Often called the largest steam locomotive ever made, and certainly a contender for the Worlds Most Famous Locomotive, the Big Boy was forged under some of the most strenuous demands ever placed on a locomotive. The UP Railroad needed a locomotive that could be used to pull a 3,600-ton train over Sherman Hill and the 1.14% grade from Ogden to Wasatch, Utah without the need for helpers. When the design specifications were complete, it was decided on the use of a simple articulated, high speed, 132 ft. long locomotive sporting sixteen 68 diameter drive wheels. What they created was the longest and among the heaviest, most powerful steam locomotive legends in the world. And had not the worker at ALCO chalked Big Boy on the front of the smoke box of one of the 4-8-8-4s under construction, a name that immediately caught on, it is rumored that the name of the type would have been Wasatch, for the mountains they were built to conquer.
Quote from Worlds Greatest Steam Locomotives by Eugene L. Huddleston:
There were 25 locomotives fabricated in two different groups. Class 1 were locomotives #4000-4019 and Class 2 was numbered 4020-4024. The first Big Boy #4000 was delivered to Omaha, NE on September 5, 1941. Union Pacific's commitment to the Big Boy required them to replace the lighter rail and straighten out many miles of track for clearance, as well as to resize elements of their service areas (such as turntable lengths, etc.) for the entire line these locos would run on.
The Big Boys demonstrated fantastic strength and speed as they faced these challenges throughout their storied careers. With the total mileage on the Big Boy fleet being approximately 1,000,000 miles for each locomotive, one must say that they earned their reputation.
In this release, BLI presents 12 exclusive models of the legendary Big Boy locomotives. Leading the lineup are the modern-day 4014 with updated generator and PTC details, the 4014 as seen during the historic Big Boy Tour, and the 4019 featuring its short-lived in-service experimental smoke deflectors. Additionally, we will offer four models in striking fantasy paint schemes, produced in highly limited quantities for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Industry-leading Model Features:
ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
Separate Whistle Smoke Feature - smoke streams from whistle area when whistle is blown
Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
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
Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, Front Numberboards, Front Marker Lights, Rear Marker Lights
Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
Optional Smoke Hood can be Installed if Desired
Optional Operating Front Coupler Included in Box
Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
Two After-cooler variations - As-Delivered for the Class-1 and Wilson Aftercooler for the Class-2 models
Three Accurately Modeled Tender Variations: 25-C-100 for the Class-1 models, 25-C-400 for the Class-2 models, and the appropriate Challenger #3985 tender for the #4014 Excursion Service models
Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Piping, Cab Glass, Whistle, Brass Bell, Markers, Numberboards, Air Tanks, and Many Others
Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the Union Pacific Big Boys
Locomotive Weight: 2 lbs 15.5 oz
Tender Weight: 15.5 oz
Coupler to Coupler Length: 19 inches
Wheelbase: 16.5 inches
Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI's own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon4 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited's Paragon3 Series models.
Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:
Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
Built-In capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track
Capacitor Pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro
Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
Switcher Mode for precise low speed control
Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
High Resolution Audio
Quillable Whistle for various whistle lengths and patterns
Choice of 3 selectable Whistles / Horns
Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal - When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse, toots three times.
Chuff sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings
