So, for those that have purchased one, what are your thoughts about it? Thinking of getting one and was curious what people think of them. Thanks for any comments. :tb-cool:
Howdy, I got one about 3 weeks ago. I'm very new to model trains so my opinion is worth very little. But I really like mine and have had no problems at all with it. It offers several choices for some of the sounds, like chuff, but I can't hear much difference. Definite difference in the whistle choices, the default seems a poor choice. Most all the reviews/comments about I've read are very good. I have no use for the DC control. The box is very impressive. Regards, Jim
I have had mine since March. A 1 model! Pulls well, runs well, and the sounds are nice. I have no complaints at all. I am dc however so I dont know how well the dcc mode works. Jeff
I got my Challenger when it first shipped. I am extremely happy with it. I am using mine running on code 80 rail, using old-fashioned DC (the Challenger includes a wireless remote so you can operate the chuff, bell and whistle sounds on old-fashioned DC). It has very nice detail. My ran very smoothly, including nice low speed performance, with almost no break-in. It pulls very well for an N-scale steamer. I have some very tight curves, including lots of 11-inch radius curves and even some 9.75-inch radius curves, which my Challenger is able to track. Some folks who have used theirs on Atlas code 55 have reported issues with the flanges of the non-driver wheels. This is a problem for which Athearn has promised a solution (I believe it is a way to swap the small non-driver wheels for a new set with lower flanges). I am not familiar with the details of this problem or its promised solution; I am just writing about it here in case you have Atlas code 55. Carl
I have 2, both are beautifully detailed, and run like a fine Swiss watch on DCC. I love mine, and wish I could afford more! You won't be disappointed!
Just like everyone else, I love mine. However I do have one issue with it which I think may be more of just a manufacture defect. The slow speed operation on mine isn't worth pooh! I'm using DCC on Kato Unitrack, with minimum tight 11inch curves. All runs well as far as following the rails, but I just cant get it set for good slow speed movement. (Just trust me that I've tried everything from CV2-6 to speed tables). I have not started the the work order with Athearn yet, however when it first arrived the left letter board was absent. I e-mailed Athearn and the part arrived not more than 3 days later with no questions asked. So if that type of service/response time happens when I get around to the big issue, I'll definitely be making note of outstanding service to all. To buy or not to buy? BUY!!
Athearn will exchange the tender and non-drive axles for the "code 55" friendly versions. I'll never know why they went that route in the first place, but at least they offered a solution. All of the second release engines are supposed to have the upgraded axles. No issues with mine either. Some minor issues have been reported here and there, but for the most part very good results. Now if I can get off my lazy butt and change out the wheels for the lower profile wheel sets.... Oh, I think the biggest complaint was that Athearn left the nose shield blank on the UP versions. I added a custom decal that a gentlemen on another board made and kindly offered. After adding it, all is right in the world again.... :tb-cool: Brian
One of the best detailed, running and pulling steamers I've ever had. Only complaint is as someone pointed out is the decoders lack of slow speed control when running on DCC, on DC its great. I'd have gladly paid an extra fifty dollars or so if Athearn had gone with a decent decoder like a Soundtrax Tsunami instead of the cheap and nasty MRC one, but I guess an extra fifty bucks for something you don't need wouldn't go over too well with the guys who run DC. P.S. Anyone got their replacement wheelsets back from Athearn yet?
I like mine i run it all of the time no issues or problems (unlike the MRC decoders in my AC4400CW's)
When I open the throttle it takes off like a jackrabbit compared to DC, others have had this problem also. I would be great to see and hear the loco slowly get a long train moving out of the yard or slogging up a grade but it goes from straight from 0 to 20-30mph and loses all the effect. The Tsunami IMHO has better articulated sounds with the exhausts going in and out of sync as they would with a simple articulated like the Challenger. When I get my wheels back from Athearn I intend looking at the new smaller Tsunami.
check your voltage at the track, this loco on DCC likes to operate in a 12-14v world, and in that area, they will crawl. if you voltage is too high, add a regulator to your DCC system, or even just a resistor to lower voltage.
I'll do a bit more experimenting when I get my wheels back, my Challenger's been sitting in it's box since June, hopefully when Athearn get the new Challengers they'll also get the replacement wheelsets.
Not on mine... blank plate :-( (no picture, but yeah) Does Athearn have a "fix-it" part out for this?
That's great news. I was thinking of getting another one of the UP's when the second run comes out. This makes the decision a little easier. Thanks for the pictures. Brian
Not sure what the issue is with the no slow speed. Mine has great slow speed not a single issue since I purchased it. SD
I really like mine, but I do have a few minor issues with it. I use mine with a Digitrax Zephyr and the slow speed control is OK, but not great. I do think that some people that have really bad slow speed control may have more voltage on the track than the MRC decoder likes. According to the manual, you can adjust the top speed of the engine with CV5, but that did not seam to have any affect on mine. I ran mine on DC some just to see how it did and it ran fine, but I could not find any way to mute the sound while running on DC.
Thanks to all of you for the responses. I picked one up last night. can't wait to get back to Atlanta and put it on the test track
