Bob Thon Challenger

WOW!!!!!

One very impressive locomotive, 50" and 60#. You are lucky to have it and thanks for posting the pictures and information on it. I had no idea there were things like this out there.

Believe me, I didn't either.   I'm learning a lot.  This whole "Modern Era Standard Gauge" universe is very exciting.  Not so much the big manufacturers as the small, limited-production shops or just a few copies handcrafted.

Bob said he's going to start on another Challenger and should have it ready to "lug around" in a couple years.  

She's a beauty. Very well done.

What's this Modern Era Standard Gauge you speak of? Tell me more!

ARNO

i'm not into standard gauge but i'd love to have this loco. what a fantastic loco. you are very lucky to score that.

Let me just say, this is one of the best, if not THE best, looking Challenger I have ever seen. It just doesn't get to look like this with a rattle can and a file. Bob Thon has forever been evolving the look and operation of the Challenger. But it takes someone like David with the skills and patience to follow it thru to the end result.

ARNO

Okay, here we go, a pile of parts fresh from painting.

at this point we're committed to the project, there's no going back.

And a couple days later, here's some sub-assemblies coming back together:

I hope I found the right green for Great Northern.  Southern Railways also had the green, gray, and orange; but it was a lighter green.  GN seems to have a dark olive green, and I'm hoping this is going to look okay.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Arno!

david

Hojack

Is Bob Thon still producing items? If so, how do you get in touch with him?

I still have a few details to work on; the number "4000" needs to go on, under the cab window, and I've got some ideas for a coal load in the tender, and a few adjustments.  In general the decals came out okay, the tender sides were difficult because of the rivet heads, but patient use of the decal solvent solution helps them conform.  So here's how it looks now (click on photos to enlarge):

WOW!  Gorgeous engine and fantastic paint job. Truly one of a kind. Congratulations on owning and painting this beaut. How long until we see a video of it on your excellent layout?

That looks awesome hojack and I am with Rob, please post a video when you get a chance.

John.

Rob, I sure it's just a matter of time. I heard the train crew was out on the tracks clearing the main line. They haven't had that size a locomotive on the HHC RR since the GG-1 hit the rails. The maintenance engineer had to put in a couple work orders to move a semaphore or two and there was a cow too close to the rail. All should be good to go soon.

I can't wait to see it run either.

ARNO

WOW!  Nice job!  What a beauty.  I just wish I could convince Bob Thon to make me the parts for a Milwaukee Road Mallet!

Bob

HUH??

Okay, here she is:

Standard Gauge 4-6-6-4 Challenger,

made by Robert Thon - Robert's Lines trains, c. 2011 I think;

finished as Great Northern #4001 by myself this year 2014;

pulling a drag of 9 coal hoppers and a caboose made by Red Forney in the 1980's.

Somebody's going to ask, so the curves on the outside loop that she's running on are both 84 and 72 diameter traditional tinplate tubular track curves.  Most of the curves you see the train going around are 84's.

You see the train climbing the layout's 2% upgrade on one side and the same 2% down on the other side of the layout.

Long may she run.

Many thanks for posting the video, Hojack. I just watched and it made my morning!  

It looks great hauling the Forney hoppers and caboose. My favorite part is watching it go past the 840 power station - it makes that large structure appear pretty tiny!  

I'm sure it will provide you many hours of fun! Thanks for sharing it with us here.  

She looks great traversing the layout. I heard some locals express "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore".

Rob, after seeing this, does this mean you need more Forney hoppers?

ARNO

WOW!  That's spectacular!

Is it my eyes or is the rear drive unit articulated too?

beautiful locomotice and layout!

Fantastic video!  Now if only that Great Northern Challenger was a Milwaukee Road Mallet, that would really be special!

Bob

I did think about how much I want to try to get that JAD GG-1 running at some point.  I hate to see it just sitting there not earning its keep.  Oh, and a few more Forney hoppers would definitely be a nice addition at some point. Do you know where I might find some?

Rob,

Just for the record, the GG-1 is a John Daniel's Railway Lines product, not JAD. Yes, John was a partner in JAD, but it was a partnership. The GG-1 and heavyweight cars he did on his own.

As for Forney hoppers, I might have a few more. You'll have to hit me up at York next April.

ARNO

Andy, both of the motor units pivot under the boiler, so they articulate in that sense.  They gotta, to make the curves.

The Forney freight cars really work out well:  they are big enough to hold their own, but they are also remarkably lightweight.

Thanks to all for your kind comments, and Bob, I hope one day you get your Mallet!  Also I want to send my real appreciation out to Bob Thon for all his work, and all his kind support in getting me up and running.  And to Arno for setting it all in motion by introducing us, and encouragement along the way.

Rob, get your GG-1 going, and if you ever have reason to come through northern Vermont, bring it along.  We'll do laps.

Arno -- thanks for the info on John Daniel's.  I have much to learn, but that's half the fun! Forney hoppers or no Forney hoppers, a visit to your table is already on my agenda for April York.

Hojack -- thanks for the invitation -- you never know, maybe I'll get to your neck of the woods someday.  In the meantime, I'll focus on layout work and the many projects on my "round-to-it" list.

The snow melted here enough to show some green grass, so I lugged the Challenger outside to get some better photos in better light for Bob Thon.

Looks good in any light. Bob should be proud.

ARNO

A work of art..poetry in motion.