Big Boy rod/curve problems

[Rumpelmuck]

Hi Folks!

I just started to build the "Big Boy" according to Scott Dee's instructions (http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=533320)

During first test I encountered some problems on standard LEGO curves. I can't imagine I would be the only one trying to solve these problems. So hopefully there are some suggestions around....

1. Front drive rod sticks on back drive cylinder antenna foot (pics are on my brickshelf gallery)

http://www.brickshel...y/rod_stuck.jpg

I replaced the antenna by a technic axle 4L with stop to prevent sticking on the antenna foot. Unfortunately this led to my second problem

2. Front drive rod sticks direct on back drive cylinder

http://www.brickshel...Boy/rod_cyl.jpg

You'll see the replaced antenna but the 5L technic axle and the cylinder cause again sticking of the end of the rod.

Til now I have no idea how to solve that - to be honest - minor problem. Usually that problem doesn't really prevent from driving the loco.

3. Front rod bumps the front wheels

http://www.brickshel..._bump_front.jpg

I replaced the axle by a shorter one (accord. to instr. 6L replaced by 5L).

I wonder if there are more fixes for that impressive loco and the detailed and very clear instruction - credits to Scott and of course JAYHURST!!! Chapeau!!!

Please excuse some language errors. I'm not a native speaker but hopefully my thoughts came through and there are some hints, suggestions or advices to achieve a smooth drive of that "Big" MOC.

Thanks in advance!

Thomas

[peterab]

Scott Dee reverse engineered Jayhursts Moc without his permission, and did a poor job of it. He was asked not to sell these instructions more than once.

[Barduck]

my advice would be to really look at Jayhurst's Big Boy and do the changes you see. I've made that mistake aswell, getting those plans. Was just when I returned to LEGO and had no idea on how to but really wanted to have a big train. So, the same mistakes were made and after finding out it didn'nt run all to well the hard way, I took a closer look at Jayhurst's solutions. I've even made it more powerfull now, as mine now has 4 XL motors instead of medium ones in het belly

Edited April 3, 2016 by Barduck

[legoman666]

I used those same instructions to make mine, but I had to modify it so much that I can halfway call it a moc. I spent a lot of time getting it to run smoothly. Runs pretty good now, can go for about 2 hours without issue.

[Rumpelmuck]

Thanks to all for the advices.

I didn't expect to get a proper working model and I like to improve and optimize things. I already took a look at Jason's flckr pages and got a lot of hint's. So still a lot of work! Hopefully it will do it's first run on a show in June her in Germany.

And again my respect to jayhurst's work!!!