HI folks,
Are the Bowser Challenger kits still available? I checked Caboose hobbys they didnt even have Bowser and the Walthers catalog doesnt have Bowser anymore either. They go out of production or just hard to find now?
Thanks
I just got one for Christmas in kit form and just started putting it together. Got it on sale directly from Bowser. Check out this link.
http://www.bowser-trains.com/New_Products/new__Where_have%20_they%20_gone.htm
Yes. They are still availalabel
The easyest line on a tender will be a Revell/Monogram/Con-Cor Big Boy Kit with an electrification Kit. Rivorossi was selling separate tenders but now that Hornby has purchased them the supply has been cut off. But Revell recently released the old Monogram Big Boy model and the Monogram, and Con-Cor releases of this kit are quite common on E-bay and at swap meets.
James
Ebay is where I got the tender for mine, a Rivarossi Big Boy tender (same one). Should have it in a couple days. They get a bit expensive, though.
Deal direct you can get the kit directly from Bowser and depending on what Railroad you model they might have a tender kit that is reasonably close to what you need for that version.
Thanks, I will give Bowser a call. Anybody have a source for a Rio Grande type tender for it?
Did the Rio Grande use the same type tender as the Union Pacific? A 4 wheel truck in front and a 5 axle “centepede” in the rear?
Well, from the pictures I have seen the tenders have different sides thats for sure. I couldnt tell about the wheel arrangment as it was kinda a poor picture.
D&RGW Recieved 6 UP spec challengers during WWII. They were exact copies of UP Challengers so a UP style centipede tender is called for.
#3800-3805
The six Challengers that the D&RG got during the war and sold in 1946 were identical to the UP late Challengers in every way except for the number plate on the smokebox instead ot the UP shield. They were built in 1943 and stored in late of 1945 and disposed of in late 1946. The ALCO builder number was 70163 to 70168 and followed Union Pacific 3979, ALCO builder #70162. There is a picture in a book showing the 3800 in St. Louis on its way east March 4, 1947 to the Clinchfield.
By the way, the Union Pacific ommitted using numbers 3970 to 3974 believing that the five engines they lost to the WPB might be returned. The mystery is why the WPB had six engines built for the D&RG, and not just five as was pulled from the UP order.
The story goes that the D&RG did not like them. These engines had larger drivers and weighed less than the L105 class on the D&RG. Another great feature on the 3800 class Challengers was all axles had roller bearings which allowed them to roll easy causing some of them to roll off in yards. Remember, steam engines always used chains around the wheels to prevent them form rolling.
Wow, thanks guys thats some interesting history.
Who sells the electrification Kit for the plastic body tender?
Thanks again for the information.
Should be listed in the options for Tenders with the bowser Kit.
Also if you get a Monogram Big Boy, you can forgo the Brass Superdetail set, because with the exception of the railings. along the boiler. and the front of the loco. All the extra detail parts can be converted from the monogram kit.
James.
Bowser Kit number 150681 is the electrical pickup for the Monogram or ConCor tender.