[?][?] The retail is $699.00 and I just saw a couple for $279.00
A deal??? or what ???[?]
Should I jump on it ??? I have been looking to add to my BLI Hudson so it won’t be so lonely among all my Diesel’s.
What Challenger? Lionel’s? Anything under $300 is good for them. But lots of people, including me, have had problems with getting these locomotives to run correctly.
AggroJones
What was the problem ??? Since Lionel is BK I guess there isn’t a place to get repairs.
If you go to Lionel’s website they are doing business as usual. They are using BK to appeal the lawsuit judgement. Repairs, and products aren’t going to change for now.
http:\www.lionel.com
Tim
Some run with a uncurable limp. Some have chronic derail syndrome. The crank pin heads are oversized and snag on the rods when the engine moves. The tender is grossly overweight. There’s a thick molded on pipe down the center of the tender sides.
I’d recommend the Athearn Genesis. I hear its damn near perfect.
AggroJones
Thank you for the input. I did make the plunge and get the Lionel Challenger. I thought it looked soooo good in the UP gray & black. Thanks Tim for the Lionel web info.
It’s a little more comforting to know they will still be around.
Ken
Ken,
I have the Lionel Challenger and yes there is a heck of a derail problem with them. However, I was able to take care of this by going back over my track and repairing any track kinks or alignment problems. It is very picky about track and it must be near perfect.
Like all loco’s, I have noticed that the more I run it the smoother and more reliable it becomes. I haven’t had any more derails since I repaired my track. There is a Tech Tip at Tony’s web site that may be of some help.http://tonystrains.com/
For the price…what the heck. Its a very beautiful piece of equipment and adds a lot of excitement to your layout. I believe that if you use patience and work with it, you will get a lot of enjoyment from it.
REX
The Athearn Challenger does the same thing the Lionel Challenger for near half the cost. I personally have had it up to here with the challenger stuff but would probably buy the Athearn Challenger. If I was a challenger fan. It’s too bad the track must be perfect and the tender lighter among other issues.
A steam loco will fail over defects where diesels zip right on through. It’s one of the true tests
if your track is near perfect.
How right you are Chuck. I wasn’t aware of any track problems until I got my Challenger. Now I use it to check out all new track to see if I got it installed right.[:D]
Rex;
I just tore up all my 15 year old Atlas true track and have been replacing it with Kato.
I must say the Kato feels much smoother to the touch running my hand along the rails.
I wanted smoother running trains as I had trouble when I put a new AC4400 on my track and it derailed several times. I think the pre ballasted sections are going to help especially the new longer sections.Thanks to all for the advise & help.Great Forum!
I just went to Tony’s Trains web and downloaded the tech tips for the Challenger. Looks like I will be doing a little tuning. I still think it’s worth it. The price is too good even if I need to send it to Tony’s for the work.
It is so awsome looking and beautiful to watch comming from a tunnel slowly.
Yes it is! Mine’s finally arrived. My advice…ditch the Lionel and get the Athearn (that’s if you can get your hands on one?!)
Ian