HO P3 UP 4-6-6-4 Challenger Steam Loco #3952/Blk w/Coal Tend

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 284,800 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.

Industry-Leading Features:
 
 
Product Information:
 

• NEW Paragon3 Sound &
  Operation System FEATURING ROLLING THUNDER^TM 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)

• 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 83
  and 100 rail
• Recommended Minimum
  Radius: 18 inches
• Traction tire equipped

Industry-Leading SOUND
Features:

• Operates in DC & DCC (use
  DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Record & Play Operation
  – Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for
  automatic operation
• 16-bit Sample Rate for
  exceptional high frequency sound clarity
• Playback Whistle for
  multiple whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable Whistles
• Alternate Whistle / Horn
  where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle – both
  the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval
  for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable
  functions with available keys
• Johnson Bar or Power Reverse Sound
  at Direction Change
• Passenger Station Ambient Sounds –
  Controlled with Function Key
• Freight Yard related radio chatter
  – Controlled with Function Key
• Lumber Yard Ambient Sounds –
  Controlled with Function Key
• Farm related radio chatter –
  Controlled with Function Key
• Crew Radio Communications –
  Controlled with Function Key
• Maintenance Yard related radio chatter
  – Controlled with Function Key
• Demo Mode for display and
  demonstrations
• Grade Crossing
  Signal – Controlled with Function Key
• Simple Programming with
  Integral DCC Decoder
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal –
  When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot.  When
  moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice.  When
  moving in reverse, toots three times.
• Chuff sound
  intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes
  for most effects

**Specifications on this
page subject to change.