I can't tell you anything about the Athearn Challenger, but I do have a 2-8-8-2, albeit from the first (LifeLike) production run. This one actually will negotiate a 9 3/4" curve; admittedly, it looks weird when it does so....

"Bullfrog Snot" is a liquid traction tire you can apply yourself. you can google it or try this link:
http://www.amazon.com/BULLFROG-SNOT-Universal-Plastic-Traction/dp/B001NG2ECC

Not cheap but it works great!

Any model or brand of power pack will work as long as the regulated DC output is between 0 and 12 volts.
I recommend MRC power packs, they are much better than the "toy" ones that come with train sets....

About 35 years ago, when I was still modeling in HorriblyOversized, I had 2 locos with Seuthe smoke generators. A PITA to fill the oil into them, it looked real cheesy and lasted about 3 minutes before the oil ran out and you had to refill the blasted thing. Not to mention the mess.....
Leave smoke to the Lionel Tin-Plate guys.....

Quote from: johnTom on September 17, 2009, 08:29:42 AM
At one time didn't ATLAS and MP(model power) produce such a model as well ?

Tom

They did, in the 70's. I still have one and it actually does not not bad at all.....
The detail on the Bachmann is a lot better though as is the performance.

A MicroTrains 2004 will fix that coupler problem for ya
I got about 8 of them and they are great runners.....

Sometime this Century, I hope. I have already cancelled my pre-ordered ones. 
This is almost like a repeat of the Russian Decapod and Ten-Wheeler fiasco....

The "Master Railroader Series "  lettering was most prevalent (i.e on the front of the box instead of on the back) on the EARLY  (late 90's) Spectrum models to differentiate them from the regular Bachman line, which up to that time had been, to be charitable, less than spectacular. What you are seeing on ebay are most probably the early Dash 8's (the ones in the flip-top box with the cardboard sleeve) which are of SIGNIFICANTLY lower quality than the current production Spectrum Dash 8's.....

The first think I do when I get a new loco is get out the trusty old NMRA gauge and check my wheel spacing. (I found Bachmann is notorious for having out of gauge wheels - an easy fix and otherwise their locos are great, at least the Spectrum line.)  So check if all your wheels are in correct gauge. I have no experience with EZ Track switches, but I have found the the regular EZ Track is a little under gauge...I would recommend using Peco or Micro Engineering track. If you prefer sectional, Atlas isn't bad and if you want track with roadbed, I would go with Kato....

 The AEM7 is an electric loco used by Amtrak on the NE Corridor fondly referred to as "the toaster"  due to its odd appearance.....

You're more than welcome.

BTW, if you go to Mark Peterson's home page, http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/locos.html , you will find a listing and review of just about every locomotive out there. I always check his comments before I buy anything....

The "C" just means that the locomotive does not have a wide cab "CW". (Well actually the "C" refers to the 3 axle truck) The major difference is that a few years ago Bachmann upgraded both Dash 8 models. If the loco you have comes in a flip-open box inside a cardboard sleeve, you have the old (90's) version. If it is in a large clear plastic box, you have the current, LED equipped, highly detailed version with body mounted couplers. (the old one has truck mounted ones). I have several of each and the difference is like day and night. To make things more confusing, (and easier for unscrupulous dealers), Bachmann did not change item numbers when they upgraded. So when you buy one, you need to ask how it is packaged....

See also: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/bachdash8.html

That's a tough one. 4 digit Part  #'s usually are from the '80s and earlier...
Look for the degree of molded detail on the car. The more detail, the newer the tooling.. Also, check the lettering. Older cars usually had little more than reporting marks and crude dimensional data. If the car has a lot of LEGIBLE fine lettering, it is usually less than 10 years old. Another dead giveaway is the paint job. Older cars have that nice, thick "dip job" paint that looks to be about a scale foot thick , Model Power is particularly notorious for that, although Bachmann has a few beauties out there as well.....
Hope that helps.....

The problem is that Bachmann does not change items numbers as new, improved releases are issued, so model #s are not an indication of the age of the item being offered. For example, a current release Spectrum Dash 8  Santa Fe   (very good quality) will have the same model # as a late 90's Spectrum Dash 8 Santa Fe (not quite as good, but still decent). Older Bachmann locos, particularly the Standard (Or "Trainset") versions are notorious for their less than stellar quality, especially  if they are more than 10-15 years old. On ebay, for any older Bachmann loco, as long as the seller is willing to pay for shipping, I would not offer more than 50 to 75 cents....Again, that would be ONLY if the seller pays for shipping, otherwise I wouldn't bid at all

Bachmann Trainsets usually have names on the box ("Explorer", Empire Builder", Centennial", etc..) that would help narrow it down. But with a 4 digit model #, it would have to be a quite old trainset. As for current value, since the locomotives and cars in trainsets are usually at the lower end of the quality spectrum, and older Bachmann locomotives have, to put it as kindly as possible, had major quality issues, (The current releases are very good, especially the "Spectrum Line", however anything more than 15 years old makes an excellent paperweight at best) I would say $10.00 - $15.00 would be a fair estimate..