Add some classic ALCo steam muscle to your locomotive fleet! Now available from Broadway Limited, the beautiful new Late Challenger 4-6-6-4 locomotives. These heavy, die-cast models come factory equipped with the latest Paragon3 Rolling Thunder DCC Sound. CLICK HERE to view & order!

Prototype Overview:

The Union Pacific Challengers were a type of simple articulated 4-6-6-4 steam locomotive built by American Locomotive Company for the Union Pacific. 105 of these locomotives were built between 1936 and 1943. The Challengers were about 122 ft (37 m) long and weighed 284,000 kg. Primarily in freight service, they operated over most of the Union Pacific system. A few were assigned to passenger trains operating through mountain territory to California and Oregon. The Locomotives were built specifically for UP and much of the experience gained later went into the design of the famous "Big Boy". The name "Challenger" was given to steam locomotives with a 4-6-6-4 wheel arrangement. This means that they have four wheels in the leading pilot truck, which helps guide the locomotive into curves, two sets of six driving wheels, and finally four trailing wheels, which support the rear of the engine and its massive firebox. Each set of six driving wheels is driven by two steam cylinders. In essence, the result is two engines under one boiler. The Union Pacific Railroad sponsored development of this type to meet the need for higher speeds in main-line service. Historically, articulated locomotives had been limited to slow speeds by factors inherent in their design. The technical breakthroughs achieved with the Challenger enabled the carrier to develop the Big Boy with the same speed expectations. Speeds in excess of 60 M.P.H., while unheard-of on other railroads using articulated steam locomotives, became commonplace on the Union Pacific.

Features:

  • Paragon3 Sound & Operation System Featuring Rolling ThunderTM with Authentic Sounds and Prototypical Operation in both DC and DCC environments
  • Synchronized PUFFING SMOKE with Chuff Sound
  • Separate whistle smoke
  • Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
  • Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
  • Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
  • Powerful High Torque Motor with Fly Wheel
  • Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
  • Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight, Rear Light
  • Lighted number boards
  • Lighted front marker lights
  • Lighted rear marker lights (red to the back and green to the sides)
  • Lighted cab light (with auto shut off)
  • Factory Installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
  • Die Cast Body with Heavy Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
  • Die Cast Tender
  • Front coupler: option of closed pilot door, working metal coupler, plastic dummy coupler
  • Rear coupler: working metal coupler
  • Separately Applied Handrails, Ladders, Whistle, and Brass Bell
  • Operating Cab Roof Vents
  • Will Operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail
  • Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
  • Traction tire equipped

CLICK HERE to view & order!