They put in a Loksound V.4 in there, so it’s decently proper speaker and chuff for the size.
I’m a big fan of this engine. I was surprised to see it in the Walther’s catalog with little fan-fare.
I also found a video of the new Allegheny with the new sound decoder:
how does locsound work with plain old D.C.?Or does it at all.
It’s a dual mode decoder. But if it’s like my original H8 with/loksound (pre version 4.0) It will need at least 6 volts to get it going. Going up to 12 Volts gets it going at a decent coal hauling speed. I clocked my out at ~50smph on the club layout before we switched to DCC.
This is certainly faster than typical coal drag (15-30 MPH), but slower then it’s top rated speed of ~60 MPH. It was designed to run 5000 tons at 45MPH. But typically hauled quite a bit more once in service.
I have the first sound-equipped H-8 from 2007. I removed the LokSound because of those same sound files. The H-8 had a hooter, and I felt the chuffs were too light and airy. Instead, I installed a Tsunami “heavy” which, I think, comes quite a bit closer to duplicating what the Allegheny sounded like.
That aside, I really am impressed with the model. It moves well, looks terrific, and it is surprisingly highly detailed for plastic. Pleasantly surprised in my case. [8D]
Crandell
Crandell
Good review. The model is a good runner but the chuffs are way off and should be four double chuffs per rev of the drivers, not two double chuffs as heard on the video. Other O scale models do the same thing with two chuffs per rev so the model can be run at high speed and still chuff.
Does anyone know if it still comes with the two cabs included in the box? One for short curves and the prototype standard length cab.
Nice looking super detailed model that does look better than some of the early brass models and runs better than most brass models.
CZ
Setting CV57 and CV58 will fix the chuff timing
Don:
Glad to see that “The Beast From The East” is back in production. I have a first-run (DC no sound) Rivarossi version that I use as a ‘loaner’ on my layout, and I really like it.
Question: Does the latest run from Hornby have traction tires? Reason I ask is that the traction tires on my original Rivarossi lasted about two months before wearing off, but the lack of them didn’t seem to affect the considerable pulling power of the loco itself at all. It’s still smooth, sweet and powerful.
Tom
Thanks. That is good information. Does the decoder have whistle selections?
CZ
They still haven’t put brake shoes and hangers on this beauty.
Grab the pitchforks and torches!!!
Ed
Ed, in my run from 2006/7, the details such as the hangers and brake shoes were provided and had to be added by the customer. It took some doing, too. I had to modify the pins because they were too long for the bored lengths in the frame. Also included were chains for the tender’s trucks, and some other odd and ends. I seem to recall having to apply the grab irons on the cab.
Crandell
They’re included as separately added parts in a little bag, along with the brass plates, truck chains, and other parts. They have been since the beginning.
I have one of the first runs from Hornby, and it includes two traction tires. One of them has fallen off of mine, but it hasn’t hurt the model’s smooth pulling power.[:D]
Thank you Crandell and Darth,
As whats-his-name said, “I did not know that.”
The Allegheny is on my list of 10 favorite steam locos; though it tends to stretch out to 15 and then 20 and…
So my slightly envious congratulations to owners of this model.
Ed
Wish the price range was in the same area as Bachmann’s new 2-8-8-4
Yes, the outlay could choke a horse. I darned near choked when my supplier emailed my shipping notice a year after I had forgotten about it, cheerily adding, “Your Allegheny with sound has been shipped!” Sputter, spew, gasp, cough…WHAAATTT?! I had to hand over a hockey sock full of brownie points to She when I confessed that it was finally coming to me.
Crandell
Tom, get some nylon traction tires from Calumet Trains, they last for ever and work better than rubber ones.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/192-511
And Allegheny’s still offered in DC - I may just have to get one more as well as a few Bachmann EM-1’s.
Sheldon
Go get 'em, Sheldon. You know you want one.[:-,]
They are mightily photogenic as they are prodigious pullers.
Crandell
sheldon:
Thanks for the tip. Oddly enough, the Allegheny didn’t seem to lose any tractive effort at all when the traction tires went–it still hauls very nicely up my 2-2.2% grades, which came as a VERY pleasant surprise (though my grades are long, they’re not constant). It doesn’t weigh nearly as much as my brass articulateds, but it seems to be very nicely balanced over the drivers, which still gives it a lot of ‘dig’ .
However, if I do decide to replace the tires, it’s good to know that the Calumets are long-lasting. The original Rivarossi ones sure weren’t!
Tom
Crandell,
I already have one, but I don’t want it to be lonely. I’ve been watching for a second one on the secondary market at a good price for a while, but with them re-released, I just may get my local shop to order one.
Sheldon
Bought two of the original Rivarossi’s, and I rate them right up there with my P2K Heritage steam (now apparently extinct) for good looks and running. I put a Tsunami Heavy in one, but the articulated sound at mid-speed and above seems artificial to me. May try a Titan in the other, as in my EM-1. Hal