In 1944, in responce to the ever-growing war-time need for more efficient transportation, Canadian National launched its new, lighter, faster and more versitile vertion of the 4-8-2 steam locomotive, the 6060 series UI-F class. Equipped with its characteristic side valences painted in green, gold and black and distinguisable by the bullet nose of its smoke box front, the 6060 became affectionatly known as the "Bullet-Nosed Betty"
Although primarily designed fo passenger service, the skilfully balenced 6060 was not only capable of reaching speeds of 75 miles per hour but it did it without sacrificing its workhorse ability to haul long freight trains, a task which it frequently had to carry out. Over time, however, the 6060 became better known as a premier passenger locomotive as it took over the more prestigious runs: the "Continental Limited" (running between Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) and the "International Limited" (running between Montreal, Toronto and Chicago).
As steam locomovies were being replaced by the new generation of diesels, the "Bullet-Nosed Betty" was retiered after 16 years of dependable service. For most steam locomotives, the advent of the diesel marked the end of an era; it would have been the end of the line. But not for the 6060.
Although retired from active duty and put on display in Jasper, Alberta in 1962, the "Bullet-Nosed Betty" was yet again called upon in 1972, this time, for steam aficionado excursions. In 1980, CN retired the 6060 and offered the locomotive as a gift to the people of Alberta to commemorate their province's 75th anniverary. After a second short-lived retiremend, the 6060, known from then on as the "Spirit of Alberta", was once more restored to full operating condition. To this day, this timeless locomotive lives on, bridbing the gap between the past and the present.
We are proud to commemorate such a phenominal part of Canadian rail history with our limited collector's edition Bullet-Nosed Express train set. Our faithfully reproduced locomotive is comapatible with all HO scale model electric train sets, including our entire President's Choice Collector's Series.
Locomotive Attributes:
- Engine weight: 352 g (12.4 ounces)
- Power pickup from locomotive and tender car
- Operating locomotive headlight and automatic backup light on tender car
- Heavy duty can motor
- Coated brass flywheel
- Helical matched gears
- Intricately matched smooth running gear transmission
- Functional nickel-plated coined brass driving rods
- Metal boiler hand railings
- Metal coupler lift bar on loco pilot deck and rear of tender car
- 24 karat gold-plated swivel bell
- Separate pilot deck apron molding
- Separate running board skirt molding
- White wall wheels
- Authentically detailed, painted and lettered with unique collector's quality markings
- Will operate on 46cm (18 in) radius oval track layout
Includes:
- Uniquely designed collector's quality 4-8-2 U1-F Semi-Streamlined Mountain Class steam locomotive with functioning headlight
- 1 tender car with power pickup and automatic backup light
- 1 Express refrigerator car CN 10600
- 1 Express box car CN 11102
- 1 Hopper car (coal not included) CN 108763
- 1 Single-dome tanker car CN CNX254
- 1 Caboose with specialty collector's graphics
- Quality brass track for oval layout
- CSA-approved power pack with conecting wires
- Assembly and operation instructions
- Limited warranty
Compatible with all popular HO brands, including all President's Choice train sets. Authentic period-sized cars are to scale.
Oval tack layout Includes:
- 1 curved 46cm (18in) radius terminal brass railer
- 11 curved sections of 46cm (18in) radius brass track with rail joiners
- 12 strait sections of 23cm (9in) brass track with rail joiners
- 10 extra brass rail joiners
- 26 track snap locks
- Spare couplers and track snap locks, conecting wires
