I´m very happy with my 2 LIONEL HO locomotives (Challenger and Veranda), all metal, and excellent QSI sound system, almost 100 hours running withour problems. Do you share that LIONEL must deliver new HO models?
Not likely. They have enough trouble in their own markets not to be concerned with HO where they have never made an impact. Most of the HO stuff they sold was made by others except for the very early “toy train” stuff.
Ya with their most recent bankruptcy (maybe 2-3 years ago now?) the HO line was ended.
They usually try to do HO every 20-25 years or so, I’m sure they’ll come out with something again around 2021 or so.
[:-^]
I can wait
I have those two also and managed to get the Turbine on the blow out sale. That sale really got Lionel into trouble with many of the LHS. The larger shops that had the HO Lionel on their shelfs took a big loss on the remaining stock. I can still point out to you today five Challengers at one of the larger stores than have not lowered the price.
The quality of the Challenger is OK, but not great. The sound is good for sure as I prefer the QSI over some of the other offerings. My first run of the Challenger required about twenty hours of work and breaking in to solve its problems. The tender was a lead weight sled and the front rod caps jammed on the Piston Laird slides on curves. In our club group, not one of our seven new Challengers worked correctly. Three were sent back and when they were repaired, they were a little better but not real quality. The rest were repaired by the owner to get the model running.
I would prefer Lionel stay in the O scale market and leave us alone if their so called quality is just so so, but they can do whatever. I will not purchase any. I have heard the second group of Challengers might have been better than the first, but I skipped the second ones. My turbine did come from the blow out sale for $180 so I did not complain about its short comings. Cheaper price makes up for problems.
On the other hand, the Genesis Challenger will run as good as a Trix or PCM Big Boy if you install a Zimo remove the MRC ( Mighty Rough Control ) junk ( read less than perfect). We have
Since we have a few years to wait until 2021, This brings up a new subject.
I read the lawsuit for the 40M loss was overturned and the whole process is now in talks again with MTH.
Anyone have any new information on this news???
Doc, I have one of the Lionel Challengers, the greyhound with smoke lifters, white and grey. It runs very well, although its drive is a bit noisy. I would rate its detailing as fair. Among all my engines, I would rate it the least detailed, only slightly better than an IHC steamer. If I wanted a detailed engine, the Genesis version would be it, but I refuse to pay at the same time for that execrable MRC decoder.
As far as retaining it’s value is concerned, I believe that Lionel does well. Try and buy a Veranda under 600 NIB right now on the famous auction site and a NIB Challenger went for almost 300 today, but I have seen them go much higher. I have a Challenger that I got rescently and although it isn’t my best steamer…it is a Lionel. They may not run as well as others, but mine runs pretty well.
Hi,
If you really hurry, there’s a guy on ebay listing a Lionel ho UP Challenger for $1275 buy it now, or if your in the market for a D&RGW version it’s only $1400 buyit now !!! LOL [(-D]
I do have 2 Verandas, which run and sound fantastic, and a Challenger, which sounds great, but runs less than ideal. I’m in the process of debating either to sell it or fix it. I have a Genesis which, mechanically, runs far better, but with MRC sound and control is crap. Don’t know which way to go yet.
As for them getting back into HO again, I don’t really care, there’s plenty of other manufacturers making quality stuff. That is unless they announce a 3 unit 8500HP Turbine, then I would really care a lot !!!
Cheers,
Warren