An inanimate object has just whupped my butt. Finally ssent the Challenger back to the factory to let them worry about it. What appeared to be a perfectly great running loco decided to self destruct. Tiny pins flew out of linkagesand main crank on rear drivers broke off. I GIVE UP! Aren't these things supposed to bring us joy rather than anguish? Thank goodness I do have some really reliable steam.
I agree. I had loads of fun getting my GS4 to run again, I now have 2 spare decoders I won’t need, unless I buy another one? Or a Doctor Yellow.
I've learned that N scale steam really can be an exercise in futility at times. I will stay with the tried and true Bachmann 2-8-0 and a handful of others for N I think. Sorry you have had such poor luck with the Challenger.
Anguish at times apparently. No where near yours but I had the same kind of experience with some N Scale locomotives recently. That’s all I’ll say for now about my frustration. Since I don’t do Steam do you want to tell us who made it? Unless you already did, and I missed it. Best of luck.
There's no shame in throwing in the towel. Mechanisms and electronics have sure gotten more complex in recent years and a number of locomotives seem to defy repair, as if their designers failed to recognize that something might go wrong someday. Hopefully you'll soon receive it back on the interchange track and all will be well with it.
I wonder could this be considered one of those things that's "Right or Wrong with Model Railroading?" The first B-mann GS4's would literally tear themselves apart just running at slow speed around my HO layout. Never saw anything like it. I purchased two more (New and Improved) and the same thing happened. I sent them back and got matching sets. Eventually figuring out how to quarter and put them back together with the aide of small pin like drops of Zap-a-gap. I don't recommend it but it worked for me...for awhile. Had something similar happen to a CC Gs4. Sent it in and they were kind enough to fix it. Loping wheels and I wasn't happy with that. Don't get me started on Traction Tires. Hate them and the frustrations they cause me. So, What's Right or Wrong with Model Railroading? Oh sorry that's a different thread. Lot's of luck.
There is only one "modern" manufacturer of Challengers and that is Athearn. Athearn never refused or declined to help me with the problems. Their customer service people were helpful and got me the parts needed in a reasonable time. The problems just came back over and over. When I had my 1st issue the sales outlet where I bought it, one of Trainboard's advertisers, offered to take the unit back and send me a new replacement. Little did I know that there were QC problems with this run. I wouldn't throw them under the bus. I have 2 other units that have run for years from the 1st and 2nd runs of this locomotive. Even a Kato will throw a rod from time to time, but I have parts for them Kato.
They are fixing it in California. They have all the parts for standard black and Greyhound paint schemes.
I'm curious. Not being familiar with this model, are the drivers geared with the rods along for the ride, or are the rods and crankpins actually moving the drivers from another geared axle? One of the legacy features of N steam was geared drivers with 'fake' rods, but in HO it was common practice to power through the rods. N seems to be rather problematic on that approach when it's been done, and if it shed crankpins and rods it sounds like it's working or wearing them out under load.
There is one set of geared drivers and the rest are driven from the side rods. I have already limited my challengers to 15 micro trains cars or 7 Kato passenger cars. It is definitely working the side rods. My old ConCor Challenger and Big Boy would drag these new offerings all over the room!
Articulated models in particular are almost universally troublesome in N scale. Steam in N has come a long way, but there's much further to go.
I won't debate that statement! They look really great but the materials and drive train (not enough gear driven axles) are the problems IMHO. As an example, when the Greygound threw a rod on Monday night, a pin that was less then .025" OD and .080" long fell out and appeared to be chrome plated brass or copper, cut to length and "squashed" on the inside end with a pair of needle nose pliers. Mind you now, I found the "rivet", put it back in holes and flattened the inside head to put it back together. This type of assembly techniques are insane. Thicker parts and threaded holes with bolts, screws, and lock tight would make me happy. We are already paying older brass prices now. The photo etched valve gear that you are seeing today are just too flimsy. I treat my steam locos like prototype. Every once in a while you have to grease the side rods or they will absolutely wear down the pins. They are machines. Maintenance is just a fact of life with complex machines. You do have to clean the running gear occasionally to get rid of the fuzz and stray lint in the air but I would rather hold lube than run dry and wear off the plating.
