Rivarossi Heisler - Great running engine.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I bought my Rivarossi two truck Heisler a couple of years ago and have only now converted the engine to DCC and placed it on my layout.

On DC the engine was a smooth runner, good slow speed control. As my logging/mining portion of my layout is separate from my mainline I thought I would just run it DC. I changed my mind and added a Digitrax decoder to it. An easy job as it has the 8 pin plug installed.

The difference in its running characteristics is terrific. Super slow speed, just crawls if you want it to,

I am very impressed with this engine. I checked with the Riverossi/Hornby site and I am advised that there are no plans to re-release this engine. I am sure it would sell well as there are no other plastic Heislers being offered. Rivarossi has so few engines for the North American market.

2

Don

I agree completely, too bad they dropped such a nice runner. My “latest version” Rivarossi 2 truck with DCC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFOwvlbCQTE

3

I forgot to mention that Horby/Rivarossi does still make the log cars in HO.

They are hard to find as they are few and far between.

However does their marketing in North America does not appear to have made inroads in the HO train model community. Problems with distributing?

The last new thing the new item Hornby/Rivarossi did for the North American market was to bring back the 60’ Heavyweight cars. Roadnames are limited to Pennsylvania and Chicago North West. When contacted about other roadnames I was informed that there was no intention to manufacture any other roadnames.