Building Big Boy

Project Background: 

We were contacted by a friend in the hobby about the opportunity to purchase a 7.5” gauge Big Boy project during the summer of 2021. After some haggling and discussion, we ultimately struck a deal which resulted in the purchase of this steam project. 

Our friend Darwin had purchased this project to save the engine from being scrapped as the builder’s health had begun to fail. The two machinists that were building this Big Boy project were fabricating everything based on drawings using stock materials and scratch made patterns to cast custom driver castings for the project. Darwin ultimately decided a Big Boy project was too much to tackle with the other projects he had going already and wanted to ensure it was passed on to a good home. 

At the outset, we had intended to purchase this project only for the centipede tender to use with 844.

The Future Of Big Boy: 

Once 844, her aux tender, and her primary tender are completed and that entire project is behind us - We will slowly look at building a plan of attack for the work on Big Boy. This will not be a quick process and it will likely take many years before our Big Boy project is completed - if it is continued.