Athearn does listen

[UP_Phill]

From Athearns latest email

Free N Challenger Wheel Set Exchange Program Announced
Based on feedback from customers running the new N scale Challenger loco on code 55 track, Athearn will exchange the non-driver wheel sets for new wheel sets with smaller flanges designed to run on code 55 track. Customers must remove four wheel sets on the loco (two on the lead truck, two on the trailing truck) and all seven wheel sets on the tender, and return them to the following address:
Athearn N Challenger Wheel Set Exchange
1550 Glenn Curtiss Street
Carson, CA 90746

A replacement set of wheels will be send postpaid to replace the wheels returned.
Note: Locomotives should not be returned and drive wheels should not be removed or returned.
The new wheel sets will be available in June, so wheel sets should not be returned until replacements are available.

[Mark5]

Hopefully the new runs won't have this goof.

[up1950s]

Well well well , thats a unexpected surprise . I wonder if I should wait till June to remove and ship . This will really help in the sale and resale of these . You wonder why this wasn't foreseen , but at least they are listening and doing something about . I would now expect they will release all future models of any type to be within the expected C55 specs . Fingers crossed . Thanks for the retrofit Athearn , and thanks UP-PHIL for that great info .

[Mark5]

From Athearns latest email

I didn't get this email.  Funny how I randomly get some, not others. :

[up1950s]

I didn't get mine either .

[TiVoPrince]

Conspiracy
theories starting?  I think Athearn's old building on Laurel Park had a couple of alien spacecraft out back.  Can't offer any proof since my film was confiscated about the time they were implanting that tracking device.  Pass my tinfoil hat, will ya...