I'm on a budget, and IHC seems to fit in to my price range; However I do no not want to spend my money on crap. Are IHC steam locos a bad investment? -Chip-
Not at all. Detail is so-so and they all run very well. for Steam on a budget, it's hard to beat IHC.
I have to agree. I have seven of them and I am pleased with all of them. I do have one that sometimes gives me some problems with a lack of pulling power. I still have not quite gotten the bugs out of it. I have another one of that locomotive but a different road name that has not given me any trouble.
Tonight was the "railroad club" night at my house (me and my wife, my brother-in-law and his wife, and my 18 year old son and his girlfriend). We ran my IHC C&O 2-8-0 on my small HO layout for 5 hours continuously while we worked on the N layout and other stuff. Ran great. I have a few IHC steam engines, and some of their passenger cars. Not bad stuff for the price, and later on you can repaint them, or add additional details, etc.
Cheap Steam I think the answer is it depends upon what you need and expect. If DCC is a requirement, read on. It is all dependent upon the IFs. I have several pretty old 0-8-0 Rivorossi's which, from what I can tell are IHC or equivaltents. Being old, used engines, they are not very anything, except old, missing some various detail parts, lights and very used. They have terrible low speed performance. I purchased these for about 40 bucks each, used, on bad old Ebay, planning to put a Tsunami decoder in them and presto, I have a fleet of 0-8-0 ATSF! Well, lets look at the math, I have 80 bucks plus tax on the Tsunami and 80 bucks in two engines, neither of which is usable. Putting a decoder in them turned out to be a non-trivial exercise; the results very disappointing. That is over $170 bucks hard cash. :angry: The new P2K 0-8-0 on my layout is perfection, with incredible sound and awesome pulling power. I paid $262 plus tax at the Caboose for him, the only problem is the lettering, it is L&N instead of ATSF, a problem I found easy to live with. Today they both sit on a book shelf looking very noble and interesting, which is where they will remain until my layout needs some filler engines in the phase 3 engine maintenance yard that is a 2007 project. The Tsunami will go into a DC only P2K 0-6-0 I picked up for $122. I just purchased a 2-8-0 bachman with DCC built in. My experience with Bachman has been less than stellar, but we will see. For my money, BLI and P2K make the most affordable, hiqh quality steam locomotives out there. My requirements for a steam engine are: Authentic looks and detail DCC with Sound Slow, slow speed Smooth operation Pulling power for 15 to 20 cars on 2 percent grade SO, the question is what are YOUR requirements. Joe-Daddy
Chip, You may find this helpful: The Guide to HO Steam Locomotives http://www.steamlocomotive.com/model/HO-steam.shtml also, There is a seller on ebay named "the favorite spot" link here: http://stores.ebay.com/THE-FAVORITE-SPOT_HO-SCALE-TRAINS_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ2QQftidZ2QQtZkm He sells Bachmann in HO, O, On30 & N scale. all with Bachmanns warranty. copied from one of his bid discriptions "The item in this auction is brand new in the manufacturers original packaging and has never been used. THE ITEM COMES WITH A FACTORY WARRANTY! We are a factory authorized dealer for every product that we sell." I have purchased three HO Bachamnn Spectrum locos from him as well as 2 N scale steamers all with no problems. His prices are very very low. If you buy multiple items from him at once, you can usually save on shipping. He has "buy it now" prices and also bids most items out and they usually go for a decent bit lower than the "buy it now" price. also no sales tax unless you live in Texas!
I would have to agree with Joe Daddy. You are better off getting a reliable newer engine as it will allow you to have more detail and better operating characteristics. -The Life Life engines are just gems. Easy DCC install. I decodered my first DCC engine with sound on one of these and it was a breeze. -Bachmann looks good but is not as smooth as the lifelikes. -Anything by Braodway limited will be just stunning. -Personally, I feel that the IHC does not have the detail I have come to appreciate, nor the drive train that the better brands have. I do mostly N scale, but even in N scale there are brands of engines that are "a good deal" when it comes to price, but they aren't worth it. Anymore I just buy the relaible brands. I don't want to mess with a bum engine, I got a railroad to run.
I own a little of everything from Bachmann to Broadway and am pleased with the IHC performance. Of course, you get what you pay for and must sacrifice some detailing and other features found standard on stuff from other manufacturers. But if the budget dictates a conservative purchase at this time, IHC will make you happy.
I picked up a Mantua Pacific from the 60's at a show for $25.00. It runs well and makes lots of ozone.
John, Check your brushes, the commutator might be worn or have some oil on it that makes it arc. It is the arcing that produces ozone. Lionel's engines were bad about this. I still have the attachment to re-mill the mica insulators on commutators, but unless they are extending above the copper, it shoulden't arc. The only other thing that does it is bad worn out or cracked brushes. DO NOT sand a commutator, either turn it on your lathe, or gently file it smooth again. Wash it off good with alcohol and blow it dry with high pressure air. Oil very very sparingly.
funny thing Since I posted this thread alot has changed. I am now trying to track down a pfm ps4. Big difference between that and IHC wouldn't you say? I'll probably be needing a good divorce lawyer as well.Oh well that's life. Chip
Chip, There is an excellent add in the August 2006 Model Railroader from Rapido Trains Inc. in which there is a couple seated in a passenger car seat (1940 - 1950 era). The woman is smiling and saying to her husband, "honey...those new Super Continental Line passenger cars are so detailed, I think you should spend all of our savings on your hobby." - I have been giving copies of the add to friends who have wives that don't "understand" the hobby! (I hope the divorce lawyer thing is only a pun reference to the PFM purchase...)
MY lionel engine makes lots of Ozone smell. I have to say I get a flashback to my youth when I smell that Ozone. It's a wonderful train smell as far as I'm concerned.
Hey Tom, You make me want to invest in IHM, buy up all of the stock on eBay and place a some futures reservations. Not SBG (Super Big Grin)
I LIKE THEM FOR WHAT IT IS THESE STEAM ENGINES ARE THE THE ONES THAT SEEM TO ALWAYS WORK- WHEN MY KIDS OR GUEST LIKE TO RUN SOMETHING- THAT WHAT I PULL OUT- THEY WILL TAKE THE HANDLING AND STILL GIVE THE FEEL WITHOUT BREAKING OFF DETAILS(WHAT DETAILS) THAT TOOK SO LONG TO ADD - LEAVE THAT ENGINE ON THE LAYOUT DURING CONST. NO PROBLEM IT'S RIGHT THERE TO TEST THE TRACK WORK- DANG DROPPED SOMETHING- DIDN'T HURT THAT ONE-- .
