Vision Line Challenger #3985

It's easy to get caught up in the storm of negativity that the internet provides and lose perspective on what is important to you.  Congratulations on focusing on your own joy and not succumbing to the anguished garment rending of those who have developed a finely tuned ability to see the worst in everything that Lionel does .  Enjoy your loco, and may it be problem free (like the vast majority of purchases most of us make).

Has anyone spoken to Lionel about whether or not the sound can be changed to an articulated one? 

I got mine last week like you I don’t plan to be discouraged about the sounds. Here’s a short clip at home. So far I think Lionel did great on quality control on these engines. I was not impressed with QC on the UP 4 pack 21” cars but that is now water under the bridge and this is a great addition to any collection 

Good looking train zachariah. I really want to know if your new challenger has the kinematic coupling between engine and tender.  Does it? Thank you. 

It sounds like an articulated steam engine with the drivers in symmetrical postions (like it is)...

I am waiting for mine...  hopefully here thisweekend!

Oh brother, here we go again.  T minus 30 seconds until thread deletion. 

FJI posted:

Has anyone spoken to Lionel about whether or not the sound can be changed to an articulated one? 

You need to call them???? They stated if you are not happy they will do their best to make it right remember this is Vision Line

zhubl posted:

I got mine last week like you I don’t plan to be discouraged about the sounds. Here’s a short clip at home. So far I think Lionel did great on quality control on these engines. I was not impressed with QC on the UP 4 pack 21” cars but that is now water under the bridge and this is a great addition to any collection 

I appreciate you sharing the video. Awesome look into what my setup will look like. This loco and passenger set is the reason I was drawn back into the hobby after nearly 20 years. So for all the good/bad/could haves, this set is a W for me and those in my circle because they are not associated to the hobby because of this. (Not all bad Lionel).

T4TT posted:

Good looking train zachariah. I really want to know if your new challenger has the kinematic coupling between engine and tender.  Does it? Thank you. 

It does not, I was looking forward to see how that would look on a bigger locomotive like the challenger (I also kinda forgot that it was going to have it). I suppose they were just unable to get it to work right. 

OK, Got my Challenger today. Tried to register it on the Lionel web site and it says it's not under warranty. I guess the didn't update the web site. I hope nobody has to change a traction tire. They give you a hex nut tool to change the tire but it looks like you need a allen wrench to change the tire. Otherwise it look nice, it's a heavy engine. and they give you a knuckle coupler to put on the front. Now I can double head it with the Big Boy. I could only go back and forth on my layout. I'll have to wait till I get to the club to give it a real workout. I hope the traction tires hold out.

Jim D

Jim D posted:

OK, Got my Challenger today. Tried to register it on the Lionel web site and it says it's not under warranty. I guess the didn't update the web site. I hope nobody has to change a traction tire. They give you a hex nut tool to change the tire but it looks like you need a allen wrench to change the tire. Otherwise it look nice, it's a heavy engine. and they give you a knuckle coupler to put on the front. Now I can double head it with the Big Boy. I could only go back and forth on my layout. I'll have to wait till I get to the club to give it a real workout. I hope the traction tires hold out.

Jim D

I noticed that too on the traction tires… I’m not too worried I’ve rarely replaced traction tires. The only locomotives I’ve replaced tires on is the 6-11131 Legacy 844 and 6-11208 LM Big Boy. My vision big boy is still going strong, as well as my 1st run Challenger I picked up last year. 

Zachariah thank you for letting me know that there is no kinematic draw bar. Enjoy your new Challenger!

T4TT posted:

Oh brother, here we go again.  T minus 30 seconds until thread deletion. 

I laughed so hard at this...  be positive, its still up...

Jim D posted:

They give you a hex nut tool to change the tire but it looks like you need a allen wrench to change the tire. Otherwise it look nice, it's a heavy engine. and they give you a knuckle coupler to put on the front. Now I can double head it with the Big Boy. I could only go back and forth on my layout. I'll have to wait till I get to the club to give it a real workout. I hope the traction tires hold out.

You're not actually telling us you don't own a set of Allen wrenches, are you?

I had to go out to my shed were I have my big roll around tool box. I found an oddball allen key that fit. While I was doing that the bell fell off and I lost it and a piece of piping came off the bottom and I don't know were it goes. I'll have to wait till I get to the club and look at someone else's engine to see where it goes. I put it back in the box before something else happens to it.

Jim D.

Good plan.

Nassau Hobby’s Exclusive WM Challenger is in stock and shipping now!

Have there been any sightings of the Rio Grande green boiler Challenger? I would like to see one 

I'd say it turned out excellent. Right now, I'm considering the 3985.