Challenger or Y-3? S Scale.

Also, any real differences between the 2008 version and the 2014 one? They both seem to run Legacy.

Thanks

Good luck finding a Legacy Challenger. Those were Vision locomotives. $$$

Unless this is a misplaced O Gauge thread, without mentioning S Gauge or American Flyer in the subject line you'll be getting a lot of responses from O Gaugers about the O Gauge locomotives.

If you're asking about the Flyer loco's, go with the Y3, it's the pinnacle of Flyer production and I doubt we will see it's like again.

Rusty

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I was talking about S scale. I changed the subject line.

May I ask why you would go with the Y3? They're about the same money, so that's not the issue.

Thanks

David

Compared to the Lionel AF Challenger, the L-AF Y3 is better engineered, has better sounds and sound features including brake squeal, and is the better model. The Y3 has the flexible teather and will negotiate Flyer switches and 20" radius curves more easily. By personal experience and by general word of mouth here, the Y3 is also more trouble-free.

YMMV.

Bob

David,

I agree with all the feedback you have received.  I bought the Challenger first, 4-6-6-4 and it is a really nice locomotive.

Then I bought the Y3 and have been much more impressed with it, as stated above much better engineered, and has been very reliable.  

I run them both at train shows, so they can get as much as 15 -6 hours of use in a weekend.

 

Good luck with your decision,

Aflyer

I just bought a brand new, very discounted Y3, Santa Fe version. Cant wait.

David

That is the same one I have, 1797!!

You will love it.

David Shapiro posted:

I just bought a brand new, very discounted Y3, Santa Fe version. Cant wait.

David

Where did you find it?

Dash marketplace, from Trainz. They also have one on Ebay.

 

David

In addition to Bob and Aflyer's comments, Lionel didn't delete advertised features (crew figures, oil bunker per prototype) on the Y3 like they did with the Challenger.

Plus, the Y3 is convertible to scale and DCC,(extra cost aftermarket by a 3rd party.)

I have both locomotives and am happy with them, but just a tad happier with the Y3.

Rusty

I also have the Challenger and the Y3, I saw the Y3 at a friends home and immediately wanted one. I like them both but the Y3 is so cool, it is an articulated locomotive and close to the size of a Northern. It looks good on my Flyer layout, of course I think all the trains look good on my layout even the Big Boy. If I had to choose one, I would now take the Y3 as my first choice.

Ray

I think the Y-3 is the best articulated loco for S that L has made (so far); it backs easily through ACG switches. I have both engines and think the Y-3 is the better one, hands down.

I have both locomotives.......The Challenger has many problems including smoke motor and cherry switch problems......it has a 30 dollar power regulator that likes to burn out........The Y=3 is a much better locomotive......my only problem is getting the smoke unit to put out lots of smoke......