The almost-completed 3/4" scale 3-1/2" gauge Yankee Shop CHALLENGER at the Danvers track in the 1940s. Do you know where this locomotive is today?
3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge Union Pacific "Challenger" 4-6-6-4
Yankee Shop's articulated, 4-cylinder "simple" (not compound) U.P. design from World War II. Designed by Lester Friend.
During WWII, Lester Friend designed and built for Yankee Shop a 3/4" scale, coal-fired 4-6-6-4 that was named "Judy".
Friends Yankee Shop Models, if there is enough interest in this design's "21st Century Return to Market", will make castings available. If you are interested in a challenge (no pun intended), a 3/4" 4-6-6-4 might be just the thing. If you ARE interested, please make your desires known to Friends.
The location of Lester Friend's original 4-6-6-4 "Judy" from the 1940s is sought. For more information, please click HERE.
See a 3/4" scale Challenger under steam!
In 1965, John Hill of Colorado took the following film on his movie camera, and has sent it to Friends for posting here. Thank you, John.....
The locomotive shown is believed to be a "Yankee Shop" Challenger, although the tender and certain cosmetic details on the locomotive differ from the original design. Nevertheless, it will give one a very good idea of the size and appearance of a 3/4" scale 4-6-6-4.
