MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

In the midst of the Great Depression, the Union Pacific made the gutsy move of designing and asking ALCO to build the best high-speed simple articulated engines to grace American rails. The 4-6-6-4 Challenger first appeared on UP rails in 1936, and it was clear from the beginning that it could handle tremendous tonnage at high speeds. Though the Challenger was initially designed for freight use, it was also put into passenger service, and it proved itself capable of handling any task it was given. The railroad was so pleased with its performance that it ordered more of the 4-6-6-4s over the next several years. When UP placed their fourth order for the engines, the War Production Board refused to approve the entire order. They allowed the Challengers to be built, but they diverted them to other railroads. From there, the mighty articulateds went on to have the kind of career that legends are made of. M.T.H. is proud to offer the Challenger in a new selection of never-before-offered roadnames. Available in the markings of the Delaware & Hudson, Western Maryland, Clinchfield, and Spokane, Portland & Seattle, this handsomely detailed RailKing piece is sure to make an impressive appearance on any traditionally sized layout. Did You Know? UP claimed the Challenger let them maintain freight speeds 55% higher than in 1928, when they began the design experiments that led to the 4-6-6-4.