USA Trains: Big Boy - Modifications & Repair page:

(Click here for USA Trains:  Big Boy - Photo and Video Page)

Model Info:    (Product first announced Feb 2005, Delivered June 2007)

• USA Trains Product Page:  http://www.usatrains.com/usatrainsbigboy.html
  • Union Pacific #4000: (R20040):
  • Union Pacific #4004: (R20044):  
  • Union Pacific #4017: (R20045):
• Owners Manual: **Not available**
• Parts Diagram: **Not available**
• Discuss Online:  http://www.gscaletrainforum.com/index.php?/topic/196-usa-trains-big-boy-photos/
• Photos/Videos of model:  Big Boy - Photos/Videos

Model Overview:

The Largest G scale engine ever made. 

• Detail is beyond compare and as high you can possibly expect from a model train and more
• All die cast metal & Stainless steel construction
  • The all metal construction makes this engine difficult to handle and move.  Ensure you can lift 45lbs before buying.
• Drivers, axles and gears are all metal for long life
  • Eliminates failures seen in other models with plastic gears: Gear & Motor bearing failures
• Driver axles have ball bearings for long life
• Includes lights, smoke and sound-only (no digital/remote control built in)
• Engine sets run perfectly smooth with no binding due to out of quarter drivers
• All metal connecting rods and running gear
• Simply the ultimate model train in any scale!

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USA Trains - Big Boy - Repair/Modifications:

Modifications/Topics list:

• USA Trains  -  Big Boy:  (Model info)

  • Engine shorting out / running loud - (Motor failure)

  • Wheel power pickup mfg issue (Short potential)

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10/19/2010

Engine shorting out / Running loud - (due to motor failure):

A USA Hudson was presented to me for repair with the symptom of running loudly with shorting only while moving.  The problem turned out to be a failed motor due to the friction bearing on the worm gear side of the motor had worn to the point where the motor armature was getting far enough out of alignment to physically impact the motor magnets.  This item is posted on the Big Boy page because this could be similar issue with the Big Boy motor if heavily run and not lubricated.

If you own either the Hudson or the Big Boy I would recommend taking the time to put a drop (not a lot!) of good quality oil on each end of the motor bearings.  Keeping the bearings lubricated should go a long ways to delaying this sort of wear and eventual failure.

See the video below for example of this condition:

              - YouTube 1080 HD

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1/2/2015

Wheel power pickup manufacturing issue (Short potential):

*CHUCK'S TIPS SPECIAL ITEM*

A short potential exists where the wheel power pickups are not in the correct location in the frame casting and are out of position enough where they can/will make contact with the driver itself, not just the metal tire.  The engine's electrical isolation for the wheels is between the tire and the driver so the brush can bridge that insulator and create a short.  USA Trains is aware of the issue and may hopefully correct in future production runs of the engine. 

See this link for full detail write-up and photos including a proposed fix:  http://www.gscaletrainforum.com/index.php?/topic/187-usa-trains-129-big-boy-manufacturing-problem/

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