About The Prototype: DLMX 4219

One of the highlights of our announcements at the NMRA National Convention in Chattanooga is finally here—the DLMX 4219 Auxiliary Water Tender in HO scale!

Over the years, we've had the privilege of producing many of today's most popular excursion steam locomotives, and one question has come up time and time again: "When are you going to make an auxiliary water tender?" We're excited to finally answer that request with a model that's the perfect companion to some of the biggest stars in modern steam.

PHOTO: DLMX 4219 sits right behind Canadian Pacific 2816 as the locomotive heads south towards Chicago. Photo courtesy of Blue Comet Productions on YouTube.

If you've built an excursion consist around Southern Pacific 4449, Santa Fe 3751, Canadian Pacific 2816, Southern Pacific 2472, or Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700, the DLMX 4219 is the missing piece. This tender travels behind steam locomotives to provide additional water for long-distance excursions, making them an unmistakable part of today's preservation era. Adding one behind your locomotive instantly gives your train an authentic, modern excursion appearance.

We've packed this model with the same level of detail you've come to expect from Broadway Limited Imports. Every tender arrives fully assembled and features our Touch Lighting System, allowing you to easily control realistic lighting effects during operation. It also includes DC and DCC compatibility, finely detailed trucks and underbody components, brake rigging, piping, and numerous prototype-specific details throughout.

This production run offers something for every excursion fan. Choose from four authentic paint schemes—Southern Pacific Daylight, Santa Fe "Let's Roll," Canadian Pacific, and BNSF Employee Special—or have some fun with six fantasy paint schemes inspired by some of today's most popular excursion locomotives. We're also including a black, unlettered version, giving you the freedom to customize it for your own railroad or favorite steam locomotive.

The DLMX 4219 has been one of our most requested rolling stock projects, and we're thrilled to finally bring it to HO scale. We think it's going to look right at home behind your favorite BLI excursion locomotive, and we can't wait to see the incredible consists you create with it.

PHOTO: In this photo by Jim Sands, the DLMX 4219 tender rests in Williams, Arizona, between runs with Santa Fe 3751 during its 2002 excursion to the Grand Canyon.

 

About The Prototype: The DLMX 4219 was originally built as the tender for Southern Pacific AC-10 class 4-8-8-2 cab-forward locomotive No. 4219. After its steam-era service, it was used to supply water for rotary snowplows and firefighting operations in remote territories.

 

PHOTO: In this photo by Andrew Goblirsch, SP GS-4 4449, the DLMX 4219 Auxiliary Tender, and an Amtrak P42DC lead an excursion through Minneapolis Junction in Minnesota. 

In 1984, the tender was acquired by the Friends of 4449 and cosmetically modified to match the appearance of Southern Pacific 4449’s tender. It has since become a familiar sight on steam excursions throughout North America as an auxiliary water tender accompanying operating steam locomotives.

Most recently, the tender traveled with Canadian Pacific 2816 between Calgary, Alberta across the United States and down into Mexico City. It was a key member of the consist supplying 2816 with extra water to extend the locomotives service life on the mainline. 

Below are some additional photos to showcase the many options you have to model. These photos belong to their noted photographer. 

PHOTO: At Davis, California, SP 2472 and 4449 doubleheaded from Sacramento, California, to Oakland, California, following the conclusion of Sacramento Railfair 1991. SP 4449 has the DLMX 4219 Auxiliary Tender in tow as the locomotive heads back home to Portland, Oregon. Photographer Credit: John West 

 

PHOTO: Southern Pacific P-8 Pacific No. 2472 pulls the Pacific Shore Limited passenger excursion utilizing the Rio Grande Ski Train cars. This was a deadhead move from San Jose to Los Angeles for the upcoming Earth Train. The DLMX 4219 was used to extend the locomotive's mainline operating range by providing additional water. 
Photographer Credit: Craig Walker

 

PHOTO: Most recently, DLMX 4219 operated behind CP 2816 during its continental tour from Calgary to Mexico City. Here, the train is seen in Iowa on its way to Kansas City. Photographer Credit: Adam Elias

 

PHOTO: During the summer of 2002, the NRHS held its annual convention, themed "Canyon Rails," hosted by the Grand Canyon Chapter and the Grand Canyon Railway. Santa Fe 3751 pulled an excursion from Los Angeles, California, to Williams, Arizona. The locomotive utilized the DLMX 4219 tender to extend its water capacity while operating on the Grand Canyon Railway. Photographer Credit: Mitch Goldman

PHOTO: Still wearing its BNSF Employee Appreciation Special paint scheme, Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700 has used the DLMX 4219 on various excursions. Here, the locomotive is seen at Avery, Washington, on the first day of a four-day trip to Pasco, Washington.
Photo Credit: Steve Barry

 

PHOTO: In the summer of 2009, SP 4449 led a cross-country excursion from Portland, Oregon, to Owosso, Michigan, for TrainFestival. While in Owosso, it would meet with other locomotives, including Pere Marquette 1225 and Nickel Plate Road 765. Here, 4449 is seen on the BNSF "Racetrack" in Naperville, Illinois, heading toward Chicago, where it would spend the night. Photographer Credit: Matthew Chapman

 

As you can see from these photos, the DLMX 4219 has played an important role in some of the most memorable steam excursions of the modern era—and its story is still being written today. From legendary locomotives like Southern Pacific 4449 and Santa Fe 3751 to Canadian Pacific 2816 and Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700, the 4219 has traveled thousands of miles behind some of the most famous operating steam locomotives in North America.

If you've had the opportunity to see one of these excursions in person, ride behind one of these locomotives, or simply have a favorite modern steam locomotive you'd love to recreate on your layout, this production run gives you plenty of options. With a great selection of prototypical and fantasy paint schemes, there's a DLMX 4219 ready to complement your favorite excursion consist.

Click here to explore all of the available paint schemes and learn more about the DLMX 4219 Auxiliary Water Tender. With this being a newly tooled production, now is the time to reserve yours. Contact your favorite BLI dealer and place your pre-order today!