Rivarossi Erie tank switcher: Smooth enough runner to be worth it?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Well, down at the local auction hall the the auctioneer was setting up for the Monday sale. Browsing what he had, I came across a huge line of tables full of someone’s sizable model collection. 2 tables of brand new in the box O, O27 N and HO track, 10s of Lionel engines and the works. At the end there was a cardboard soda flat with a Erie Rivarossi 0-8-0 tank and a smaller 0-4-0 painted up for CNJ, along with the assorted Tyco junk. As I am in need of a small switcher, I was wondering if the 0-8-0 was worth the 2 hour wait with the usual, eh, crowd and that one guy who will buy anything that looks like a toy or a lantern in any shape.

Take in mind that even though its an Italian prototype and its relative worthlessness, all I want to know is if it is a smooth enough runner after tinkering to be worth it.

Thanks for any input.

(Oh, and if you are wondering where this auction is, it’s in the Hop Bottom fire hall in Hop Bottom, PA. Listing here.)

2

I have a Rivarossi 0-4-0 switcher w/tender that was my dad’s. It’s from the 60’s & it still runs great. It’s quiet, doesn’t haul a lot but it does what I ask it to.

My son’s Mehano 0-8-0 switcher w/tender, is even quieter & does the job Liam wants it to.

If they’re not asking a lot for it, try it out

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

3

I had the IHB 0-8-0 and it was a smooth runner but,light in the stern.IIRC it could pull around 12 stock weight Athearn cars.

Not a bad locomotive for its day.

4

Ok than. I’ll see if I can win it tomorrow when the auction starts.

Thanks for your help. [:D]

5

I have a couple of Rivarossi tank engines my father-in-law gave me. They still run well, after perhaps a half-century, but watch out for the wheel flanges. The ones I have are equipped with “pizza cutter” wheels. The flanges are so large that the engine won’t even run reliably over turnouts on Code 100 track, let alone Code 83.