New Product Announcement: 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" Steam Locomotive
with DCC and Sound - SECOND PRODUCTION RUN!

Delivery: June 2008

Artwork and previous run models shown.  New production details will vary.

Overview

This stunning reproduction of the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy is the result of a focused determination to accomplish one thing: create the finest operating miniature representation of the prototype available. The Athearn N Scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, is the culmination of the art of design and tooling, integrating the latest innovations in electronic technology. The N Scale Big Boy model has been developed from the outset as the finest three dimensional operating miniature representation of the prototype available.

Features:

• Boiler backhead with full details.
• Individually applied detail parts such as piping, valves, generators, etc.
• Blackened metal RP25 wheels.
• Eccentric cranks operating on both sides in correct direction.
• Pilot has open/closed positions. Coupler pocket can be inserted to mount coupler after removal of dummy coupler.
• Headlights and tender lighting feature directional light change.
• Five-pole, skewed armature motor with two flywheels for very smooth running.
• Factory installed DCC sound board with speaker, mounted in the tender.
• DCC decoder automatically senses the power supply type (either DC or NMRA compliant DCC system).
• Hand held remote control unit for DC operation.

Era: 1940s - 1960s

Giving life to all the details are authentic sounds that are channeled through a factory installed DCC and soundboard with speakers. The DCC decoder automatically senses what type of power supply is in use (conventional DC or NMRA compliant DCC) and adapts its functions. The modeler doesn’t have to do a thing.

Functions and sounds available for use in DCC include:
Bell
Whistle
Water injector
Air release
Blower hiss
Fire box door
Lighting direction
Coupling
Brake squeal
Conductor’s voice
Sand release
Cylinder cock/flange squeal

A handheld wireless controller is included for use with conventional DC power supplies. With it, modelers can control six sound functions as well as speed and direction. The N Scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy includes a history book and instruction book for quick reference

PRE-ORDER DISCOUNT: 25% OFF M.S.R.P.

All reservations need to be received by Tuesday April 15th 2008 in order to obtain this model.  Reservations will close after that date.

New Product Announcement: F45 Locomotives
available with or without DCC and Sound
Delivery: June 2008

Preliminary Information - Subject to changes!

Prototype History:

By the early 1960's the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) was at a big disadvantage. Their 567 engine, in use for over 20 years, had reached it's peak at 2.500 horsepower in a turbocharged 16-cylinder version. EMD released a new 645 engine in 1966. The most powerful locomotive using this series of engine was the SD45, powered by a 20-cylinder turbocharged 645E engine producing 3600 horsepower. Orders from railroads all over the country, especially western roads, poured in. Great Northern received the first one off the production line and Santa Fe took delivery of a 90-unit order the first year.

At the same time Santa Fe was looking to replace it's aging fleet of passenger locomotives. They wanted something more stylish than a freight hood unit with a steam generator for their famous Super Chief train. EMD had already extended the SD45 frame and added a steam generator to the rear creating the SDP45. They responded to Santa Fe's request by adding a cowl body to the SDP45 thus creating the FP45.

Santa Fe took delivery of the first nine FP45's in December of 1967. Numbered 100-108, they were painted in the red and silver "Warbonnet" passenger scheme with black Roman-style Santa Fe lettering on the sides. The cowl offered a cleaner engine compartment and internal walkways, both of which would lead to production of the F45, a regular SD45 with the cowl. Santa Fe acquired forty F45's in 1968, numbered 1900-1939 and delivered in the blue and yellow 'pinstripe' scheme. The second twenty were equipped with steam lines for use on passenger trains. When Amtrak took over passenger service the FP45's went into the freight pool, receiving blue and yellow paint. The pinstripe paint scheme gave way to the blue and yellow "Warbonnet" scheme by 1980. In the early 80's all 40 FP45's and 8 F45's were rebuilt at the San Bernardino shops. During the failed merger with Southern Pacific seven FP45's and twenty F45's received red and Yellow "Kodachrome" paint. On July 4th, 1989, FP45's 5992 and 5998 were released from the San Bernardino shops as numbers 101 and 102 in the newly revived red and silver 'Super Fleet' scheme with a large Santa Fe on the sides. Two F45's were wrecked and scrapped and one was sold to Wisconsin Central while the remaining six were donated to various railroad museums. Six F45's were sold to Wisconsin Central and the remaining units went to Morrison-Knudsen as lease units with one being assigned and painted for Utah Railway.

Milwaukee Road was the other railroad that bought FP45's. Arriving in late 1968 for Hiawatha passenger service, they wore the UP yellow and gray scheme and were numbered 1-5. They differed from other F45's and FP45's as they did not have dynamic brakes installed. Even before Amtrak arrived these locomotives were re-assigned to freight service between Chicago and the Twin Cities.

Great Northern acquired fourteen F45's, numbered 427-440 and painted in the Big Sky Blue scheme, in 1969. The internal walkways were important to the GN given the winter weather on the line between the Twin Cities and Seattle. Crews no longer had to worry about ice and snow covered walkways like on their hood units. GN planned to run all of their main line freights with a F45 on the point. GN ordered an additional 12 units, which were delivered as Burlington Northern 6614-6625 in 1970. BN continued the F45 purchase in 1971 with 20 additional units numbered 6626-6645. The 46 F45's were regular power on the Chicago to West Coast trains over the former GN lines. Three of the original GN units were leased to Utah Railway for five years after being retired by BN. Two other units were sold to Susquehanna and three went first to Trancisco, then to Wisconsin and Southern, and finally to Montana Rail Link. One of the two Susquehanna units was re-sold to MRL in 1993.

Model Features:

• 100% all new tooling
• All wheel drive & pickup
• 5-pole skewed armature motor
• Machined brass flywheels
• Cab interior
• Available as either DCC/sound equipped or as DCC ready without sound
• Celcon (engineering plastic) handrails
• With or without dynamic brakes as per prototype
• Photo etched end walkways
• Snowplow or streamlined pilot
• Detailed fuel tank
• High or low mounted headlight
• Brass horn (lost wax casting)
• Rectangular or oval cab door windows
• Flush mounted window "glass"
• New McHenry N-Scale knuckle coupler

PRE-ORDER DISCOUNT: 23% OFF M.S.R.P.

All reservations need to be received by Monday February 25th 2008 in order to obtain this model.  Reservations will close after that date.