The Athearn ATH85011 Old Time 2-8-0 Locomotive is a remarkable model in HO scale, representing the D&RGW Rio Grande #944. It comes equipped with DCC and Sound for an immersive experience. The model features see-through cab windows, separately applied wire - form details, a smoke stack, and a boiler - mounted bell. Its bi - directional LED lighting keeps the headlight brightness consistent. With a 5 - pole motor, precision - machined flywheels, and a multi - link drive train, it offers trouble - free operation. All - wheel drive with precision gears ensures smooth and quiet running, and all - wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow. The heavy die - cast frame gives it greater traction and pulling power. It has McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers and a DCC Ready 21 pin plug. The nickel - plated, blackened machined wheels with RP25 contours work on all popular track brands. It's fully assembled, ready - to - run out of the box, painted, and printed realistically with a highly - detailed, injection - molded body. The minimum radius is 18” and the recommended radius is 22”. For sound - equipped models, it has an onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Ecomani sound, which operates in both DC and DCC. In DCC mode, it offers full DCC functions, all NMRA compatible, with precision slow - speed control. You can program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit - only horn, bell, and lights, and many functions can be changed via Configuration Value (CV) changes with a CV chart in the box. The 2 - 8 - 0 wheel arrangement, with two leading wheels on one axle and eight powered driving wheels on four axles, was a great heavy - freight design from 1866 to 1915, offering more tractive effort and a larger boiler.

Using this Athearn locomotive is easy. Just take it out of the box and it's ready to run on your HO - scale track. Make sure the track radius meets the minimum 18 - inch requirement, though 22 inches is recommended for better performance. When operating, you can enjoy the consistent LED lighting and smooth movement. For the sound function, it works in both DC and DCC modes. If you're using DCC, you can access all the functions and even program a multiple - unit lashup. Regarding maintenance, keep the locomotive clean. You can use a soft brush to remove dust from the body and wheels. Check the electrical connections regularly to ensure reliable current flow. If you need to adjust functions, refer to the CV chart in the box. Avoid exposing the locomotive to extreme temperatures and moisture, as this can damage the components.