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, BLI 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 BLI's 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