HO Challenger

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello, I´m going to buy an HO Challenger DCC. My doubt is: Athearn or Lionel? does anybody know which is better? Thanks, Jose Manago, Buenos Aires

2

the athearn challenger is on sale right now…the price was reduced at a lot of hobby shops because of overstock…lionel is getting out of the HO business so you may have a hard time getting parts for it one day…to answer your question …i don’t run steam engines…only diesel… but what i can say is that my entire fleet of diesel engines are athearn and I have had little to no problems with them (well some of them…the one’s that have hit the floor in previous operating sessions are not doing too good but that’s operator error)…

3

I can sleep with an Athearn on board so I bot it at $255.00 + shipping from
www.firsthobby.com
Athearn e-mailed me and said"they will warranty against defects provided there are no signs of unusual wear or customer abuse".

4

I go with an Athearn Challenger.

5

I was tempted by the Lionel but I ordered an Athearn… a long time ‘friend’ of model railroaders.

6

Over 50 years of manufacturing speaks for itself.

7

Soundtraxx Makes a DCC sound Decoder with the sounds for a Challenger taken directly from UP #3985. for those wanting sound in a Bowser or Rivorossi loco.

James.

8

I purchased the Lionel Challenger. Is superb, excellent sounds, best running, wonderful details, and the first, the sustantial weight. Metal is another thing, hold it in your hands, and feel the diference. Beside, I´ve listened the sound of the Athearn, and is very toylike. Bye.

9

I have a lionel and it’s detail is the best i have seen. but there is a thing or two you should learn about the lionel before you buy. look aronud this site the folks here are glad to help

10

They could have done better but “toy like”???

11

I’ve heard the Athearn. I’ve also heard a Rivarossi with the Soundtraxx decoder, which I am in the process of converting mine. The Soundtraxx beats the Athearn sound hands down…but I wouldn’t call the Athearn toy like. I’d say it’s sounds were…I don’t know…soft compared to the Soundtraxx. It still sounded good. Just not AS good as the Soundtraxx.