Ya we'll see if MTH really has them available. They were supposed to be here in Dec.
Which ever one comes out first, weather its Athearn or MTH, I'll be getting the Challenger & FEF 4-8-4.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Motley I didn't know you had a Challenger Crandell, thats very nice! Can't wait to see the Challenger on your new layout.
I didn't know you had a Challenger Crandell, thats very nice!
Can't wait to see the Challenger on your new layout.
Thanks, Michael. I don't let it out much unless I am doing a UP week. I haven't had one of those in about four years due to 'moving on' with other themes and interests, including mastering the cloning brush and image stacking, plus the new layout. This image, for example, had neither cloning (smoke and steam, background repairs), nor the stacking when I took it about three years ago, but since then I have gone back and added the effects you see.
Crandell
Thanks again for all of the replies.
It looks like I can either get a Challenger and it might look a little silly going around 18" and 22" curves, or I can get another similar engine and have it still look a little silly going around the curves. My backup choice is going to be one of the Hudson engines made by BLI.
But as for now, if I wanted to keep my focus set on an engine very similar to the Challenger (4-6-6-4 wheelset), what are some other choices that I could have? As usual, I'd like it to be able to run on 18"-24" curves. Comments, suggestions, pictures, and videos are always appreciated! :)
Probably one of the former Mantua 2-6-6-2 'back road' engines is what would be somewhat better for you. They were for industries with tighter curves and not-so-pristine track where high speed passenger trains also shared the right-of-way. Check out trainworld.com and modeltrainstuff.com. Good prices, reasonable shipping, and quick delivery service.
Texas Zepher Here is the new Sunset NP Z6. It has Tsunami sound from Soundtrax.
Here is the new Sunset NP Z6. It has Tsunami sound from Soundtrax.
*drool*
I how hard would it be to take the over-done UP challenger and turn it into an NP/GN/SP&S challenger? I've never seen a side-by side of those two and their drive gear, etc.
UP 4-12-2Walthers/Proto 2000 has horrible parts support--go read the numerous threads about it on both the Atlas forum and the Atlas Rescue Forum
I've had a beef with walther's since I first dealt with them for parts. From what I've heard Proto 2000's part support was actually really good before Walther's bought them out. Also the availability was far better, and the prices of the Proto line was about 1/3 to 1/2 of what it is now before Walthers bough them (I think it's about 1/2 now). I got into the hobby just after Walther's bought Life-like.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Hey guys! The new run of the MTH HO Challengers is finally available. After owning one from the previous run for a few years, I purchased one of the new ones as soon as I saw it on eBay. I have loved the one which I have had so much that I changed my avatar to be a picture of the prototype when I got it.
For what it's worth, I run my current MTH Challenger on 18" radius curves at decent speeds with no issues and my curves aren't perfect. The only thing is that you will want to make sure there is enough clearance on both sides of the track since the articulation of the engine will cause it to swing out a bit. I currently own one of the previous run MTH Challengers and one of the previous run Athearn models. Let me tell you, once I got the MTH model the Athearn model has collected dust since. The MTH models cost more but they are so worth it, at least in my opinion. The sounds and especially the synchronized chuffing with smoke continue to be a thrill. I can't wait to receive my new one. There are more available on eBay if you're still interested and I'm sure they are slowly becoming available at other places. I have seen a demo online of the new Athearn model but it still does not measure up to the MTH in my opinion. Some things might be better on the Athearn but I will take the MTH sounds and the synchronized smoke over the Athearn Tsunami sound and separately purchased Soothe smoke makers which don't last long and sputter the smoke fluid everywhere. I didn't have good experiences with my Athearn model and those Soothe smoke makers.
Here is a link to MTH's demo of their Challenger:
http://www.mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/vid/80st12428v.swf
This is only my opinion. My suggestion would be to look these models up on youtube if you haven't already and form your own opinion. They are both great models.
Have a good night!
Thanks for the heads up. I really can't believe MTH finally released them. Now I gotta get me one. I have several MTH steam engines, and SD70Aces and they are all my favorite.
UP 4-12-2 Athearn did the Greyhound 4-6-6-4's in Genesis just a couple years ago. Also--to those who say they will never buy another Athearn due to the problems with a couple engines--I personally once said the same thing, and posted a similar ill-considered reply on the Atlas forum--and have learned my lesson since. Though some Athearns do not run as well as Atlas or Kato, they offer more engines by far than anybody else (Atlas doesn't offer HO steam, either), and many of them are truly among the best in the hobby. However, the simple facts are that Athearn has--and has always had, for my entire life--pretty much the best parts support in the business. To be vindictive due to a couple engines that they acknowledge were a "problem" and the manufacturer is long gone isn't going to get you very far. You will miss out on a huge number of fine engines only made by Athearn. Walthers/Proto 2000 has horrible parts support--go read the numerous threads about it on both the Atlas forum and the Atlas Rescue Forum
Athearn did the Greyhound 4-6-6-4's in Genesis just a couple years ago.
Also--to those who say they will never buy another Athearn due to the problems with a couple engines--I personally once said the same thing, and posted a similar ill-considered reply on the Atlas forum--and have learned my lesson since. Though some Athearns do not run as well as Atlas or Kato, they offer more engines by far than anybody else (Atlas doesn't offer HO steam, either), and many of them are truly among the best in the hobby.
However, the simple facts are that Athearn has--and has always had, for my entire life--pretty much the best parts support in the business. To be vindictive due to a couple engines that they acknowledge were a "problem" and the manufacturer is long gone isn't going to get you very far. You will miss out on a huge number of fine engines only made by Athearn.
Walthers/Proto 2000 has horrible parts support--go read the numerous threads about it on both the Atlas forum and the Atlas Rescue Forum
Yes I said I would not buy another Athearn and I have not. Athearn could have handled the problems with the gears with far better customer relations. That is why the boycott is still on as far as my bying.
They could have offered some sort of discount on another of their products, they could have entered into an agreement with NWSL for replacement gears.Or even a coupon for NWSL gear replacements at a discount price.
Do not forget that the problem was known and they were still selliing the locomotives.
As far as buying other steamers Bachmann Spectrum and BLI for plastic is now my choice.
Division Point and Sunset have helped me fill any vacancies in my steam roster which is mainly Canadian..
I also watch e-bay for any Canadian steam brass engines that I might want.
Adding DCC and/or DCC/Sound to the Brass engines is not very difficult at all.
In fact with acquiring the brass engines it is now part of the maintenance process, I kind of enjoy the tinkering with brass that is needed with them once in a while.
Do not worry that I may miss any great Athearn model locomotives.