We had a preproduction sample of the Athearn Challenger in the office earlier this week. It wasn’t lettered and a few details weren’t on it yet, but it looked good. We have some photos on the site at http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/179wkuxu.asp
The details are rendered very well, and the sample ran smoothly. We should have some video (with sound) posted next week.
For those of you who live in the U.S., enjoy your holiday weekend!
Terry
Thanks, Terry. Yes, the pictures that you guys took were excellent! This sounds like this will be a really great model! And with the WIRELESS DC THROTTLE that’s included? This locomotives gonna rock!!! [:D] [:)]
AHA! Terry, it was a preproduction model, I wondered why the UP-shield on the smokebox door was undecorated, thought it had to do with UP charching the model community!
looking forward to your review!
BTW: we have a Holiday weekend in Europe as well! 3 days off!
I viewed the preproduction Challenger at the Pomona California show two months ago. The model had a major error then and still has the same problem. If the you look at the left side of the tender, it has the train control box. This box is only mounted on the right side of the tender and Athearn has duplicated this on both sides for some reason.
I hope they build it correctly.
cool
You call that a major error?
As an addict of all things Challenger. An extra train control box is minor. If it bothers you that badly, Use the Xacto #11 treatment.
I have better things to do on my railroad than count rivits. (Or train control boxes)
James
I just don’t get it[?][?][?][?]
Part of the gang wants to string UP up by the short hairs for charging licensing rights on UP models,[}:)]
Part of the gang is having steamgasms over the model,[:0]
and I bet there is a percentage of those who are doing both![%-)]
All the griping I have heard in the past over Athearns previous attempts at steam, I can’t believe anyone is getting all twitterpated over this.
It’s plastic!
Plus it’s a model that Most of us have no use for! Why did they not try an engine with a more universal appeal?
I remain confused, and unimpressed.[V]
Well,I do not judge a locomotive by its preproduction photos…Not being a UP fan I am not acquainted with the Challenger though I seen many pictures of those locomotives.[;)] It looks mighty good to my eyes.[:D]
Well mines on order and I don’t give a darn if it’s completely correct or not as in the future it will be PRICELESS as a collectable in the train market . I have all the OLD Athearn steamers both running and in unassembled and rtr models and not many have ever seen them. The kids always watch with large eyes when I bring them out. The only one I don’t have is the rubber band drive tender model and I have NEVER seen one myself but have heard of it.
My Challenger will never see the rails but sure will look PRETTY !!!
At least we have been given an opportunity by MR. The Lionel Veranda modelers were not as fortunate.
decoy706,
I like your style!!! [^] [8D] [:D]
Richard
I wonder what the reason is for not reviewing such an important model manufactured by such an outstanding company ?
or is it a lemon ?
I read some negative posts about it on this forum
Yeah, but now Athearn has probably learned their lesson. The Genesis Challenger might weight as much as other large HO steam. This new attempt at steam could be a total 180 from the light 2-8-2.
Like the difference between old Rivarossi steam and the 2 new ones.
I’ve a question. Will the all the Challengers come with the wireless DC throttle, or just certain ones?