Can We Make This Rivarossi Big Boy Run Again? Sitting for 20 Years

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  • čas přidán 27. 12. 2022
  • I purchased this vintage big boy locomotive in an auction around a year ago and today I decided to finally take it out of the box and see if we could get it working again. I brought it over to the track to test it and it seemed to be having trouble picking up electricity.
    It's possible this locomotive has been sitting for decades and many contacts have rusted over so it required disassembly and cleaning to get things going again. I'm overall impressed with the results.
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Komentáře • 565

  • @MMRails
    @MMRails Před rokem +159

    Did you see the initials? ES? That big boy belonged to Ed Sheeran! So cool. Speaking of initials, SMT now stands for So Much Talent. Great job!

    • @MMRails
      @MMRails Před rokem +23

      Soldering Machine Teen

    • @MMRails
      @MMRails Před rokem +20

      Superior Model Technician

    • @johndoblinger6805
      @johndoblinger6805 Před rokem +11

      i thougt it stood for slow moving train

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +31

      Ed Sherran!? Must have been run on a layout with many lego houses

    • @Petemonster62
      @Petemonster62 Před rokem +6

      Sudbury, Montreal, & Toronto Railway.

  • @beefs0ck911
    @beefs0ck911 Před rokem +35

    I love that you film repairs on virtually every make and model, especially vintage ones. Watching these videos has been teaching me to repair mine

    • @NorthmassRails
      @NorthmassRails Před rokem +5

      Nice locomotives!

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +4

      Thanks, I don’t want to be dedicated to only doing repairs on certain types, this can be a learning curve but makes future projects easier.

  • @Dominic_Kim-
    @Dominic_Kim- Před rokem +74

    As soon as I see the "Can we make it run" in the title I already felt like yes it will and I hope it runs.

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +13

      Thank you!

    • @NorfolkSouthernRailfan754
      @NorfolkSouthernRailfan754 Před rokem +6

      Same here!

    • @katies6426
      @katies6426 Před rokem +5

      Has SMT ever failed at repairing a model on one of these “episodes”?

    • @stephenlongtin6441
      @stephenlongtin6441 Před rokem +2

      SMT mainline I think u should do a charity for people who are with any food to eat and for the people who are homeless and for people who are trynna get off drugs
      Those are some charity ideas for you to do that are good !
      3:45am

    • @mercuryoak2
      @mercuryoak2 Před rokem +2

      @@stephenlongtin6441 um he had done that before. International food bank. That was a live stream he did before

  • @ShipRail_Studios_official

    I love seeing your restoration videos; always great to see a Big Boy running again. Keep up the great work!

  • @adamhinkle7982
    @adamhinkle7982 Před rokem +3

    Excellent job on the repair someone will be a happy camper.

  • @jasonanderson6583
    @jasonanderson6583 Před 10 měsíci +3

    This man can make anything run

  • @beyondtheouterrim3025
    @beyondtheouterrim3025 Před rokem +2

    Love that there was a little 0-4-0 in there I love those little guys

  • @bc5441
    @bc5441 Před rokem +5

    I had a Riv Big Boy oh, so long ago. I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together. Fortunately I was intimidated by my steam locomotives and never attempted to disassemble any of them, because if I had, they never would have gone back together!

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +2

      They can be tricky, especially when you don’t have a parts diagram.

  • @TooManyHobbiesJeremy
    @TooManyHobbiesJeremy Před rokem +3

    Nice job getting this one going.

  • @cjfauxx6266
    @cjfauxx6266 Před rokem +5

    I just got myself a Rivarossi 4005 Big Boy that needed some new oil and grease. I got it from my local railroad club where it was running rough but with the help of your video here, I got her going smoothly! Hope you have a happy new year!

  • @Lighthouseadventures1
    @Lighthouseadventures1 Před rokem +6

    You probaly are unaware of this youtuber, but your like the Growling Sidewinder of HO scale train repairing, meaning every episode gets more amazing and you learn alot more than you think you knew

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +3

      I haven’t watched them to be honest but I appreciate the kind words

  • @TheContientPokemon
    @TheContientPokemon Před rokem +2

    Good thing you worked on that cabforward before, now you know how to deal with big engines

  • @nelslyman8167
    @nelslyman8167 Před rokem +2

    You taught me how to repair engines and that is now the way I buy most of my engines

  • @stripes497
    @stripes497 Před rokem +2

    Great job on the rebuild. This was a fun video to watch. This reminds of when I was a little boy and my Paternal Grandfather took me to the train yards of The Santa Fe Railroad. Seeing anything train related reminds me of my childhood days. Thanks for showing this particular video

  • @johnallred716
    @johnallred716 Před rokem +3

    man, discovered your channel yesterday. You have got this CZcams thing nailed. Great vid work, great lighting, perfect narrative, fun storylines, for us model train guys and gals to enjoy. Love your "rehab mechanicals" videos the best but the Train Store archeology tours are very cool. Spent many hours in them across the US collecting in my travels. So thank you, and your friends for saving the old stuff we had as a kid and then an adult. Had to part with my collections several times, (space, no basement.) Great to see some Gen Zs enjoying this hobby.

  • @TonyLasagna
    @TonyLasagna Před rokem +1

    These videos are always so satisfying. Glad this ran!

  • @realcanadian96
    @realcanadian96 Před rokem +10

    I remember when you were at 5k subscribers... Man have you grown. The quality of the videos you produce always increases. I can really see your channel being a well known name in model railroading, but that's in the future. It's a long way to get there, but you will.

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +2

      I really appreciate that, I’ve been trying to improve the quality over the last few months so hearing that means a lot.

  • @cheesyman321
    @cheesyman321 Před rokem +12

    Its always so interesting to watch the intricate breakdown of these bigger engines. I personally like my N scales as it feels a bit easier for me with less parts!

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +5

      I haven’t worked too many n scale locomotives but I actually find them trickier haha

  • @montetude_tripple2706
    @montetude_tripple2706 Před rokem +6

    These things are so damn expensive, I wish I could get my hands on even a used one, or 3d print my own. Good find man.

  • @rayhuntermusic
    @rayhuntermusic Před rokem +2

    So cool!!! I love that layout.

  • @gpalmt
    @gpalmt Před rokem +1

    another great video. You inspire me to try and repair my locomotives and to be sure , all of us are in awe of your ability. Keep up the good work, we all look forward to your videos

  • @khtrains
    @khtrains Před rokem +3

    I've had a few of Rivarossi's articulated locomotives. I've never been game to disassemble the drivetrain quite as far as you did. But I think I'll be able to give it a go on the next one I get thanks to seeing this!

  • @SantaFeBob
    @SantaFeBob Před rokem +1

    Great demonstration. I will use these techniques on my own Big Boy that needs repair. Thank you for posting another valuable video.

  • @philipvandyke5980
    @philipvandyke5980 Před rokem +2

    Another great fix and video. I am surprised you haven't run out of space in the basement

  • @alanwbelcher
    @alanwbelcher Před rokem +3

    Great work bringing it back from the scrap yard. Never doubted you could.

  • @tracynation2820
    @tracynation2820 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Super. The drive is a lot better than I imagined, and oiling the siderods, bearings, and valve gear is very important on a locomotive like this. I like the Big Boy, but will probably not buy one for my railroad, but if one just happens to come my way, I'd find an excuse to operate it on my railroads fantrips. 💙 T.E.N.

  • @normanrowe2831
    @normanrowe2831 Před rokem +3

    As a lover of old Rivarossi locos, thanks for the tender loving care. Lol. Always enjoyable watching you work your magic. See ya. Happy New Year.

  • @user-ig6dm7cq1g
    @user-ig6dm7cq1g Před 5 měsíci +1

    I love the big boy! It's really cool looking.

  • @matthewhazelip843
    @matthewhazelip843 Před rokem +1

    This would make a cool addition to my starter set up nice loco for sure

  • @derekalexander4030
    @derekalexander4030 Před rokem +2

    I’m blown away that you took that Big Boy apart (which I could do) but then cleaned it, got it running, and most importantly, put it back together with no leftover parts. (Which I could not do, lol.) A+ to you.

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +1

      Thanks, it's taken me a while to learn how to work on this stuff.

  • @MozanaRN
    @MozanaRN Před rokem +2

    Thank you Harrison for the excellent restoration of the Rivarossi Big Boy (aka..beast). And thank you especially for the track side running shots of this monster in real time and slow motion. Happy New Year to you and yours!! :-)

  • @willamcombs1106
    @willamcombs1106 Před rokem +1

    I've been watching your video's for well over a year now and I've noticed that you have become very good at Model Locomotive diagnosis and repair. Keep up the good work. I look forward to all of your video's.

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +2

      Thanks I’ve been trying to learn more, the community is constantly giving me good suggestions which helps.

  • @thatsimulatorguy
    @thatsimulatorguy Před rokem +2

    Oh jeez, I need this. My Rivarossi mallet blew itself up and I would love to have another beast on the rails once again until I fix mine… I will get this loco until I can’t… then I’ll be sad.
    Also that speed up edit at the end was hilarious and it jump scared me 😂

  • @randybrening9528
    @randybrening9528 Před rokem +1

    Love watching your can we make it run videos. They're really enjoyable and relaxing to watch.

  • @UnionCentralSystem
    @UnionCentralSystem Před rokem +1

    Another great job Harrison!!!

  • @carterputnam4229
    @carterputnam4229 Před 10 měsíci

    What a nice rig. Always have been a fan of the big boys, even as a child! Let alone model trains in general!

  • @kuzzyjo
    @kuzzyjo Před 2 měsíci

    A one of a kind toy you really out done yourself here great job

  • @GaryDavis-ir6fh
    @GaryDavis-ir6fh Před 8 měsíci +1

    yaaaay! another piece of model train history saved, i love it!

  • @D1rtyDon
    @D1rtyDon Před rokem +1

    Don’t know why the hell this was in my recommended but it was fun to watch

  • @tannerdoty7429
    @tannerdoty7429 Před 10 měsíci +1

    This was such an impressive fix.

  • @bartholomewsorrentino9013

    Great video! Loved seeing and hearing the engine run and pull a train!

  • @tommyt329
    @tommyt329 Před rokem

    You do a great job on repairs. You leave no stone unturned. I'm watching your channel from New Zealand.

  • @ehcatsfaneric2211
    @ehcatsfaneric2211 Před rokem +2

    You are a very talented young man..great work and care

  • @bulwinkle
    @bulwinkle Před rokem +1

    I used to use a small brass wire brush to clean wheels. I attached a wire between it and a 9v battery and had a return wire to complete the circuit so the brush itself powered the loco whilst cleaning the wheels.

  • @waynemcdonough5174
    @waynemcdonough5174 Před rokem +7

    First post: I thought I should let you know how much I enjoy your videos. Not only are the successes great, but your presentation is also very engaging. It just shows that old does not mean trash worthy. Much can be restored with patience and attention to detail.

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +3

      Thanks. Some people don’t get why I bother working on these types of locomotives but I find it satisfying when you get something written off as junk running again.

  • @northpennvalleysteamrailroad

    You did a great job! 👍😎

  • @RayBoebel
    @RayBoebel Před rokem +1

    Nicely done Harrison!

  • @cnwproductions
    @cnwproductions Před rokem

    Fantastic Video as Always SMT

  • @NotGavin
    @NotGavin Před rokem +3

    Great job on the repair, runs beautifully Harrison!

  • @AdamChancellor4449
    @AdamChancellor4449 Před 6 měsíci

    Good job on fixing the Bigboy Man 🎉

  • @petershepherd53
    @petershepherd53 Před rokem +1

    I feel a lot more confident servicing a big boy after your video, well done from across the pond, regards pete

  • @F40M07
    @F40M07 Před rokem +1

    He protec
    He attac
    But most importantly
    He knows what he’s doing in the back

  • @ferrovocho28
    @ferrovocho28 Před rokem

    So great! It's very interesting seeing the guts on that kind of locomotives. The engineering work done to do them run is amazing. And Rivarossi always surprise with such small motors. Great video!

  • @Fxe4014
    @Fxe4014 Před rokem +5

    It is incredible to see the process of how to repair a Rivarossi Big Boy, plus it reminded me that if one day I have one of those locomotives, I would like to customize it so that it looks like the BIG ONE, is from the anime "The Galaxy Railways", greetings and good video!

  • @wowdad3055
    @wowdad3055 Před rokem

    Have a happy New Year . Great job again.

  • @nitrorrat8190
    @nitrorrat8190 Před rokem

    One of my favorite locomotive

  • @TheOtherBud
    @TheOtherBud Před rokem +1

    Loving the camera work on this video keep up the good work

  • @curtisbezanson8156
    @curtisbezanson8156 Před rokem +1

    That big boy looks amazing goin around ur track

  • @strat1960s
    @strat1960s Před rokem

    Looks great. Fun video to watch

  • @randalkire220
    @randalkire220 Před 9 měsíci

    Good job. Very interesting to watch how you repaired it.

  • @irenecraggs6123
    @irenecraggs6123 Před rokem +1

    that looks great nice job

  • @gorgewashington1216
    @gorgewashington1216 Před rokem +1

    nice job and nice piece in youre collection !

  • @godchilla2847
    @godchilla2847 Před 7 měsíci

    great work!

  • @tommyhaynes9157
    @tommyhaynes9157 Před 9 měsíci

    That was awesome dude

  • @umbertospilotros3986
    @umbertospilotros3986 Před 17 dny

    Nice video. Greatings from Brazil.

  • @massari4u
    @massari4u Před rokem +2

    What a great locomotive, came across your channel randomly, glad I did. Great content. subbed

  • @ronaldrondeau7870
    @ronaldrondeau7870 Před rokem +1

    good job to make it run that way. Happy New Year Harisson

  • @davidokelly1140
    @davidokelly1140 Před rokem +1

    Looks like you took a tip from Ron form classic model trains on that wheel cleaning technique. Those wheels look SO clean...
    Thanks, enjoyed the video...

  • @nitrorrat8190
    @nitrorrat8190 Před rokem

    Good looking locomotive

  • @darksideoflife8045
    @darksideoflife8045 Před rokem +1

    Love your content, keep making more vids please

  • @RobertEHunt-dv9sq
    @RobertEHunt-dv9sq Před rokem +1

    excellent video. I have one of these engines, in fact 4005 like yours. Once clean and lubricated can pull 40 cars on level track. Love these large articulateds

  • @normancoreyBuildingTrains

    Love hearing Well folks!

  • @joallawestervelt6918
    @joallawestervelt6918 Před rokem +1

    Toys for tots is a great charity. An incredible idea. This is a beautiful locomotive. It was great watching you fix and service this locomotive. The Harrison Touch again prevails. I know it has been some Time since this aired but I explained in your latest video as to why. Thank you so much for sharing this video. 💕❤💕 I hope you raise a lot of money for what you choose for the charity.

  • @benjaminmcclatchey9814
    @benjaminmcclatchey9814 Před 11 měsíci

    I’m happy about the trains he repairs too! I think it’s great!

  • @MoosesWorkshop
    @MoosesWorkshop Před rokem +1

    Love your videos!

  • @nick-dm3if
    @nick-dm3if Před 11 měsíci

    I really was excited about that 0-4-0 lol i love those

  • @antonbruce1241
    @antonbruce1241 Před rokem +2

    Darned fine runner there! I was rather surprised the motor was in as good of a condition as it is! Another fantastic Dr. SMT surgery - ya brought her back to perfect health!!! Now..if you could only convert her to DCC and a sound decoder....

  • @MattKonsol
    @MattKonsol Před rokem +2

    Wow man! I bet you got another big boy for fun but I’m glad you got this thing running here and pretty cool that your giving it away as a raffle.

  • @brandongasowski7868
    @brandongasowski7868 Před rokem

    Awesome job

  • @bassmanzh
    @bassmanzh Před rokem

    I want to get a big boy for my layout ! I love these gorgeous machines ..me and my pop pop chased one from saint peters mo to pacific missouri ... amazing beast ... every time I see one it reminds me of him!

  • @nimbly1693
    @nimbly1693 Před rokem

    My 6 year old loves trains. We got to see the big boy when it came through eastern Oklahoma.

  • @ChristopherBrown-mq1lg
    @ChristopherBrown-mq1lg Před rokem +2

    Nice job 👍 ! What a cool engine.

  • @Papa_Shurika
    @Papa_Shurika Před rokem

    Hello! You are the best locomotive doctor!👍

  • @magnuswettermark8293
    @magnuswettermark8293 Před rokem

    Great job! I wish you happy new year...

  • @andersholt4653
    @andersholt4653 Před rokem

    Nice job.

  • @BobDarlington
    @BobDarlington Před rokem

    Good job.

  • @GreysonHolovach
    @GreysonHolovach Před rokem +1

    it is kind of crazy how you make it look so easy to fix it up

  • @mercuryoak2
    @mercuryoak2 Před rokem +1

    That's really cool that you got this locomotive running. The tender looks like it goes to a Riverrossi mallet locomotive my uncle used to have one. My current uncle has it and you won't let it go for anything maybe I'll buy it off of him who knows but they claim that there's no parts available which I heard the same thing from a hobby store. I'm glad that you are careful taking apart this locomotive because the availability of parts I bet is slim. Everything you do in these videos I do to my locomotives that's why they run so good. I loved the run bys that you did.

  • @paulbervid1610
    @paulbervid1610 Před rokem +1

    Look at you Harrison. Big Boy engine detective. Great video as always.

  • @jordaneriksson5417
    @jordaneriksson5417 Před rokem

    You rescued a mammoth (for that you deserved all the holy respects)

  • @F40M07
    @F40M07 Před rokem +2

    I want a Rivarossi Big Boy!

  • @kuhndj67
    @kuhndj67 Před rokem +1

    Nice old Rivarossi - that's a model I always wanted as a kid. I'd have cleaned the wheels and checked the wheel pickup brushes before I did anything else with an old engine like that - most of the time that's the only problem.

  • @Oppenheimer652
    @Oppenheimer652 Před rokem +31

    Am I the only one that is actually happy for the trains that he fixes?

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +9

      They’re given a second chance to be enjoyed. Otherwise they would probably end up in the trash.

    • @brendanboiman
      @brendanboiman Před rokem +3

      I mean i am right here

  • @jonas2431
    @jonas2431 Před rokem +1

    This is amazing. Im currently looking for a big boy for my layout. I love big steam locos. Ive seen the big boy in person and it was amazing. Really a beautiful sight to behold

  • @yhird
    @yhird Před rokem

    Terrific work! Beautiful collection. Subscribed.

  • @bobkohl6779
    @bobkohl6779 Před rokem

    Well done and nice to see someone open them up. We used to look at 4014 and wonder if it was just going to rot

  • @garrettsubproductions8705

    Congratulations on 80k

  • @DFWRailVideos
    @DFWRailVideos Před rokem +1

    Bit of history on 4005, it was the only Big Boy to wreck. It was later repaired, then retired and placed on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I've actually visited it before, and it's in pretty rough shape. Great video like always Harrison! Keep it up.

    • @Wemfsh
      @Wemfsh Před rokem +1

      Your wrong it’s displayed at Forney museum in Denver Colorado and I now for a fact it is there because I have seen it a million times your thinking of 4004 when you say it’s in Cheyenne

  • @JackDangerous
    @JackDangerous Před rokem +3

    I love your videos, and i'm incredibly jealous of how much room and how many trains you have since i live in a small apartment and i've never had a model train. I love your repair videos but your choice of screwdrivers always triggers me a bit 😅
    Keep up the good work, buddy, best wishes of a happy new year from Portugal!

    • @SMTMainline
      @SMTMainline  Před rokem +1

      Yeah, some of the screwdrivers kinda suck but I’m looking to upgrade them soon

  • @ballin330
    @ballin330 Před rokem +1

    That's a sweet engine!