HO Broadway Ltd Union Pacific 2-8-8-0 "Bullmoose", SA-C-6, #3553, Pre-1944 Appearance w/ 4-BL FWH, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke

Broadway Limited HO Scale Union Pacific 2-8-8-0 "Bullmoose" #3553 Pre-1944

Relive the golden age of steam railroading with this meticulously detailed HO scale model of the Union Pacific "Bullmoose" 2-8-8-0 Consolidation Mallet. Known for their legendary ability to haul the heaviest freight trains over Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming, these powerful locomotives earned their nickname from UP crews who witnessed their incredible pulling power firsthand.

Historical Background

The 2-8-8-0 wheel arrangement was known amongst railroads as the "Consolidation Mallets" as they were considered an extension of the common 2-8-0 Consolidation type locomotives. The locomotive type was originally experimented with by the Santa Fe, but the railroad never received more than one locomotive because of balance issues and a low tractive effort rating on the railroad's steepest grades.

The Great Northern and Union Pacific revised the designs and proceeded to order several of these locomotives. The Union Pacific crews developed the nickname "Bullmoose" for these locomotives because they had the ability to pull the heaviest of freight trains over the railroad's Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming.

The Union Pacific eventually rostered 70 of these Mallets either built by its own shops or manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (Alco). They first went into service in 1918. As time went on, the Bullmoose locomotives received several upgrades and rebuilds before ultimately being replaced by the 9000 series, Big Boys, and Challengers.

Model Specifications

• Scale: HO Scale (1:87) model train
• Road Number: #3553
• Appearance: Pre-1944 appearance with a 4-BL FWH (four-wheel leading truck on front engine)
• Classification: SA-C-6 class locomotive
• Coupler to Coupler Length: 14.2 inches
• Wheel Base: 12.4 inches
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
• Compatible Track: Code 70, Code 83, and Code 100 rail

ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System

• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Integral DCC decoder with Back EMF for industry-best slow speed operation in DC and DCC
• Built-in capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track and ensure reliable electrical pick-up
• Capacitor pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro
• High-resolution 16-bit audio with accurate prototypical sounds for the Union Pacific Bullmoose
• Quillable whistle for various whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable whistles
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Chuff sound intensity varies with load for realistic operation
• Johnson Bar sound at direction change
• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
• Engineer and fireman crew sounds
• Grade crossing automatic signal
• Automatic forward/reverse signal - stopping triggers stop whistle toot, moving forward toots twice, reverse toots three times
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Record & Play Operation - records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System

• Synchronized puffing smoke with chuff sound
• Variable puffing smoke intensity and timing
• Realistic smoke effects that enhance the operating experience

Industry-Leading Construction & Details

• Hand-crafted brass boiler and tender body (Brass Hybrid series)
• Heavyweight die-cast chassis for maximum tractive effort
• Precision drive mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-pole can motor with skew-wound armature
• Premium caliber painting with authentic paint schemes
• Prototypically accurate details for road number #3553
• Many separately applied details such as handrails, ladders, piping, cab glass, whistle, brass bell, markers, number boards, air tanks, and many others
• Factory-installed engineer and fireman figures
• Two operating Kadee-compatible couplers
• Equipped with rubber traction tires for increased pulling power

Prototypical LED Lighting

• Separately controllable headlight, reverse light, cab light, front number boards, and rear marker light
• Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
• Switcher Mode for precise low speed control

Complementary Products

Enhance your Union Pacific steam operations with these related items from MPM Hobbies:

• HO Scale Freight Cars - Period-appropriate rolling stock for your Bullmoose to haul over Sherman Hill
• HO Scale Locomotives - Expand your Union Pacific steam roster
• Model Train Track - Quality track systems compatible with this locomotive
• DCC Sound Decoders & Accessories - Enhance your DCC layout capabilities
• Model Railroad Scenery - Create authentic Western railroad scenes including Sherman Hill

This Broadway Limited Bullmoose represents the pinnacle of HO scale Mallet locomotive modeling, combining hand-crafted brass construction with the revolutionary Paragon4 sound and control system. Perfect for collectors and operators who demand museum-quality detail and prototypical performance.

**Specifications on this page subject to change.