Which is the best!!!!

[Virginian]

How important is the sound to you? I don't own one, but I have seen both, and the Athearn looks and runs excellent as far as I am aware, but the sound isn't close to a QSI system in quality.
There is a BIG price difference between your two choices, does that matter to you? You could probably get a Challenger, a basic DCC system, and a Soundtraxx module and come out even. I have three of the Athearn smaller steamers, and I think they are excellent. Yes, they need some weight added (easy), and one did suffer a cracked gear (since when has that been a unique problem?) which I fixed (somewhat difficult), but they are great engines in my opinion. Built by Samhongsa, who are by no means slouches when it comes to steam locos.
The newer Rivarossi Challengers aren't bad either.
All I can say is I have seen the Big Boy, and it is a very nicely done model.
I sound really matters, go with a QSI system, or plan to add Soundtraxx AND DCC.
I know you didn't ask, but I have to do it. If all I wanted was one really, really good big steamer, and I didn't want sound, I would sure look very, VERY hard at the Proto 2K 2-8-8-2. For under $200 for the undecorated one from Trainworld you can't go wrong. And you could add sound if that matters to you. The newer P2K with sound are a different version of the 2-8-8-2, so you may even like that better.
Good luck with whichever you go with. I'm N&W, so I had a real easy decision on the BLI Class A's.
PS- I think 30" radius is plenty big enough for the biggest steam. Really serious overhang problems only come into play with brass models which are articulated like the real thing. The plastic or die cast models have two swiveling engines so it isn't bad at all. I have 2-1/4" spacing and nothing has ever hit.... yet.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the other advice given here. All I can say is that I ran Marklin for 35 years before switching to two rail DC. Marklin quality (as far as runnig and construction) is some of the best in the industry. The locos are machined metal with some plastic detail parts.. Precise and very well crafted. There was never any of the "tweaking out of the box" to get the stuff to run. The locos I bought ran consistently well for many, many years. I have my first Marklin loco (It is forty years old and still runs).

The downside to their gear was that it wasn't overly detailed, wasn't always to scale and suffered from some toy- like compromises for running and operational effieciency (most notably deep flanges). From what I can see of the Big Boy, they have fixed some of those issues. I left Marklin just before they offered the Big Boy because they didn't offer enough US prototype.

I agree with the others, go run both of them yourself, (No flaming here) IMHO the Trix/Marklin will have the better quality....The real question is do you want a Big Boy or a Challenger??? BTW you can beat the $650.00 price tag by several hundred dollars if you look around...

Guy

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trucker boy

I'am fairly new to the forum but I got a question for you guys between the Athearn Challenger and the Trix Big Boy put out by Marklin. The reason is this is my first big steam loco and I want one that is pretty high up on quality. ... Any comments on them would be most helpful thought that this would be a nice little christmas gift for myself...

Clinchfield all the way!!!!!

Well if you model the Clinchfield wouldn't you want a Challenger? I mean the UP is the only road that had Big Boy's.

From the ones I've seen at the club they are both models excellent. We do have one member is going to take the sound out of his Lionel and put it into the Trix. Others have complained about the sound of the Athearn unit but I doesn't sound any worse than any of the others I've heard. The Ahearn Challenger hasn't really been out long enough (less than a month) to uncover any long term operating problems has it?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others, don't rush into it. Try a Broadway Limited or a P2K as they are both very high quality, and available with QSI sound for use with DC or DCC.

Good Luck
Greg

[Anonymous]

Even with your 30" mininmum radius you will have to watch centerline distances on double tracked curves. I've got an old Rivarossi Challenger that has quite a big overhang on a curve both at the front of the boiler and at the cab. I have a 24" minimum radius but have to run the challenger on the outside 26.5" radius. I have a 30' minimum radius helix and the challenger will clip longer equipment if ran on the inside track. This track is also spaced on 2.5" centers. Tunnel portals, platforms, etc. placed near curves are also places to watch out. BTW for my money I would have to look at LL P2K's articulated steamer. I think it can now be had with sound.

[cefinkjr]

trucker boy:

Since you sign your posts "Clinchfield all the way", I wouldn't think there would be any choice but to go with a CRR Challenger. The bad press the Athearn Challenger's gotten would make me pause though.

BTW: You might want to go to http://www.wiringfordcc.com/. Somewhere at that site you'll find some info on the owner's HNXT -- a free lanced road based on the Clinchfield.

[BRAKIE]

The best approach before buying ANY BRAND of locomotive is to check the locomotive out for yourself instead of reading somebody else's likes or dislikes.Now remember that locomotive needs to PLEASE YOU and nobody else.
Now I agree that a 30" curve is large enough for any articulated steamer or long wheel base diesel..

[cacole]

The Athearn sound system isn't as good as a QSI used by other manufacturers such as Atlas, Broadway Limited, Lionel, and Proto 2000. I have read bad comments about a poor quality sound system used in the Trix, too, so if I were you I'd go to various Web sites and read about these engines before making a decision, and try to find some way to listen to both, either via the Web or in person, before making a purchase. I don't know about Trix, but the Athearn sounds were available on the MR Web site last month. I own the Lionel Challenger and am very satisfied with its sound, except the whistle, which required a lot of tweaking. After hearing an Athearn, I will not consider buying one of them. I have never heard the Trix -- it's too expensive for me to even consider.

[Anonymous]

With 30" radius you shouldn't have a problem with any articulated steamer. I own the Rivarossi FEF-3 like Chuck and Fergie and I agree with them it's the best of the Rivarossi line. As for the Athearn Challenger, I've been looking into this model as well as the Trix Big Boy. Instead of paying $650.00 for a Trix Big Boy, why not buy a Rivarossi Big Boy instead? Much cheaper, and if you get the latest run they run just as well as the Trix's.

[Anonymous]

Well with 30" radius I think you need to check your clearances before you throw money at that big boy.
Would hate to smack a wall or scrape along when the boiler swings out on a turn.

[Anonymous]

"Thanks I appreciate the advice"...... In reguards to the track radius I' am running 30" track radius with that I kinda leaning towards the Athearn Challenger. In the MR magazine 2005 they show the challenger it looks very impressive there no way I will be able to pull 100 cars with it on my layout but I can get 45 cars on it with no problem. "Again Thanks for the comments and suggestions."



Clinchfield all the way!!!

[Anonymous]

If sound is an important feature to you check the video clips of atheren challenger and its Mrc sound against any {lionel Challenger just to name one }qsi equipped loco.I think you will hear the difference.To me the atheren sounds weak and cheap.But as allways that is the beauty of this forum everyone is entitled to there opinion and thats where you will find the best answers to many questions,in the difference between the replies you recieve.

[Fergmiester]

Since your new, you might wan't to apply the brakes and slow down. Too many times we read about someone regretting a purchase because they rushed into it and didn't check out what else was available. On looks alone the Challenger and Big Boy are good lookers.

But consider this what is the minimum radius of your Layout? a Challenger can handle a tighter radius. Big Boys need a lot of room.

Sometimes it's hard to see the Roundhouse from the Engines

I'm with Chuck on this one as I own an FEF-3 and Allegheny as both are excellent engines and are highly detailed. I too own a Proto 2000 Berkshire and that is one good running and operating engine.

Just remember the bigger the ngine the bigger the headaches

Regards
Fergie

[Anonymous]

I own the Challenger, bot it in the fire sale and my very first Athearn. I run DC so I can't enjoy all the added DCC features, but the remote & DC limited sound are an added bonus.

I also own the pricey Riv Allegheny and side by side the locomotives have more similarities than differences.

I also own two P2K Berks, two Riv FEF-3s and would buy the Athearn again.

You should also read MR Jan 05 Challenger review. The 2-8-2 was produced by a different manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

You would do well to search the forums the athern challenger has had some pretty mixed reviews.Most of what I have read has been about the sound system.They use a mrc system that from the members likes and dislikes doesn't seem to rate very high compared to qsi or soundtraxx. I have read however as far as the detail goes that it is a beauty.I will tell you this from what I read on this forum I did not buy one.Atheren to me allways seems to try to find the cheapest way when producing steam as was the case with their 2-8-2 and all it's problems.As far as Trix and it's big boy $650.00 for one engine outside of a very limited run {brass} is to high for my blood.Welcome and good luck if it's answers you seek .This is a great place to find them.

[Anonymous]

I'am fairly new to the forum but I got a question for you guys between the Athearn Challenger and the Trix Big Boy put out by Marklin. The reason is this is my first big steam loco and I want one that is pretty high up on quality. Not to put down either one of the manufacters, they both make excellent models besides most of my locomotives are made by Athearn any way. Any comments on them would be most helpful thought that this would be a nice little christmas gift for myself...


Clinchfield all the way!!!!!