Has anyone taken one of the new Rivarossi Heislers apart? I just picked up a newer one and want to put a Tsunami decoder in it. It looks pretty straight forward but I would like to here from someone who’s done it already and make sure theres no little surprises waiting for me. By the way, I’m very impressed with it, it’s up to the class of the Walthers Proto 2000 line. After not having any luck with they’re old engines I was very hesitant to buy one. Thanks in advace.
There should be a pamphlet in the box. There is very detailed instructions complete with photos showing the installation of a DCC decoder unit.
Wish all locomotives that are DCC ready would include instructions with pictures like this engine.
Installing the boiler back on after adding the decoder can be a challenge, but besides that it pretty straightforward. One screw is under the water hatch on the tender btw.
Your “new” Heisler is probably 10-12 years old. This is the last time they were produced by Rivarossi before they had finacial difficulties and were taken over by Hornby from England. Now it looks like we may get a new production run of the Heislers just after the first of the year if the advertising I have seen recently is anywhere close as to delivery dates. Hope they are good.
More like 6-7, Walthers has them listed in the 2005 reference book.
I stand by my 10+ year old observation because Rivarossi went bankrupt 2001ish and produced no more after that. They were still in the Walthers catalog because Walthers still had inventory left over. Hornby took over Rivarossi in 2004 and the first years of production under the British regime was focused on European stuff. The US production didn’t show back up until late 2006. Now they have announced a new production run for 2013- hopefully it looks/runs good.
They will, my 2002 version(s) run excellent.
I don’t mean to stray but the question was has anyone taken one apart? If so, is there anything to watch out for. Thank you.
I have to assume you never clicked on the Geared Steam link. Go look.
Rich
Outstanding web site! This should be the standard for all the others. Plain English, great pictures, easy to follow instructions, and a large product line for everything.
Geared Steam, Thank you for the link. I totally missed it on the website. That was just what I was looking for. I’d have never gotten it apart with the way I thought it came apart. Well that isn’t particularly true, I’d have gotten it apart but never been able to get it back together. THANK YOU again.
Don 7, I got it off e-bay and there wasn’t a pamphlet included, but everything else seems to be there. Thanks.
Glad I could help, I was going to do a tutorial for my website but the TCS one already existed. No use doing what’s already been done (and done very well) so I just link to it from my site.