http://mywebpage.netscape.com/SoundGk/MTH_Challenger_Tender.jpg
(MTH Clinchfield Prototype shown)
The Tender.
The photo’s I have of the model and even that set of fantastic pictures at Nuremberg Toy Fair just do not do the detail justice. Simply stunning to say the least and fairly accurate as far as rivet counting is concerned. Lot of brass detail parts on the tender such as grab irons , steps , ladders and piping. Coal load is realistic but a bit shiny. Lettering is very crisp and the small cast plate is quite easily read though as expected writing is small. It simply states Common Standard Tender class 25-C-103. Marker lights are accurate and the reversing light is also correctly mounted and looks the part. Even has the auto stoker housing sticking part way out the front of the tender under the footplate. Moulded on detail is good and does not appear clunky or to thick. The detail on the lead truck and the centipede section of the tender is very well done although care would be needed in handling the tender. Some of the detail on those parts is very fine plastic and looks like it would break easily.
Wheels are a scale 1 and 11/16 to small over the treads. Wheels measure out at 1.247 inch over the tread Should be 1and 5/16 This is the correct size as fitted to the centipede tender which were 42 inch wheels
Gauge is all over the shop as well with the worst being 1.524 inch Best at 1.555 Back to back. Adjustment is not easy but careful tapping of the axle centre with a small brad hammer will be able to get them into gauge. Some slight wheel wobble was also evident with one axle and wheel set being fairly bad. Flange thickness is not semi fine scale but quite acceptable. The wheels are heavy and hard. Tender after lubricating the axles rolls extremely freely.
No way will this tender go thru a Outback #4 turnout or the C1600 Double curved turnout. The centipede section gets to much side load on it and there is a heap of side play on the centre axles as it is.
MTH Challenger Review Part 2
The engine arrived on Wednesday (A separate story in and of itself involving Aussie Customs) and after taking it out of the box I stood back for about 20 minutes just taking it in and touching this and that. Just admiring the whole thing. Again I was struck by the attention to detail with many parts made from brass and those parts that were moulded to the body, not clunky in any way The sheer size of it conveys the might and power of the prototype . Especially when with the tender attached, it took up the almost entire length of our, not small, dining room table.
Then I started looking in detail and noted the entire pilot section was cast metal. No flashing anywhere to be seen Cast detail on the pilot is crisp and clear right down to the cross hatching on the step plate in front of the smoke box door. In looking in the cab I noted the back head is very well appointed with the usual array of valves and gauges and such. There are also two figures seated in the engineman / fireman position in not unnatural pose . The cab windows on both sides slide open and shut. Lettering on the locomotive is crisp and clear and the U.P Herald on the Smoke box door is exceptionally so. As are the builders plates with all the writing clearly legible even if needing a magnifying glass to read it. There are the same concerns I conveyed in my review of the tender however. These detail parts are of a fine nature and as such convey the need for careful handling.
One annoying aspect was that both number boards were snapped of, as was the bell knocked out of its mount. (I have contacted MTH on this and they will be sending me replacement boards) I tried reglueing the broken part of the number boards. Unsuccessfully. Whatever the plastic is, it will not stick Selley’s 5 minute epoxy. After the other boards arrive I will experiment with some MEK and see what happens.
All the valve gear and side rods are metal and again are not clunky in anyway. The side rods I not
I own one of these too . I like it alot . Their are a couple of things however that are disapointing . First my USA GP38-2 easilly out pulls it . It seems that the rear set of drivers do all the work . I wonder if there is a way to measure how much of the total locomotive weight is carried on each set of drive wheels . My guess is that the rear carries most of the weight. Next watch out if you back a heavy train with this engine . Once I did and the drawbar somehow came off between the engine and tender and when I went forward the whole train was being yanked around by the electrical cord . Of cource this happened when the train was out of sight and I didn’t notice the large gap . It probably went around the railroad a few times . At the time I was pulling all 6 of my USA streamliner cars at 10 pounds each . Now the sound cuts in and out and I lost both my marker lites and backup lite .Gotta send it back to MTH to repair the cord and socket . I really like the "proto 2.0 system however . Its a real must in my opinion . I like the record / playback function alot. You can record up to 90 minuites of operation and play it back once or loop it to continually run all day .All the bell , whistle , direction , speed ,etc. will be recorded and allowed to repeat itself . This is real nice when you have company and the railroad seems automated to stop at the station , etc. Anyway I really can’t wait to get it back cuz it is really my favorite loco to play with . Just some thoughts on my engine.