I have just come in to a batch of AHM circa 1970 loco’s and misc cars. Does anyone have a source for AHM parts, manuals, advice? Much appreciated.
For part diagrams, you can check here: http://www.hoseeker.org/ahminstructions.html.
Parts, I can’t help you.
Dido on the manual source. Since Golf Manor Hobbies closed in Cincinnati the only source for manufacture parts that I know of is eBay or at train shows and even that will be limited.
A lot of IHC (who is no longer in business either) part will interchange with old Rivarossi stuff. Your pretty much on your own refurbing them but there are places like Greenway Brass and Precision Scale are good sources for parts that you can use on your old R/R loco. if you need to repower it North West short-lines makes a can motor I believe and so does Alliance Locomotive and maybe a few more.
depending on what they are going to need and or how attached to them you really are will determine on weather or not your going to want to spend the time and money repairing them when you may be able to go out and lets say buy a Bachmann loco for the same or less money then the repairs will cost you.
Good luck in your quest
Even when AHM (not to be confused with IHC) had parts available, it was often cheaper to purchase a junker at a swap meet for needed parts than to buy the parts new. That Indiana Harbor Belt 0-8-0 was offered, in differing versions, for years and are still commonly seen at swap meets. I have seen boxes full being sold for $15 or so each.
For example the AHM 1977 parts catalog shows three slightly different versions of the 0-8-0 for which parts were available. Three entirely different motors for one thing. The boiler casting alone (no smokebox front) was over $8. The list price back then was around $40.
If you can describe what you need I can at least try to get you a part number from the catalog but frankly I doubt if it will be of much help.
Dave Nelson