What started out as an off-the-cuff challenge by a certain internet loudmouth grew into a full blown model of Union Pacific's famous Big Boy locomotive. The model itself went through several stages in development, from a crude prototype to "prove" it could be done, to the highly detailed working version which has wowed crowds at two public appearance of the GMLTC layout. While minor mechanical bugs are yet to be worked out, the Big Boy currently resides on display at my Dad's house in South Minneapolis.

UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY

The"final" revision of my Big Boy for GMLTC's layout at the Kidvention at Legoland California, July 2000. Note the entire boiler has been "tiled" and a hinge has been added to the cab roof to allow easy viewing of interior details. Due to the irregular track set up and narrow tunnels, the Big Boy was never able to run on GMLTC's former 6-wide layout.

Big Boy "Second Revision"

Completely rebuilt from an earlier prototype, this model much more closely resembles the Union Pacific Big Boy class of locomotives. Reworking the wheel arrangement and articulation has greatly improved cornering characteristics, bringing in much more in line with the real thing. Note that both the locomotive and tender contain motors.