It seems like everybody and their brother has suddenly decided that no HO steam roster is complete without a 2-10-2 (heavy or light - maybe one of each). Everytime I turn around I see that still another manufacturer has come out with one. With a train show here in Atlanta this weekend I’m thinking about picking one up if I can get a good deal. The question is which ones to look for and which ones to avoid. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Right now, there are only four non-brass 2-10-2s on the market, one each by Bachmann, BLI, Bowser and IHC. I have the Bachmann and Bowser engines and have seen the other two up close. Here’s my take:
Bachmann USRA light 2-10-2: The engine is a little light on the detailing, but it looks good and runs and pulls well enough for most layouts. As with all Bachman Spectrum steam offerings, a decent, generic, affordable engine.
BLI ATSF 2-10-2: From what I’ve been hearing from the Santa Fe guys, they’re very happy with the model. If you model the ATSF’s steam fleet, you can’t go wrong with the model. Unfortuinately, it really doesn’t look much like any one else’s engines, so it’ll be hard to redetail or freelance with the model.
Bowser “USRA” 2-10-2: The engine pulls VERY well, and will last a long time with minimal maintenance. That’s about the only positive aspect of the engine. The detailing is bad, the cab is worthless, and the tender is wrong for any USRA engine. Expect to spend upwards of 50 hours to assemble, detail and paint it to the level of the Bachmann engine. It’s more expensive than the Bachmann engine too.
IHC 2-10-2. This engine is completely generic, as are all of the other IHC engines (which may or may not be “very close” to specific prototypes). It runs well and is the second most affordable 2-10-2 available (next to Bachmann), but the detailing is horriffic. The engine isn’t freelanced in the “not real but realistically plausable” way, but freelanced in the “Let’s add a E-8 nose to a SD-40 body, and power it with dragon farts” way. The detailing is physically impossible in the real world.
There’s a fifth 2-10-2 that’s about to hit the market, the Walthers/Life-Like USRA heavy 2-10-2. This engine should be as good as the rest of the P2K steam offerings: fine detailing of at least one real prototype engine, a smooth runner, a poor puller, and very expensive (more expensive with sound). If you do plan to wait for this model, keep in mind that Wa
Rivarossi also made a 2-10-2 for a long time, which was sold under the AHM name. The detail was good, but like other old Rivarossis, they had large flanges, the motor was in the cab, and they were light weight, which made it so Rivarossi had to add traction tires. With a little fine tuning, they can be very nice runners, just like any other AHM/Rivarossi steam/diesel engine.[:D] My old Rivarossi 0-6-0 is one of my smoothest running steam engines.[:D]
[quote user=“orsonroy”]
Right now, there are only four non-brass 2-10-2s on the market, one each by Bachmann, BLI, Bowser and IHC. I have the Bachmann and Bowser engines and have seen the other two up close. Here’s my take:
Bachmann USRA light 2-10-2: The engine is a little light on the detailing, but it looks good and runs and pulls well enough for most layouts. As with all Bachman Spectrum steam offerings, a decent, generic, affordable engine.
BLI ATSF 2-10-2: From what I’ve been hearing from the Santa Fe guys, they’re very happy with the model. If you model the ATSF’s steam fleet, you can’t go wrong with the model. Unfortuinately, it really doesn’t look much like any one else’s engines, so it’ll be hard to redetail or freelance with the model.
Bowser “USRA” 2-10-2: The engine pulls VERY well, and will last a long time with minimal maintenance. That’s about the only positive aspect of the engine. The detailing is bad, the cab is worthless, and the tender is wrong for any USRA engine. Expect to spend upwards of 50 hours to assemble, detail and paint it to the level of the Bachmann engine. It’s more expensive than the Bachmann engine too.
IHC 2-10-2. This engine is completely generic, as are all of the other IHC engines (which may or may not be “very close” to specific prototypes). It runs well and is the second most affordable 2-10-2 available (next to Bachmann), but the detailing is horriffic. The engine isn’t freelanced in the “not real but realistically plausable” way, but freelanced in the “Let’s add a E-8 nose to a SD-40 body, and power it with dragon farts” way. The detailing is physically impossible in the real world.
There’s a fifth 2-10-2 that’s about to hit the market, the Walthers/Life-Like USRA heavy 2-10-2. This engine should be as good as the rest of the P2K steam offerings: fine detailing of at least one real prototype engine, a smooth runner, a poor puller, and very expensive (more expensive with sound). If you do plan to wait for this mo
Believe me Zeph, I’d LOVE to see a 2700 come out in plastic (or any other IC-specific steamer, for that matter). I tried to show Walther the error of their ways in only releasing the heavy as a stock USRA engine, but to no avail. Too bad too: there are hundreds of CB&Q, IC, Pennsy and Erie modelers out there who would have jumped at the chance to own a CORRECT version of this engine. Witht he cost touching $400, I doubt there are more than a handful of serious modelers who will spring for the engine in order to modify it into a useful engine, and fewer modelers who will look at the model, look at the Bachmann version,. say “what’s the difference?” and spring for the less expensive model.
I would give P2K some time. When they first came out with the 2-8-8-2 it was pretty narrow as to application, but they soon came out with a different set of body and details on the same running gear that would let one step back another 30 years if they wanted to. I suspect they are not deaf as to what people would still like to see in a 2-10-2. I have also heard (totally unconfirmed rumor) that BLI/PCM is somewhat interested in doing a B&O Big Six. Wouldn’t a couple of those and an EM-1 send the B&O fans into fits of ecstasy!?
I would go with a BLI or bachmann spectrum. Oviously, BLI being 100 times better.
Orsonroy; There should be no reason to detail or modify the BLI 2-10-2, it’s perfect right out of the box. It weighs a ton, pulls great, (even greater with traction tires which are provided), runs smooth and looks like it came right out of the many pictures that I have of this engine. I guess you might say, “It’s picture perfect”. I own 2 and I wouldn’t part with them for anything!!!
Dick
Texas Chief
Ya wanna send Pennsy fans into fits? Throw a chain over the catenary wires, then direct one over to it, “What’s THIS doing here??” JUST KIDDING!!! DON’T SEND ANY HATE MAIL!!!
Big Six. My all time favorite. Have many of them. Prefer the Rivarossi. I still buy 'em when I see 'em.
Interesting info can be seen here:
http://www.eddystonelocomotives.com/overhauls.htm
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