Is there a prototype for the Atlas/Rivarossi 0-8-0? I can't find any prototype picture anywhere resembling this loco. Anyone know anything about it? / Kenneth
The Atlas / Rivarossi 0-8-0 is a fairly accurate model of the Indiana Harbor Belt three-cylindered 0-8-0s that were essentially a development of the USRA 0-8-0. The locomotive itself is a decent model; the tender is too short and somewhat out of proportion. The model's mechanism had some design faults; the spacing of the front driver axle and idler gear along with a too-soft bottom retainer plate allowed the front driver to jump out of quarter. It is one of the worst locos in N to get to run properly. Today many are out of service due to Zincpest; a warping of the frame due to impurities in the casting. The Rivarossi Pacific also has this problem so don't buy any of either sight unseen... Somehow the other Rivarossi/Atlas/ConCor steam locos (2-8-2, O-4-0, 0-4-0T, 4-6-6-4, 4-8-8-4, 2-8-8-2, and 2-8-4 mostly avoided this problem. Charlie Vlk
Thanks for the quick answer! I did already get one in a "box of junk" out of Ebay. It was infested with Zincpest, didn't run because of it but the motor was fine. Managed to get it to work after extensive filing, cutting and glueing of the chassis. It now runs just as fine as my 4-6-2, that didn't have any problems with zincpest. The shell came relettered and weathered in a way I don't like, so I Thought I'd repaint and reletter it after the prototype. Anyone have a picture of it? / Kenneth
Hmmm, IHB No. 100 as shown in George Elwood's "Fallen Flags" has had its Elesco feedwater heater removed. Wonder why and when that was done? As built, these were definitely "beetle-browed". :cat:
Someone in charge at Rivarossi obviously fancied the IHB 0-8-0, as it was not only available in N, but in HO and O as well, and Rivarossi had even fewer O scale models than it had N scale ones! I converted one of the N scale ones to a PRR H10 2-8-0 over 30 years ago and it is still running. The tender is really pretty close except for the booster truck, which the HO and O models had, BTW. :cat:
I soldered a 3/64" brass wire on each side of the retainer plate to keep - in my case - the second driver from jumping out of quarter. Have also filed the bottom of chassis flat on some after warping caused by heat. Have had same trouble with a 2-8-8-2. I have a dozen 0-8-0s and two converted to 2-8-0s. All run fine. Al
I have one 0-8-0 and haven't experienced any of the above problems. It keeps chugging along. I also had one 0-8-0 in HO scale many years ago and it ran extremely well for many years. Stay cool and run steam.....
