Union Pacific’s Northern-type locomotives were built by ALCO’s Schenectady Works in three classes between August 1937 and December 1944. The first class, designated FEF-1 (for Four-Eight-Four), consisted of locomotives 800–819. Equipped with 77-inch drivers and a 300-psi boiler, these locomotives impressed UP enough to order 15 additional engines between August and October 1939. These locomotives, numbered 820–834, featured 80-inch drivers and larger 14-wheel centipede tenders with a 23,500-gallon capacity and were designated FEF-2.

In December 1944, ten additional 4-8-4 locomotives were delivered, numbered 835–844. These engines featured low-backpressure double stacks and were designated FEF-3. All three classes developed an impressive 63,800 pounds of tractive effort.

This production run features several historically accurate variations of Union Pacific No. 844 from its early excursion career. These include the locomotive in black with an aluminum smokebox as it appeared from 1962 to 1987, including the period when it was renumbered to 8444. Also included is the locomotive’s iconic “Greyhound” appearance from 1987 to 1989, again during its time as No. 8444, followed by its later Greyhound scheme from 1989 to 1991 after being renumbered back to No. 844, just before it was repainted black.

In addition to the many versions of No. 844 / 8444, Broadway Limited Imports are also offering several other prototypically accurate road numbers, along with a limited selection of fantasy schemes.

Models will be available with Paragon4 Sound DC/DCC with Smoke, as well as in Broadway Limited Imports Stealth DCC-Ready series. Stealth models feature a 21-pin decoder interface and a pre-installed speaker, allowing customers to easily install their preferred aftermarket decoder.

Notable Features:

• Accurately modeled FEF-3 double stack and triple stack - prototypically accurate for each road number
• Accurately modeled turret casing
• Individual side rods
• Centipede-style oil tenders with finely detailed oil inserts. #844/8444 has the Heritage Fleet containment dam, other road numbers do not.
• Options for Worthington and Sellers FWH
• Cast steel Commonwealth pilot with options for a front coupler or pilot insert
• Walschaerts Valve Gear
•  #844/8444 multiple era-specific appearances

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 (where applicable), Cab Light, Mars Light (where applicable), Front Numberboards, Front Marker Lights, and Rear Tender Deck Light
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Piping, Whistle, and Brass Bell
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 22 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the UP FEF-3 Northern

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 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

Looking for more Broadway Limited Imports 4-8-4 FEF-3 Steam Locomotives? Click here!