{"product_id":"preorder-athearn-genesis-athg-2204-4-8-8-4-big-boy-steam-locomotive-union-pacific-primed-for-grime-4003-dcc-and-sound-719-99","title":"PREORDER Athearn Genesis ATHG-2204 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Locomotive, Union Pacific Primed for Grime, 4003 (DCC and Sound)","description":"Union Pacific wanted something that could make the same speeds as the Challengers but could carry the entire 4,290-ton train over the Wasatch Mountains without a helper. The easiest solution was to scale up the successful Challenger design by adding another pair of drivers to each half of the locomotive, thus making a 4-8-8-4.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1941, UP placed an order for 20 4-8-8-4's, numbered 4000 through 4019, with the American Locomotive Works. According to legend, an unidentified machinist at the ALCO plant is responsible for the name  “Big Boy ”, having scrawled the name in chalk on a partially completed locomotive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Big Boys were exactly what the railroad wanted. They were coal burners with 68-inch drivers, 135,375 pounds of tractive effort and 6,000 horsepower. They started service on the line from Ogden to Green River, Wyoming and their operating range soon increased to cover the line all the way to Cheyenne.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTraffic during WWII resulted in five more Big Boys, numbered 4020 through 4024, being built in 1944. These versions were slightly heavier than the original order due to wartime materials restrictions. Despite the influx of diesel locomotives following WWII, the Big Boys and Challengers remained the prime power on the Overland Route. They also say service as helpers, leading gas turbines and diesels over Sherman Hill. They remained active through the 1950s and weren't retired until the early 1960s. By then, the first 20 units had been run well over one million miles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLEGENDARY LIVERIES\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to  “What if? ” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, protofreelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of:  “What if? ”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eATHEARN GENESIS 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:\u003cbr\u003eIlluminated number boards and headlights\u003cbr\u003eHeadlight turns off in reverse\u003cbr\u003eIlluminated directional back-up light in the tender\u003cbr\u003eCorrectly operating eccentric cranks\u003cbr\u003eAdjustable top cab vent and cab windows\u003cbr\u003ePivoting front and rear engines for negotiating 22 ” radius curves\u003cbr\u003eCurrent pick-up on all driver and wheels\u003cbr\u003eBoiler backhead with full details and printed gauges\u003cbr\u003eSynchronized chuff, whistle, bell, blow-down, air compressor, dyno and pop-off valve sounds\u003cbr\u003eFront coupler pocket can be inserted to mount operating coupler\u003cbr\u003eUser-controlled whistle, short whistle, bell, squeal, coupler crash, injector, water stop and light dimmer\u003cbr\u003eIndividually-applied detail parts, including brass-painted bell and whistle, piping, valves, generator, steps, air pump, air tanks, reverser and coupler lift bar\u003cbr\u003eDual speakers for great sound quality\u003cbr\u003eUpgraded headlight lighting with brighter LED\u003cbr\u003eImproved loco-to-tender connection harness for increased durability and serviceability\u003cbr\u003eMinimum recommended radius: 22 ”\u003cbr\u003eSOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:\u003cbr\u003eOn-board DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound\u003cbr\u003eDual speakers for optimal sound quality\u003cbr\u003eSound units operate in both DC and DCC\u003cbr\u003eFull DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode\u003cbr\u003eEngine, whistle, and bell sounds work in DC\u003cbr\u003eProgram a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights\u003cbr\u003eAll functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode\u003cbr\u003ePrecision slow speed control\u003cbr\u003eMany functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes\u003cbr\u003eCV chart included in the box\u003cbr\u003ePRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE:\u003cbr\u003eDuplicated look and feel of  “In Service ” equipment\u003cbr\u003eFaded base colors matched to the prototype\u003cbr\u003ePerfect starting point for adding grime and rust\u003cbr\u003eROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:\u003cbr\u003e#4000: As-delivered, coal burners, cooling pipes\u003cbr\u003e#4003: Primed For Grime finish to represent in-service look, coal burner, cooling pipes\u003cbr\u003e#4019: Smoke lifters, coal burner, cooling pipes\u003cbr\u003e#4020: As-delivered, coal burners, cooling pipes\u003cbr\u003e#4024: Legendary Liveries Greyhound scheme with yellow trim, smoke lifters, oil burner, no cooling pipes\u003cbr\u003eATSF FEATURES:\u003cbr\u003eOil burner, cooling pipes, black firebox and smokebox sides\u003cbr\u003eSOU FEATURES:\u003cbr\u003eCoal Burner, no cooling pipes\u003cbr\u003eNdeM FEATURES:\u003cbr\u003eOil Burner, no cooling pipes","brand":"Athearn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42187370037330,"sku":"ATH-G2204-PRE","price":72.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0581\/3410\/2098\/files\/ATHG-2204_A0_8GH26UBJ.jpg?v=1784736306","url":"https:\/\/modeltrainstuff.com\/products\/preorder-athearn-genesis-athg-2204-4-8-8-4-big-boy-steam-locomotive-union-pacific-primed-for-grime-4003-dcc-and-sound-719-99","provider":"Model Train Stuff","version":"1.0","type":"link"}