Challengers .. Arriving!!

From 4Nscale.com:


N Scale News 2/26 Athearn Challengers SOON to be in stock

​

- Pre-Orders will start shipping late this week​

- These will sell out​

mg: :shade:

 

Bring 'em on! My an-ti-ci-pa-tion has turned into an - ti - ci - pa - tion.

Ben

 

Can't wait to get this! They looked really good on the shelf at the Springfield MA show in January.

I hope this loco is a big success and will prime Athearn to bring out other models.

Dave

 

That's strange... the UP and D&RGW locos still have the UP licensing fee added to the price - $5.00 extra.

I thought UP decided to cancel the "royalty" charge.

 

Since I am not into Steam, I had not noticed all the FEATURES this loco will have/has:

from he 4nscale.com site:
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The N Scale 4-6-6-4 Challenger includes a history book and instruction book for quick reference. This stunning reproduction of the 4-6-6-4 Challenger is the result of a focused determination to accomplish one thing: create the finest operating miniature representation of the prototype available.

Giving life to all the details are authentic sounds that are channeled through a factory installed DCC and soundboard with speakers. The DCC decoder automatically senses what type of power supply is in use (conventional DC or NMRA compliant DCC) and adapts its functions. The modeler doesn’t have to do a thing.

Functions and sounds available to DCC users include:
- Bell
- Whistle
- Water injector
- Air release
- Blower hiss
- Fire box door
- Lighting direction
- Coupling
- Brake squeal
- Conductor’s voice
- Sand release
- Cylinder cock/flange squeal

A handheld wireless controller is included for use with conventional DC power supplies. With it, modelers can control six sound functions as well as speed and direction.

Key Features Include:
Boiler backhead with full detailing
Individually applied piping, valves, generators, etc.
Correctly operating eccentric cranks
Headlights and number boards with directional light change
Tender light
5-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels
Pivoting front and rear engines for negotiating 9-3/4" radius curves
Factory installed onboard sound and DCC decoder
Hand held remote control for DC operation
Blackened metal wheels
MicroTrains operating knuckle couplers installed
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So if I understand correcty - there is one sound equipped loco, it is smart enough to tell what type of power, DCC or DC it is on and it comes with a REMOTE control box for sound with DC ?

this could be major N scale breakthrough, IF it all works ! Neat !

 

At least one dealer acknowledges that. See:

http://www.nscalesupply.com/ath/ATH-challenger.html

Ben

 

Will the weeping begin or will they be a hit? I think a hit!

 

Here at the Island of Misfit Toy Trains... the likelyhood is that I'll get the one with the square wheels on the tender. I should start complaining now... so I'll have a head start. I'll start dusting-off another shelf for it... just in case... it disappoints. I prefer to be a pessemist... that way when thing go wrong... I won't be too disappointed.

 

If it does work, I guess I can stop working on the brass Challenger that's in pieces on the kitchen table... :rain:

 

Athearn adjusted their pricing before the model was released:

http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=4-6-6-4&CatID=TNLS

I adjusted my pricing soon after the UP announcement...which allowed me to lower the prices on the UP and DRGW models as well.

http://www.ksisales.com/preorders.php?PHPSESSID=1d2bdd3c9be9d324a6f71f0fd41ce41a

If you haven't gotten yours ordered yet, I still have a couple UP, D&RGW and CRR models coming in that are unclaimed, also I believe I still have one unclaimed undec model...The unclaimed models should be in stock on my website by tomorrow afternoon.

 

Yes they are in route here and should arrive Friday.
At this point we have plenty for stock.
However Deb has not given me the new reserves from the Portland/Dener shows so some I know will be lower than my memory.

 

Well there goes my "prototype freelance" plan again!!! With all these great steam locos coming out my roster will soon be a hodgepodge of EVERYTHING. I was supposed to model the N&W in West Virginiamg:

 

Get the Clinchfield verison, model St Paul...

 

:thumbs_up: hey, I didn't even think about that! Now I need to make up another excuse so I can convince my wife that I really "need" one:teeth:

 

Well that should be easy.... cite "Historical significance." ... (then duck! :lightning

:biggrin9xs:

 

Good photos are up on both Feather River and N Scale Supply for those interested.

 

we have delivery!!!!!!!
look great, sound great (changed from default whistle), run perfectly, pull well, we have a winner here folks!!!!!!!!

 

Hey James,

What's the going price of one these in Aus??