The September 2016 issue of Model Railroader is indicating the Challenger and Big Boys will soon be available. These models tend to evaporate within a couple of weeks from most discount etailers. Curious as to how many Trainboard members are in the market for these... specially with a discounted price close to $400 a piece.
Got 2 Y3's and an EM1 that's all the big steam for me. More into smaller steam, 2-8-0's and 2-8-2's and first generation diesels.
There's almost nothing that I NEED that costs $400...especially UP. However, sign me up for that AC-9 as well (actually I have the parts from Superturbine I just need to build it).
I'd like to see Athearn release "Big Boy" #4018. This magnificent steamer is now fully restored and is available to see in the "Museum Of The American Railroad" in Frisco Texas. http://www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org/ Staying cool and having fun with it...... Shades
Is this including the NP challenger that was announced some time ago ? Last I knew they were supposed to be out before Xmas . I ordered one of these and am planning on making a foobie WM challenger with it .
I've purchased these models each of the three times they had been offered before. I'm mostly interested in the Challengers... particularly the D&RGW one. I've got a few Big Boys as well... but... this time I will likely pass on them.
Sign me up for that AC-9 as well. I do have my B'man / Smith bash and it is nice, runs very well with ESU decoder. Just can't have too many large SP steamers. Carl
My main concern with Athearn' new renditions of the Challenger is whether or not they are going to make adjustments to the boiler and details to match the prototype locomotives for NP and the SP&S. If they are just slapping a name and logo for a UP prototype Challenger... I may not be inclined to get them. I like big steam engines... and particularly the articulated ones. I have purchased at least one copy from three manufacturers since their initial releases... except for the EM-1 by Bachmann. I really like the Intermountain AC-8,10,11,12 series. I doubt we will see any more 2-8-8-2 Mallet from Walthers. The Bachmann 2-6-6-2 could use a redesign too. Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
Just a quick question about their sound systems . They are supposed to come with Soundtraxx systems . In the previous releases has the sound been a full featured system , or have they been more like the Bachmann "sound value" decoder ? Thanx
The one I had with SoundTraxx decoder in it was a full featured decoder. That doesn't mean they are not using a value decoder this go-round.
If you check the Athearn website the very first thing in the features description is "Brand new locomotive and tender tooling" it then goes on to list an impressive amount of prototype specific details that will be included. I will be getting one NP unit for sure, and if money allows I may be weak and get both.
Well... I'm pretty weak when it comes to restraining the urge to buy... lol. So... if the NP versions are truly representative of the prototype... I'll probably cave-in like a poorly braced mine tunnel. Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
Thank you . I would guess they will keep the good decoder , I would really hate to have to replace another bargain basement decoder !
I was noticing the results of the poll tonight and was surprised as to how few TB members were interested in either of these models. Of course... At close to $400 a piece... the cost is likely one of the contributing factors to the lack of interest. I wonder how many would have voted to buy BOTH if they were offered for less than $200.00 each? HMMM??? The other factor is that these are pretty much western railroading specific big steam. I guess that a significant number of TB members would not be interested at just about any price.
