The consensus on IHC E-8 locos was pretty much a thumbs down - and so I have to ask, anyone have any experience with IHC steam locomotives? Again, they appear pretty regularly on ebay, at reasonable starting prices and they usually sell at that or higher. Somebody is buying them, although I wonder if they're simply collectors and not runners. Anybody have any experience with them?
Although I don't hesitate to spend the money on occasional high-end priced steam locomotives, I have a number of workhorse IHC steamers on my layout. Since I generally modify my locomotives to my fictional railroads specs, I much prefer cutting up a $50-$75 IHC engine than doing so on some $300-$500 item. Over the last 10 or so years IHC was in business, I never got one of their steamers that I wasn't satisfied, pulling, or running-wise. Their mechanisms, motors and drive trains are rather basic and apparently not prone to failure as I have some running on the layout for well over a decade now. However, it is not realistic to anticipate starting and steady running at 1 mph with IHC's, as some of the latest high-end engines are capable of. After break-in most IHC steamers will start moving at maybe 3-4 mph and are quite smooth running from there on up. There is usually available room in the shell to add some extra weight, especially in the larger steamers, always a good idea. In my experience, most IHC's will take any reasonable layout curves without derailment unlike many of the higher price engines. Admittedly, IHC's shell detail is circa 1990's quality, but these engines are meant for running on a layout, not sitting on a display shelf and being looked at. I won't hesitate to recommend IHC steamers to anyone just starting out, that are on a budget, nor can see the point of spending a small fortune on plastic brass that only runs on 30" curves and above. (typical IHC steamer on my layout) NYW&B
The IHC (Mehano) 2-10-2 is said to be quite good. I have a Mehano 2-10-2 that came in a Mehano set. It runs very well though it had a bit of a squeak to it until it got broken in. If the ones made for IHC run as well you would do well to get one.
Thanks for the response, everyone - that's just the type of information I was looking for. I am starting out, on a budget and am looking for a steamer that runs but doesn't have to be detailed to the max. I enjoy adding details anyway.
I have a IHC 2-8-0, With a little work mine runs like a clock. It is very quiet and most of the time you lose sight of it at the club layout because it dose not make any noise while running. I had to do so gear relining on mine the worm gear on the motor kept moving on the shaft instead of moving the loco. So I alighned it and epoxied it into place and lubed the gears with white lithum grease and its so quite from that. was loud because of grear meshing lol. I have costum built it for the denver rio grande to pull one log flat car behind the loco and one mail car then four passenger then a older style caboose for that area. late 1800's I think that these are wood built passenger cars Overlands. kenny.
To give you an idea of the detail, here's a photo of the Mehano 2-10-2 I have. No details added, just repainted.
I have a Mountain and a Pacific and they both run good. The Pacific is their Premium Gold DCC ready steamer in "Alton Limited" colors that I added sound and DCC to. Looks good and runs good. I hear that IHC is out of business now. If that's the case, the supply of them should be going down.
Generally I like IHC products. I run several of their cars because I could pick them up cheap. They are good bases to modify and create your own style or pain job, or they are good in mass.
I have an older IHC 2-6-0 that ran wonderfully on my store layout for quite a while, until the motor mount got a little too warm and deformed. Now the worm gear won't engage the axle gear. I tried to order parts for it back then, but didn't have any luck. Now I might have to make my own out of brass, or find a junker that can spare the part I need. Anyway, the IHC steam engines do run pretty well! Patrick
My Experience with IHC is a bit mixed and needs some salt. I have their generic 4-6-2 (never owned or ran by) Southern Pacific and it runs good but its underweight (little cramped under the shell) and is just their C&O coal fired loco in black SP paint. It just depends on which one you get. I've heard tale that there are decent IHC Steamers, but I haven't seen them in person yet :tb-sad:. With that said, I also have some older Athearn locos that run good between tear downs, so it just depends on which ones your looking at. In one of my threads I touched on upgrading (Walthers Pullman Observation car) IHC cars if your interested in getting them too. After some lead and upgrades they become pretty good cars for the money. The 2 IHC car sets I have still came out cheaper then my Walthers GN Empire Builder even after weights and upgrades, except that my IHCs are interior free. Also, AKrrnut, since your in Oregon also, I have the gear from my Bachmann FP40 ccab if it'll help you (worm gears, gears, motor, no axel gears however). I'm not using them so PM me if your interested.
The IHC steamers were made by Mehano. The last batch made for IHC were made by Mehano in China. While Mehano still exists IHC is no longer. Someone has picked up the name but there are no more steam engines being made for IHC by Mehano. As mentioned, the supply of these engines will soon dry up. Best to find what you are looking for now. As these steam engines become more scarce prices could rise as they do for scarce items. These engines were somewhat dated in their appearance but their design of their moving components made these engines almost bulletproof. Great running engines, fairly rugged. IF you can find the IHC engines at reasonable prices you will not be sorry.
Just picked up a new IHC 4-6-2 Pacific off "that auction site." Although prices seem to be inching upward, I thought it was a good buy. As many have posted, it's a good runner. This particular one has Mehano Slovenia stamped on the bottom. I think with some time spent on adding some proper L&N decals and detailing, it's going to be a fine addition.
In the past I have avoided IHC engines due to their "steam roller" wheels and poor mechanisms. After all, they are really entry level models. However, I have three IHC 2-10-2s that were relabeled "President's Choice" for a Canadian supermarket chain as I'd heard they were the best IHC engines ever made. These engines have the RP25 wheels but unfortunately didn't come DCC ready. They did come with an Elesco feedwater heater, a big plus but the wrong feedwater pump. Ah well. That's what brass parts are for. I junked the awful tenders IHC supplied and replaced them with kitbashed Spectrum Hicken oil tenders which I converted to coal and shortened to a more Canadian length. I added the correct Elesco feedwater pumps and two styles of all-weather cabs. I also moved the steam sandboxes around and added other details to create two sub-classes of locomotive. I also added extra weight which I do to all steam locos. These engine now represent the survivors of the GER's largest steam locomotives but will still fit (just) onto a 90ft turntable, as will all GER locomotives. I am really pleased with them and recommend them, but not the tender, if you can find any available. You can see the results of my work below: -
Yes they do. That seems to be the calling card of theses IHC steamers, with some careful attention they can be the basis of a decent model. Personally this is the bestoption for me, I can't justify paying out the big bucks for the current examples of steamers on the market. No doubt they're worth it - I just can't afford them. The IHC's will never satisfy some purists but they meet my needs nicely. Too bad IHC bit the bullet, they definitely filled a niche that so far seems to be neglected.
Can't answer that one, as I'm strictly DC. Maybe some others have some experience. I think I recall some of the later IHC offerings being advertised as "DCC Ready" on the box. Anyone have something to share on that?
