Bob Thon Challenger

Spectacular. Fantastic livery, great paint!

Trainlover160 posted:

What an amazing locomotive. Thanks for sharing all the pics and the video. You got me drooling. How did Bob feel when he found out the engine was painted was he okay with that? I bet you if MTH/LCT built this none of us could afford it. I couldn't see this coming out for Less Than 3 Grand!!!

Joe Gozzo

MTH did do that articulated years ago but I've never heard of anyone owning one.  2-8-8-2 wasn't it?

Hello Articulated ones ...

Bob Thon is very talented and has built a wide variety of trains over several decades and is just completing Challenger #116 ! 

MTC had  listed in their catalog ..(unknown date) a Mallet ... John Harmon may have built the prototype..

please see the link below for it's most recent sale last September ..

https://new.liveauctioneers.co...ae-2-6-6-2-prototype

Cheers Carey

Below photo of MTC prototype from auction ...and my favorite Bob Thon  ( Robert's Lines) train ( 1 Gauge)  the Burlington Zephyr that Bob designed and had built in Korea (1989)  . ( General Trains  streamliner  standard gauge..two rail)   behind (1933-4)

Hello articulated ones  ( part 2) ...at the same auction ..there was a Big Boy  by Bob LaDuke ....4 motors count them..

Cheers Carey

PS ..these were both sold through the NETTE auction house that is no longer with us

see link   https://new.liveauctioneers.co...nch-st-ga-up-big-boy

Carey Williams posted:

Hello Articulated ones ...

Bob Thon is very talented and has built a wide variety of trains over several decades and is just completing Challenger #116 ! 

MTC had  listed in their catalog ..(unknown date) a Mallet ... John Harmon may have built the prototype..

please see the link below for it's most recent sale last September ..

https://new.liveauctioneers.co...ae-2-6-6-2-prototype

 

Cheers Carey

 

Below photo of MTC prototype from auction ...and my favorite Bob Thon  ( Robert's Lines) train ( 1 Gauge)  the Burlington Zephyr that Bob designed and had built in Korea (1989)  . ( General Trains  streamliner  standard gauge..two rail)   behind (1933-4)

 

 

I can remember when this came out in the catalog, but never produced. Exciting to see that the prototype exists (and is in the hands of a collector.

I believe they called it a 400AE. Has very nice proportions. I think it's a winner. Might have to try and build one sometime in the future. Looks like the O gauge drivers, using 400 boiler, cylinders from 400 and one other engine (notice they are different) and main rod/piston assembly, probably a hand made side rod. Frames look like they are made up of custom sheet metal.

A project for sure, but nice results and I'm sure it will handle 72" diameter curves.

I'll also have some left over drivers/gears from the Lee Lines GS4 build. These drivers are smaller than the 400 size drivers. Would make up a very nice C&O Allegheny!

Jim Waterman

Hi everyone,

I am the proud owner of one of Bob’s great kits. My engine I made into a Hudson 5344 with custom made Nee York Central decals on it. It has been a strong runner since it was created by me nearly 20 years ago. 

I would like to know if Bob is still making train parts. If anyone can help me out with any kind of info, I would appreciate it greatly. My e-mail address is hudson5344@aol.com.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Lil John posted:

Hi everyone,

I am the proud owner of one of Bob’s great kits. My engine I made into a Hudson 5344 with custom made Nee York Central decals on it. It has been a strong runner since it was created by me nearly 20 years ago. 

 

I would like to know if Bob is still making train parts. If anyone can help me out with any kind of info, I would appreciate it greatly. My e-mail address is hudson5344@aol.com.

 

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Contact Jim Waterman.

Steve

Former Member posted:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

WOW WOW!THAT THING IS HUGE!!Wonder just how many cars it can pull?I bet it could pull a lot.

Carey Williams posted:

Hello Articulated ones ...

Bob Thon is very talented and has built a wide variety of trains over several decades and is just completing Challenger #116 ! 

MTC had  listed in their catalog ..(unknown date) a Mallet ... John Harmon may have built the prototype..

please see the link below for it's most recent sale last September ..

https://new.liveauctioneers.co...ae-2-6-6-2-prototype

 

Cheers Carey

 

Below photo of MTC prototype from auction ...and my favorite Bob Thon  ( Robert's Lines) train ( 1 Gauge)  the Burlington Zephyr that Bob designed and had built in Korea (1989)  . ( General Trains  streamliner  standard gauge..two rail)   behind (1933-4)

 

 

Carey,

I remember seeing the above Mallet in the catalog and eagerly waited for it to be released.    I recall even sending an email asking about when would it be produced but never received a reply.  I even asked if the prototype was for sale, and again no reply.  Now I know a little bit about what happened to it but I would like to know more.  Do you know who bought this beauty and/or where it now is located?

Bob Nelson

Always thought it was kinda cool, but the small drivers gave it a funny look. The Harmon/Waterman Challengers are so much better proportioned.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Always thought it was kinda cool, but the small drivers gave it a funny look. The Harmon/Waterman Challengers are so much better proportioned.

Steve

I agree!

Bob Nelson

navy.seal posted:

Carey Williams posted:

Hello Articulated ones ...

Bob Thon is very talented and has built a wide variety of trains over several decades and is just completing Challenger #116 ! 

MTC had  listed in their catalog ..(unknown date) a Mallet ... John Harmon may have built the prototype..

please see the link below for it's most recent sale last September ..

https://new.liveauctioneers.co...ae-2-6-6-2-prototype

 

Cheers Carey

 

Below photo of MTC prototype from auction ...and my favorite Bob Thon  ( Robert's Lines) train ( 1 Gauge)  the Burlington Zephyr that Bob designed and had built in Korea (1989)  . ( General Trains  streamliner  standard gauge..two rail)   behind (1933-4)

 

 

Carey,

I remember seeing the above Mallet in the catalog and eagerly waited for it to be released.    I recall even sending an email asking about when would it be produced but never received a reply.  I even asked if the prototype was for sale, and again no reply.  Now I know a little bit about what happened to it but I would like to know more.  Do you know who bought this beauty and/or where it now is located?

Bob Nelson

 

 

Bob,

I saw this engine at Russ McFall's in Lancaster. I'm told that the prototype was made by John Harmon. A clever design, looks like it uses a 400E boiler as is (no splices). There are quite a few hand made parts in the drive train however.

I think there was another one made by someone else, have seen it in videos.

Jim

Jim Waterman posted:

navy.seal posted:

Carey Williams posted:

Hello Articulated ones ...

Bob Thon is very talented and has built a wide variety of trains over several decades and is just completing Challenger #116 ! 

MTC had  listed in their catalog ..(unknown date) a Mallet ... John Harmon may have built the prototype..

please see the link below for it's most recent sale last September ..

https://new.liveauctioneers.co...ae-2-6-6-2-prototype

 

Cheers Carey

 

Below photo of MTC prototype from auction ...and my favorite Bob Thon  ( Robert's Lines) train ( 1 Gauge)  the Burlington Zephyr that Bob designed and had built in Korea (1989)  . ( General Trains  streamliner  standard gauge..two rail)   behind (1933-4)

 

 

Carey,

I remember seeing the above Mallet in the catalog and eagerly waited for it to be released.    I recall even sending an email asking about when would it be produced but never received a reply.  I even asked if the prototype was for sale, and again no reply.  Now I know a little bit about what happened to it but I would like to know more.  Do you know who bought this beauty and/or where it now is located?

Bob Nelson

 

 

Bob,

I saw this engine at Russ McFall's in Lancaster. I'm told that the prototype was made by John Harmon. A clever design, looks like it uses a 400E boiler as is (no splices). There are quite a few hand made parts in the drive train however.

I think there was another one made by someone else, have seen it in videos.

Jim

Jim,

Should you ever come across one of those videos again, please forward a copy to me.

Thanks,

Bob Nelson

Bob Thon is alive and seems to be well but hasn't come to York recently.  I have been lucky enough to have purchase one of his Challengers, a GG-1, and sets of the diecast Roberts passenger cars.  He has been most helpful in sharing his knowledge regarding the items he made and marketed.  He seems to be amazed that model train collectors are still interested in his products.  I am hesitant to list his phone number, yet it should be easy to find in older TCA directories. 

I don't have access to any TCA directories.  I am not an enthusiast, I just joined the forum because I have the Challenger.  Do you know what state Bob lives in?  Maybe I can find him in a white pages directory somewhere.

Bob Thon lived in the Rochester, NY area and was a key leader of the TTOS chapter. This may be him.

https://www.usphonebook.com/ro...wIzR#google_vignette