Hi everyone. I know this topic hs been beat the death…but I am looking for poeples’ opnions as to the running quality…sound quality of the the Lionel Challenger. Also…how is it on regular DC as far as sound goes? Can you only control one function at a time? Or can you have multiple sounds at the same time?
Please be brutally honest and as specific as possible as I am thinking about purchasing a unit.
Thank you. Appreciate it.
Jim
Jim
The sound is multi channel and is good. You can blow the whistle and hear the bell at the same time, unlike the Trix sound. The chuffing sound is great and the sound simulates the in and out of sync sounds like that of an articulated engine.
Some of the problems from my point of view are: Poor detail, poor to fair running qualities, incorrect detail and the weight of the tender prevents the engine from pulling many cars.
The tender weight can be reduced by removing the lead weight in the tender floor, but the cast tender still is to heavy. It could be fixed by replacing the shell with a RIV or maybe one of the new Athearn shells. The tender shell has a vertical line running down each side that looks like a pipe instead of the row of rivets that should be there. That is the most detracting feature about the tender.
I am aware of several of these engines in my area and all have been poor runners when they were new. My front headlight never worked and the number board lights are done poorly.
The actual detail of the engine is fair to average for tinplate type, but the overall running qualities make the engine just acceptable. However, my thought is the Lionel Challenger will be worth the money at 250 or so like some of the dealers are quoting. I just read the engine is being offered for 199. At this price, it is worth the money for the sound and basic engine.
Contrary to bangert1’s opinion, I think the detail on the model is excellent, and it runs very smoothly. Perhaps there has been more than one version released, because mine is definitely not tinplate. The headlight, number boards, firebox, and rear tender light all work, and I have had no problems with the running qualities after it was properly broken in. Running it on DCC instead of DC may account for the difference.
Be sure to lubricate it according to the instructions in the packaging, because most locomotives made in China are not lubricated at the factory. My Challenger started squeaking and slowed down after a short period of running, and I had to take it off the track and lubricate it. This applies also to Athearn Genesis and Broadway Limited models.
Traction was initially a big problem with the Lionel Challenger. Right out of the box, it would not pull more than 4 or 5 pieces of rolling stock up a 2 percent grade without wheel slippage. Some type of very slick plating had been put on the drivers, and this had to be worn off before traction improved. Now, it can pull 25 loaded and weighted double-stack container cars or 36 loaded ore cars and caboose up a 2 percent grade with no wheel slippage. Because it is cast metal, it pulls much better than a plastic model.
I agree that the tender is way too heavy and puts quite a drag on the locomotive. It would pull much better if Lionel had used a plastic tender shell instead of metal. There is a weight in the tender that can be removed, but this has minimal impact on the overall weight.
The sound effects on DCC are excellent, as with all other models that use the QSI system. The volume had to be tweaked on the steam whistle, though, to get it to sound less harsh. The Challengers had a steam whistle that seems to be difficult to duplicate without sounding bad, and if the volume is left at the factory setting it is too shrill and tinny.
Tony’s Train Exhchange (http://www.tonystrains.com)
Hey thanks for the fast reply guys…what I was wondering in particular is…
I have a BLI 2 6 6 4 and I am wondering how the Lionel compares as far as detail, sound and running. Is the start voltage high just like the BLI?
Thanks again…and sorry to be a bother.
Jim
Just received email from Internet Trains: Lionel Challenger $199.98—UP-----D&RGW
for those shopping InternetTrains is down to the coal burning 3989. the rest have sold out in the last 2 hours.
The 3989 inventory is now minus one. [:D][:D]
I don’t know why I did it. I don’t even run UP. Guess I’ll have to use my modeler’s license [;)].
REX
So does anyone know if any other companies are or will be offering these at the savings? Or is it.com the only place?
Jim
It’s so cheap I may get one for the heck of it. It’d look good with my Athearn 3985…
According to the Atlas forum, internettrains is S O L D O U T!
Now all they have to do is F I L L all those orders.
JIm
I have both the Lionel Challenger and the BLI N&W A. They are comparable, but I believe the BLI engine is better, both in running and detail.
The Lionel certainly is a bargain at the prices they are going for now. When I first heard 239, I thought that was a bargain, but now 199. WOW!!! I did manage to get a Turbine for 199, but that might be high tomorrow.
I have tenshodo, Overland and Key Challengers also so my comments might not reflect the money spent on the Lionel product.
I certainly realize that my engine might have been the exception to the quality rule and the Lionel engine that Cacole received is much better than mine. The sound is good and the electronics in the engine makes it a bargain now. I also know that Lionel in general had trouble selling them at full price or discounted price and with their present problems, they decided to dump them. I like the Lionel engine in general even with what I consider faults.
I have seen the Athearn Challengers at a Train show, and I hope they run half as good as they look.
Enjoy the engine and let us know how you like it.
Thank you for your kind reply…but I can’t tell you how I will like it…I havn’t ordered it yet…and as I see most places have sold out. I guess I will have to wait for the second release. Oh well. Nothing gained…nothing lost. But with all i’m hearing.I may not order it even at such a low price. Guess I’ll have to get someone to give it to me as a present for X mas. ( Leans over to girlfriend and nudges her arm ).
Jim
Jim
Just because some are sold out, I am sure not all the engines are gone. It has only been one day and I know of at least two dealers where they can be purchased for the 239 price. I only heard of Internet Trains offering them for 199, but most are probably gone by now. Check Ebay also since many dealers use Ebay.
$288.00 on ebay
Jim
A dealer just emailed me that with prices of 249 for the Lionel Challenger and he still has a few.
Try this WEB site http://www.discounthobbywarehouse.net/
This is the Discount Hobby Warehouse Site in Illinois.
The Lionel Challenger is a true bargain at anything less than $300. Isn’t the list price $699?
I have two of Key’s Challengers that were built by Samhongsa and the Lionel sitting next to these looks pretty nice for 1/4th the price. Fit and finish and running qualities are first rate. While some feel the tender is too heavy I like the ruggedness and weight of both the engine and tender. I doubt that another opportunity will come along at this price for an engine that is this well built.
.
Really surprised that a place like a Decatur could beat out Trainworld and more surprised to find a Huntley at 12.5% lower on the P2K Berks.
Lionel has announded that they are pulling out of the HO market, so there will be no “second run” of the Challenger. The reason for this is supposedly two-fold: the Challenger didn’t sell as well as Lionel anticipated, and the lawsuit they lost to MTH. Athearn’s entry into the Challenger market may also have had something to do with their decision. Shortly after the courts ruled against Lionel and awarded MTH $40 million in damages, a new CEO was chosen by Lionel Corporation, and that may have something to do with it, too.
My mistake…I meant another delivery of the Challengers from Lionel…Not another production run.
Jim
Those SOBs ruined Lionels 3rd HO attempt! Arrrrggggggg!!! [:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]