

Union Pacific O Scale Premier FEF Northern Express Reefer Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0
Overview
For seven decades, 4-8-4 Northern No. 844 has served the Union Pacific Railroad - first in two-tone grey hauling the Overland Limited, Portland Rose, and other crack passenger trains; then as a fast freighter dressed in black; and for more than half a century, in its owner's words, "as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill." Having never been retired since its birth in 1944, No. 844 is the oldest continuously operating steam locomotive in the United States.
Classified by the UP as an FEF-3 (for "Four Eight Four," third version), No. 844 and its FEF-class siblings had their origin in a 1937 incident involving what was then the reigning passenger power on the UP, the 4-8-2 Mountain. As related by author Brian Hollingsworth, "One day in 1937, a 7000-class 4-8-2 had the temerity to demonstrate the lack of steaming power inherent in the type, on a train with UP President William Jeffers' business car on the rear. Even while the party was waiting out on the prairies for rescue, a dialogue by telegram went on with Alco in far-off Schenectady, with a view to getting something better."*
The result was a group of 45 FEF-class 4-8-4s that, like other exemplary Northerns of the period, represented the ultimate expression of the art of steam locomotive design. Delivered in three orders as classes FEF-1, FEF-2, and FEF-3 in 1937, 1939, and 1944 respectively, they regularly cruised at over 100 mph and were known on occasion to reach their design limit of 110 mph. To reduce the reciprocating mass of their main and side rods - always a design issue with high speed steamers - they were fitted with unique tapered rods. The side rod bearings on each of their 80" drivers were also specially designed to reduce strain and allow higher speeds. Like the Niagaras that Alco would design just a few years later for the New York Central, the oil-burning FEF class had a massive cast steel frame, roller bearings on all axles, and a clean, uncluttered boiler atypical for an American locomotive.
* Brian Hollingsworth, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Steam Passenger Locomotives, Salamander Books Ltd. 1982
Features
Set Includes:
- FEF 4-8-4 Northern Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
- (5) 40' Steel Sided Reefer Cars
- (1) Bay Window Caboose
Locomotive Features:
- Die-Cast Boiler and Tender Body
- 1:48 Scale Proportions
- Die-Cast Metal Chassis
- Real Coal Load
- Metal Wheels and Axles
- Constant Voltage Headlight
- Die-Cast Truck Sides
- Remote Controlled Proto-Coupler
- Engineer and Fireman Figures
- Metal Handrails and Decorative Bell
- Decorative Metal Whistle
- Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
- Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System
- Precision Flywheel Equipped Motor
- Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable
- Wireless Drawbar
- Illuminated Number Boards
- Illuminated Classification Lights
- Lighted Cab Interior
- Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring: Passenger Station Proto-Effects
- Unit Measures:30-1/4" x 2 3/4" x 4"
- Operates On O-72 Curves
Freight Car Set Features
- Durable ABS Intricately Detailed Bodies
- Metal Wheels and Axles
- Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
- Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
- Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
- Separate Metal Handrails
- Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
- Needle-Point Axles
- 1:48 Scale Dimensions
- Detailed Car Undercarriage
- Operates On O-31 Curves