Have you been thinking about adding big steam to your layout? Have you been sitting on the fence because the price was just a bit too high? Well, we have an offer for you. Take $100 of the price of any of the Challengers below. Just enter "Challenger Special" in the "notes" box at check out. Hurry, supplies are limited.

The ALCo Challenger steam locomotive is a big machine. Weighing in at over a million pounds and more than 120 long, it is still huge compared to today's diesel locomotives. Surpassed by only the Union Pacific Big Boys, this monster of a machine is one of the all-time great steam locomotives. It features a 4-6-6-4 wheel arrangement and was used all over the UP system. A total of 105 were built between 1936 and 1943. The last of the UP Challenagers left service in the 1950's.

Though they were primarily used for freight service, they did pull passenger trains too. And what a sight it must have been to see them in action. Today, one can still be seen in action, as Union Pacific has Challenger 3985 in their steam program. Currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment, 3985 should be around for many years to come.

Check out jlwii2000's review of the 3985 version of this model:

Athearn has brought the Challenger to live in HO Scale with a fine Genesis model. Each road name features prototype specific details for increased accuracy and a is built on a reliable and smooth Genesis chassis and motor.

Features include:

• Boiler backhead with full details and printed gauges.
• Individually applied detail parts such as piping, valves, generators, etc.
• Blackened metal RP25 wheels.
• Eccentric cranks operating on both sides in correct direction.
• Front and rear engines (cylinders and coupled drive wheel sets), both pivot for 22" recommended min. radius.
• Pilot has open/closed positions. Coupler pocket can be inserted to mount coupler.
• Adjustable cab windows and opening doors.
• Headlights and tender lighting feature directional light change; number boards are also lighted.
• Five-pole, skewed armature motor with two flywheels for very smooth running.
• Cab hatches can be either closed or open.
• See-through running boards.
• Ready for aftermarket smoke unit installation with no soldering needed.
• Factory installed DCC sound board and speaker. The board and speaker are mounted in the tender.
• DCC decoder automatically senses the power supply type (either DC or NMRA compliant DCC system).

Limited Stock Available For Order

First Ordered, First Served

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JMP