The other evening I was watching a show at work called extream trains and they show cased the UP #844 steam locomotive, does anyone know if any of the HO model train manufacturers have this one out.
I was taken in by the history behind this train and would like to add one too my layout.
Any help will be greatfully appreciated,
Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.
The only work I’ve done on my layout over the last two months was convert my raised main street into a airport run way complete with some HO scale fighter planes and a few civillian air craft, I’ll try and post pics of it tomorrow if time permits.
Be well my friends and Happy Holidays from your friendly Indians in the North East.
There is a few makers of the FEF-3. Athearn genesis offers one for around $250.00 with sound. OMI also made one, but they are expensive in brass. Below is a few links to some.
8500 beat me to it!!! The Athearn model is the most economical, it’s available w or without sound, so if you’re DC it will run OK. Some don’t like the Athearn sound - by MRC - but I think it’s OK. The other 2 models are quite a bit higher priced than the Athearn. [8D]
Luke, just be aware that the second and third links you posted are for older Rivarossi’s with larger flanges, which won’t run well on code 80 rail or less. The first auction is from their most recent production run, with RP25 blackened wheels and a better can motor.
Yes, it is true that I got a Rivarossi FEF-3 #844 for $150 at the show, DCC ready. I knew the seller, the actual price was $235. I do believe it is detailed just as well as the athearn is, and is a better runner. (Slower speeds) She’s also cheaper, and doesn’t have junk sound. Mine was the last made, in 2003. These new ones are jewels; I highly recommend it. I own an Athearn challenger, and I compared the Rivarossi and the Athearn side by side. I liked the Rivarossi more.
Well it’s kind of comparing apples and oranges…or maybe comparing an Italian sports car to my Chevy Cavalier?? The $1000 engine is a hand-made brass engine which will be extremely well detailed and accurate in every respect possible, will be painted and lettered extremely well, and will run great. Standard production models made of plastic and metal are increasingly more accurate and detailed, but traditionally brass has been the only way to get the extremely precise engines some modellers and collectors want.
For some railroads, it’s almost impossible to get even reasonably accurate model steam engines without buying brass. For example except for BLI’s USRA heavy 2-8-2 you can’t find an accurate Great Northern steam engine with their unusual squared off 'Belpaire" boilers except by buying brass or doing an extensive kitbash of an engine. If you model the UP you’re in luck, as several companies make good running and nicely detailed engines for UP steam models.
Anyway, you don’t have to buy brass. I suspect most modellers never buy brass (I never have and I’ve been in the hobby since 1971) or at most buy one or two “special” engines in their lifetimes. Remember too that as they heyday of steam gets farther away, more modellers are running only diesel engines, which are much easier to get in correct detail and with great running characteristics.
Scalp me, heck she would skin me, tan my hide and then mount my head, but at least my head mount would have a great big ear too ear smile on it!!
Now after reading the post above why someone would spend $1,000.00 or more on a brass locomotie I can see I’m just jealious, heck I do think if I were a rich man I’d probably buy ONLY brass.
After reading that post I went on line too see what all the “Brass Hype” was about and all I can say is that they are the most beautiful trains I think I’ve ever seen…WOWEEEE!!!
Well I’m off to buy some brass colored paint and make a poor mans version, he he he !
Yes, the Rivarossi 844 is by far the most economical. Mine is over 25 years old with the pizza cutter flanges which scrape bottom on code 83 rail. It has the same centipede coal tender that Rivarossi put on their Big Boys and Challengers instead of the correct oil filled one. Mine was made when the 844 was still sporting the 8444 road number. You may already be aware of this but in case you are not, here is some history. The 844 is the only steam locomotive that was never taken off the UP roster. It has remained active for excursion runs since around 1960 except for brief times when it was taken offline for maintenance. Because the 800 series was assigned to some new diesels, the 844 was renumbered to 8444. It kept that number for over 30 years until that class of diesels was retired and the original 844 number was restored. I don’t have the exact date that occured. Maybe others might have that information. I’m not positive about this, but I think 844 at one time sported the UP’s gray livery instead of the all black scheme but I might be confusing it with other Northerns on the UP roster.