I appreciate any help on this as our local hobby stores “down under” can’t stock the range that is probably available for the model RR scene in the States/Canada. I have asked other members of my local RR club but haven’t received much info. Any input from “up over” about Rivarossi quality (locos and/or cars) is appreciated[:D]
Cheers
Kozzie
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maybe if you are more specific about what type of locomotives you want info on it might be easier to answer your question, I have some RIVAROSSI steamers but no diesels or cars
the link below is a club down under:
http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~jpfeffer/upmrc/index.htm
I hope this is not the club that gave you little info, I noticed you are from Brisbane too
LUPO
For HO scale passenger cars, Walthers is currently on top of the food chain in the under $40 price range. Some internet discount dealers are offering Walthers cars at $25, though I personally expect that these prices may climb as the price of petroleum increases.
I saw the new Rivorossi passenger cars at a train show. They also are equipped with interiors and are better than the cars from the past.
As for locomotives, in the under $60 “affordable” diesel arena, LIfe Like Proto 2000 units will likely outperform Rivorossi diesels. They come with nice detailing too.
Hopefully more modelers will chime in with comments on steam locomotive comparisons.
Cheers!
I’ve had one experience with Rivarossi. I bought a 0-8-0 for a Christmas present and had to return it a few days later because it stopped working. It’s usually hit and miss with Rivarossi: Some have really been happy with theirs; others have not.
Proto 1000, Proto 2000 and Atlas will be your better locomotives. Proto 2000 has the steamers and some diesels; Atlas has diesels - especially the more modern ones. The Proto 2000 line has beautiful detailing, as well as the Atlas Gold line.
Tom
Remember there is no more Rivarossi and all the new stuff will be chinese made and not necessarily similar to the old stuff in any way shape or form. They are now Hornby.
The very latest Rivarossi steam engines, with the motors in the boilers and nice looking RP-25 wheel contours, look and run quite well from what I have seen, and are world’s removed from the older Riv engines with the motors in the cab and pizza cutter wheels. I do not have any because they are not to my prototypes. I would put them there with BLI, Athearn Genesis, Bachmann Spectrum, and P2K on looks and running in the non-sound realm.
Rivarossi declared bankruptcy and ceased production, and Hornby bought them and have announced plans to resume production, but the steam engines they made at the end from what I have seen were quite good.
I like Rivarossi passenger cars, BUT I do make a lot of modifications and upgrades.
I have two Rivarossi engines with which I’ve been very pleased. A heisler and a NYC Hudson. Both are later vintage (i.e. DCC ready, RP-25 wheels, no motor in cab). FWIW.
My [2c] regarding Athearn Genesis steam: too light and doesn’t have electrical pickup in tender. Other than that, smooth, quiet runners.
When it comes to Rivarossi the word is CAUTION. If it’s older stuff stay away-you’re money would be better spent elsewhere. If it’s new and improved Rivarossi really test it-my honest opinion is that after all the c**p Rivarossi put out they have to EARN your trust. JMHO
Proto 2K is now part of Walthers.
Jon
My opinion on Rivarossi passenger cars is that they fill out a garbage can quite nicely. They take a lot of work to make them half way decent. And most of those cars and their lettering have a definate identity crisis. Go with the Walther’s cars and save yourself a lot of hassle.
The log cars are very good. Nice trucks and detail.
Older RR Diesels: E8, Krauss Maffie, U25C, all good in their day, and run very well if adjusted properly. Not as good as today’s average diesel.
Newer RR diesels: E8, ALCO C-420, E8 uses the old design mechanism, but has a better motor and RP-25 flanges, C-420 has a good shell, all wheel drive, all wheel electrical pickup, 5 pole motor with dual flywheels and a metal frame, so it compares well to today’s average quality diesels.
Older RR steam: Good for their time, and run well if adjusted properly, compare pretty well to today’s IHC steamers.
Newer RR steam: Use old shells (except for the FEF-3, Allegheny and heisler), but I hear they run very well. Compare well to today’s high quality steam.[:D]
Good goobly!! A bit strong about the garbage can…[V][:p]
The HO Rivorossi streamliners need some modifying, but being an owner, I disagree that they need a lot of work.
The amount of time it took me to perform the above totals less than 15 minutes per car.
Afterwards comes the fun. I paint metalize them with Alclad II. The finish looks better than the Walthers Budd cars.[;)]
Yes, painting is additional time but I’m just sharing that Rivorossi streamliners are actually decent passenger cars with great potential. Up until the arrival of the Walthers Budd cars, they were the best “bang for the buck” HO corrugated streamlined cars commonly available.
Part of the fun of this hobby, for me, is taking something that looks “mediocre” and turning it into a very nice looking model. [:D][8D][;)]
Ah, Antonio. Very nice and helpful post.
I have two Rivarossi EMD E units, and two Proto 2000 E-units. There really is no comparison, as the Proto 2000 units are light years ahead of the Rivarossi offerings in appearance, detail, and performance. I also have several Rivarossi passenger cars, both heavyweight and streamlined. They are pretty good performers, good looking as well, but have been modified. I would say that the current “standard” in passenger cars are those offered by Walthers. They look great, perform well, and are reasonably priced. If you enjoy building your heavyweight cars, Branchline offers some excellent kits.
The Riverossi will always show quality in my family.
BLI is the current star of the roundhouse on my railroad with the steam and soon to be acquired F units. (COME ON!!! WAITING 2 years now!!! LOL)
The Antonio’s post regarding the brief overhaul of the passenger cars to make them worthy of today’s standards really is a good bang for the buck. I use Walthers Heavyweights but eventually might get a set of the lightweight Riverossi Cars and do just what Antonio suggested to have a nice fleet without the wallet pain.
Proto is a bit light. I own the QSI 2-8-8-2 which has very good manners and serves well as a pusher but is light in the overall pulling.
Athearn Genesis runs extremly well for the mikado but cannot pull it’s tender uphill.
Eventually I think Riverossi may release the 2-6-6-6 under either a Hornby name or something else. This engine is the beast of the east and one of the best in the hobby. Probably ever. I really dont have a place for it but I would like to own one someday.
Actually, I think Hornby is re-releasing the 2-6-6-6 under the Rivarossi name, hopefully this year. The retail will be $500, which is $85 less then the original retail.[:D] Walthers is alreay taking reservations for them.
http://walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=&manu=Rivarossi&item=&keywords=&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search
(bottom of page)
They come up on eBay occasionally, and there’s this one italian guy who’s trying to sell one for $600 US.[:0] They can be had for cheaper.[:D]
Ouch. 500 USD? They need to be sound and Dual mode DCC equiptted then =)