PREORDER Athearn Genesis ATHG-2078 HO 4-8-8-4 'Big Boy' Locomotive w/DCC & Sound & CA-11 Caboose w/Lights & Sound, Locomotive- UP #4014, Caboose- UP 'Snowbus' #25809
Description
ATHEARN GENESIS BIG BOY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE WITH SNOWBUS CABOOSE PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:
Union Pacific wanted something that could make the same speeds as the Challengers but could carry the entire 4,290-ton train over the Wahsatch Mountains without a helper. The easiest solution was to scale up the successful Challenger design by adding another pair of drivers to each half of the locomotive, thus making a 4-8-8-4.
In 1941, UP placed an order for twenty 4-8-8-4's, numbered 4000 through 4019, with the American Locomotive Works. According to legend, an unidentified machinist at the ALCO plant is responsible for the name “Big Boy”, having scrawled the name in chalk on a partially completed locomotive.
The Big Boys were exactly what the railroad wanted. They were coal burners with 68-inch drivers, 135,375 pounds of tractive effort and 6,000 horsepower. They started service on the line from Ogden to Green River, Wyoming and their operating range soon increased to cover the line all the way to Cheyenne.
Traffic during WWII resulted in five more Big Boys, numbered 4020 through 2024. being built in 1944. These versions were slightly heavier than the original order due to wartime materials restrictions. Despite the influx of diesel locomotives following WWII, the Big Boys and Challengers remained the prime power on the Overland Route. They also say service as helpers, leading gas turbines and diesels over Sherman Hill. They remained active through the 1950s and weren't retired until the early 1960s. By then, the first twenty units had been run well over one million miles.
ATHEARN GENESIS BIG BOY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
- Illuminated number boards and headlights
- Headlight turns off in reverse
- Illuminated directional back-up light in the tender
- Correctly operating eccentric cranks
- Adjustable top cab vent and cab windows
- Pivoting front and rear engines for negotiating 18” radius curves
- Boiler backhead with full details and printed gauges
- Synchronized chuff, whistle, bell, blow-down, air compressor, dyno and pop-off valve sounds
- User-controlled whistle, short whistle, bell, squeal, coupler crash, injector, water stop and light dimmer
- Current pick-up on all driver and wheels
- Individually-applied detail parts, including brass-painted bell and whistle, piping, valves, generator, steps, air pump, air tanks, reverser and coupler lift bar
- Front coupler pocket can be inserted to mount operating coupler
- Dual speakers for great sound quality
- Upgraded headlight lighting with brighter LED
- Improved loco-to-tender connection harness for increased durability and serviceability
- Minimum recommended radius: 22”
ATHEARN GENESIS CA-11 CABOOSE FEATURES:
- Better than brass detail™ including roadname and road number specific detail and laser-sharp painting and printing
- Fully detailed interior including conductor's desk, stove, sink, bathroom, radio stand, and more
- Lighting functions in DCC with brightness control
- Lit walkway lights; an Athearn Genesis ICC Caboose first
- See-through end platforms and steps
- Etched metal window screens on door and some side windows
- Flush window glazing
- Wire-form grab irons
- Caboose trucks with rotating roller bearing caps
- Axle generator details
- Body-mounted McHenry® scale knuckle-spring Couplers
- Multiple road numbers
- Separate wireform grab irons, etched metal coupler platforms
- Coupler lift bars, trainline hoses, brake hoses, and hardware
- Full underframe detail: air brake reservoir, control valve, and brake cylinder with plumbing and brake rod details
- Machined metal wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
- Weighted for trouble-free operation
- Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box
- Accurately painted and printed for prototypical realism
- Highly-detailed, injection-molded body
- Window packaging for easy viewing, plus interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage
- Minimum radius: 18”
LOCOMOTIVE SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:
- On-board DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
- Dual speakers for optimal sound quality
- Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
- Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
- Engine, whistle, and bell sounds work in DC
- All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
- Precision slow speed control
- Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
- Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
- CV chart included in the box
CABOOSE SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:
- On-board DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami Soundcar sound
- Air horn or trainline air whistle as appropriate
- Clickety-clack with optional wheel flat spot sounds
- Brake set/release sounds including retainers and brake squeal
- ”Big Hole” emergency brake application sound
- Handbrake tie-down/release
- Adjustable flange squeal
- Air horn, and bell sounds work seamlessly with Soundtraxx locomotive sound decoders
- Supports advanced consisting in DCC
- Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
- All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
BIG BOY FEATURES:
- 2024 style new “Big Boy” font printed on smokebox door
- Current tender markings
- Additional “plaques” applied to boiler and tender
- “Polished” cylinder heads
- “Polished” paint finish
- PTC Equipment
SNOWBUS FEATURES:
- Unique body style with enclosed end porches
- Features insulated,-non-opening windows
- MU pedestal and rubber signal hoses unique to these cars
- Additional center-mounted porch light
- Original straight steps
Payment & Security
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Refund Policy
Return & Refund Policy
Effective October 1, 2025
Factory Direct Hobbies has a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after your item has shipped to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original packaging. All manuals, parts, and accessories must be included.
To start a return, visit our Returns Center. If your return is approved, we'll email you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted and will be returned to sender.
Defective or Damaged Items
- If your product is defective, damaged, or we made an error, you can return it at no cost.
- Whenever possible, defective items are routed directly to the distributor for credit. If that’s not an option, items may be returned to Arden as a fallback.
- Refunds are issued to your original payment method. If the original method is unavailable, store credit will be issued. After six months, only store credit is available.
Returns Due to Ordering Mistakes
This applies to incorrect scale, color, size, or duplicate orders:
- Store Credit: 10% restocking fee, with return shipping cost deducted.
- Refund to Original Payment: 15% restocking fee, with return shipping cost deducted.
- Our Error Exception: If FDH shipped the wrong item, no restocking fee or return shipping charge applies.
Loose Track, Components, O Scale, and Special Orders
Returns of loose track, small components, O scale items, and special-order items incur a 15% restocking fee. Return shipping is deducted whether you choose store credit or a refund.
Damages and Issues
Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item, so we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / Non-Returnable Items
- Gift cards and digital/downloadable products
- Items marked final sale, clearance, or otherwise non-returnable on the product page
- Items that have been used, modified, or are missing parts, manuals, or original packaging
- Some manufacturers handle warranty issues directly. If that applies, we’ll help you contact them
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have and place a new order for the replacement on our website. Please note that we cannot process manual exchanges over the phone.
Refunds and Processing Time
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved.
- Approved refunds are issued within 7–10 business days.
- Refunds go to your original payment method when possible. In some cases, store credit may be issued instead.
- Your bank or card issuer may take additional time to process and post the refund.
Orders Placed Before October 1, 2025
Orders placed before this date follow the previous return policy.
Need Help?
If you have questions about a return or warranty, please contact our support team and include your order number so we can assist you quickly.