Hi,
I’m considering purchasing this locomotive, to do up as a D&RGW K-59 class, mainly for club running. There will need to be a few minor modifications made, but I was wondering what IHC is like in terms of running quality/reliability? I haven’t owned one of this brand before.
Cheers,
tbdanny
I purchased a 2-10-2 about a year ago. It is fine running level, but can barely pull itself up a incline. The detail is not the greatest either. I prefer to save my money and buy high quality steam locomotives. Only you know what you can afford. Hope this helps you.
They are usually quite good runners for the price. They are ‘light’ and do not pull well, but they are a good start. Be aware that IHC is no more, and the remaining inventory is being sold off by ‘IHC of Texas’. The manufacturer in Europe went through financial issues and IIRC, was bought out and only European model are now being produced. Getting parts could be an issue.
The model appear to be a USRA Light 2-8-2 - BLI has imported a DCC/Sound version of the USRA 2-8-2 that is a very good runner. But if you are looking for something inexpensive to ‘work with’, this may be just the ticket.
Jim
As my main scale is HOn3, I’m just looking for something for ‘club running’ - with possible plans to kitbash it into a D&RGW standard gauge prototype at some later date.
The IHC steamers are smooth runners and will pull 10-12 freee rolling stock weight cars up a 2% grade…However,if you follow RP20.1 then cut that number by 6 or more cars.
I had the 2-8-2 and it would pull 12 of Athearn’s stock weight 34’ hopper cars up a 2% grade.
Of course like all light locomotives the steeper the grade or heavier the cars the less it will pull…
The thing I like most about IHC locos is the fact that I can kitbash them without too much remorse. They resemble simple USRA designs, and they run fairly smooth. I use Bullfrog Snot on them to give them at least double the traction. The light pacific is nearly a dead ringer for the type used on the old Buffalo Rochester and Pittsburgh Ry, and I’ve converted 2 to look like they did after the B&O takeover in 1932.
The IHC model you are looking at on eBay is most certainly from older stock. However, I own a few and find them to be fine value at the prices I paid for them. Your particular model is more than I would have paid, but perhaps they are getting a bit scarce and prices are rising accordingly. Think of them as reasonably well made models that will provide quite reliable service. The detail is somewhat basic but an ideal blank canvas to do your own thing. I am not so sure that we have seen the end of these models as some suggest as the revamped Mehano web site most assuredly has American locos http://www.mehano.si/EN/models.php?Id=&idm=4&group3=4&see=1&sub2=2&title=7 with some being offered with sound, which I don’t think the IHC variants ever did. I do not believe that IHC Texas has a relationship with Mehano to sell the new models in States.
I picked up one of these at a show a year or so ago. I put a Tsunami into it. There’s plenty of room in the tender. The engine runs very well. As others have said, it’s not highly detailed, but for the price it’s a pretty nice locomotive. It has no trouble pulling around my short freights or a string of coaches on my level layout.
The wheel flanges are oversized. I have no problem with them on Code 83 track. I’m not sure how well they’d work on Code 70 if your club uses that.
There are a few online shops around (at least in Germany) which still seem to be selling Mehano´s US-prototype locos. I am not sure whether they are just selling off inventory, or whether the production of these models has also been transferred to China.
I have a couple of smaller IHC locomotives, 2-6-0 Moguls. I’ve had them for some years. They both ran well right out of the box and are still running well with no maintenance at all. I’d rate them as reliable and smooth running. Low speed performance is good. They will creep smoothly at a very low speed. Mechanism is quiet. They stay on the track.
They are plastic steamers. Much of the detail is molded on. They aren’t as nicely detailed as the Bachmann Spectrum series, but for the price, I consider them a good deal. Sounds like you are planning some kit bashing anyhow so you can add as much detail as you like.
The Moguls are little engines and too light to pull all that much. Maybe eight - ten cars on the level. They have a boiler weight that fills up the boiler, so there isn’t much room to add more weight. I’d expect a 2-10-0 to weigh more and pull more.
The mogul’s have wheel flanges a little deeper than RP-25, but they run fine on the club’s hand laid code 83, and of course they have no trouble on my home layout’s code 100 flextrack. They can be fitted with a working front coupler after some Dremel work on the pilot. They came from the factory with bright nickel tender wheels and bright steel handrails. The looks can be improved by blackening or painting both items grimy black.