MTH Imperial Union Pacific Challenger

I like the fact that I can use any DCS remote to access the all features and add more locomotives to my layout later on unlike LionChief.  I like Union Pacific trains because they are more suited to the look (region of the country) of the layout I have in mind.  If I don't find a U P locomotive, I might just go ahead and get a Pennsylvania line.

IMHO, you have made the right choice with Imperial series...They have some Premier quality and details but can run on 031...

I have a few articulated MTH Imperial steams and I find them to be the best value for the $. Good luck finding a Challenger. But as said before, it will be easy over $500 for PS2 and about $700 for PS3..Go for the best, you will not regret it... I hope

I think I have a used one under my train table. I will look tomorrow and let you know.

Did you do a search on MTH's website?

If you are looking for a new one the find it feature has about a half dozen dealers listed.  This is only as accurate as the info the dealers share with mth but I have found several items this way in the past.

Umm... what happened to some posts, got deleted??? Anyway, I looked into updating PS 1 to 2, it will cost me more than $100 and I really like all the features on the PS 3. so I think I would like just buy a train that already has PS3.

Yes jhz563, I looked on MTH website, Ebay, and on the internet but I'm hoping to find a really good deal because the new Challenger is away more than my budget. I already spent over $200 for a used DCS system and I still have to buy  a transformer and track. 

mg,

   I do like your original choice of engines however IMO it's just a little much for a beginner.  If I were you I would invest in a less expensive P2/P3 engine to start out with, as you indicated you still need to pick & purchase Track a good Transformer, which is a big expense in itself.  Unless you can pick up a good used P2/P3 challenger I would plan on picking that particular engine up a little later down the line.

If money is no object, then that is a different situation.

PCRR/Dave

Even FasTrack now is pretty expensive and a good modern Transformer is also.

Why is everyone trying to change her mind? Respect her decision and choice. Quit trying to tell her what she wants and if you have the engine she wants, chime in

I am sorry. I think I sold it at York in October.

MG, I have one of the original MTH Challengers from 1995 or so, which I upgraded to PS2 (not for sale).  It is a fine running loco, and you should have no fears about buying one. 

Mario's Trains has several MTH Challengers and he is a super guy to deal with.

http://www.mariostrains.com/in...amp;searchphrase=all

It is.  More than a car used to cost.  The articulated locos run at least $500 & up in RailKing DCS.  And they're about as cheap as one can go. 

mg,

   I am not trying to talk you out of your dream, in fact this is a darn good deal he is offering you.  I was however advising you to start smaller money wise, and add things a little at a time over a period of a time.  Most of us have built our layouts adding to them a little at a time.  Don't try to purchase everything all at one time, our hobby is not inexpensive.

PCRR/Dave

I don't comment on offer prices, but on the other hand differing from Dave, you won't be looking for something bigger and better.

Actually if you use the promotional code " MARIO30 " you can get $30 off any website purchase over $400 from Mario's this week and as always free shipping with any purchase over $200 so the PS 3 Challenger would come in  under $600.

Here's the link to Mario's current website promotion.

Glad to here you enjoyed the Train Show

Track isn't too bad to get started, fortunately the model you're after can run on any radius track. As far as power I would pick up a z750 or z1000 transformer brick.  You can cut the barrel end off and just use the wires or get a size M audio connection cable from radio shack and make your own jumper cable. It's plenty of power to get started and has a nice built in breaker.

As to the mth website I'm glad to hear you knew about that feature, since you're fairly new I just wanted to make sure you were aware of it.  I have a WM ps2 railking challenger but I don't think I could part with it - sorry.

Thank you everyone for the info and suggestions! Just to let you know, I just ordered my first O gauge train a MTH Challenger with PS3 and my DCS system is coming tomorrow by mail.

Now I need to find an inexpensive transformer, track, and rolling stock to get started.

That's great to hear! I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision. My first new train when I got back into the hobby was a Imperial Hiawatha and I'm still happy with it.

Just a heads up, That Challenger may show up tomorrow too, if you ordered it from where I think you did. They have some of the fastest shipping of anyone I ordered from.

MG You have e-mail

MG congratulations now that you have "entered the dark side" as some people refer to MTH trains and DCS, you'll want to familiarize yourself with your control system. So here's the link to the DCS forum... 

Congrats!  Just a suggestion on the transformer, try not to cheap out too much.  As you'll get more into the hobby, you'll likely want more power.  It is sort of cheaper to plan ahead.  Although, I started out with a small cheaper transformer and grew into a better one and it all works fine either way.  It would have saved me money though to get the better one right off the bat. 

Either way, enjoy you challenger!   Myself, I'm thinking about that new lionmaster legacy challenger since I have legacy control already and not DCS.

Agree with the notion to get a good power transformer now. Why do it twice or even three times for more money and end up getting what one should have got to start

with?

There are three most popular transformers out there that can be used to run locos conventionally and with the DCS system (Or legacy for that manner): There is the MRC Dual power, The Lionel ZW-L and last but not least the MTH Z-4000.

All are great units, get the best priced one and you will be happy. Good luck!

mg,

   I agree with the other men, save your money and purchase a good transformer,

at the very least an old ZW, with some breakers between the transformer & the TIU.

Remember to get Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion book, and the OGR Video Guide to DCS. 

Welcome to a great hobby.

PCRR/Dave

test.