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I can't wait to see it, but my Challenger is drifting around USPS for a day and a half since the last scanning.

The YLB Battery 10510 arrived from Henning's today, August 9, 2019.  The engine was to arrive yesterday.  Post Office thinks maybe Monday, not sure, maybe.  It is :in transit to next facility."  Not sure which facility that is.  It is out there somewhere.  It ain't here.

John Rowlen

I just received my Vision Line Challenger on Tuesday, and the locomotive appeared to be excellent, but nothing in the tender works. I'm planning on calling Lionel on Monday to get it fixed, and maybe add the articulated sounds. So I have a couple of questions about this whole situation.

Would the articulated sounds sound somewhat like this? Shown below is the product overview video on the 2014 Vision Line Big Boy:

Also, by no synced smoke, does that mean the sounds be out of sync from the chuff, or the smoke unit function like on the Vision Line Big Boy is excluded? This would help me decided whether or not I'd want to change the sounds.

Peter Araujo posted:

I just received my Vision Line Challenger on Tuesday, and the locomotive appeared to be excellent, but nothing in the tender works. I'm planning on calling Lionel on Monday to get it fixed, and maybe add the articulated sounds. So I have a couple of questions about this whole situation.

Would the articulated sounds sound somewhat like this? Shown below is the product overview video on the 2014 Vision Line Big Boy:

 

Also, by no synced smoke, does that mean the sounds be out of sync from the chuff, or the smoke unit function like on the Vision Line Big Boy is excluded? This would help me decided whether or not I'd want to change the sounds.

As information, the real Union Pacific "big three" steam locomotives (the 4-8-4s, 4-6-6-4s, and 4-8-8-4s with the twin exhaust stacks) do NOT alternate the smoke from the front stack to the rear stack, as shown in that video. More Lionel fantasy.

 

Alabama Joe posted:

I started this post because I was pleased to hear Lionel would add the articulated sound.   Again, thanks to Lionel.     This thread was and still is, intended to be positive and informative.     Positive that Lionel is correcting the problem and informative to anyone who may want to send theirs to Lionel.    If you want to whine, start your own thread.         

Yes, Lionel always stands by their product and keeps me happy...  if I ever have issues they try and make it right...  im thankful for that, and keeps me BTO.  

Things happen, be happy, run trains...

Peter Araujo posted:
romiller49 posted:

Evidently the smoke will stay as is since there’s only one smoke unit.

But would it be synced with the new sounds?

It won't change even if the sounds change. I think that may have already been said early in this post. Some have stressed that it would be nice to have as the Big Boys, which I'm sure most would agree would be a good feature to have, but it is not in the cards with this particular engine as stated.

What is your strongest sense? …  Sight or Sound?

Mine is sound, so the articulated sounds is important.

If your strongest sense is sight, then you may want to leave the Challenger as manufactured.  "A puff for every chuff."  (Sounds like a political campaign slogan.)  

Frankly when the engine reaches speed step 64 and above, the smoke is just pouring out of the smoke stacks.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:
Peter Araujo posted:
romiller49 posted:

Evidently the smoke will stay as is since there’s only one smoke unit.

But would it be synced with the new sounds?

It won't change even if the sounds change. I think that may have already been said early in this post. Some have stressed that it would be nice to have as the Big Boys, which I'm sure most would agree would be a good feature to have, but it is not in the cards with this particular engine as stated.

So that means no alternating stacks, right?

Peter Araujo posted:
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:
Peter Araujo posted:
romiller49 posted:

Evidently the smoke will stay as is since there’s only one smoke unit.

But would it be synced with the new sounds?

It won't change even if the sounds change. I think that may have already been said early in this post. Some have stressed that it would be nice to have as the Big Boys, which I'm sure most would agree would be a good feature to have, but it is not in the cards with this particular engine as stated.

So that means no alternating stacks, right?

Start at the top of this topic.  Your answer and some that will come up.  The complete nuts and bolts have been discussed.  Now it’s pretty much opinions.

Laidoffsick posted:

That is correct. Putting the correct sounds in this engine is NOT going to change ANYTHING else.

I see. Then I would like to see both before and after before I make up my mind to send the trains. I have seen people say their trains had more problems after it went to Lionel. 

BTW I finally got a replay back from Lionel (Aaron) asking me to call and give them the info to start the RA. Got the replay back yesterday. I guess they are reading this.

sahan posted:

I see. Then I would like to see both before and after before I make up my mind to send the trains. I have seen people say their trains had more problems after it went to Lionel. 

Given the fact that the sound boards are pretty accessible, and they don't need to remove anything but the boiler top and the tender shell, this should be a relatively easy change.  Sadly, you do have to ship the whole works in as there are sound boards in both pieces.  Anything can happen, but this may be one of the safer fixes.

Shawn_Chronister posted:
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

One of the guys I talked with on FB is happy with his as is. I told him that it is good as he likes it as it is and that I would be getting the sounds to match the prior VL offering. We both will enjoy our engines the way we want to and that is a good thing.

Well isn't that nice lets put that on every public board we can so Lionel will never have to own there mistakes and can just keep producing substandard products at outrageous prices.

Shawn, before talking what I had said above I had told him that he could send it in to Lionel to get the same sound as the first VL Challenger. He said he was fine with the sounds, who am I to tell him he's wrong, that's his choice. Others had posted there as well talking about changing the sounds like most of us here are wanting. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Guys, the driver issue is pretty easy to fix.  If you don't want them "in sync", just remote the single screw holding the articulated power truck on, slide it forward and rotate the drive shaft link to a new position, slide it back together and put the single screw back in.

The sounds only Lionel can fix, and obviously they're going to do just that for folks that send them back in.  Sure, it would have been nice if they were fixed when they had them all apart, but that ship has sailed.  At least they are going to make it right.

Hi John,

To adjust the drivers to be out of synch, does the boiler shell need to come off, or is this done from the underneath the engine?

Thanks!

gunrunnerjohn posted:
sahan posted:

I see. Then I would like to see both before and after before I make up my mind to send the trains. I have seen people say their trains had more problems after it went to Lionel. 

Given the fact that the sound boards are pretty accessible, and they don't need to remove anything but the boiler top and the tender shell, this should be a relatively easy change.  Sadly, you do have to ship the whole works in as there are sound boards in both pieces.  Anything can happen, but this may be one of the safer fixes.

I saw someone comment that his train came with all scratches after it was sent in to Lionel, so was wondering if it was worth the trouble. Don't want shipping damage or bad handling.

Pitts posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

Guys, the driver issue is pretty easy to fix.  If you don't want them "in sync", just remote the single screw holding the articulated power truck on, slide it forward and rotate the drive shaft link to a new position, slide it back together and put the single screw back in.

The sounds only Lionel can fix, and obviously they're going to do just that for folks that send them back in.  Sure, it would have been nice if they were fixed when they had them all apart, but that ship has sailed.  At least they are going to make it right.

Hi John,

To adjust the drivers to be out of synch, does the boiler shell need to come off, or is this done from the underneath the engine?

Thanks!

Unless the design of the running gear has changed, you shouldn't have to remove the boiler top, just slide the front engine forward after removing the screw and rotate the drive shaft coupling to a new position, then put it back together and screw it in again.  You do have to remove the hook from the main frame, and be careful not to lose the dished washer and spring, or you'll have to fish them out and try again.

hclarke posted:

Like I said, it's no big deal for me.  I'll check it out and then decide.  Lot's of trains to play with in any event.

Harold

 

I decided to play with my other trains while my Challenger and 2 sets of my Legacy ALCOs are in.  I kept thinking that at some point down the road I might regret not having the sounds updated.  Just a preference or recognition of my self diagnosed OCD.  I would have wondered every time I ran the Challenger.  Oh well, 4 weeks and the family will be together again.

I will add, beautiful engine.  Don't regret the purchase 1 iota.

John Rowlen posted:

I keep coming back to this thread hoping to see a video of the new Challenger with the articulated sound that Lionel is putting in the Challenger when buyers request it.  Does anyone own a sound-revised Challenger that can post a video with sound?

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Check back in a month.      Mine arrived at Lionel on Friday.   

The sound files are specific for the Vision Line engine road number.  I wonder if my Greyhound #3977 will come back with a generic sound set, but with articulated sounds?  It would be nice if Lionel posted what the sound update would and would not do.

It has to go in because the Ground Motion Light above the Engineer side rear drivers does not light.  I thought these Challengers had been inspected.  I know my Hanes underwear is.  For what I don't know.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I don't think that would change. Whatever sound bits they need to remove from the engines should be the only thing coming out and be replaced by the ones we are all wanting. I'm sure that none of us expect to hit the crew talk and hear chickens instead of the specific engine number being called out. I would imagine that wouldn't ever be the case.

John Rowlen posted:

The sound files are specific for the Vision Line engine road number.  I wonder if my Greyhound #3977 will come back with a generic sound set, but with articulated sounds?  It would be nice if Lionel posted what the sound update would and would not do.

It has to go in because the Ground Motion Light above the Engineer side rear drivers does not light.  I thought these Challengers had been inspected.  I know my Hanes underwear is.  For what I don't know.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Spoke with Katie who was extremely helpful in solving several issues. She said they have not been told yet as to what the update entails in terms of new crew talk specific with articulated sounds vs if it would be a throwback to the earlier Challenger sound files. As she did not know, she did not state either way. I do appreciate her honesty! 

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I don't think that would change. Whatever sound bits they need to remove from the engines should be the only thing coming out and be replaced by the ones we are all wanting. I'm sure that none of us expect to hit the crew talk and hear chickens instead of the specific engine number being called out. I would imagine that wouldn't ever be the case.

After all the flap about the non-articulated sounds, can you imagine if they came back with the wrong cab number in the crew talk?

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gunrunnerjohn posted:
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I don't think that would change. Whatever sound bits they need to remove from the engines should be the only thing coming out and be replaced by the ones we are all wanting. I'm sure that none of us expect to hit the crew talk and hear chickens instead of the specific engine number being called out. I would imagine that wouldn't ever be the case.

After all the flap about the non-articulated sounds, can you imagine if they came back with the wrong cab number in the crew talk?

John, are you saying people may get the chickenline Challenger? Now that I thought about it some more, I still think whatever the swap is that those particular sound files would have to be in there, crew talk and all.

I looked closely under bright light at the two Work Lights/Motion Ground Lights on the Engineers side of the Challenger tonight.  The right front Light socket has a yellow LED in it that gives white light.  The other socket in the rear has a gray interior and has no sign of the yellow LED.  No wonder the light fixture does not give white light.

This engine was inspected and has a label on the box.  Did they inspect the engine?  Or did they inspect the box?

I am very disappointed with this engine.  I had to tighten screws on the front end cow catcher assembly underside because it hung down when I put the engine on the track.  A front railing on the porch assembly was also out of its post.  The power plug to the tender was also out of its socket because the wire lead was very short and wrapped in a tight bundle of wires. It must have vibrated loose during shipping.  I was able to pull a little more gray cable and plug it into the tender power socket.

This 1931250 Greyhound Challenger #3977 is beautiful.  It will look perfect pulling my 21" Challenger Cars that I detailed with Presier people that I painted.  I am beyond frustrated.  Good night.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Last edited by John Rowlen

I think that Lionel did a great job on the detail of the Vision Line Challenger and Big Boy. EXCEPT. Why are the marker lights on the tender lit in red? In fact, why are there marker lights at all on any tender? In all the videos I have looked at, I can not find any marker lights that are lit in red while the train is in operation.  Maybe if the engine is running without any cars, or as a pusher, they might have turned on red marker lights on the tender.      

This also brings up another issue I have, why are  classification lights always lit in green? My understanding was that classification lights were clear or white, and were turned on only when special circumstances existed. "Green. Indicated that, while the train displaying the lights was a regularly scheduled one, a second section was following behind it. " White was used only if it was an extra train, not shown in the timetable. 

When Lionel, MTH and others advertise a prototype correct engine, I wish they would discontinue marker lights on tender and correct the classification lights. Yes, I know that some roads had marker lights permanently installed on tenders, such as the Penn, but most all others did not use marker lights on tenders except is they were pushers.

Ray

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