I explored a new hobby shop this weekend and came across 4 of these brand new in the box. I asked the guy what he wanted for one of them he told me $200 takes it home. He also proceeded to tell me that he heard that they are going to be re-released in the near future, is there any truth to this? Is $200 to much?
I think I picked mine up on eBay for about $150 in 2005. Walther’s MSRP was somewhere around $240 when the item was still being produced. I have heard that Athearn Genesis is planning on doing one sometime this year but I don’t know anymore than that. I will probably sell my Rivarossi to get the Genesis one when it comes out. I would much rather have one that has sound and DCC installed. The Genesis Challenger looked alot better than the Rivarossi Challenger and runs very nicely. Therefore I would think that the new 4-8-4’s would be the same.
K-10 trains (LHS) has the same engine for $189.99 but said to stay away from them. He is replacng his with a athearn when he can get one. I am holding out for one with sound as well.
Cuda Ken
Thanks for the info guyz.
The later production version (can motor in the boiler, RP25 flanged wheels) is the one to get, in my neck of the woods you aren’t going to get near a new or decent conditioned used one for that price. If you decide yo buy it you’ll be getting a smooth, quiet runner with fair to middlin’ details. My brother has one and it’s been trouble free from day one.
Walthers had these on sale for $120.00 last year. I got mine for $150.00 right after they came out. $200 is way too much.