Need Help With Railking Imperial Challenger

I can't measure mine just now, but I can tell you it smacks into the tunnel portal on 031 curves, but not 042.

Rod

Thanks Rod. Not the best news but not surprising. A friend has an Imperial Challenger and may borrow his in a few weeks when he gets back in town from business. 

Always wanted an Articulated but something always gets in the way of that. 

Hello SJC........

I have a railking imperial challenger and the engine itself is 15 1/2 inches long from the cow catcher and back wall of the cab.  I run my engine on O-72 track and there is very little overhang,on 0-42 it wouldn't be as bad either.  The challenger is very nice and smooth running engine perhaps you can go to 0-42 tracks then get the engine as you will be happy with it.  I hope this helps somewhat.

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

I have the Railking Challenger.   The problem is the cab end swing out, not so much the front end. 

The cab end swings out about 2 1/8 inches (measured from the outer rail)as it enters an O-48 curve.  I don't have any O-42.

Conversely, my Railking 2-8-8-2 Mallet does not swing out past the edge of the O-48 Fastrack road bed at either end.  The Railking Mallet would be better suited to your 4x8 layout. 

The Challenger and the Mallet are about the same size(length), but because the Mallet's rear driver is much closer the the cab end, the swing out is much less.  It basically swings out about half as much as the Challenger.   

The Mallet would be right at home pulling that coal drag I see in your layout photo. 

Tiffany: Thanks. My layout has 0-42 curves already. Clearance in the tunnel is a possible issue. 

MIke: Thanks I assume it is the USRA 2-8-8-2 you are talking about? I know they did those a while back - may have to look around although I really want another Imperial engine as I prefer the detailing. Thanks for the info! 

I agree with this recommendation.  I have this loco, too, and it goes where no other articulated loco will. It will run on 0-31 although it sticks out.  I run mine on 0-36 Fastrack and it goes places some non-articulated locos won't.  It certainly has a better chance of making it through your tunnels.  Here is a video of one running on a door-layout - which clearly has tight, tight curves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yi253QOWl4

Thanks Lee. Always did like the Railking Y6B (love that whistle!). From what it appears, the boiler swing doesn't look that bad but the cab swings out a good bit still which is to be expected of course. Are the Y6B and USRA 2-8-8-2 built off the same frame? 

Lee, how much stick out are we talking here? 

Thanks.

I believe the Railking Y6b Mallet is also worth considering, as it's the same size with the same capabilities.  

I use my Mallet on a coal drag.  With the upgraded speaker, it looks(and sounds) great chugging along at 9-10 MPH.  

I have considered it Mike and have personally wanted one since the first run was done back in 2007. Great looking engine. All boils down to whether or not the boiler and/or cab smack into the tunnel walls.

Anyone got a new or gentlty used Railking Imperial Y6B they'd be interested in getting rid of? They were cataloged originally in 2007 and also cataloged again in one of the 2010(?) catalogs and delivered last summer. If so, I'll email you and we'll talk. Let me know.  No dealers show them in stock. A few show the Y6B Freight set in stock and would be interested in purchasing that if someone wants to buy the 4 hoppers and caboose off me as I don't have any need or want for them.

As nice as the RK Challenger is, one thing that bothered me about ours was that it appears way too tall and almost 'top heavy'. I would agree about the other choices. We had the Lionmaster N&W Class A at the same time and it was a beauty! Much better proportioned. Our personal favorite of the non-scale articulateds.

The RK locomotive smoked the best however.

I do agree with Sam that the LionMaster A is very nice - great sound and detail. As much as I would like to have a Legacy engine, I currently run only DCS and would like to keep it that way for simplicity at the time being.

Just did some hand pushing of my dead K-line Allegheny. No way would it fit. Cab and boiler were hitting the walls. Thanks everyone for their input - I just don't think it is something I want to risk at the moment even if another engine may fit. Thanks!