Athearn Challenger Info

[Anonymous]

Here is some information you might like to know about this duplicated locomotive. It weights 25.6 oz without tender (which is like the BLI A class, husky). It has one set of traction tires. And the lights are white LEDs. This in addtition to being as detailed as some brass. HA!

Its all staight from the horses mouth. Dude from Athearn told me.

My concern is they'll have the same gear axle issue as the 2-8-2 and 4-6-2. We'll see.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, BoRockhard. I'm looking forward to purchasing one of these behemoths. Your info is greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BoRockhard

Here is some information you might like to know about this duplicated locomotive. It weights 25.6 oz without tender (which is like the BLI A class, husky). It has one set of traction tires. And the lights are white LEDs. This in addtition to being as detailed as some brass. HA!

Great report. if an axle issue shows up, it's going to take hundreds of operating hours but then maybe never
The 2-8-2 came out in 99 and the 4-6-2 in 01.

[Anonymous]

has anyone heard when the challengers are expected to arrive? I had heard in Oct. but now its looking more like next month. sigh.

[Anonymous]

I wish I ordered one of these as opposed to the Lionel one. Its dissapointing and I don't recommend it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jjwest870

has anyone heard when the challengers are expected to arrive? I had heard in Oct. but now its looking more like next month. sigh.

Mine will arrive today via UPS from www.firsthobby.com

[cacole]

I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on developments to see if the Athearn Challenger has the same problems as their earlier steam engines with cracked gears, etc. before I consider purchasing one. I learned the hard way to not be the first person to own a newly released locomotive. I paid $650 for a Lionel Challenger, and that was a discount price at the time -- today they are selling for just over $200, and problems with them are cropping up.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on developments to see if the Athearn Challenger has the same problems as their earlier steam engines with cracked gears, etc..

But it took years for the problem to be posted.

[railman]

Hopefully, for the price it will be of high quality.

[mecovey]

I got my two today from Firsthobby. WOW - the sound is great, slow speed operation is phenominal and it walked off with 53 2 bay hoppers with no strain. I wasn't able to double head yet since they come set to channel 03 and I haven't had time to program..probably tomorrow. Recommend both the Athearn Challenger and Firsthobby very highly.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mecovey

I got my two today from Firsthobby. WOW -

Did you get the warranty/instruction card as specified on page five?

Appearance wise, this loco is stunning.

[Anonymous]

Got my order in from FirstHobby but there first shipment went to fill backorders, so I have to wait till at least mid November till they get the second batch from Athearn. [:(]

[MRTerry]

The Athearn Challenger is an all-new design, and both the engineering and the production were done by firms that were not involved with the Athearn Pacific and Mikado. I can't say with absolute certainty that the Challengers will be problem-free, but I'd be very surprised if the same problems turned up again.
Terry

[dknelson]

I seem to be the last to know things .. what was the problem with the Athearn Mike and Pacific? I do not recall reading anything in MR about a problem.
Now the old old Athearn Pacific, the Boston & Maine - I know all about the problems with that one! They actually tried rubber band drive at first, a total failure. But we are talking circa 1960 on that one.
Dave Nelson

[cacole]

Dave,

Cracked plastic gears was the main problem that has been reported with the Athearn Mikado and Pacific, due, evidentally, to the tight tolerances when the gears were press-fit onto the axle (or defective material). Athearn has reportedly ran out of replacements, so people who still have models with cracked gears are up a creek until some time next year, and their locomotives are deadlined.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Dave,

Cracked plastic gears was the main problem and their locomotives are deadlined.

And there's a lot of them still on dealer shelfs.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mecovey

I got my two today from Firsthobby.

You may be missing the warranty cards The vendor is contacting Athearn.
Everybody knows I'm a nutty when it comes to warranty plus a little spill over.

[EL PARRo]

How does the coupler on the pilot look? In all the pre-production photos I saw, the coupler stuck out too far. I'm just wondering if they fixed it in the final model.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EL PARRo

How does the coupler on the pilot look? In all the pre-production photos I saw, the coupler stuck out too far. I'm just wondering if they fixed it in the final model.

Strange.
Mine did not come with a mounted one but the manual states"model comes with the swivel coupler installed in the pilot.. The coupler on this part is a dummy. An operating coupler can be installed on the pilot".

The optional operating coupler along with box & mounting screw were enclosed in a separate package.

[Anonymous]

I've heard that the athearn challenger is using the atlas steam sound decoder not QSI. Anyone have any first hand experiences?

[Anonymous]

Jeff over at the the atlas forum "MRC, can you believe it? That's right my friends, it's the old $40.00 AD1627 steam decorder under the hood".

[cacole]

Athearn doesn't say what sound system they use, just that it is a "custom made sound system." Their Web site does not say it is a QSI system.

Atlas does say on their Web site that their Atlas Gold Series are using QSI sound systems.

If Athearn's is not QSI, then I would definitely want to hear one before I bought it. If it's based on the old MRC system and not the new one, it will be very poor quality sound when compared to QSI or SoundTraxx.