Steam Locomotive 4-8-8-4 - Big Boy

Articulated Steam Locomotive "Big Boy" for heavy goods trains. A first group of twenty locomotives, with wheel arrangement 4-8-8-4, were delivered in the Autumn of 1941 by the constructors  ALCO  to the Union Pacific. A second group of five Locos  were delivered in 1944.  Of all the articulated steam locomotives, the 4-8-8-4 was the biggest in all senses: dimensions, weight, power, speed. The name "Big Boy", which in a was sums up all these characteristics, as the name was used to indicate this locomotive. It would seam that the name originates from a simple chalk inscription done my an anonymous ALCO mechanic, one  morning the name appeared on the smoke door of the 4000 prototype.

These locomotives were capable of running at 80 MPH (130Kph) and it max power of over 7000 HP, was available at 30 MPH (48KPH).

Wheel arrangement of 4-8-8-4, the Rivarossi model has a high powered motor, which works on a double cardanic transmission. Incredible traction which in turn  gives impressive haulage capability

4005

This model is the all black 4005, the prototype was put in service in  October 1941, and retired  from active service in July 1962 after 1.043.624 miles (Km 1.679.191) The model is has a high powered motor, which works on a double cardanic transmission, which in turn activates two separate groups of wheel units comprising of 4 axles.  

Even though a big model, , it can work on minimum radius corners 400 mm. Front headlamp is fully operational, as so are the gearings, the tender is a  "Centipede" type.

Length  cm. 47,5.

4015

Articulated steam locomotive 4-8-8-4 Big Boy" 4015 of the  Union Pacific. This model  is of the prototype ' UP 4015".  As in real life the cooling serpentines as absent, which in other models are present  at the side of the front platform. The colour is black and gray graphite.

4013

This model reproduces the prototype 4013, constructed in 1941 for the "Union Pacific" and differs in gray aluminium colour applied to the smoke chamber, and sides of the firebox.

Produced by  Rivarossi in1967

A key Rivarossi model, still in production (Rivarossi-Hornby).

My dream as a child…...

In the livery of the  Union Pacific with Road Numbers 4000, 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005 (classic black), 4008, 4010, 4011,4013, 4015

In red the models that were announced in the last catalogue, but I am not sure if produced.