It says it is equipped with a 8 Pin plug for DCC. What sort of decoder do I need to purchase to “Drop in” and do they have a sound attached? I am concerned about things like the stall amps and possible speaker issues as well as the ability to read and/or write to the unit.
The IHC ad did not state radius but I am hoping with the blind center, sprung drivers it might be able to get down to 22" if necessary. Has anyone been able to learn more about this?
Front coupler does not appear to be operative on the ad image. I am concerned about typical IHC steam engine issues when fitting with front couplers with Kaydee. Do I have to do insulated? or can I get by with the old #5?
I am aware that Bachmann is making a 2-10-2 and that Broadway already has a 2-10-2 but not with the vanderbuilt tender used by the B&O
So many questions and so little information.
Usually they announce an engine a year before release and tidbits of information is gathered to a certain degree to decide if buy or not buy.
And the intro deal seems too good to be true. Pay $179 for a loco seeming that fantastic AND get a free set of Passenger cars? Theres got to be a catch…
I haven’t seen the IHC 2-10-2, but from what I gather by your description, it’s a B&O prototype? If so, this may be a remake of the B&O 2-10-2 that was formerly produced by AHM/Rivarossi, about 15 years ago, or so. It was a fairly good runner, would take a 22" radius with ease, due to the blind driver and lots of driver sideplay, but the original had NEM flanges, which were a little dicey on anything smaller than code 100 rail. You’d have to do a little cutting and filing, but it should take a Kadee #5 on the pilot. I’m hoping that if this is a Rivarossi re-run, that it has the improved IHC motor and gear-train. The 2-10-2 coming from Broadway Limited (hopefully this Feb, after over a years worth of delay) is a Santa Fe prototype, with a 12-wheel standard oil tender. The Bachmann, I understand, is a USRA version, which will probably have the USRA long 8-wheel tender. Of the three, I’d safely say that the BLI will be the best puller, though the Bachmann Spectrum steamers are pretty healthy in the lugging department. I have one IHC steamer, the USRA heavy Mountain, and it’s a smooth runner and a very decent puller–a little scarce in the detail department, but they’re kind of a kit-basher’s delight. I’ll be very interested to see what their 2-10-2 is like.
Tom
Thanks, Texas Zepher. I guess I missed that page when the magazine came in the mail a couple days ago.[:I] It looks pretty nice!! I may have to get one after I build my layout.(which will hopefully happen this month [:)])
It doesn’t look like it will be the old Rivarossi. It has much more seperate detail.[:D] I wonder how well the new Premier Gold series will do?
I have one ordered and will try to answer your questions after I receive it. I was surprised when I was told that they are in stock. Most companies announce a new product six months to one year before anything is actually available.
Any generic 1 Amp decoder, such as a TCS T-1, should be suitable for this engine. With a can motor, it’s current draw will probably be less than .5 Amp. The tender looks like it will have plenty of room for a sound decoder and speaker. I’ll probably install a TCS-T1 or M-1 decoder for motor control and a SoundTraxx DSX Sound-Only decoder for the sounds. I’ll decide that after I open up the tender and see what’s inside.
From the photograph in Model Railroader, this is a completely redesigned model that is no longer made in Europe by Rivarossi. The amount of detail makes it look more like its of Chinese manufacture. No more bright, shiny handrails. RP-25 contour wheels. It does look like the center drive wheels have no flange, but the text does not mention a minimum radius.
After finally picking up the Dec. MR yesterday, my impression of the IHC 2-10-2 is that it’s not bad for a generic loco and presents some interesting kitbashing possibilities.
There are, however, a couple of howlers with respect to the loco.
There appears to be piping for a booster engine. However, the loco is equipped with a Hodges trailing truck, none of which was ever equipped with a booster.
The loco is equipped with what appears to be a casting for a Worthington SA type feedwater heater. Just forward of the air compressor, however, is what appears to be a rather crude attempt at an Elesco coldwater pump for a bundle type FWH. Hey, guys, they don’t go together.
Other than that, I think the loco has possibilites.
Oh yeah, it does have the double sand domes of a Santa Fe 3800 class 2-10-2. WIth a new cab and tender, a credible replica could probably be done. However, what with BLI doing an authentic one, it’s probably not worth the effort.
Okay, I finally got my MR and saw the ad. Aggro’s right, it has the general lines of an ATSF 3800, but the cab is pure C&O. One interesting thing about it is that it has a Worthington feedwater heater in front of the stack, but the pump on the side next to the air pump is an Elesco. Santa Fe 2-10-2’s had deck-mounted Elescos. The double sand-domes are in the right position for a 3800, but then they’re in the right position for a Rio Grande 1400 series, too. The trailing truck looks like a combination Cole/USRA, which is what Rio Grande used on their F-81’s. I have no idea where the tender came from, but it looks like something that should be behind a Hudson or a Northern.
With all that, the loco looks very interesting, and knowing how well the IHC Mountain runs, I would think that it would be a pretty good buy for the price. It also seems to offer great kit-bashing possibilities, especially since the ad states that so many of the parts are separate. Actually, I might get one and fool around with it. It just might make a fairly respectable Rio Grande F-81 with a little work and a new tender. It’s a pretty good looking loco.
Tom
Might also be worth the effort to make an SP F-5 with some PSC parts. It’d need a new cab (MDC) and tender (Bachmann’s mislabeled “Hicken”) tender even though the 2-10-2’s didn’t get the 16,000 gal tenders until the 50’s. Picture below is with smaller tender.
My impression from the IHC ad photo is that they used the old Pemco C&O boiler with a new drivetrain. If the drive-train is as good as the ad claims, I would be happy to have this model as a 10-foot standin for a Santa Fe engine.
I’m curious if this locomotive will run on, say, 26-inch radius curves?
Regarding the free 8-car set of passenger cars, I would rather they just not. I suppose I would turn around and auction them right away.
I still can’t find any reference to a 2-10-2 on the IHC website. Strange that they have a locomotive in stock but not even listed in the “NEW” section of their website.
I went to the Walthers web page to see if they have it in stock and they don’t, its not even on their list of up and coming products yet. It does look nice. But I am putting my money in the one Bachman is doing. I hope to see the pre- production models at the big show in Milwaukee this weekend.
