my god is it hideous and Lionel could not even 
get the 49er brown correct.
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You are too kind with your description.....
I think it would be attractive if Lionel had used the correct brown color. To my eye, the brown that shown in the photo is pinkish. NH Joe
If I was to spend the really big bucks on a steamer I would want it to be as close as prototypical as possible not a fantasy loco. But if I just hit the lottery, I would probably order one just for the heck of it.
How wrong can fantasy be????? No prototype!
PAUL ROMANO posted:You are too kind with your description.....
AmeenTrainGuy posted:My eyes!
As long as folks keep ordering fantasy locomotives, Lionel will keep making them.
Rusty
I enjoy most of the fantasy schemes. Personally I could never stand gold or brown, so the gray ES44 was perfect for me. Not prototypical by any means but something I really enjoyed seeing it. Ordered one the same day the last catalog came out.
I'm a big 49er fan, but this (not even coming close in color) is beyond a fantasy scheme. Downright embarrassing to even consider.
vash44 posted:I enjoy most of the fantasy schemes. Personally I could never stand gold or brown, so the gray ES44 was perfect for me. Not prototypical by any means but something I really enjoyed seeing it. Ordered one the same day the last catalog came out.
I also got the greyhound es44...
The 49er is a stretch, and I am supprised it looks as appealing as it does! I didnt like it in catalog at all, but in the flesh it looks way better imho.
I ordered one, looks better then the catalog pic. Looks like it will be a standout piece in my collection.
Lionel "Clowning" around again, eh!
You can't go wrong when it says fantasy. It is what it is. You love it or you don't.
American taste, in all its, um...., glory.
I have a “Daylight” Cab Forward, and I love ❤️ it!! I think it is gorgeous!!! The colors are great ! I pull a full set of daylight Cars behind it! The all metal cars were made by Weaver a “Long Time” ago !!!
Daylight Cab Forward, hideous 49er and a Warbonnet steamer. What defense do we have when our sanity is questioned?
Fredstrains posted:I have a “Daylight” Cab Forward, and I love ❤️ it!! I think it is gorgeous!!! The colors are great ! I pull a full set of daylight Cars behind it! The all metal cars were made by Weaver a “Long Time” ago !!!
Yes. Gorgeous locomotive.
Tom Tee posted:Daylight Cab Forward, hideous 49er and a Warbonnet steamer. What defense do we have when our sanity is questioned?
I'm thinking that you don't need a defense. Unless you bought one and hate it, then your standing in the fray is questionable.
It's been stated quite often: If you don't like the product, then don't buy it.
Seems to me that that's the most foolproof defense of all, if you need a defense.
Show us on the doll where the fantasy locomotive hurt you 🤕
Unless those complaining purchased one and don’t like it, who cares?
Amazing how people who didn't buy and don't want a product can get exercised about it 
.
I remember the kerfuffle about the Daylight Cab Forward. Similar comments, and similarly entertaining, as are the indignant posts here about a toy locomotive. Not crazy about this one although I thought the Daylight was a beauty. Could care less about prototypical accuracy or sounds. Just care about aesthetics and play value.
Lionel proposed it and people bought it. End of story, as with all toys. Remember the Girl's Train?
Rusty Traque posted:PAUL ROMANO posted:You are too kind with your description.....
AmeenTrainGuy posted:My eyes!
As long as folks keep ordering fantasy locomotives, Lionel will keep making them.
Rusty
And that's a good thing (said as I watch my Daylight Cab Forward run the loop)
Not even a mother could love that.
Hal
Not to throw a snowball in the fire, however I think it’s neat that Lionel would offer such a colorful articulated Locomotive. The Southern Pacific Cab Forward painted in Daylight colors looks super. I wish I had been able to afford that Locomotive and I really wish I could have afforded this new VisionLine Challenger in the fantasy colors. I am into the hobby for fun, three rail track is accepted, so, why not a nicely colored Locomotive. If someone wants real scale products, consider 2 Rail, become a rivet counter, and go for the gold. I remember Lionel making many extraordinary cars and trains, making BTO their barometer, so there may be a good demand for these non-realistic colored Locomotives. Wow, that’s why my layouts named, “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines”, the Quad L System. It’s a fun hobby, even if one runs the Mickey Mouse Train. Happy Railroading
leapinlarry posted:Not to throw a snowball in the fire, however I think it’s neat that Lionel would offer such a colorful articulated Locomotive. The Southern Pacific Cab Forward painted in Daylight colors looks super. I wish I had been able to afford that Locomotive and I really wish I could have afforded this new VisionLine Challenger in the fantasy colors. I am into the hobby for fun, three rail track is accepted, so, why not a nicely colored Locomotive. If someone wants real scale products, consider 2 Rail, become a rivet counter, and go for the gold. I remember Lionel making many extraordinary cars and trains, making BTO their barometer, so there may be a good demand for these non-realistic colored Locomotives. Wow, that’s why my layouts named, “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines”, the Quad L System. It’s a fun hobby, even if one runs the Mickey Mouse Train. Happy Railroading
Nicely stated. 
"it's a fun hobby" - that's for sure.
I've learned that many on the OGR Forum really see "the fun" as taking shots at other hobbyists' enjoyment.
In the end, my SP C-F Daylight doesn't really care. 
This is a tough crowd for this paint scheme. I understand most on here are very knowledgeable and like to keep things prototypical, but there are a lot of people that just like the colorful paint schemes. They could care less what somebody else thinks about it. In our store we have it on display and people love it. They don't know enough about the real thing. If it sells, I like it a lot!
leapinlarry posted:Not to throw a snowball in the fire, however I think it’s neat that Lionel would offer such a colorful articulated Locomotive. The Southern Pacific Cab Forward painted in Daylight colors looks super. I wish I had been able to afford that Locomotive and I really wish I could have afforded this new VisionLine Challenger in the fantasy colors. I am into the hobby for fun, three rail track is accepted, so, why not a nicely colored Locomotive. If someone wants real scale products, consider 2 Rail, become a rivet counter, and go for the gold. I remember Lionel making many extraordinary cars and trains, making BTO their barometer, so there may be a good demand for these non-realistic colored Locomotives. Wow, that’s why my layouts named, “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines”, the Quad L System. It’s a fun hobby, even if one runs the Mickey Mouse Train. Happy Railroading
Hello Larry, you have a great outlook IMO. I really like the Lionel Corporation Standard Gauge and it is pure toy train.
Mill City posted:Brian Sheffield posted:In our store we have it on display and people love it. They don't know enough about the real thing. If it sells, I like it a lot!
Hahaha...I bet you do. How deep is your stock?
What are you trying to say? You think I am making it up?
Brian Sheffield posted:Mill City posted:Brian Sheffield posted:In our store we have it on display and people love it. They don't know enough about the real thing. If it sells, I like it a lot!
Hahaha...I bet you do. How deep is your stock?
What are you trying to say? You think I am making it up?
Not at all, Brian. You're not that guy. Besides, I saw the vid with it on your test track. My comment was in reference to your last line, "If it sells, I like it a lot." And of course that's true.
I am serious, I have not had one person say they hate it. But I am sure some have, they just did not tell me, I guess. I don't hate it at all. I like all of the Challengers because they have been selling well. Thanks. Brian
Brian,
I like some fantasy schemes, I have some. But believe me if I lived closer to your shop I would come in and tell you the 49er Challenger is hideous, lol. I mean Lionel even got the 49er brown incorrect but hey if you can sell them more power to you.
I thought the SP cab forward in the daylight scheme was well done and it looked great, the grey VL Niagara was incredible IMO. Not so much for the 49er challenger.
Sell a ton of trains,
Dave
david1 posted:Brian,
I like some fantasy schemes, I have some. But believe me if I lived closer to your shop I would come in and tell you the 49er Challenger is hideous, lol. I mean Lionel even got the 49er brown incorrect but hey if you can sell them more power to you.
I thought the SP cab forward in the daylight scheme was well done and it looked great, the grey VL Niagara was incredible IMO. Not so much for the 49er challenger.
Sell a ton of trains,
Dave
I see you are a fan of the Phillies. Now I understand.
I have a few fantasy schemes - a purple 4-10-2; a dark blue MoPac Berkshire, and a Daylight orange SD-6 with red lettering and black tiger stripes.
So I cannot object on the basis of fantasy.
However, as an opinion: Yow! Ugly! Yuk!
I like it - looks cool 👍🏼😎
It’s a 2
I agree with Leipin Larry. Trains ate supposed to be fun . If you like a different paint scheme or something different Railroad had really who cares. If you like it buy it it is your layout and the only one you need to please is yourself. When you see my layout it has a lot of everything but it is what I like because Ive built it for me and not to please someone else.
david1 posted:my god is it hideous and Lionel could not even
get the 49er brown correct.
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This is an HO model of Key Model Imports (1986) which clearly shows a color similar - if not identical - to the Lionel Challenger.
Maybe Lionel was not so far off after all.
I never said I don't like fantasy schemes but I do think the 49er scheme is beyond redemption.
It's a good thing for Lionel and MTH to make fantasy engines and trains and it helps the bottom line, yes I have some because I like them.
Yes I am a Phillies fan since 1955 when I was 9 years old and will be until the lord calls me home.
Dave
rthomps posted:This is an HO model of Key Model Imports (1986) which clearly shows a color similar - if not identical - to the Lionel Challenger.
Maybe Lionel was not so far off after all.
Sorry Lionel is not even close to the brown on the 49ers. Time for the Lionel Fan boys to admit when your wrong.
Dave
rthomps posted:This is an HO model of Key Model Imports (1986) which clearly shows a color similar - if not identical - to the Lionel Challenger.
Maybe Lionel was not so far off after all.
I have enjoyed a lifelong career that involved color matching. With all due respect, the two examples you provided do not support your claim that the colors are similar if not identical. First clue is one is darker than the other. Work from there...
Found the following examples via a "Google" search, I personally would prefer a stronger chocolate bronze color, reflecting more on an "art deco" theme. However this beauty of a steam engine was, they definitely kept her clean.
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