fit in my free-lanced world, so I admire your collection. The absolute largest locos I have are one Riverossi Berkshire and several Mountain locos which I claim are for my very heaviest freight runs.
Looking forward to your next video, my friend! Best wishes!
Greetings 13th, Thank you for the kind words! This Big Boy does not like my 22" radius at all. I have a Mallet that's coming up for a revamp soon, I think its to big also. I would love to have a Rivarossi Berk or a mountain, so now I'm jealous of your collection :-) Take care Mister!
Hey I know it an old video but another great one to sit with a coffee and watch.
Thank you!!
Thanks you have alot of great ideas. I use your produre and ideas on my railroad
Great to hear!
Big Boy is such a wonderful engine; I have a Riverossi BB of a bit later vintage (#4005 and no silver). It sits above my monitor and I love gazing at it. Thanks for a tutorial if I need to get inside mine.
They are pleasing to the eye. Is yours a runner?
Not yet, But with your encouragement and instruction, I'm going to do "some surgery". @@classicmodeltrains
@@rickestabrook4987 I have exactly the same! It was bought by my dad, and had been in storage for about 20 years. It runs, but poorly, and has some cosmetic damage to the front end. I'm just embarking on a cleanup and repair.
btw, I still have the exploded parts diagram that came with it, let me know if you need a look.
This video will be invaluable, so thanks @classicmodeltrains
What a beast My O scale world has them as well I have a Y6B on pre order from lionel Heaven help me if I live long enough were it will need servicing to this extent Great job Sir Ron I know I am late to your channel but I am enjoying your fun times and how these companies engineered these tiny monsters Cool Thanks😅
I'm glad you are enjoying my work from the past 2 3/4 years!! Remember to tell yer buddies about me ;-)
Another win! Even if the gear box life is questionable, it was nice to see the Big Boy running! Who knows, maybe you'll find another one for parts, with good gear boxes, and make one or the other perfect! Great video Ron!
Thanks Jim! I am in search of another Riv Big Boy hoping to get some good gear boxes. Fingers crossed :-)
Another great instructional video. So happy to find you.
Thank you!
First time I have seen one of these engines…congrats getting it to run…👍
Thank you very much!
Not sure if I'll ever own one of these but your excellent teardown showed me what I might be getting into. Great video -- really enjoy these restorations. Bravo!
Thank you Stephen :-)
Love your humor. Thanks for all that you are teaching me!
You are so welcome!
I love your upbeat optimism. Well done
Thanks so much!
Dude you're extremely under-rated.
Thanks GunSlinger. Im glad you enjoy my vid's :-)
@@classicmodeltrains I'm diggin' the layout too, your grades look perfect!
@@gunslingerfromwish4656 1/4" rise per foot of run. comes out to just a bit over 2%. Took some brain power to pull these off. the track under the left side goes down
1 1/2" while the exposed track goes up
3 1/2"
@@classicmodeltrains Sounds perfect for some shay action don't ya know!
You did a incredible job on that Big Boy. I would have gotten it open, apart, and cleaned and that would probably be as far as I got, lol. Way to go! ITS ALIVE!!!
Right on!
You did a great job, I don't know if you have ever used it but Plastruct plastic weld might help when you have a lot of cracks in older plastic, I have had some luck with it and it is great for building models. I have found that white felt is a good surface to work over, when I drop small screws they don't bounce quite so bad and I can see them. Doesn't help when I launch springs into the air though LOL. I enjoy your videos very much, keep it up if you can afford to buy more engines.
Thanks for a couple of really good ideas, and supporting me and my channel :-)
Good on you!
Dropping the fundage for what is possibly a pile of junk, just to get it moving under its own power again, is beyond cool!
I’m impressed!
Thanks for being entertaining and family friendly!
Thanks for your kind words Jeb. I'm glad to see your enjoying my video's :-)
You need to,give your Graphics Department a raise! They did great work! Awesome work on the big boy!! I was able to pick up working tyco pacific from goodwill!
Hello EC, Thanks for the kind words! Glad you found a Pacific, and at a good price I hope. Rumors are floating around the Graphics Department are trying to unionize :-)
@@classicmodeltrains Uh Oh! Well, hope that works ok! Yep not too bad less than $40 with shipping, better than eBay costs for a Pacific that I have seen lately. Hope you can find a solution for the gear boxes and the bit of a wobble. It’s a nice looking locomotive!
@@ecidaho does your pacific have brass bushings on the driver axels? If it does that’s a 60’s Mantua one. Would be a GREAT score!!
@@classicmodeltrains Alas the “new” one does not, I was looking! It seems pretty low mileage though. My old one from my childhood, ex Union Pacific now CB&Q does have the brass bushings! I recently restored it to running order. I also used to have a blue B&O pacific, but that one has disappeared into the mists of time! The new one will be CB&Q as well though inspired by the Chessie Pacifc it’s boiler will be Mandarin Red with light grey roofing on the cab. Not prototypical but how I want to repaint it.
Very enjoyable video. Thank you feller.
Thank you kindly!
Really enjoyed the video, and have subscribed and been watching some of your others. I would like to offer up a tip for cleaning the motor. I use jewelry cleaner. I get mine at Walmart, a small jar with a plastic lift tray in it. I will take the motor out, connect a power source to it, drop it in the solution and run it. Let it dry after, then lube it. Have brought back many HO slot cars, Stomper motors, and larger scale slot car can motors this way.
Thanks for the sub David! I have heard about fellers using that technic. I always heard it was just dropped in water or maybe soapy water. I believe I shall have to try that technic. I like the solvent jewelry cleaner idea. Sound more better! Thanks for sharing :-). Stompers....Them buggers kept me broke as a kid........
Nice job! There is something rewarding on saving one from the junkpile, even if it has a few minor flaws. Hope you can find the replacement parts to perfect it.
Thanks. I found the gear boxes I needed but at $45.00 each and I need 2 of them..............got a bit pricey.
Good Work Ron YES It would be nice to Do some with New can Motors
That would be cool
Nice breakdown of cleaning up this Bigboy. I have to see if this is the same setup in the one I have in a box somewhere. I will definitely return to this video often for reference. Thank you for posting.
Thanks for watching and commenting!!
I remember when you could get brushes and stuff like that from ahm for like 10 cents a set. I had to change them in my Indiana Harbor belt 080 Switcher. For a locomotive they only made three of it's been made in lots of scales.
Hobby stores had all kinds of good parts way back when.
An honest conversation with a beat up loco and then berates himself for the state of the floor
😂😂enjoyed every second ✅👍
Thanks for watching and commenting Noel!
You are very brave for tackling such a complicated locomotive! But very nice to see it working! A can motor should be much better than that old open frame motor. I've had problems with AHM motors like that before.
Thank you very much! This one was a bit of a challenge. lots of little parts to drop on the floor :-)
as for the cracks in the gearbox, I saw two vids recently, one was mixing baking powder / soda powder with superglue to fill the cracks, the other, if one happens to have a similar plastic, was melting that plastic in acetone, then using it as filler... acetone evaporates and leaves plastic filling behind.
These gear boxes were falling apart due to petroleum based lubricant on them. No amount of gluing can save them.
@@classicmodeltrains Aw shit, i see, thought only of the cracks but not that the whole rest of the plastic is affected.
Glad you got it running. Nice big boy.
Thanks for commenting. The 'Ol girl still needs a few things. Time will make it better :-)
That's cool getting an antique import like that operating again. I understand why you tried to make the existing parts continue to be in it for nostalgia. Maybe there's a Rivarossi parts supplier still around somewhere?
No new parts available for this. Have to find good old parts. After a year and a half I believe I have them finally.
The drive is about the same as theY6B I bought when I was in high school. Nice to see a vintage AHM locomotive run again. I wonder if Riverossi produced 2 “grades” of loco’s, one for their name and one for AHM?
I agree on the drives looking like the Mallet. I have one that needs a video made of it. Ive heard kind of the same thing you mentioned about Rivarossi's different "grades". I think I agree with your statement
My comments were lost somehow… sh*t! The important is: incredible work, superb video edition!My best compliments to you Ron!
I’d like to make the original comments again. I’m not intending to teach the Canterbury Archbishop how to pray, but in my most humble opinion this old lady deserves not one, but two can motors - one for each gear boxes. A bargain big power drive? Two Mabuchi FS-266SA - 6 (!!!) pole motor, huge torque, 7200 RPM at 12 V. At Aliexpress, US$ 1.06 each one, plus US$ 6.47 shipping costs (the two for Brazil; less to Montana). Less than 10 bucks to have a bullet proof motorization!
To the gear boxes: have you consider to use super glue + baking soda in order to “weld” the broken plastic?
One more thing (I swear!) How many hours did you spend working on her? Again: incredible work and superb video edition my friend!
Good evening Regis. I shall answer all your comments in this one reply. The dual motor idea sounds great!! Two of them would be TWICE as awesome!! THANK YOU for this suggestion, and including where to go to get them!!! As far as the gear boxes, I believe they are experiencing the plastic version of "zinc pest". Petroleum based grease was in them and it made all the gear boxes very brittle. I did "superglue" the hell outa one of them just to get the ol girl to work with 2 gearboxes. I spent 3 days filming and repairing. 3 hours or so a day. a lot of footage ended up on the cutting room floor. I would really like to find them 3D printing guru's out there in UA-cam land and see if they could print up new plastic cases for the gear's. Seems there might be a huge demand for these? I knew you might get around to asking so I will just include this in this reply. When the gears "locked up" the motor would have a stall current of up to 9 amps. It blew my 5 amp track fuse several times when I could not get it shut down soon enough. When running the best it could, it would be pulling almost an amp. I could not pull anything with it, I feared the gear cases would explode. One again THANK YOU for the kind words on my video and a good source for can motors. Take care Friend :-)
Thank you for your thoughtfully attention.😊
Great work!
Thank you
I guess you could call this one the Rivet-rossi Big Boy.
Well done.
Thanks Norm
You have "one" locomotive with a boiler, two (2) driver-cylinder wheel assemblies, each one called an "engine"... front small truck assembly is called the "pilot" while the aft section assembly is called the "trailing" truck (in real life, built to handle the weight of the fire box/cab) on these mallet (rhymes with ballet) articulated/non-articulated steam locomotives.
AHM models are slightly a down-graded version of full Riva Rossi locomotives. There would be brass bearings for those axles and not square axle pockets on Riva Rossi's.
Remember, these are precision-built locomotives, built to run on 18" radius curves with great ease... built with quality in Italy.
Nice video and congrat's on your success.
John
Greetings again John, I'm familiar with the locomotive parts names. When I'm filming I have a tendency to talk to much, and sometimes I don't use the correct words for the parts. I should have fixed this during editing. Thank you for pointing this out to me. I need to be using correct verbiage. Mallet rhymes With ballet? Sounds French to me then, but my upper midwest upbringing has my mispronouncing a lot of stuff. Thanks for the new knowledge! Thank you for the kind words on my video. I appreciate feedback, and gaining new information from viewers who comment. :-)
Your wealth of knowledge is very useful and valuable to all in model railroading I have a quick question will k line o gauge trucks fit on a marx0 gauge rolling stock
I have not tried to do what you ask of. O gauge trucks should all sorta be the same. Marx trucks are riveted onto the chassis. If there is a single hole in the center of the K line truck I would try and rivet it on and see how it works out.
Thanks for this video because I have the same engine by riverossi
Hello Michael! I'm hoping yours has better gearboxes than this poor ol gal :-)
I remember when this engine was $30. It would make it around 18 radius curves but it didn't look good doing it. I like the Southern Pacific Cab forward. That was a unique engine saddened my heart to think that there is only one left.
I'm hoping to get a cab forward to do a restoration video on.
TY
:-)
Good day hope you holiday was nice I rewatched this video and realized the motor is making that noise because the magnets are glued to the block on the bottom of the motor and comes free it works its way up and hits the motor a bit push it away from the spinning motor it self and glue it carefully back in place
Goos day to you Norman, If the stator magnets were rubbing on the stator, it would not turn. I believe all the noise is coming from the deteriorated gearboxes not keeping everything in line. I could be wrong. I have a new updated can motor for this Big Boy, when I get back around to working on it I shall investigate your hypothesis. It never hurts to keep an open mind and learn new stuff. Thanks for your good idea :-)
@@classicmodeltrains no when you were running the motor by its self and it was kinda noisy I just changed another motor yesterday in a 2 8 8 2 rivarossi same motor making same noise when I would pull down on the center block or magnet it would stop I had a motor that I already glue up and up that in .
@@classicmodeltrains it just scrapes it enough to be noisy but no enough to stop motor
@@normancoreyBuildingTrains copy that! I will investigate further :-)
I’d want one in non running condition so I can have a more meaningful locomotive, also then usually it’s cheaper
:-)
Nice work with what little you had. It's too bad the manufacturer cheapened it up so much, very disappointing. However, your talents spit shined that turd into a jewel. Stupendous job. And, great choice in the vid tune...
Hello M.C. Thanks once again for your nice words. Glad you liked the tune. When I found it, it shaped the way the running montage came out.
Nicely done!
Thank you! :-)
I recently purchased an early 70s Cab Forward and to my surprise it ran really well, however one of the axles slides side to side a bit with each revolution, I assume it probably just needs the wheels quartered
Possibly. Or perhaps a rod is binding a bit. Hope you get it worked out!
Que maravilla de locomotora nunca había visto algo así ,es inmensa ,excelente trabajo de volver a la vida a tan hermosa locomotora,increíble y un trabajo de muchas horas de limpieza y otras horas de armado ,me encanta ver tus videos son muy buenos ,ojalá sigas subiendo más videos,espero a que puedas hacer un video de una locomotora tyco súper alco 630 y puedas explicar como instalar dos motores a ese tipo de locomotora tyco para obtener una mayor fuerza motriz ,gracias y saludos desde chile 🇨🇱
Hola Ruben, Me alegra que hayas disfrutado mi video. Este fue muy desafiante para trabajar. Tendré presente un video sobre dos power torque trucks en un Alco 630 mi amigo. Gracias por comentar Saludos desde montana estados unidos
Hi-5 high man fistbump
Thanks :-)
Good job
Thanks
Hornby might be able to get you the smokebox door and other parts
Looked into it. No go. Had to use the eBay for parts for these things
what do you use in your ultrasonic cleaner the steps that you do to clean the parts and what parts should not be cleaned in the ultrasonic. I like how your parts come out of it. Thanks
I use simple green. Put the parts in baggies with the cleaner. ultrasonic just has water in it. Dont put painted parts in it. will dull or remove the paint. Metal or plastic is fine. Just dont crank the heat above 105-110f for simple grease cleaning.
One idea for the gearboxes is that if you know someone who can do 3d printing, you could have them fabricate some new gear box housings for this old Big Boy.
Yeah, I need to find a 3D printer guy!!
Nice job 👍 you are a very patient man. I would have made up about 20 new cuss words 😂 And put it in the scrap box!
Hello Christopher, as a child modeler a lot of my broken loco's ended up with sudden de-acceleration syndrome up against a wall. There was a few times working on this I was having flashbacks. Thanks for commenting :-)
Thank you. .I share the same opinion about the Rivarossi with you about the axle bearings. Trying to figure out where to get some that will fit or make them from something. Interesting enough if you look at a electric guitar string brass end that hold them to the bridge they are very close to the axle diameter and have a slot in them to hold it the loco frame possibly. Really think these locos would run much better with axle bearings .The Riv. 0 6 0 steam engine has them, go figure ,but all the large articulated do not including the later red box and even the Allegheny. Such a disappointment and a bad way for them to cut costs.May start looking for junk 0.-6.-0 just for the bearings and parts.Like to take old locos and make improvements to keep them going if worthy, but find some I learn are a dead end and would not warrant the time .Retired mechanic ranging from heavy equipment to automotive so tinkering can go to another level in that experience constructive way as yourself. Appreciate ya sharing your knowledge ..Anybody ever tell you you would make a good teacher?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Riv's. I also have a lifetime of mechanic work. Same as you, heavy stuff clear down to auto's. My scared up hands tell my story. Tinkering and fabricating is a great skill set that most don't have. I would never give up my blue collar for a white one. Nobody's ever told me I would make a good teacher, but I guess I have been doing that thru all my video's :-)
Impressive with aloha
Thanks!
I have a stand just like that and haven't used and already broke a tooth off on the large gear and I am into N Scale. I would have been afraid to use it as mad as you have used it.
I wish it was wider so it would have thicker gears and maybe a couple more bars going across it so it wouldn't allow the gears to jam so easily.
You're the second feller that told me about breaking a gear tooth. Makes me wonder if these cradles are worth the $75 paid for it :-/
@@classicmodeltrains I don't think they are. I treat my N Scales as made of glass and didn't even have anything inside the work and noticed a broken tooth. It was right after I assembled it. I was a little upset.
I own two big boys and three challengers and two Y6b with a small mantua 2-6-6-2. I am looking for a another 2-10-2 by IHC and a bachman 2-6-6-2 fory Southern layout these are my LS units that run on Saluda, Rat Hole and the loops in the Blue Ridge mountains.
You have a pretty nice fleet of steamers there!!
Rods are not supposed to be painted. They don't freewheel because of the gearbox. The wire mesh brush cleans the commutator for you, Thank Rivarossi for that one. To strip the motor, drill out the rivets, clean and reassemble with nut and bolts. No bearings in the driver axles but these things have been running for 50 plus years so it works! 😀
Hello Richard, Thanks for the good information!!
Your layout and train collection is just outstanding! I love that cabin you have em in that is awesome! Your videos are fantastic keep up the great work! Could you do a tour video of your cabin layout and collection! That would be a great video! Thanks Ron's trains and more!
Hello Rons T & M, THANK YOU for the very nice words. Ive been thinking of doing a layout and "studio" tour. Perhaps I should get that idea into pre-production mode :-)
Sweet I just bought a rivarossi bigboy.
Right on! I hope the gear boxes are good and strong for ya!
@Classic Model Trains It runs so smooth, so im guessing there in good condition.
Be glad the motor was riveted. The version I had was screwed together. Disassemble it and you would discover the motor had lots of tiny ball bearings in the motor bearings.
Hello Mark, I couldn't imagine a ball bearing motor in a small locomotive. I will have to keep my eyes open for one. Thanks for sharing! :-)
@@classicmodeltrains I had a Rivarossi NKP Berkshire, probably around 1967, and made the mistake of taking the motor apart. It didn't have sleeve bearings but bearings with about 25-30 tiny ball bearings, a nasty surprise.
Perhaps 3-D printing replacement plastic gear boxes will become the next big thing.
If I guy can make them for less than $50 each I would be all about buying them for sure.
If all else fails it will make a nice shelf queen!
It does a great job of decorating the display shelf. Perhaps it should get it's very own light to shine on it :-). Thanks for commenting.
Northwest Shortline sells a regear set. I think it’s 36:1. Ain’t cheap.
Ive seen a few NOS gear sets. Yup! $50 a piece and I need 2.........DANG IT!!
My problem in working on (any) locomotives is that once I disassemble them, I can’t get them back together again !
Well that's no good. take lots of pictures to help with where stuff goes.
I hope you find those parts or find another donor that can supply them.
Still looking for them.
I just got one of these. Stripped it down, clean and lubed it. I'm an idiot and didn't take pics as I was tearing it down (I wouldn't have gotten it back together if it wasn't for this video) The motor is just too far gone, do you suggest a new one or find an old one online? Not sure if there even any out there. Fixing to do a search momentarily.
I found a replacement upgraded can motor on eBay from a feller "Chino Backshops"
@@classicmodeltrains I was trying to clean the motor again, and the end popped off. Someone else popped the end off. I cleaned it and now it works great. I even installed a decoder. That was fun.
Great video! Where did guy get that vice stand?
Thanks. That rotating work stand is sold under the Bachmann name. I found it on Amazon. about $80ish. I don't really use it much. Not all I hoped it would be.
I have an old AHM 2-10-2 that is setup the same way. Mine is in a bit better shape I must say though. Bought from a buddy of mine about 5 years ago for $50...to me it was worth every penny!
Sounds like you got a pretty good deal!!
Great job! That engine does not like the tighter radius curves.
No there do not. My 22" makes it look silly. Gives me more reason to build the "next" layout...... only BIGGER!! Thanks for the nice words on the video and commenting :-)
When Lionel branched out into ho gauge trains the Italian bosses contacted River Rossi in Italy for trains for the ho line. The ahm River Rossi locomotives were very finely detailed but we're cheap and for production and ruined Lionel's reputation in the HO scale trains. There were lots of repowering kits for engines like this back in the '70s and '80s. I liked Bowser's line of all metal diecast locomotives. There's just something about the half of a real steel locomotive as opposed to plastic.
I hear ya!
where did you get that rotating clamp stand. I want one!
Not sure what your referencing, but I will guess. Does it have an alligator clip on each end? It's called "helping hands" used for soldering electronic stuff.
WOW - great video. Have you thought of 3D printing your own parts? Not an easy task engineering parts but feasable.
I have thought about it, but getting the "data" into the computer seems above my pay grade :-) Perhaps one day I will meet someone with those skill sets.
How do you remember where the screws go? I have failed so many times trying to get one of those to run.
Had to sell it back on ebay as I could not do it. Gimme a Broadway Limited.
Ive been a mechanic for a long time. Guess they all look a bit different to me, so its easy to know where they go back to. P.S. B.L.I.....yes please :-)
Lmbo at the slo-mo drama! Funny!
:-)
Ron, did you ever get the replacement boiler and parts for the Big Boy? Jeff
I never have got a boiler cover for it. Just found the upper gear boxes I need and lost the bid on the lower gearboxes. BUT... steadily moving forward :-)
@@classicmodeltrains Lost the bid… I know that feeling I purchased a Rio Grande GP40 NOS Blue Box last year and one of the hand railings was badly rusted. It took me over a year to find a replacement where the seller did not want as much as I paid for the locomotive. I should have tried making my own like you did in your one video.
on Rivaross Motors of this vintage One brush is carbon and one is copper screen.
Hello mat, you're the second person who's gave me this great information. Thank you for making me a better informed modeler :-)
@@classicmodeltrains You are welcome
Could it be your wheels are out of time between the front trucks and rear?
The front drivers and rear drivers are mostly never in time. The original locomotive has two separate steam valves. I've seen video of a BigBoy and the engineer is having problems with one set spinning out while the other set has traction. Some BigBoy models actually have 2 motors in them.
How do you date marx postwar steam locomotives and rolling stock I have a marx 2666 die-cast steam locomotive and trying to figure out what year it i it has a pin and coupler I forget what the coupler is called but it's not svtilt coupler it's a pond and slot coupler I was wondering how to date this locomotive
Never heard of a 2666 locomotive. Have heard of a 666 locomotive. They were introduced in 1955 and were in production for quite some time. Your spell check did not kick in enough and it's very difficult to read your post. Tab and slot couplers? Tilt couplers? I actually google a lot of stuff and do some digging in on the interweb and find a ton of info. Sorry I cant help out more Sir.
I'm sorry it's a 1666. Steam locomotive but a. 266 my fat fingers got. In the. Way
@@richardnelson-ux1zz I cant find any reference to a 266, but a 1666 2-4-2 is referenced in my pricing book but it does not say what year (s) it was produced. Sorry I cant help you out there.
I want to install a DCC ESU sound decoder into the engine
Swap out the old motor for a new can motor, should be all downhill after that
Nice overhaul! How much did you pay for it if I may ask?
Bought it as a "non-running" ...$100, If it wouldn't have been for the bad gear boxes it would have been a deal.
well if it has not been said. can you get a 3D printed gear box??
I have not spent any time researching for anybody to 3D print them. I'm betting it can be done. Just finding the person to do it.
I think I might have a gear box or 2 for you... where do I send it?
Some gear boxes would be wonderful, This old gal also need a boiler cover. The mailing address is. Classic Model Trains. P.O. Box 51137. Billings, Mt. 59105. If you reach out to me on my FB page classicmodeltrains we can discuss what you might like to have for these gearboxes.
What happened to it Smokebox?
😮
17:47
Its missing its cover and all the hand railings
It's a bus no question. Great its running👍Worse case it would of been still impressive sitting on a siding.🧑🔧🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋
Hello again 4ever, Thanks for commenting. I did plan on making this a static display beside my train station if it did not work. The way the gear boxes are deteriorating, and lack of repair parts it still might end up there.
I wonder how the drive train on my trix big boy compares to riverrossi
Is Trix a high end loco company? Never hear of them before
Yes trix big boy 700 dollars all metal body runs beautifully in1975 I was disappointed with tyco Chattanooga steam so 2005 I got even with the best
Id use a revell kit to replace cosmetic details
Thats a great idea!!
You, my friend, need to be modelling in "S" gauge. Not too big; not too small. Fits your hands just right.
I completely agree Mark. I'm starting to lean that direction :-)
THE SESPENSE! THE DRAMA! WILL IT RUN??!
YES!
:-)
Get or make some gun cleaning patches, less fuzz problems & better cleaning.
Pretty good idea! Thanks
I’ve been trying to find a used big boy for months, but I’m afraid to bite the bullet on some thing old and the prices they’re charging for these now is ridiculous
Yes the AHM ones sellers are asking what seems to be way too much.
winston? looking for julia.
O Winston Link. A famous photographer that specialized in steam locomotives, back in the day.
@@classicmodeltrains I was thinking about 1984.🙃
@@suppylarue220 Oops..... I'm never good at remembering film characters, until I've seen it a hundred times. :-)
@@classicmodeltrains my bad. I strayed off topic. but on topic, the BB appears to be a mid to late 60s AHM which sold for $39.95. it was not a highly regarded model at that time. cracking of plastic like that is sometimes caused by the use of 3 in 1 oil or over tightening of screws.
@@suppylarue220 Thanks for the info. I dug around on hoseeker.net and figured this one is a model #5114 made from 1969 to 1977. I figured the petroleum based grease that was used in it deteriorated the plastic gear boxes. I'm shocked it only sold for $40 back in the day. E-bay sellers are "asking" $400 for good runners. I'm kinda thinking the Riverassi one's from the 60's thru the 80's are all probably suffering plastic failure.
a big boy can pull around 60s cars
Thats a pretty good size train!
TRY ATHEARN, OR hORNBY IN ENGLAND AS THEY NOW OWN AND MAKE RIVERROSSI, GOOD LUCK :)
Hello Peter, I tried the Hornby America website, they only support the newest version of their Big Boy. The old Rivarossi stuff is orphaned. Thanks for commenting :-)
I have used connector cleaner, tuner cleaner, best thing I have used for cleaning out a motor with gunk in it been using it over 35+yrs, with no problems👍. 👋😎🛤🚂
Yup. A lot of fellers bring that little trick up.