AHM/Rivarossi 0-8-0 powering kit - anyone know the value?

[Darth Santa Fe]

I recently got a good deal on a new in the box AHM O scale IHB 0-8-0 kit, and would like to eventually power it.  Rivarossi made the 7209M powering kit to go with it, but since they're rare, people seem to charge whatever they want for them.  Anyone have a good idea of what these are actually worth so I can try and avoid over-paying as I watch for a deal to come up?

Aside from my Lionel 2343 set, this is going to be my only scale model in O (the rest is prewar tinplate type stuff), so I'm excited to be putting it together!  Also, on that note, O scale wheels can run on 3-rail tubular track with a 42" curve, right?  As long as it can fit, I can handle the center pickup shoe easy enough, but if it can't, maybe I'll just make it a display model.

[Flintlock76]

I don't know myself, but from what I've seen on "The Bay" a lot of articles people put up for sale go from reasonable to heart attack level. (I priced an out-of-print trolley history a week ago. Jeez! What, are they doin' drugs?)

If you see one, get a figure in your mind just what it's worth to you and don't go above it.  Best advice I can give. I've seen things myself I'd have been interested in but can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a toy.

[emdmike]

Seen them for around $100 at train shows and many times still on that table at the end of the show.  Same basic price for an unbuilt kit for the locomotive.  You really have to get a bigger can motor than the motroizing kit comes with if you really want to run and pull with the engine.  They used an HO can motor and its undersized for an O scale model.  So factor that into your project.   US Hobbies also imported a brass IHB 0-8-0 that will pull the house down, but also is much more expensive to own.    Ebay prices are like any auction, from outright steals to outright insane if a bidding war erupts at the end.  As many will say, its worth a different amount to every person.  If your comfortable with what you spent, who am I or anybody else to say different?   BTW, Rivarossi also offered the model built and ready to run, so watch for those as well, many times those are cheaper than a kit+motorizing kit

  Good luck in your project!    Mike

[lionelsoni]

I would be very careful about the track gauge.  O gauge and O scale have long and complicated histories, even if you include only the American variations.  Is there any indication whether the wheels or tires can be adjusted?

[Darth Santa Fe]

Thanks for the advice!  The only one I see right now is nearly $200 after shipping, so I'll keep an eye out for a less expensive one.

The model is made to O scale standards, with the powering kit being designed for 2-rail track.  It just occurred to me that I can test things out with the kit's stock plastic wheels, and if those work, then the metal ones should be a pretty safe bet.  Rivarossi made all of their flanges over-sized until the 90's, so that might work alright for my tubular rail.

[emdmike]

Most all the AHM/Rivarossi and Atlas(Roco) O scale had flanges that were inbetween typical coarse O scale and typical fine scale O, if the curves are not to tight, you should be ok to run the 0-8-0 on 3 rail track, even tubular.  Although Fasttrak or AtlasO would be better yet.   

[IRONROOSTER]

I bought the powering kit new in the 80's for $74. 

While the driver flanges are slightly deeper than they should be when checked with an NMRA gauge, they are not O27.

Also the flanges seem to be a little on the thin side as they do not fill the slots on the gauge.

Paul

[wjstix]

emdmike

They used an HO can motor and its undersized for an O scale model. So factor that into your project.

Yes I recall the opinion 'back in the day' was the powering kit for the 0-8-0 (and 4-6-0) gave the engine enough power to move itself along the track, but that was about it. Small motor + light all-plastic body = low pulling power.