I need reviews for athearn HO steam engines that will fit a 18in turn radius. Which engine(s) would you prefer or think would be good?
For 18" radius, go with IHC locos, not Athearns.
David B
Side note…your Thread Title doesnt actually reflect what you are asking.
What IHC models would you recommend that’s under $150?
Any. They run the gambit from 4-4-0s to Mikados and beyond.
David B
I have an Athern Challenger that will do 18" - but it looks dumb on that tight radius!! (I think they claim the Big Boy will also do it - will look really dumb!!) Short wheelbase locos will look better, 4-4-0, 0-6-0, 4-6-0, maybe a 2-8-0. My [2c]
The Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 might be nice. Right now you can get them for about $60 to $80 on ebay. Maybe $12.00 for shipping. They are equiped with a DCC decoder and can run on DC. I have one. Sound can be added. They go for about $130 at some online stores and $240 direct from Bachmann.
Here is a link to a review.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,4967.15.html
There is the Roundhouse 4-4-0 DCC and sound, Can also run on DC. They are $224 retail but a lot less from online stores.
http://www.roundhousetrains.com/Default.aspx
A review.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1905/roundhouse_4-4-0_page/
Horizon Hobby who owns Athearn and Roundhouse sells them at full price. If you go to the Roundhouse site and look at the very bottom, you will see in small print Horizon Hobby and Athearn.They are not as purty as the Spectrum. I have the Roundhouse 4-4-0 also, plus the 2-6-0 and 2-8-0. I added my own sound decoders to the 2-6-0 and 2-8-0. Even though there is a Roundhouse site some people will call them Athearn locomotives or Horizon Hobby locos or whatever.
Rich
Would a 2-6-2 do the turn without looking dumb? I’m iterested in the Bachmann 2-6-2.
If you want a 2-6-2, go for an IHC loco. The Bachmann 2-6-2 is not one of their Spectrum locos, and is of very poor running and appearance quality. And yes, either will look just fine on 18" radius.
Edit: Oops! My bad. I was thinking of IHC’s 2-6-0, not a 2-6-2. The 2-6-0 Mogul is an excellent locomotive. Smooth and quiet running, decent cast-on detail. Looks very SP-ish.
Nope. BBs and Challengers won’t do it. So long as you don’t pass the 8-10 driver count, you should be fine.
The only Athearn steam locomotive I have is the Big Boy which is a beautifully detailed model, but I have had nothing but problems running it in DC and there’s definately a mechanical binding somewhere that I can’s trace too. So much so that I have ordered a PCM unit and will sideline the Athearn. Also I have one SD70 which is a poor performer - no I shouldn’t say that. Unreliable compared to my Proto’s and Kato’s, although again the detail is good.
A point I would make is though, if you are after a Big Boy there is a choice, but in most instances unless brass is affordable to you, the way it works is; if you want an H8 you get a Rivarossi or nothing; a N&W A Class its BLI or nothing etc. So you may, if you need a FEF or a Challenger, have no choice.
I would shop around. Although other makers’ list prices seem higher deals are there for the taking.