athearn challenger

[Daylight4449]

okay, can anyone tell me if it is any good and if it runs on dc?

[Hunt]

It is OK if you don't get one from the first production run. Suggest you test run before you buy.

It does run on DC and a small handheld wireless controller is included for use with DC power. The handheld controller controls speed and direction but only six of the sound functions. 

It is better to run the locomotive on DCC.

Many of the model's roadnames are now discontinued. Check the Athearn website.

[grumpy]

I happen to have a recent  Athern Challenger with DCC and Sound .I purchased it from Trainland and is one of my favourite loco's. It ran well right out of the box with no adjustments . All the turns on my layout are 18"  and it looks good going around the turns. The whistle is good but the steam chuff  leaves something to be desired. The parked sounds are good and the slow speed chuff is excellent but as you increase speed the chuff becomes less and less distinctive. I am sure this can be adjusted but I am using EZCommand and can't do it - wouldn't know how if I could.
Don

[Daylight4449]

can you run it on dc with a bachmann spectrum magnum power pack

[Hunt]

... and the slow speed chuff is excellent but as you increase speed the chuff becomes less and less distinctive. ...
Don

It is by design it works that way.

[Mark Damien]

The whistle is good but the steam chuff  leaves something to be desired.
Don

Don,
You can change the CHUFF SOUND TYPE - there are five or six to choose from. They range from tinny to terrifying.
Have a look in your instruction manual. I am away from home at the moment, so can't look it up for you.

I have four Athearn Challengers, & am very happy with their performance.
They run particularly well on an MRC BLACK BOX , as do Tsunami fitted locos. NOTE : You cannot run NON-DCC locos on an MRC BlackBox It gives you access to all the sounds but pumps out the same power as a DCC controller, so is unsuitable for DC-only locos.

I have noticed Athearn Challengers & Big Boys occasionally get confused & must be reset.
This is a rare occurrence & symptoms include remaining stationary & chuffing. A reset is quick & easy, so your should not feel too alarmed about this rare trait.

The NON TRACTION TYRED driver set is available from Athearn for around $10, plus postage. This will reduce the Braking effect on tight curves  caused by the traction tyre.

[Daylight4449]

i have heard it will run on 18 inch radius, cool!

[SteamGene]

It wiil, looking like a hippo on a balance beam.  (This is not just the Challenger, but the C&O H-8, the N&W A and Y classes and the USRA light Mallet.  Just because something CAN be done, doesn't mean it should be done.
Gene

[Daylight4449]

so untrue, I've seen videos of it and it is beautiful. can't wait for one in January, i need it seeing as my inner mainline rises 3 eights of an inch for every 9 inches of track and my prairie pulls maybe 3 passenger cars up the hill.

[SteamGene]

And the radii of the track in the videos?  I have 30" curves and I could make a Challenger look at least okay on them.  But 18" - lots of overhang.  Now, if you want to locate a video which shows an Athearn Challenger looking good on 18" radius, send it on. 
Gene

[Pacific Northern]

i have heard it will run on 18 inch radius, cool!

If your layout has 18" curves and you really want on of the Athearn Challengers go for it. It is your layout and no one elses. Sure a wider radius would be nice but some of us have to make do with smaller layouts.

[rogertra]

And the radii of the track in the videos?  I have 30" curves and I could make a Challenger look at least okay on them.  But 18" - lots of overhang.  Now, if you want to locate a video which shows an Athearn Challenger looking good on 18" radius, send it on. 
Gene

Gene.

Keep in mind there are "model railways/roads" and then there are "toy trains". 

Snobbish?  Maybe.

Nuff said.

[Daylight4449]

Just hope they still make it in january.

[Pacific Northern]

[[/quote]

Gene.

Keep in mind there are "model railways/roads" and then there are "toy trains". 

Snobbish?  Maybe.

Nuff said.


[/quote]

Are you implying that those forum members who have smaller layouts  requiring the use of  18" radius curves are of the toy train class and only those who are fortunate enough to have the space to use large radius curves are the model railroaders?.

Snobbish? If that is what you are implying, then most certainly

Perhaps Model Railroader needs another level added to the forum for us Toy train enthusiasts?.

[Daylight4449]

okay, please don't fight as i don't want this forum going down the same road the Thomas and friends one did. i can't fit much on my table but i don't consider myself a toy trainer i think of myself as a limited modeler. i wan't this for pulling the heavy freights up devils loop which has a huge grade. I will also get a spectrum consolidation or decapod for the express.