QUOTE: Originally posted by jwaldo Besides, I need a challenge from a challenging challenger [:p] If it keeps me happy and busy for a day or three it's good [8D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon QUOTE: Originally posted by jwaldo While I can't say I've built one from a kit per se, I HAVE disassembled a steam loco for cleaning and reassembled it... Besides, it can't be that hard! *has a vision of himself sitting at a workbench for 5 years staring at a pile of parts* [:0][:0][B)] I notice you neglected to let us know if it would still run afterward. [:D] Sorry 'bout that. Just kidding. As for degree of difficulty, it depends on the loco. The Bowser Challenger would be a challenge if you haven't actually built a kit loco before. Andre
QUOTE: Originally posted by jwaldo While I can't say I've built one from a kit per se, I HAVE disassembled a steam loco for cleaning and reassembled it... Besides, it can't be that hard! *has a vision of himself sitting at a workbench for 5 years staring at a pile of parts* [:0][:0][B)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by jwaldo QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon QUOTE: Cool :) Although all I see in that picture is a red X [xx(] If they include the tool all is well. *adds the Bowser kit to his holiday wish list* [;)] Sorry. Hopefully this is better: http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/center-punch/BCX33. Andre It is :) Is the loco diecast or plastic? If it's diecast that will work strongly in favor of me getting it... [}:)] No one in my family likes "plastic toys [:(!]"
QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon QUOTE: Cool :) Although all I see in that picture is a red X [xx(] If they include the tool all is well. *adds the Bowser kit to his holiday wish list* [;)] Sorry. Hopefully this is better: http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/center-punch/BCX33. Andre
QUOTE: Cool :) Although all I see in that picture is a red X [xx(] If they include the tool all is well. *adds the Bowser kit to his holiday wish list* [;)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1 The Athearn looks great in the pictures, but I do not expect it to pull well either, because of the Mikado they sold me several years ago. It has a great drive train built by Samhonsa, but it is very light weight. I have the Athearn on reservations just because I want to try it.
QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon QUOTE: Originally posted by jwaldo I believe the reason the Lionel Challenger pulls so little is it's dragging that 1 1/4 pound tender! [:0] One of the guys in my local club has one, and he plans on putting a plastic shell on the tender to lighten it... That Bowser kit looks nice, I wonder how it runs? And as far as riveting, it's not so much that I don't know how to install pop-rivets, as where the heck do I get a pop rivet tool thingy! [B)] You don't necessarily need a special tool. I've used a narrow center punch like the one on the far left of this picture and a small ball peen hammer on a hard surface. However, this method is prone to splitting the rivet flange unless you're very careful. However, all is not lost. Bowser includes a riveting tool in their kits. You can also buy it separately. http://www.geocities.com/budb3/arts/meth/rivet.html Andre
QUOTE: Originally posted by jwaldo I believe the reason the Lionel Challenger pulls so little is it's dragging that 1 1/4 pound tender! [:0] One of the guys in my local club has one, and he plans on putting a plastic shell on the tender to lighten it... That Bowser kit looks nice, I wonder how it runs? And as far as riveting, it's not so much that I don't know how to install pop-rivets, as where the heck do I get a pop rivet tool thingy! [B)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso Bowser, more tractive effort than any other HO scale Challenger, fun to work on, parts readily available. You get them on ebay for a good price too. Get the new skew wound DC71 motor from Bowser (they take trade-ins of the older DC71 motor), and use a 3 amp decoder - remember it pulls like an O scale locomotive, thus it uses power like one too.
QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite Banger1: 32 cars and you had to do all THAT? Funny, my Rivarossi Allegheny will do that and more up my 2.4 WITHOUT traction tires, and my BLI AC-5 does that and more regularly, just out of the box. Maybe, like the UP prototype, the Lionel Challenger just isn't built for grades. You guys out there ever think about that? UP and their piddly little 1.5% over Sherman Hill? Maybe Athearn and Lionel are trying to tell you something--THE CHALLENGER IS NOT A HEAVY-DUTY FREIGHT DRAG ENGINE! At least not those little 97,000lb. TE UP jobs. You want pulling power? Get yourself an AC or a Yellowstone! The UP Challengers were never designed to be drag engines, but a higher horsepower/speed replacement for the 4-12-2's. Both engines had essentially the same starting tractive effort, but the Challenger was good for roughly an additional 1000 HP. As for the Allegheny, it was also a high horsepower engine misused as a drag engine to haul coal and cost about 80% more than a Norfolk and Western A for a mere 1200 HP increment. The Y-6B. Now THAT was a drag engine. Andre
QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite Banger1: 32 cars and you had to do all THAT? Funny, my Rivarossi Allegheny will do that and more up my 2.4 WITHOUT traction tires, and my BLI AC-5 does that and more regularly, just out of the box. Maybe, like the UP prototype, the Lionel Challenger just isn't built for grades. You guys out there ever think about that? UP and their piddly little 1.5% over Sherman Hill? Maybe Athearn and Lionel are trying to tell you something--THE CHALLENGER IS NOT A HEAVY-DUTY FREIGHT DRAG ENGINE! At least not those little 97,000lb. TE UP jobs. You want pulling power? Get yourself an AC or a Yellowstone!