Lionel JLC Challenger

The JLC Challenger was one of Lionel's best, in my opinion. I own this one also.  The detail is very nice & it can more than hold its own in today's market.

Lionel did a great job with this engine/JLC series.  Truly ahead of the time.

Michael,

 

Very nice engine, it has fabulous detail and sound. You should upgrade the chuffs from 2 to 4 chuffs, and also upgrade the smoke unit.

 

Alex

As Alex said, those upgrades would make it much nicer.  If you do a 'search' you'll find Alex's handy work with this one.  Finished product is awesome.

Alex, I want to do the upgrade to my JLC Challenger and 3 rd Rail Challenger. Could you refresh my memory on the sound board/smoke unit you used?

Thanks!

Enjoyed watching your video. This engine makes a wonderful addition to your collection. Here is my version:

 

 

Great find!!!!  I have the Vision Line and LOVE it. Enjoy that's what its all about.

 

 

Thanks very much for all the kind comments guys!!!

 

I was actually wondering, where/what would you guys recommend in terms of upgrading the JLC Challenger?

 

I am not necessarily advanced in terms of electronic modifications/upgrading, so I would most likely need professional help.

 

I was thinking of doing the following, please let me know if you guys think this is feasible and if there are any shops out there that specialize in such:

 

-Upgraded Smoke Unit

- 4 Chuffs per Rev

- Convert headlight/ground lights to LED's (I know they are not prototypical, but I am a big fan of the blueish-white LED's).

 

Thanks guys!!

 

 

F30Msport,

 

email me at davidone@comcast.net 

 

Ill give you you the fellow who did my upgrade of the JLC CHALLENGER  to 4 chuffs , upgraded smoke unit and he installed an extra speaker in the boiler. 

 

It runs and sounds great.

 

dave

If it were me, Forum member Alex Malliae would be the one to contact. Everyone on the Forum knows of his excellent work and his services are very reasonable.

The photo is a quick snapshot, but, coincidentally, this came Friday and I tested it for the first time yesterday. Also 14 years old and NIB - runs flawlessly, so far. Scale at a Lionmaster price.

 

It will get a Clinchfield-standard headlight visor, but I will leave the dual stacks alone;

Clinchfield made many internal changes to turn this Jabelmann-design 4-6-6-4

from a Prairie runner into an Appalachian coal-hauler, and the outside evidence was

the single-stack - as in Lionel's latest Clinchfield Challenger. But that wasn't done immediately.

 

And those Tiny Dancer front truck wheels...really, Lionel? I'm looking for an MTH Challenger (or otherwise) front truck, as the MTH wheels are much closer to scale.

 

 

 

For sure upgrade the smoke units.I do it to all of my TMCC JLC engines.It is easy.Regan has a tutorial on how to do it.

Michael,

 

    Alex M is the smoke/chuff upgrade king. He has done my PRR M1a, J1, Y3 and Lacawanna Mogul. All 4 smoke and chuff like Legacy engines. Plus he stands behind his upgrades for ever. Look for his email in his profile and drop him a line.

 

    Great engine too, good luck and enjoy.

 

JohnB

Micheal,

Like JohnB I had Alex upgrade the smoke unit and add 4 chuffs/rev to several of my engines. Alex is great to work with and does excellent work.

Ron

That engine looks brand new, not 14 years old. Great find.

Thank you for all the comments and recommendations everyone!! 

 

 

Thanks Spence. I couldn't believe the condition when I saw it either.  Literally looks like it just arrived from the Factory. 

 

As i emphasized in the video, I made a concerted effort to track down a VL challenger, but just couldn't find the right one (or deal for that matter).  

 

 

Just watched the video and it's a great train thanks for sharing.

 

Tin 

Thanks, Tin.  Glad you enjoyed!