You know what they say about German Engineering ... ? The Marklin-Trix HO "Big Boy" is a prime example!

This mostly metal replica of the famous UP giant is super heavy, super detailed, super smooth and extremely well made. I estimate it would drag about 30 average freight cars up a 2% grade.

If I were in the "Brass Business" I would be concerned. In every way this loco rivals the best brass at about 1/3 the cost. The loco is DCC ready (in the boiler area) and most HO decoders with the NMRA plug will work.

We are still evaluating options for DCC sound although initially it apppears a DSX sound only can be fitted into the tender and a short format decoder with the NMRA plug in the loco (LenzLE1025XF-MP, NCE D15SRP, TCS T1P, Digitrax DH163p). There is also a nifty speaker enclosure integrated into the tender that exactly fits the Tony's 1.1" Speaker.