Does anybody know who makes the UP 844 Steam engine in HO? I just saw on the history channel, the extreme trains episode on the UP 844 passenger train that runs from Denver to Cheyenne, during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.
I want to model this passenger train. It has the UP City cars.
Yes Athearn Genesis made one a few years back. Search for Genesis FEF-3 or Athearn FEF and you should find one. Just be aware this was 2008 or so before the Tsunamis, so one of them with DCC/Sound will have the junky MRC electronics in it. Might be better off getting a DC one and converting it yourself. Somone also did a set of the excursion cars that go with it.
P.S. Would you like to go chase it next year? It has become an annual thing that I schedule. Actually the best day is to chase it back to Cheyenne on Sunday after the big event. There is not so much traffic.
Thanks! I’ll try searching ebay for one of those. Definatley replace the decoder with a tsunami.
P.S. I would love to chase it next year. Let’s hookup for that!!! That would be awesome!
When does it run again, what dates?
Not close to you, but it’s coming to Tucson, Arizona on Veteran’s day (November 11th), staying overnight, and moving on to New Mexico on the 12th along the UP Sunset Route as part of both states’ centennial celebrations.
Rivarossi also made one–their part number 5471:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/635-5471
Ed
Dang, I can’t seem to find these anywhere. I looked for the Athearn and Rivorossi.
Both Athearn and Rivarossi made it. I’d check E baaaaay.
If someone made CPR 2816 in plastic, the world would be a better place 
I looked at ebay already, nada.
But I found one in Canada. The Athearn. But it’s $384 CDN for non-sound version. Is that too much for this unit? Sounds a little high.
According to the conversion it’s like $365 US.
Michael, what does ‘too high’ mean to us, and is it different for you? I feel the price you just quoted is too high for a non-DCC version, but you may have a sufficiently strong need or desire for one that it seems doable. IOW, the answer is too often going to be moot for a purchase in a hobby. You set the terms for its acquisition, and you pay accordingly…or not.
Crandell
Thanks Crandell, for the insite.
btw, this place is Central Hobbies, in Vancouver. Isn’t that your neck of the woods? Have you purchased from them?
Now what about shipping and fees? They said they would ship via US Post Office, insured priority post. Is that gonna be another $50 or more?
Then getting a Tsunami/speakers installed. There’s another $160. (I can’t do my own installs yet).
So now I’m looking at around $560 plus, for this locomotive. Does this thing perform well, any issues with them?
If you don’t mind the grey scheme here is a Rivarossi.
One can’t just go to eBay and expect the exact thing you want to be right there. Do a good search for the time. Save the search and tell it to let you know when the search gets a new hit.
In Mid August I put together a wish list for a bunch of items. Between the swap meet in Green Mountain and Ebay I got the whole list. Ebay found most of them for me. In fact it found multiples because for some of them the bidding went way to high. I only buy bargans… I got the last 4-4-0 in the mail a couple days ago. I see one of the units you are looking for sold on August 30 for $184. You just need to set it up and wait. I also saw the Walthers Excursion cars are in this month’s flyer.
one with no sound - TrainStop.com domain name is for sale. Inquire now.
One in Austraila - http://www.stanbridges.com.au/shop.G9235
I agree. For me the hunt is part of the fun. I just recently bought a Proto GP30 in CP colours off of Ebay for 61 bucks. I needed #5001 to finish the set and was patient enough to wait for one at a great price.
I went my LHS Mizzell Trains in Westminster, and they had the Athearn Grey 4-8-4 but it’s not the #844. Someone just brought it in on consignment, it’s brand new. It’s the sound version, (I can change the decoder with a tsunami.)
I’m liking the grey, as it would match the grey on the UP city cars I already have.
Could I re-number this to an 844? What ya think?
The 844 was painted in the gray scheme in the 1980s. I don’t know when exactly it was painted back to black.
In regards to the train, Walthers has just released their City Of cars in UP Executive car names, if you still need to do the excursion train. It doesn’t cover all cars, and UP has modified several, but it’s a good start.
Yes I just saw that. I already have 7 of the UP City cars. And I will be adding 2-3 of the new Executive cars.
Wow. I have not ever seen 844 running. I’ve heard of it, but dismissed at as baloney. I had always thought steamers were dead, only preserved through modeling and museums. To even SEE 844 running is a one time shot. To see it on assignment? Cue Hail to the Chief!
You must be joking right? There are all kinds of steamers still running. Mainly passenger excursion trains. Check out youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sUCUa_gzmU
It should pass through the Denver area. Rumor has it that its heading down the joint line to Arizona.
Link to the Trains Mag forum post