There have been some changes made, and all to the good, with one exception. No more huge wheel flanges, appear to be RP-25 now. Level of detailing, seems far better, although I haven’t been able to find good information to check on accuracy. Comes DCC ready, which to me is a minus, but not DCC installed, which is another plus. Coupler supplied, two choices, neither of which are good. (NMRA or some european type that looks like real kudge.) Rins smooth on a short test track, good low speed. Short test track, so I can’t say anything about pulling ability. Hope they upgrade the rest of their offerings, this one is nice.
The 2-10-2 was one of the last engines IHC brought out. All I have seen have RP25 flanges and are DCC Ready. One good looking engine, even though there is no known prototype from what I have read.
Has ‘IHC of Texas’ actually inported more, or is this ‘old stock’? The web site has only a few of the models once offered. I think ‘IHC of Texas’ bought the remaining inventory when the owner of IHC(Bernie Paul??) passed away. Mehano built most of the steam engines and went bankrupt some years ago. I think they got gobbled up by Hornby along with Rivarossi and now only produce European prototype models.
Jim
The name on the box is Mehano, which I would think indicates new stock. I’m not seeing anything to say Hornby bought them. Like everything else, “Made in China” on the box. The packaging would also seem to indicate it’s not old stock. At least I hope they’re not just selling off old stock, I’d like someday to pick up a couple more Milwaukee Road heavyweight coaches, and a couple more C&NW. The listings aren’t giving me much hope though. I did order a ten car train in SS C&NW. Now if the LHS has the McHenry couplers, and a wait to recharge the checking so I can get metal wheelsets for four trains.
Although generic in nature, it does bear a striking resembelence to a SP F-class 2-10-2 out of the box requiring a new cab, correct tender and specific to SP detailing for that “close enough” factor". I’ve not compared it to those of the Union Pacific.
Dave