i know they make a model of the UP big boy and challenger , do they make a 800 with the elephant ears?
thanks
ray
I believe Rivarossi made an 844 with the elephant ears for use with their “excursion” set produced a few years ago.
Yeah I was right… They appear to still be available from several distributors and hobby stores. Here is an example (with photo):
http://www.pacific-western-rail.com/view_product.php?ProductID=23573
http://www.pacific-western-rail.com/view_product.php?ProductID=23572
In a few months, the Athearn genesis will come in the Big Boy model with the elephant ears. It isn’t out yet as far as I know.
man i love the turbine very kewl i rember as a kid a buddy of my father had a brass one i thought it was so awsome ys it was painted and all
UP843 by Rivarossi comes in the Grey Livery with Elephant Ears. I have one with Tsunami
AWSOME
The 843 Rocks (I have it, jelaous about the Tsuanami!!!). The 844 is the same in black. They also make the 0844, if memory serves me right (later road year for when they retired these beauties to freight)…
Brian
P.S. Did you “sync” the Tsuanami or run it unsynced?
Maybe they did in their older runs, but the latest run was just 844, 840 and 843. I have 844, and man do I love those elephant ears. The 800s just don’t look right without them.
P.S., is Athearn doing there Big Boy in a smoke deflector version now? The pics on the website just show undec, 4005 and 4006, as delivered, no deflectors. I plan on getting one of these babies as well!!!
fergmiester;
I believe you meant AWESOME
Hey,
Yes the 8444 was an older Rivarossi version (#1572 if I remember correctly)… it was 8444 not 0844 (my bad). Had something to do with the need for a diesel to have the 844 number in the 60’s…
Brian
Be careful puchasing the early versions of the Rivarossi Union Pacific FEF-3’s, with the #1571 series stock numbers. They were reported to have major problems and did not run well in general. The last series with the #5471 stock numbers are known for their great running qualities and a review was on the MR review list about three years ago. Rivarossi did a major improvement to the drive line on the last run.
The Genesis line has announced bothe the FEF-2 and the FEF-3 for mid to late next year. They will be offered with or without the smoke lifters, with coal tenders as delivered or oil as modified in 1946. Some other options including as delivered or as modified have been listed. Both the FEF-2’s and the FEF-3’s were purchased new without the smoke lifters, but they were added to lift the smoke out of the vision of the crew. The Genesis line will include the correct tender also. The Rivarossi uses the same type centipede as the Challenger and Big Boy models, which is not correct for any of the FEF’s. It does however get the general look and many did not know it should be different.
The FEF’s look good with or without the smoke lifters, but we are just used to seeing them with the lifters for the last sixty years. Many rail fans were upset when the Union Pacific modified the first FEF-3’s with smoke lifters as they were considered to spoil the design of the engine.
Some of you out there probably have not seen pictures of them new so I thought some background might be helpful.
If Athearn puts out a Big Boy w/ smoke deflectors it should be a real collectors’ item as it will be something so rare that not even UP had them! There were only a few Challengers (in psgr service) w/ the elephant ears.
Most of us would probably think the same thing about the Big Boy not having smoke lifters, but the Union Pacific did install them on the 4019 for a few months in the late forties. It is talked about in the Big Boy book by Kratville, and pictures exist of it. Overland actuall did a Diamond run of the 4019 with the lifters. Grant you, it was a one only, but it existed. The funny thing about the Union Pacific is they tried so many modifications and some are on of a kind for sure.
Two engines received rollers bearing rods also, but they were the 4-6-2 and 4-8-2 that were streamlined for the 49er train. They even tried a sky line casing on an FEF-1, number 815. It was modeled also and is pictured in several books, but it looked really strange.
Most of the tests, including the single stack on the Challenger, #3975 was for a short time only and the engine was restored to the prior look. The 3975 received the single stack to try and solve the smoke problems when drifting, since that engine was on passenger service out of Portland and was painted Two Tone Gray at the time. That option failed quickly and the smoke lifters were installed on all of the oil fired Challengers that were used in passenger service. Two coal Challengers also got the smoke lifters. The 3943 and the 3967 received the lifters to test how they would work with coal. The 3943 was converted to oil and renumbered 3706 in the early fifties. .The 3967 retained the lifters and was not converted to oil, so it to is a one of a type also.
Something else you might be interested in, the UP converted the 400
CaZehpyr,
Thanks for the great info. Yeah, I heard that the early Rivarossi FEF’s were troublesome, so I did purchase a new one (5400 series… I think 5471) on sale last year… great runner and DCC ready!. I also found it interesting that it had the same centipede oil tender as the Lionel Challenger I have… hmmmm… I am excited to hear that Athearn plans to make a new version. I would really love a nice running coal version with ears… did these exist for long? Thanks for any info… what book are you getting your info from? I really enjoy the 1930’s-50’s steam and would love a great book… on the FEF’s and Challengers…
Brian