New challenger models

[Anonymous]

Both Lionel which has already released and Athearn which should release soon have the 3985 challenger. I noticed there is an oil burning version and a coal burning version. My question to those of you have a 3985 model if its an oil burner does it reflect all of the upgrades that are currently on the engine now which in my opinon would be prototypical since she didnt burn oil till the 90's.
the biggest noticeable items would be the firehose conection at the base of the tender on the fireman's side and the water gauge on the rear which is like a giant rain guage both of these items were not on the engine when it was released from the alco shop. Maybe I am being picky but if I am going to throw that kind of money at something I want it to look like the original not just some "oil burner version" that didnt exist in the 40's. Anyone else feel the same way?

[M636C]

While 3985 was a coal burner until the 1990s, other engines of the same class were oil burners in UP service in the 1940s and 1950s. These carried 3700 series numbers while used as oil burners.

As long as Lionel or Athearn letter and number the locomotive correctly for a period oil burner, there should be no problem. I've compared the Lionel model with the Rivarossi, and it does look better, but it also costs more. Have Rivarossi offered oil burners before?

Peter

[pedromorgan]

it will be interesting to see what will happen if the hornby takeover goes ahead. the rivarossi challenger and bigboy were undoubtably overpriced when they were last available to wee could see that corrected when production is moved to china. i cant wait!!

Peter