Great Northern Railway Class R-1 and R-2 2-8-8-2 Articulateds

Buying their first Mallet from Baldwin in 1906, the Great Northern certainly wasn't shy about articulated locomotives! In the 1920s, many GN articulateds were converted to "simple"s. In 1925 the GN took delivery of four new 2-8-8-2s from Baldwin for mainline use in Montana. The first Class R's impressed GN engineering enough to have their own shops erect another 10 R-1s in 1927-1928, copying the Baldwin design. These were followed in 1929-1930 by 16 more improved GN-built locomotives (Class R-2)! Most of the GN 2-8-8-2s ran through the end of steam operations.

The people at Division Point just love articulateds. As usual, Division Point and Boo-Rim will offer this LIMITED EDITION project in different numbers of both classes. Lighting is included and these will be DCC-ready. With a limited number of pieces to be produced, you are well advised to contact your dealer to reserve yours!

Here's our initial selections:

Omaha Road (CStPM&O)
Class E-3 4-6-2 "Super" Pacific

By the late 1920s "Omaha Road" needed heavier passenger power. 4-6-4 Hudsons were too large for the Omaha's turntables, so Pacific-types were selected, with on order for three going to the Alco works at Schnectady. What was delivered in 1930 were the largest (and last) 4-6-2 Pacifics built in North America! These "Super" Pacifics were well employed by the Omaha through the end of steam, and were scrapped by 1956. By the mid-1940s, the 600s had been updated with roller bearings, extended stacks, increased tender water capacity, internal collector pipe installation (steam domes removed). The trailing truck boosters were also removed.

Since Omaha fans seem to have been neglected, Division Point and Boo-Rim will offer this LIMITED EDITION project in all three road numbers. Lighting is included and these will be DCC-ready. With a limited number of pieces to be produced, you are well advised to contact your dealer to reserve yours!

Northern Pacific - SP&S - Great Northern
Class Z-6 4-6-6-4 Challengers

First developed by the Union Pacific, the northwestern railroads where quick to see the advantages of the Alco 4-6-6-4 "Challenger"s on mountain curves. Using U.P. information and working closely with Alco designers, the Northern Pacific received a total of 21 Class Z-6 Challengers beginning in 1936 and 1937. As usual, the SP&S ordered 6 Z-6s (oil-fired) of their own in 1937. Two of these were later leased to the Great Northern.

The NP/SP&S/GN Challengers were became work horses, hauling freight yet capable of pulling the "varnish" as well at 50+ mph These powerful locomotives lasted though the end of steam. As with later versions, all were scrapped by 1959.

We at the Division Point felt that these earlier Challengers would be a great follow-on to the Z-7s and Z-8s. As usual, Division Point and Boo-Rim will offer this LIMITED EDITION project in different numbers of both classes. The SP&S and GN versions will also be offered. Lighting is included and these will be DCC-ready. With a limited number of pieces to be produced, you are well advised to contact your dealer to reserve yours!

Here's our initial selections: