Is there an old and new version of the Rivarossi 4-8-4.....How do you tell?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have an HO Rivarossi 4-8-4 Union Pacific #844 and I hear there is an older version and a newer version, but I don’t know what the difference is. The box says it is part number 5429 FEF 3. It appears new but no paperwork.

Any one know??

Jon - Las Vegas

2

The newer version has RP25 wheels…and a better motor…

3

The new version also comes in a much larger Red Box and has a certificate inside.

4

The sand dome opens up to reveal the DCC chip board

5

The one you listed is an old one. the new ones are listed below. Should be RIV5471, RIV5472, or RIV 5473. First Hobby still have the two below in stock and you can find them on Ebay for 129.
Most dealers have the new one, but beware, the older ones do not run well.

RIV5471 HO 4-8-4, FEF-3 Northern, Union Pacific #844 (Black & Light Graphite) Rivarossi Available $149.99
RIV5473 HO 4-8-4, FEF-3 Northern, Union Pacific #840 (Black & Dark Graphite) Rivarossi Available $149.99

6

Real old also has the motor in the cab. Most Rivs can be made to run very well with a little effort. If the flanges are too big that can even be addressed (Dremel to the rescue… again). A guy on ebay sells replacement can motors cheap as well.

7

Watlers is selling them for $130.00 and the warranty exchange ONLY program is through Walthers for the first year. There are no authorizied Rivarossi repair centers in the US so if anything goes wrong during the first 12
months, providing stock on hand, Walthers will exchange.

8

I snagged two up about 6 months ago for that price
slipped in my chips and away I went.
I will say the only negative aspect is the tires will probably wear out real soon.
I replaced both of mine within a month of ownership.

9

Where did you get the replacements?

10

Hmm, I’ve had mine for over a year now and I don’t notice any wear. It has fallen off a few times though.

11

If I remember correctly, the first FEF’s had pickup only on the lead and trailing trucks, and the tender was just along for the ride. I remember several friends of mine passing up the earlier ones because of the limited number of pickup wheels. This was also common to some of the earlier AHM Berks, too. The newer ones have a can motor centered in the boiler, and all (or most)–wheel pickup.
Tom