thanks to all who responded to with info on the “pile of junk” that was on E-BAY.
FYI my nephew is 10yrs old and suffers from mild downs syndrom, but he is abel to move his arms well so he would have no trouble controling a H.O. layout. This is his choice of scale, as his best friend has an H.O. layout and “Jimmy” has to have the same as him
She did not know i was trying to find one fr him( IT was going to be a
christmas suprise) and she had the same idea.
I however am going to recomend the set whic you guys showed me here. I really dont want her to wast her money on something that is not worth it even tho she has only bid $10.00 on it
please look it over and give me your opinion thank you friends.
MDC steam locomotives are tricky to get tuned up, but can run good once they are. This locomotive on e-bay is definitely missing the front truck. It is missing the headlamp. Also notice the brass wheels, one of the tune up things is to replace them with nickel-silver. I do like it better than the previous one you listed but while it is not junk I would still advise caution, and would look for other options. I have been working with loco’s like this for 30 years so can get them running pretty good. Those without some learned skills and tricks can have problems with them.
This engine is beyond the family’s ability to restore and maintain.
Dont take offense, but I dont see this engine running successfully. First off there is alot of specialized tools that I can think of to get before starting a restoreation of this thing.
Pass on this engine, look for another. Preferably Ready to run, retail or nearly so out of the box.
I’m the only one who can look beyond the bad paint and missing parts, and see an engine worth buying…Back to reality.
It’s definatly nothing that should be bought be a first time modeler, or someone young. I can gurantee that it won’t work when you get it, and it will need a lot of work to get it running.
Find a new steamer. Bachmann Spectrum models are good, along with the lower quality IHC, which I would recommend over the Bachmann, simpily because he will probably not care about the seperate parts, but will want the engine to run reliably.
Looking over Texas Choices I agree that GN engine is nothing but JUNK. I owned one of those 20 years ago and it never really pulled satisfactory.
The WM 2-8-0 Spectrum would be the best engine but has many parts that a 5 year old might break off and eat, something you dont want to have happen.
That B&O Mogul got away. 25 dollars is a steal at that price.
IHC engines are somewhat sturdier and more suitable for a 10 year old. But then again I dont even know what I am trying to do thinking that a 5 year old will enjoy and take care of a fine steam engine in HO scale.
Steam engines in HO scale generally require more TLC than desiels. Desiels have a chance of standing up to a child’s random rants, tosses, high speed crashes etc.
But paying 60 dollars for that GN engine is no different than paying 140 dollars for a brand new engine today, not some kind of wore out obselete 20 year old design.
I vote for the Bachmann 2-8-0 Spectrum in this case. But the IHC 2-6-0 Mogul (And others like it in other sizes) is very suitable as well.
The orginal engine in this thread that old MRC steamer, it will have to be cleaned up, wheels polished, rods corrected and all bolts and screws checked at a minimum, there may be problems at the gear inside the boiler without lube and perhaps coupler problems as well as small items such as missing headlight.
All of those items can be fixed. but the tools that I would want such as a Dremel, Vise and others already put my price past 100 dollars. Hardly worth it trying to salvage a 10 dollar engine.
Me thinks it is amazing that Bachmann can carry sufficient volume on thier standard line to make it worth carrying. Long after the dead horse has been ground up for the last penny in sales. They should simplify thier life and retire the entire “Standard” line and look to the future with the quality Spectrums.
Everything I’ve read so far is good advice. Personally I have both IHC and Bachmann engines. The problem you may experience with the Bachmann is that it is a bit more fragile than the IHC as it has has a lot more detail parts and tends to be more prototypical in regards to the size of the rods, which makes them more susceptable to damage.
Regardless these are good running and should be problem free out of the box. An all inclusive starters set with the track, freight cars and transformer are your best bet in my opinion.
Please do not take offense at this post, but I think you need a reality check. I have some limited experiance with persons with Downs, and I know that the ability of each can vary greatly from almost no signs except the mongloyd<sp?> features, to highly retarded mental capabilities. Only you can truely judge your nephews ability, physical or mental. That being said, please don’t under estimate his Emotional ability. I think if you go to a local hobby shop, you could find a “good” quality train set, at a very reasonable price, that your nephew will really enjoy. Your intentions are awsome, and it is very clear that you want to do something special for this boy, and his mother, BUT, I really think try’n to find used, cheap, old trains on Ebay is the wrong choice. Till you pay for shipping, and repairs, you could have bought a brand new, low cost loco at the local hobby shop, who can also help you very much to understand things that you don’t right now know that you don’t know. Please consider this option again, if you’ve already dismissed it.
Again, I hope I didn’t offend you, it was not my intention. And, good luck with the whole project, I know your nephew will enjoy it very much.
Though at this writing the bidding is over on the MDC loco, Here’s my $.02, FWIW:
The loco is an MDC/Roundhouse 0-6-0 switcher (original prototype an SP engine) which is NOT missing a front truck - it never had one. Oops. My bad. It’s a “Old-Timer” 2-6-0 which is definitely missing the front truck. It is missing the headlight. While MDC engines are fine runners, once tuned up, this one (or one like it) is not a good choice for a beginner.
Like others, I would recommend going to a hobby shop (preferably a train shop) and discussing the situation with the folks there. They can point you to a good train set that will provide a great deal of enjoyment without taxing anyone’s maintenance skills. I do not believe the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 is a good choice, either. While a great little loco (I have two), it is more delicate than a beginner should have to deal with. I would definitely concur with those posters who have recommended the IHC 2-6-0 (which, incidentally, shares an SP heritage with the 0-6-0). It is a fine runner, and sturdy enough to withstand some rough handling, without looking clunky.
Good luck with your project. Santa appreciates your help, I’m sure, and your Christmas spirit is an inspiration to us all.