How are IHC locomotives?

[BHastings]

I am doing N scale for myself, but I am helping my little nephew "throw together" a little 4x8 HO setup for his first RR.

I see Kleins has some IHC Premier 0-8-0 steamers for something like $48. I am looking for a new engine for him. Something that is reliable and fairly smooth with not as much emphasis on looks as honestly he's not bothered by that. I really don't see much else in this price range except the cheapest Bachmann's.

He wants steam and is pretty firm on that, and he will always have adult supervision (he's 7).

Thanks,

Bill H

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The only loco I have from IHC is a Mehano T2-a 2-10-2. It run great. It has very smooth low speed performance and doesn't jerk or falter.

[BHastings]

Thanks Jeffrey!

[ak-milw]

I have a Hudson, prairie and a consolidation. I have had them for a few years now and never had a complaint. They do need a little extra work in the detail dept. but if that is no worry I think you will be happy owning one. If $48 is the right price on the 0-8-0 I think I just might snatch me up one!!

[Wildstar]

I hear very good things about their steam locos. I don't own any but did at one time have an HO scale IHC SD-24 and an IHC C-415. I was not satisified with the performance of either, both locos were too light and had problems picking current up off the rails.

[Tuna]

I have an older IHC Mountain and a new Gold Pacific. Both run very smooth. They are light and will not pull a lot of cars but that's okay by me.

[BHastings]

This is going on a 4x8 layout so not being able to pull a lot of cars shouldn't be much of a problem :)

[rogertra]

The only loco I have from IHC is a Mehano T2-a 2-10-2. It run great. It has very smooth low speed performance and doesn't jerk or falter.

Here's what I did to my three (President's Choice) IHC 2-10-2s


http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l99/rogertra/Great_Eastern/GERNo783atGranvilleJunction.jpg

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Here's what I did with mine.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/forum-1/P1010022-1.jpg

[CowDung]

I like IHC's products--a pretty good value for the money.

I got a 4-6-2 that runs very nicely.

[Larry777]

I have 2-8-0 that runs well. Their steam engines are short on detail with molded on piping but long on performance. As the one modeler did with his 2-10-2's, one can dress up an IHC quite nicely. I believe there was a recent article in RMC that features a modeler redoing an IHC 4-4-0 and together with DCC, made it a quality piece of work.