I’m looking at a HO Intermountain cab forward and beings I only run DC do they come with sound?
Thanks,
dave
I never heard abou sound on them and even the 2nd run had issues although not as bad as the first. I’d try real hard to get the 3rd run to make your life as good as possible.
When buying one, how can you tell which run it’s from? Engine numbers? Box style? And what were the bugs in run 2? Any in run 3?
Yes all three versions were produced in sound and non sound versions. The first two runs use Tsunamis. The third run uses a Loksound.
Ist run issues were poor tracking and motor/gear issues
2nd run issues were very stiff pick up wipers/contacts and slow top speed.
Don’t know of any issues with the third run.
As far as telling the runs apart, I believe they had different road numbers. A quick perusal of Ebay will likely answer that question for you.
Beautiful models, I tested a first run and would definitely avoid locos from this run unless you have lots of mechanical skills, patience and very broad curves and large switch numbers (by broad I mean in excess of 40" radius and no 8s).
This is all off of the top of my head. Join the Yahoo ESPEE group for more detailed info from the truely devoted and knowledgeable.
Guy
Guy, not that I can even afford them, but maybe in a few years when my daughter is out of college I might consider hunting one down since I’m a long time SP fan …
Whats the deal on minimum curve radius and turnout number? Are your above comments limited to the first run or all runs? My present layout, for example, has minimum radii of 32-inches and #6 turnouts. I’d think if those cab forwards need 40-inch curves and minimum #8 TO’s, most of them would be on the shelf as display models!
Rio,
I am only speaking about the first run. My layout has 30" Radius and no 6 turnouts and this loco picked points like crazy and jumped several curves - 40" R/no.8 is a rough guess.
I had a friend over recently with a factory re-furbished 1st run model and it still picked points on a no.6. FYI: I am very meticulous about trackwork and run a variety of brass and plastic steam with no derailment issues.
The first loco did run better with weight taped to the cab but not perfect. I didn’t explore further fixes as the loco didn’t belong to me…
I do have two first run BLI Cab Forwards (AC 4 and 5) that run perfect. Each will pull a 25 car train up a 2% grade with no traction tires. I will eventually buy the Intermountain 3rd run Cab Forward, if nothing else as a static model (if I can’t get it to run well)…they are that well detailed…
Happy Hunting,
Guy