A comparison between Challengers

[AggroJones]

I keep hearing that the Lionel Challengers ,which weigh 31 oz without tender, can barely pull anything. You'd expect somthing that heavy to be powerful, but nope. If I were to jump in on one, I'd say the Genesis.

Even if the Genesis is plastic , stock it may have more tractive force than the Lionel.

And twhite, I'd be for a D&RGW or NP/GN 4-6-6-4 too.

[Anonymous]

I'm getting an Athearn Challenger. The Lionel ones are waaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced.

[Anonymous]

I'm getting an Athearn Challenger. The Lionel ones are waaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced.

[Anonymous]

I own one of the Lionel Challengers, but would not recommend it to anyone. The running qualities leave a lot to be desired and the detail is not accurate, but I like the sound and it is fun to watch it running. My Challenger had to be run on rollers for about ten hours to break it in and the model detail is way below average. The tender is a problem as they cast in a large line vertical running down the middle of both sides where a row of rivets should be. The engine comes with a weight in the tender in addition to the fact it is a cast metal tender and is allready overweight. You can increase the pulling effort of the engine just by removing the tender weight and lubricating the tender axles. Tony's Trains has a good article about improving this engine so it can pull more than eight plastic Passenger cars on a 2% grade. We had one on our club layout when they first came out and it would not pull eight cars up the 2% grade without help.

I also have a reservation for one of the Athearn Challengers, but the prices that are quoted are not street prices. I have reserved my Athearn Challenger for $350. If you look at list prices, you might not get the best comparison.

[Anonymous]

I own one of the Lionel Challengers, but would not recommend it to anyone. The running qualities leave a lot to be desired and the detail is not accurate, but I like the sound and it is fun to watch it running. My Challenger had to be run on rollers for about ten hours to break it in and the model detail is way below average. The tender is a problem as they cast in a large line vertical running down the middle of both sides where a row of rivets should be. The engine comes with a weight in the tender in addition to the fact it is a cast metal tender and is allready overweight. You can increase the pulling effort of the engine just by removing the tender weight and lubricating the tender axles. Tony's Trains has a good article about improving this engine so it can pull more than eight plastic Passenger cars on a 2% grade. We had one on our club layout when they first came out and it would not pull eight cars up the 2% grade without help.

I also have a reservation for one of the Athearn Challengers, but the prices that are quoted are not street prices. I have reserved my Athearn Challenger for $350. If you look at list prices, you might not get the best comparison.

[Anonymous]

James,

If I were a steam kind of guy I'd do it that way also!!!

[Anonymous]

James,

If I were a steam kind of guy I'd do it that way also!!!

[twhite]

Myself, I'm waiting for BLI or Proto to come out with either a Rio Grande L-105 or a NP Z-6. The rest of you can UP yourselves into a coma when it comes to a 4-6-6-4, but I never liked the looks of that loco, even when #3985 came here to Sacramento for Railfair, several years back. Besides, the UP Challenger was the lightest of its type ever built--97,000lb TE. Hell, they could have done the same thing with a 2-10-4, right?

[twhite]

Myself, I'm waiting for BLI or Proto to come out with either a Rio Grande L-105 or a NP Z-6. The rest of you can UP yourselves into a coma when it comes to a 4-6-6-4, but I never liked the looks of that loco, even when #3985 came here to Sacramento for Railfair, several years back. Besides, the UP Challenger was the lightest of its type ever built--97,000lb TE. Hell, they could have done the same thing with a 2-10-4, right?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by the-big-blow

Which are you more likely to buy?

A fully diecast Lionel Challenger for $699 MSRP
Or a plastic Athearn Genesis Challenger $599 MSRP

And the winner is.... Bowser!
Die cast locomtove kit $182.95
Super Detail Kit $ 91.95
Centipede Tender Kit $ 54.95
Total $329.95

and the best part is, I get to put it together my self. Any custom modifications I want to make are easier, and I also get to break out the airbrush and can choose my favoirtie paint scheme and number. And if UP doesn't fit my fancy, There is always D&RGW (2 types), Clinchfield, Western Maryland, Delaware & Hudson, Northern Pacific, and Spokane Portland & Seattle, if I so desire as well.

James

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by the-big-blow

Which are you more likely to buy?

A fully diecast Lionel Challenger for $699 MSRP
Or a plastic Athearn Genesis Challenger $599 MSRP

And the winner is.... Bowser!
Die cast locomtove kit $182.95
Super Detail Kit $ 91.95
Centipede Tender Kit $ 54.95
Total $329.95

and the best part is, I get to put it together my self. Any custom modifications I want to make are easier, and I also get to break out the airbrush and can choose my favoirtie paint scheme and number. And if UP doesn't fit my fancy, There is always D&RGW (2 types), Clinchfield, Western Maryland, Delaware & Hudson, Northern Pacific, and Spokane Portland & Seattle, if I so desire as well.

James

[Anonymous]

Hmm I would probably go with Athearn, Lionels challengers arent as prototypical. Now as for the Gas turbine they made I would have to pick it since no one else except the brass manufacturers have made one.
I havent had a close look at the athearn challenger to see if they have it with all the modern exscursion details, like the large water glass on the rearof the tender and the connection at the base of the tender for firehoses.

[Anonymous]

Hmm I would probably go with Athearn, Lionels challengers arent as prototypical. Now as for the Gas turbine they made I would have to pick it since no one else except the brass manufacturers have made one.
I havent had a close look at the athearn challenger to see if they have it with all the modern exscursion details, like the large water glass on the rearof the tender and the connection at the base of the tender for firehoses.

[Anonymous]

as I model in N scale I would be grateful to have a choice. If you look there is very little steam outline stuff available and I don't have room for an HO layout.

[Anonymous]

as I model in N scale I would be grateful to have a choice. If you look there is very little steam outline stuff available and I don't have room for an HO layout.

[krump]

for that kind of money ... I'm alergic to plastic.
besides I'd only buy a good quality product ... no rush, I'll wait til there is a consumer review - need time to save up anyway.

[krump]

for that kind of money ... I'm alergic to plastic.
besides I'd only buy a good quality product ... no rush, I'll wait til there is a consumer review - need time to save up anyway.

[Anonymous]

I agree with BJoseph. Support the companies that have stood by the HO scalers all along. I bought the grandson a Lionel G guage train set and now I can't get track or turnouts or anything for it. Look it up at Walthers, all Lionel G out of stock!!! Looks like Lionel moved into G to make a big score and when it didn't pan out they quit and left me and others with non supported G equipment. Now they are looking to do the same in HO and I'll bet dollars to donuts the end results will be the same. Two years from now you'll break a coupler and find Lionel don't make or support HO anymore and there are no spare parts. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. NEVER AGAIN LIONEL!!!

[Anonymous]

I agree with BJoseph. Support the companies that have stood by the HO scalers all along. I bought the grandson a Lionel G guage train set and now I can't get track or turnouts or anything for it. Look it up at Walthers, all Lionel G out of stock!!! Looks like Lionel moved into G to make a big score and when it didn't pan out they quit and left me and others with non supported G equipment. Now they are looking to do the same in HO and I'll bet dollars to donuts the end results will be the same. Two years from now you'll break a coupler and find Lionel don't make or support HO anymore and there are no spare parts. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. NEVER AGAIN LIONEL!!!

[Anonymous]

Depends, how each run, what the features are and where they are made. I would prefer to support Athearn if I can since they do more HO scale stuff. Even if you don't feel that they are the best locos to come out with you can't argue the fact that it is great for the hobby.

[Anonymous]

Depends, how each run, what the features are and where they are made. I would prefer to support Athearn if I can since they do more HO scale stuff. Even if you don't feel that they are the best locos to come out with you can't argue the fact that it is great for the hobby.

[the-big-blow]

Which are you more likely to buy?

A fully diecast Lionel Challenger for $699 MSRP
Or a plastic Athearn Genesis Challenger $599 MSRP

[the-big-blow]

Which are you more likely to buy?

A fully diecast Lionel Challenger for $699 MSRP
Or a plastic Athearn Genesis Challenger $599 MSRP