3rd Rail Union Pacific Fetter's Challenger (Pics & Info)

Wow, very nice. I'm jelouse. 

Thanks Dave!  

Maybe you could find one at York?

Hope you are enjoying the show, I'd sure like to be there with you.

OK Aaron.

 Just throw some more salt in that open wound Yes, I WILL get one some day, Un fortunately, my "I'm gonna get me one of those someday" list is VERY LOOOOONG!!!

 I did join the 3rd Rail/Sunset club with that (more in my current price range) Union Pacific A-3 Atlantic. Unfortunately, in shipping the bolt holding the front truck on, came out, everything was in the box, but I have FAT fingers, and trying to put it back together, I dropped the washer. I thought that it slipped into the boiler, but all the GENTLE, wiggling and shaking, couldn't get it to come out of hiding.

 Just to be sure, I checked my foam cradle, the table and on my hands and knees on the floor looking for that #%&^@! washer no luck, so I haven't even been able to run it yet.

I would have sent you some pics, but it would look awful silly without the front truck.

Doug

I'm having great fun here at York though I have not found a engine yet that is a must have but tomorrow is another day. There are so many it is hard to choose. Did find a couple of cabooses i was looking for. 

Congratulations!  I have wondered whether you were successful.  These are indeed great models for the price.  My 2-rail collection includes three prewar Lobaugh Challengers, and soon four Jabelmann Challengers.  I did the new boiler for a thread here a while back.

the Sunset Jabelmann Challengers were even better than the Fetters in quality and detail, which is  really going some for a $1200 model.

I believe Sunset may have dropped the ball in smaller SP/UP steam, choosing very thin gauge brass.  I would love to send the poster above a washer if I knew what size it was.  Somebody measure one , and I will make a duplicate.

Doug,

When you get the Atlantic fixed, make sure to send the pictures.  You could also post them in the "O Gauge Union Pacific" thread.  Dave and I have been loading it up with UP stuff!  

Sounds like bob2 could help you with a replacement part.

Dave,

Love the comment about so many it is hard to choose!  I can only imagine the temptations there.  Sure wish I could be there with you.  If you see a VL Challenger, cab #3983, send it my way!

Bob,

Sounds like we both have a lot of Challengers lying around.  Some day I'd like to have a Fetter's Challenger with oil tender.

I wish Sunset would make some more UP small steamers.  You know, like 4-10-2, 2-10-2, or 4-8-2s.  I'd add those to my collection in a heart beat.

Doug-

You might just call Sunset. They're really helpful. If you can't get a response from the service guys, a call or email to Scott will do the trick.

Very nice additions to your ever growing fleet.

Thanks Brian.  I may put one on the passenger train I bought from you.  Hope you are enjoying York.

Bob2,

 I appreciate your offer very much. I did call 3rd Rail/Sunset, and they were going to try to research what washer it was. I need to call them back, they were very nice on the phone, and the Lady got to talking, and I realized later that she never asked for my contact info.

 I too would like to see a UP 7000 class 4-8-2, 3rd Rail's SP 2-6-0 is another on my someday list, but their AM-2 4-6-6-2 cab-forward is at/near the top of my someday list.  I agree more small steam would be nice, but I admit that I am a SUCKER for large articulated locomotives, even though I am unlikely to ever have a layout that would do them justice. Unfortunately there just aren't many 3 rail O clubs here way out West.

 Though it wont dampen my Enjoyment of the 4-4-2, it is too bad that 3rd rail didn't research the model a bit better, it appears to be a standard simple 4-4-2, while the prototype was a compound 4-4-2. Union Pacific did simple some of these 4-4-2's, the road # they used was not among the simpled  locomotives.

 I have the MTH Premier 7 car set of 64' Woodsided Passenger cars, that I bought this locomotive specifically to pull. I will have to post some pics when it gets up-graded to pulling varnish instead of being a lowly 0-4-2.

Doug