8993 Union Pacific Challenger 4-6-6-4, #3977, Museum Version, Greyhound Paint, No-Sound / DCC-Ready, HO Scale. CLUB PRICE $249.99.

For Conductor's Club members only, Broadway Limited is proud to bring back to HO Scale Union Pacific Late Challengers!

Between 1936 and 1944, the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) constructed a total of 105 Challengers in five classes for the Union Pacific. These locomotives were approximately 122 ft (37 m) long and weighed 537 short tons (487 tonnes). While primarily used for freight service across the Union Pacific system, a few were also assigned to passenger trains like the Portland Rose. The design and operational experience of the Challengers played a crucial role in shaping the renowned Big Boy locomotive type, which, in turn, influenced the design of the last three orders of Challengers.

The Challengers boasted several technical breakthroughs that contributed to their success. Operating with a high boiler pressure of 280 lbf/in2, a feature typically reserved for passenger locomotives such as the FEF Series, they sported 69-inch drivers—impressive mammoth wheels typically found on passenger locomotives. Most freight engines required smaller wheels to generate the necessary torque. Surpassing speeds of 60 miles per hour, which was unprecedented for most other railroads using articulated steam locomotives, became a regular occurrence on the Union Pacific.

Among the surviving Challengers, Union Pacific No. 3985 stands out. Restored by the Union Pacific in 1981, it operated in excursion service as part of the heritage fleet program. Recently, it was donated to the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America organization in 2022, where it is currently undergoing a second restoration. The only other surviving Challenger, UP No. 3977, is on display in North Platte, Nebraska.

Notable characteristics:

• An accurately modeled oil tender specific to No. 3977, representing its current appearance at the Cody Park Railroad Museum in North Platte Nebraska.
• Easily upgradeable to DCC or Sound/DCC.
• Polished side rods for a sharp finish

Stealth series models are No-Sound / DCC-Ready models that operate on DC out of the box, or a modeler can easily install the MTC21 DCC decoder of choice.  The models come with pre-installed 8 ohm speakers to make sound upgrades easy.  Out of the box, front and rear lights are directional, and other lights are always illuminated with track power.  Additionally, some lighting may be missing depending on selected aftermarket decoder the modeler installs.  See below for additional model features.

Industry-leading Model Features:

• Stealth Series - Model is DCC-Ready out of the box.   No Sound.
• Out of the box, front and rear lights are directional.  Other lights are illuminated with track power.
• Model comes with 8-ohm speaker already installed for easy installation of DCC/Sound decoder.
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation.
• 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• Heavy Die Cast Boiler, Tender Body, and Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Scheme
• Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, and Front Marker Lights
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Piping, Cab Glass, Whistle, Brass Bell, Markers, Number boards, Air Tanks, and Many Others
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Capable of running on code 70, 83, and 100 track. 
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches