Here are the results of a classic locomotive duel between the PCM and the Trix HO UP "Big Boys".

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With the arrival of the Precision Craft Models Big Boy we decided to have a little fun and match this loco in real time side by side with the impressive Trix Big Boy. The locos are not the identical road numbers so there are naturally minor configuration differences.

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Aesthetically both locomotives are gorgeous. The PCM has a few more parts here and the Trix a few more part there, but for the most part they're comparable. Both have ESU LokSound on board but sound slightly different. The PCM has a fast ringing bell and the Trix has a more standard timing to it.

The next most obvious thing to do with such behemoths was to do a tale to tale tug a war, with the staff wagering!

We hooked the two locomotives up tender to tender for a classic "tug-o-war" style traction test.

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On the right ... the reigning champ Trix weighing in at 3.5 pounds and on the left ... the contender PCM weighing in at almost 4 pounds. Both locomotives remained set to the default address - 3. At first it seemed that the Trix had the upper hand, but the PCM soon came back into the running causing the Trix drivers to slip. Both locos displayed movement at SS:1/128 although the Trix crept at about the speed of the PCM.

This exciting clash continued until friction had warmed the drivers to a point at which the basic weight took over and the PCM dragged the Trix down the test track.

So now that the PCM appears to have taken the title ... anyone giving odds on how the forthcoming Athearn Genesis Big Boy will stack up?

Tony:

Just a comment about the PCM and Trix Big Boy models and the detail differences. Both models are models of a first series Big Boy, UP4000-4019, class 4884-1. The Trix model represents a 4884-1 very late in its life, after the 1953 "modernization" shoppings. The PCM represents a 4884-1 early in its life, from 1941 to about 1947 or so. That's why there are details on one that aren't on the other, etc ..

Thanks for the review!

Steve O.