Big Boy ships down under

[doubletop]

New Zealander Shane Marshall has purchased Tom Millers "Big Boy"and made a video of taking ownership at Tom's private track in Oregan. You guys in the UK may not be aware of the story....



Awe inspiring on a number of counts.

Pete

[steamcoal]

I bet a lot or Americans are sad to see it go offshore. Pete.

My personal thought is that this country is just too small for this size engine impressive as it is I do not doubt.Having seen those Birskshire in Aussie on thier layout even they are big enough, this is twice the size.

If had it I would leave it in the US and trip over to use it on the big railways of the USA, Train Mountain and the like, a place to stretch it legs and open the regulator right up.

Anyway its here now so lets see what happens. I'll stay with 3.5" gauge .

[doubletop]

I had similar thoughts about limited options for running. However I understand it's home track is big enough. It would be a good reason to go up there to see it

Pete

[joanlluch]

It is oil fired, isn't it? How common is that in New Zealand? Thanks

[steamcoal]

Yes its oil fired and maybe the only one of this method.

It has a Duplex material boiler. Its somewhat controversial in this country. Something I wish not to comment on as I know nothing about it but it does provoke much contention amongst learnerd fellows.

I am sure the new owner has done his homework so good on him.

[doubletop]

I had similar thoughts about limited options for running. However I understand it's home track is big enough. It would be a good reason to go up there to see it

Pete

[sis]

Out of interest is NZ a 7.25" gauge domain or do you also have 7.5" gauge? My understanding is that only the East coast of the USA uses 7.25" everywhere else is 7.5". So based on location this is likely to be a 7.5" gauge locomotive.

After an interest as a child it was seeing a 7.5" Gauge Big Boy in Houston TX in my 30's that resulted in me getting serious with a home workshop.

Steve

[pondok]

I believe it's being re-tired to suit the new gauge Steve, can you imagine what that's going to entail!

Andy

[pondok]

(re-tyred)

[Shawki Shlemon]

Thanks for that , that was amazing , magnificent engine and track . I could not help it , I had to ask my wife to look at the workshop and loco and tell me how does she rate mine , her answer was mine are toys .I am sure he is going to have some issues with the gauge and boiler certification but he must have researched and know how to address them . I envy him but its out of my class .

[silverfox]

If all goes well, i hope to see 6 of the 8 preserved in Sept

[smallbrother]

Does someone break wind at 2.24 mins?

I am gobsmacked by the factory - you can't call it a workshop.

Off to see some rugby soon so will watch the rest later.

Great video Pete Doubletop - thanks for sharing it.

Pete.

[Jim]

Feb 5, 2017 10:08:33 GMT smallbrother said:

Does someone break wind at 2.24 mins?
Snipped

Pete.

Yes Pete, and all he did was touch it. Just imagine what will happen when he sits down to drive it!

Jim

[sis]

They certainly do things big in the USA right through from the home workshop facilities to the locomotives they build and the tracks and facilities they run them on. There is a U.P. Challenger build on the chaski forum. The builder has logged over 10,000 hours and is still going strong.

Roger Goldman in the USA is the supplier of the castings for the U.P. 4-6-6-4 Challenger and which may have been used for this Big Boy. The prices are considerable but then so are the castings and the quality is first class so actually a reasonable exchange all in all. The tender bed is one very large casting quite amazing.

I am told that it is possible to build one of these on a 13" x 40" swing lathe and a bridgeport sized milling machine. I went to Ally Pally a few years ago and there is a chap that exhibits his (using the above mentioned supplier of castings) and he is making steady progress.

Regarding the duplex boiler. This article is very interesting:

www.modelengineeringwebsite.com/New_boiler_material.html


I wonder if any similar push is being made in the UK and what the status is in the USA.


Steve

[Jim]

As stated in the article we now have a boiler code for Duplex steel boilers to add to the copper, steel and sub miniature codes. I'm unaware of how many have been made so far but I have been told they are not cheap.

Jim

[marshall5]

Just to set the record straight Tom Miller didn't build his Big Boy - it was actually built by Severn Lamb here in the U.K. from 1979-82.
According to Tom's own advertisement on Discover Live Steam the boiler is made from 321 stainless which I don't think is the same as Duplex steel but happy to be corrected on this. In case anyone is interested the asking price was $245k !!!
Ray.

[Roger]

Is this the Big Boy that used to be at Dobwalls in Devon? Blimey, that's an awful lot of money!

[Jim]

I think I'm right Roger in saying the Dobwells locos are now out here and located on a private site near the Puffing Billy Railway at Belgrave, Victoria.
puffingbilly.com.au/en/
I'm sure others tell you more about it.

Jim

[Roger]

Thanks Jim, I was so disappointed to see that close it was a huge site with lots of interest for young and old. I'm surprised it didn't make money.

[marshall5]

The Big Boy discussed here isn't the ex Dobwalls one. IIRC the Dobwalls one, along with much of the other equipment went to a garden centre in the south of England but the owner couldn't get planning permission. After a period in store it was exported to Australia as referred to above. When Dobwalls first started they had a very nice Coronation Pacific - 'can't remember where that went though.
BTW there is/was a real estate agent's video online advertising Tom's house, workshop and magnificent railway with stock, all in for a cool $3 million! www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VdCrHztInA If you can get hold of it there is also a video of his railroad called "A hobby run amok" or something like that.
Cheers,
Ray.