Accucraft trains UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY User manual

UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
33268 Cental Avenue
Union City, CA 94587
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.accucraft.com
Copyright 2006

INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
The Union Pacific Big Boy is the largest
steam locomotive ever conceived and
built. There are not enough superlatives
in the language to describe this
locomotive. When the Big Boys were
first introduced in 1941 they were the net
result of all that had been learned about
steam technology in the U.S. up to that
time. The diesel locomotive became
the main motive power for all railways
in the U.S. after production of the Big
Boys. There would still be more steam
built for other railroads into the early
1950’s but none would surpass the Big
Boy. Great Brittan, Europe and China
continued to develop steam power long
after the U.S. had gone to diesel, but
nothing could match the size and brute
horse power of the Big Boy.
Not only were these locomotives the
largest ever built but they were highly
successful and reliable. The Big Boy
moved monumental amounts of freight
during their short 18 year working
career and helped win World War 2.
The entire first group of Big Boys ran
over 1 million miles and the last group
ran over 800,000 miles.
In many peoples minds no other steam
locomotive in history exemplifies the
zenith of the builder’s art of steam
power more than a Big Boy. We are
fortunate today that there is a high
survival rate of Big Boys. With most
famous steam locomotives that survive
today we are lucky to have one example
left on display or restored. In some
cases many of the famous classes of
locomotive have been scrapped and
are now gone. The NYC Hudson and
the Southern Pacific Mountain Class
are two examples. Of the 25 Big Boy
locomotives built 9 are still on display
around the US. The locomotive
numbers on the Accucraft models
represent some of the surviving
locomotives.
110
Big Boy Tender Side Wiring Diagram:

INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
92
General information about the Union
Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
This accurately detailed model is
constructed of die-cast, brass and
stainless steel. Pittman Gearhead
motors power all 16 drivers. The
museum quality finish and lettering
represents this locomotive as it would
have looked in the late 1940’s and early
1950’s.
Your Accucraft Big Boy has a new style
power distribution board in the tender.
Remove the coal load in the front of
the tender. This will reveal the power
distribution board.
Track power is routed through this board
to the motors. The sound system also
gets its power from this board. Please
refer to the Wiring Diagram at the rear
of this manual.
The lights on this locomotive are LEDs
rated at 6 volts.
Your locomotive and tender are
electrically connected via a 12-prong
plug at the rear of the locomotive, under
the rear deck.
This plug takes the place of the usual
“wireless drawbar” that has traditionally
been found on metal locomotive
models. The drawbar on this model is
just what the name implies: a drawbar
only. Power is routed from front to back
and vice versa via the 12-prong plug.
Both locomotive and tender units have
carbon brush pickups on both rails, to
ensure reliable operation when using
track power.
Disassembly on this large and complex
model is not recommended. However,
if absolutely necessary, the 1.6mm hex
bolts and nuts can be turned with a nut
driver sized for U.S. 00-90.
Your Big Boy is designed to run on a
10ft. minimum radius curve track.
Please take care in lifting this large and
heavy model.
Big Boy Loco Side Wiring Diagram:

INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
Model Features:
This production model has been handcrafted for Accucraft Trains by AMMC, which
is one of the most respected makers or large scale brass models. This museum
quality model features:
● Full cab interior details, with operating cab windows
● Detailed boiler with fittings, domes, pipes and handrails
● Operating steel drive rods, valve gear and cross heads
● Prototypical livery and lettering
● Steel helical gears in a die-cast transfer box
● 2 independent Pittman Motors
Technical Specifications:
Scale/Gauge: 1/32, 45mm Gauge
Total Weight: 30.4 lbs.
Locomotive Information:
Length: 33.5 inches (851 mm)
Width: 4.25 inches (108 mm)
Height: 6.3 inches (160 mm)
Tender Information:
Length: 17 inches (432 mm)
Width: 4.05 inches (103 mm)
Height: 6.37 inches (162 mm)
Recommended Radius: 3M, 10ft.*
Power: Two Pittman GM94
13-2, 0-24V DC
11:5.1 Gear Ratio
Peak rated output torque: 187 oz-in
Output Shaft stall torque: 911 oz-in
*Be sure to leave at least a 3” clearance (measured from the inner rail) to allow for
overhang.
38
3. The locomotive is firmly
taped to a 1/2 ” wood board which
is then fastened to the metal
case with 4 - M6 bolts. Bolts
must be removed before lifting
the locomotive with wood board
from the metal case.
4. Place taped locomotive
on a flat surface. Carefully cut
the tape along the wood board
side surface. Be sure to cut both
sides of the wood board. Slowly
lift the tape from the locomotive.
Be very careful with small parts.
Tape cannot be re-used to re-
pack the model. Use new packing
tape if necessary

INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
Caution!
This model is an accurate replica of the original locomotive. It has sharp
and moving parts. The locomotive drive rods are stainless steel with sharp
edges.
OPERATORS MUST NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH A MODEL THAT IS BEING
POWERED AT ANY TIME. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ACCUCRAFT
TRAINS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES ARISING IN REGARDS TO ANY ACUCRACT PRODUCT.
4
7
Lubrication:
Please lubricate your Accucraft Model
before attempting to operate.
With a bit of care, your Accucraft Model
should give you many years of pleasure
and reliable service. Lubrication is of
prime importance on a model of this type
with so many moving parts. Always use
quality lubricants. This should not be
a problem, for there are many modern
lubricants available in hobby and sport
shops. Light oil such as Labelle #108
or Hoppe’s Gun Oil will do a good job
on lubricating most of the moving parts.
For pistons and slides, a heavier lubri-
cant such as Labelle #102 would
suffice. For gears, use gear
grease such as Permatex Super Lube
or another hobby gear lubricant.
To access the many moving parts of
this model: using a soft towel or foam
sheet, the model should be carefully
placed on its side. A drop of light oil
on every moving part is necessary:
there are many moving parts on this
locomotive. Be sure to lubricate all
the crank pins, crosshead slides, piston
rods, etc., that are visible to you. Make
sure you lubricate the locomotive and
tender axle’s journals as well.
Do not over lubricate, since excess oil
only picks up unwanted dirt. Be careful
to keep lubrication off the painted
surfaces to avoid having shiny areas.
Unpacking your Big Boy:
Please read the following directions
before unpacking your locomotive.
Accucraft Trains locomotives
are fine scale brass models with
small parts. To provide maximum
protection from shipping damage;
we carefully pack the models in
metal cases. We ship via UPS
with insurance coverage to its
full value. Please contact UPS
if package is damaged. Each
locomotive is packed under
UPS guideline for shipping. We
do not warrant any damage
resulted from re-packaging by
any party other than Accucraft
Trains. Please read the following
directions before unpacking your
locomotive.
1. Remove foam around the
locomotive. Slide the inner box
cover to the side, and open the
inside cardboard box by carefully
cutting the tape with a cutting
knife.
2. Lift the metal case from
the cardboard box.

INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY, ELECTRIC
Lubrication (Continued):
Use a type of oil that is a bit heavier
to lubricate the axle bushing and
pivot points of the lead and trailing
trucks.
The main gear box is lubricated in
the factory, and will not require any
attention when you first run your model.
However, in time; you should make
sure that the gears are well lubricated
with some technical gear grease. The
gear box cover is held on with screws,
and removing it will allow you to access
all the gears and bushings that need
lubrication. Take note how the cover
comes off and replace it exactly the way
it was when you started. Lubrication of
the locomotive should be done every 25
hours of operation.
After following the recommended
lubrication procedures, your Accucraft
Big Boy is ready to provide many years
of reliable operations.
We recommend that you use a D.C.
power supply with a capacity of 2.5
amps or larger and 24 volt output.
Always pick you model up by grasping
it under the frame on both ends. It is
a very heavy model so make sure you
grasp it firmly.
Electrical Pickup:
The model is powered by the DC
voltage off the track through the engine
and tender. All drivers are insulated
on both sides of the locomotive, and
the electricity is pickup with 16 pickup
wheels.
Be sure to clean the electrical pickup
units when needed. Replacement
electrical pickup units can be ordered
from Accucraft Trains.
Lighting:
This model features directional lighting.
Sound installation (if not factory
installed):
Several manufactures have sound
systems that are acceptable for your
new Big Boy locomotive. Sound
system power connectors are available
for the power distribution board in the
tender, and a generous speaker hole
will be found in the tender floor. Please
contact the sound system manufacture
for installation directions.
General Maintenance:
Clean the exterior surfaces of your
locomotive with a clean, soft and lint
free cloth. To remove stubborn soil or
greasy spots from the painted surfaces
use alcohol on a soft, lint free cloth.
Accucraft Train locomotives are fine
scale models with small parts. To
provide maximum protection from
shipping damage, we carefully pack the
models in metal cases. We ship via
UPS with insurance coverage to its full
value. Please contact UPS if package
is damaged.
Each locomotive is packed under
UPS guidelines for shipping. We do
not warrant any damage resulted from
re-packing by any party other than
Accucraft Trains.
5 6
IMPORTANT
Please read the “Unpacking Accucraft Trains Locomotives” section of the
enclosed instruction manual before attempting to remove your model from the
steel shipping case. Also, some parts may have loosened during shipment.
Inspect your model prior to any operation. Please contact Accucraft Trains
technical support at [phone] with any problems.
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]