Which 4-4-0 Old-Time American?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m trying to decide which model to get the IHC 4-4-0 Old-Time American Jupiter or Bachmann. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions? I feel like IHC would be better but don’t know. Thanks.

2

No comparison. Get the IHC. I have both. You want to buy a Bachman Jupiter?

Uh, I guess I said that wrong. The Bachman is really good. Really. I’ll sell it cheap.

3

The IHC 4-4-0 tends to be an erratic runner unless extra electrical pickups are added to the tender wheels.

I have a “what I did” web article at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/locomotives/wipers/

The added pickups might work with the Bachmann 4-4-0. The new motor is skew wound and the motor runs reasonably well.

The IHC 4-4-0 is actually not an HO model but an OO scale model running on HO track. (3.5mm/ft versus 4mm/ft. )

Click image to enlarge

The IHC 4-4-0 next to an OO scale figure. I explain the advantages of modeling old time railroading in OO/HO at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/why/

Thank you if you visit
Harold

4

Agree with SpaceMouse… overall the IHC is is better running, better detailed and made with better materials.

As Harold says, the IHC 4-4-0 is a little oversize for HO scale, but it still looks good with most of the available plastic old timer models.

5

Depending on what period you’re interested in, I’d suggest waiting for the new Bachmann Spectrum 1880s 4-4-0 to be released late next year. It’ll be the best 4-4-0 on the market, which really isn’t saying much, considering how mediocre the models from Bachmann (non-Spectrum), IHC and Rivarossi are.

6

You should buy a suitable mid-run Rivarossi model from E-Bay. They are by far the best of the plastic 4-4-0s.

7

The IHC with the tender wipers I describe run like clockwork. I have several people e-mail me about how well they run after this mod. The new Bachmann 4-4-0 will not be an 1880’s but a late 1890’s early 1900 prototype.

The reason the OO/HO IHC 4-4-0 looks good with the currently available old timer cars is most are really OO scale models. The Bachmann boxcars match 1870’s prototypes in OO scale. The MDC cars which are 1890’s HO scale out to an 1870’s size in OO scale.

Harold

8

i built an MDC 4-4-0 kit and bashed it into an appropriate looking oltimer model, my first scratchbuilting project was the tender for it. folling the articles that ran in MR back in 97.

9

I’m guessing that there is no such thing as a very well made, dcc/sound old timer model?

10

I have an older Bachmann 4-4-0 with a pancake motor and it only runs OK. I hear the IHCs are smooth, quiet runners. But you can get whichever one you want. Bachmann’s 4-4-0 may be better now.

11

Pick up a Mantua/Tyco 4-4-0 “General” on e-bay and add a Cary Locomotive works 4-4-0 Boiler. The Mantua 4-4-0 is a fairly simple mechinism and easy to repair. If you need a new Motor, Northwest Shortline has you covered.

James

12

jacon12: You are correct. I suppose the Bachmann may be a different story next year, but I’ll wait for the reviews. Pre-1900 model railroading is definitely a niche, despite the historical appeal of the era for many modelers–model railroading was originally intended to model contemporary railroads, not really historic ones, but as the age of steam (and the age of passenger rail and ubiquity of trains) passed nostalgia took hold on the hobby. There are a few such models out there, but mostly not much better than the “toy train” end or expensive brass stuff.

As far as off-the-shelf, though, nope…

13

Is anyone other than Bachmann, IHC and Roundhouse making HO scale 1870-1890 trains in plastic? There are some wood craftsman kits by LaBelle and RioGrande Models, maybe a few resin F&C and Westerfield kits… anything else?

14

thanks… that’s what I figured. I was thinking about using one for an excursion train but I’d really like to have it in dcc and sound if possible. It might be feasible to do in dcc but the sound would be a whole 'nuther ballgame.
Appreciate it Jet!
JaRRell

15

II have a Arbor Models Cast Metal 4-4-0 Kit, but I haven’t built it yet. I have no idea of when it was built, but it looks decent. It has the open motor in the engine and it should be a good puller.

16

Model Power was supposed to be re-releasing the old Mantua General, with upgraded parts and updated for DCC … but I haven’t heard anything about it in almost a year.

It would be marketed as part of the Mantua Classics line.

If it becomes reality, I would think it would become the new best bet.