I was thnking getting this engine. i was wondering what you guys think of this locomotive. How it runs, looks, and pulls.
Thank you.
Ben
I and another member of our local HO scale club have them, with Tsunami sound decoders installed. The engines run very smoothly. Their pulling power is good but the wheels slip trying to get more than 8 passenger cars up a 2 percent grade.
Unlke previous IHC plastic models, this one is much heavier.
well i don’t have any real big grades so that will not be a problem. how many cars will it pull on flat track…
what club are you In?
This engine has been discussed quite a lot, both on this forum and on Bachmann’s forum. From what people have been saying, it runs about as well as IHC’s other steam (generally very well), and is an OK puller (not great, but about average for a plastic steamer).
I’ve only had the opportunity to look at one (close up), so can only comment on it’s looks: It’s a Frankenstein nightmare. The overall look is that of a superpower steam engine, and 2-10-2s are NOT superpower steam. The engine comes with parts for both an Elesco and Worthington feedwater heater, which is impossible. Equally impossible is the combination of steam booster feed pipes and a Cole trailing truck. Finally, the engine should have TWO air pumps, not one. Whoever detailed this engine has ZERO concept of what a real steam engine should look like; it’s like putting a bulldog nose on a SD-40.
So if you’re looking for an inexpensive, decently-running 2-10-2 that you want to redetail for a freelance road, go ahead and buy it. If you’re looking for a model of any real engine ever built, pass on by.
IHC may have wanted to make a super power generic engine with every option so you just remove what you want.
You are correct about the airpumps also. No mainline freight steam engine would be without two dual compound air pumps. IHC just added detail and used tenders and other items to make an engine to sell. It might be good for some Kit bashing type rework if it runs well. I am looking for a plastic USRA heavy 2-10-2 to build some Illinois Central 2700 and 2800 class engines.
Someone is bound to actually bring in one someday.
See:
item number 60018, 60019 and 60020
Ya beat me to the punch, Nigel. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of these models, as I need at least one for an interchange engine (my NKP line interchanges with the IC’s Gruber line in Bloomington). Only problem is that Walthers will probably come out witht he 1921-1938 version of the IC engines, the 2800s, which don’t have the distinctive Paducah sand dome, Boxpox center driver, and short tender. Oh well; nothing I can’t fix.