Rivarossi 1598 D&RGW Class L-97 4-6-6-4 Challenger Locomotive #3800

Rivarossi's last, and best, D&RGW Challenger

The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad bought ten 4-6-6-4s from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1937 to speed up its freight trains. These locomotives were designated Class L-105 and were given road numbers 3700 through 3709. They had four 23 x 32 cylinders, 70" drivers, a boiler pressure of 280 psi, a tractive effort of 105,000 lbs and weighed 641,000 pounds.

Five additional Class L-105 "Challengers" arrived from Baldwin in 1942. These were similar to the Class L-105s bought in 1938 and were assigned road numbers 3710 through 3714.

In need of more locomotives to handle war-time traffic, the D&RGW ordered six more "Challengers". The War Production Board allowed six ALCO-built 4-6-6-4s to be delivered in 1943. The D&RGW did not like them, and leased them instead of buying them. These locomotives were designated Class L-97, assigned Road Numbers 3800-3805 and had four 21 x 32 cylinders, 69" drivers, a boiler pressure of 280 psi, a tractive effort of 97,350 lbs and weighed 627,000 pounds. In 1947, diesels were replacing many of the D&RGW's steam locomotives and the six Class L-97 "Challengers" were transferred to the Clinchfield Railroad. There are no surviving D&RGW "Challengers". (From steamlocomotive.com)

Original Rivarossi produced their first Challenger in 1975 and their first D&RGW 4-6-6-4 in 1984. Production continued from 1975 until, with modifications and upgrades along the way, their pre-Hornby demise in 2000. First offered in 1995, model 1598 was their last, and finest, D&RGW Challenger. In stunning mint condition, and featuring our signature MRRHQ Custom upgrades, this is THE finest 1598 ever offered.

FEATURES:

• Pristine C-9+ Mint Condition with Superb Box and All Paperwork
• No evidence of run time.
• MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified.
• Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom High Performance LED Headlamp.
• Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Directional Back up Light. (A working "Centipede" Tender backup light was NEVER offered by the original Rivarossi.)
• Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Painted Tender Rear Warning Lights.
• One-piece boiler/cab and tenders of pressure-cast high impact plastic.
• Steel main and side rods, guides, hand rails, fittings and coupler lift bars.
• Fourteen Wheel "Centipede" Tender.
• Scale 69" Drivers.
• Many additional fine details.
• Powerful Modern Heavy Duty Flywheel Can Motor with .7 Amp Maximum Current Draw.
• Dual "Cardanic" Drive System provides power to all 12 Drivers .
• Silent, flexible drive and slippage-free oversize knurled drive wheel axles.
• Easy rolling steel needle point truck axles.
• "Disappearing" Front Knuckle Coupler.
• Upgraded with working rear Knuckle Coupler. (Not shown but included.)
• Optional Upgrades Available:
  • SOUNDTRAXX 852204 Standard DCC Decoder Installed.
  • SOUNDTRAXX 852204 Standard DCC Decoder w/810160 Keep Alive Installed.
  • SOUNDTRAXX TSU2200 (2) Amp Digital DCC/Sound Decoder Installed.
  • SOUNDTRAXX TSU2200 (2) Amp Digital DCC/Sound w/810160 Keep Alive Installed.
• Production Date 1995.

Dimensions: Locomotive 10 x 2 x 1 3/8" Tender 6 1/2 x 2 x 1 3/8"

HO Scale 1:87