Challenger and excusion tank question....

[Chesticus]

The Challenger has 2 excursion tanks that follow the main tender as it runs (this is as it runs today). I have read that they are 800 series tenders. My question is can they be found for purchase in HO scale?

Chesticus

 

[ed acosta]

Perhaps some Union Pacific expert will come along and provide a lead on those tenders. Until then, let me give you the info I have. Seems like the UP Northerns FEF-1 once used that tender. The later FEF-3s were given the centipede tender identical to the ones on the Challenger and Big Boy. I recall that the UP Northern that was produced by American Flyer in S Gauge was an FEF-1 with that same tender you are asking about, but in a different scale. Unfortunately all of the current suppliers of the 4-8-4 are producing only the FEF-3 with centipede tender. It so happens that I have a UP turbine with that exact tender, BUT YOU CAN"T HAVE IT!

Here is a link that explains the origins of that tender:
SP 4449 & UP 844 Doubleheader!!! by Robert D. West

 

[Triplex]

Even if you could get an 800-series tender, there's another problem. UP rebuilt them quite extensively not long ago.

 

[jbaakko]

There's 3 yellow aux tenders that I know of. One round Aux, similar as to the ones offered by Lionel with their HO turbine (Deano just got one). The two others I've seen are also turbine hand-me-downs, however they have a sloped end (to help with the exhaust on some of the turbines). They can only be found in Brass, both OMI & Hallmark.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

How much work would it take to kit bash one of the aux tenders from either a Bachmann Gs-4 tender or a Bachmann aux. tender for the J? I looked at the link, but the pics were so small I couldn't see any detail, and while it explains the origins, I don't remember seeing a pic of the aux tender there.

 

[jbaakko]

Here's a sloped tender:

Seems the 2nd one is at IRM?

 

[UP SD40-2]

Josh, your 100% correct:thumb: , that second tender IS at the IRM, but now its painted like NEW to match #18:winki::mrgreen: .

:deano: -Deano

 

[UP SD40-2]

This might not help, and sure, its easier said then done, but honestly, looking at my tender, i think these wouldn't be real hard to scratch build:winki: . they are about the same size as a paper towel roll, or if you wanted to go heavier, perhaps a wooden dowel. cover it with a thin sheet of styrene, add the railings & trucks, and your about there:thumb: .

EDIT: If you were interested in trying this, i would be happy to take pics of each side of mine, and give the dimensions:thumb: , though its to big for my current layout, so i keep it at my dads since his layout is much larger. i will be stopping at dads on Saturday, if interested, just say it and I'll do it:thumb: .

seriously, it really doesn't look to hard to scratch build, if you have the time and patience:winki: ...just a thought:smilie: .

:deano: -Deano

 

[ed acosta]

Here is the other configuration of tender, this one paired with UP turbine 61.

 

[jbaakko]

There we go, two models, one of each type of car.