Union Pacific O Scale Premier FEF Northern Streamlined Passenger Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0

For seven decades, 4-8-4 Northern No. 844 has served the Union Pacific Railroad - first in two-tone grey hauling the Overland Limited, Portland Rose, and other crack passenger trains; then as a fast freighter dressed in black; and for more than half a century, in its owner's words, "as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill." Having never been retired since its birth in 1944, No. 844 is the oldest continuously operating steam locomotive in the United States.

Classified by the UP as an FEF-3 (for "Four Eight Four," third version), No. 844 and its FEF-class siblings had their origin in a 1937 incident involving what was then the reigning passenger power on the UP, the 4-8-2 Mountain. As related by author Brian Hollingsworth, "One day in 1937, a 7000-class 4-8-2 had the temerity to demonstrate the lack of steaming power inherent in the type, on a train with UP President William Jeffers' business car on the rear. Even while the party was waiting out on the prairies for rescue, a dialogue by telegram went on with Alco in far-off Schenectady, with a view to getting something better."*

The result was a group of 45 FEF-class 4-8-4s that, like other exemplary Northerns of the period, represented the ultimate expression of the art of steam locomotive design. Delivered in three orders as classes FEF-1, FEF-2, and FEF-3 in 1937, 1939, and 1944 respectively, they regularly cruised at over 100 mph and were known on occasion to reach their design limit of 110 mph. To reduce the reciprocating mass of their main and side rods - always a design issue with high speed steamers - they were fitted with unique tapered rods. The side rod bearings on each of their 80" drivers were also specially designed to reduce strain and allow higher speeds. Like the Niagaras that Alco would design just a few years later for the New York Central, the oil-burning FEF class had a massive cast steel frame, roller bearings on all axles, and a clean, uncluttered boiler atypical for an American locomotive.

* Brian Hollingsworth, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Steam Passenger Locomotives, Salamander Books Ltd. 1982

Set Includes:

• Union Pacific FEF 4-8-4 Northern Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
• (1) RPO Streamlined Car
• (2) 70' Streamlined Coach Cars
• (1) 70' Streamlined Observation Car

  Locomotive Features:

   

• Die-Cast Boiler and Chassis
• Die-Cast Tender Body
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Real Tender Coal Load
• Die-Cast Locomotive and Tender Trucks
• Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Metal Handrails and Whistle
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Remote Controlled Proto-Coupler
• Kadee Coupler Mounting Pads
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
• Constant Voltage Headlight
• Operating Firebox Glow
• Operating Marker Lights
• Lighted Cab Interior
• Operating Tender Back-up Light
• 7-Pole Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motor
• Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
• Wireless Drawbar
• 1:48 Scale Proportions
• Onboard DCC Receiver
• Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable
• Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring: Quillable Whistle With Passenger Station Proto-Effects
• Unit Measures: 30-1/4" x 2 3/4" x 4"
• Operates On O-72 Curves

  Passenger Set Features

   

• Durable ABS Intricately Detailed Bodies
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Overhead Interior Lighting
• Die-Cast 6-Wheel Trucks
• Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
• Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
• End-of-Car Diaphragms
• Separate Metal Handrails
• Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
• Needle-Point Axles
• Detailed Car Interiors
• 10 Passenger Figures In Each Coach Car
• 1:48 Scale Dimensions
• Detailed Car Undercarriage
• Sliding Baggage Car Doors
• Operates On O-42 Curves