IHC 2-8-0

[bsurf]

I have just received an IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation Southern Pacific Loco. Although it runs quite nicely and it is not a bad looking model. Detail is a bit sparse, particularly at the rear end of the loco. I have spent quite a bit of time searching for detailed photos of one on the net, but have not had much luck so far. I have found a lot of SP 2-8-0s but they all are much older looking than the IHC model I have(High funnels, steam and sand domes etc). I am wondering now, just how "prototypical" my model is!
It has a low funnel and three quite modern looking flat topped domes atop the boiler. It looks like an engine manufactured quite late in the steam era, which may well be correct. But as I say I have not been able to find a photo of anything similar.
Does anyone know where I can find some details on this engine? (Without having to buy an expensive book).

[orsonroy]

This is about as modern as SP Consolidations got:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/sp/sp-s2563ac.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/sp/sp-s2724.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/sp/ssw-s564afm.jpg
These engines are also about as close to any prototype as your IHC engine is likely to come, without fairly extensive reworking.

The problem is that the IHC 2-8-0 isn't a model of anything: it's a USRA-ish 0-8-0 boiler mated to an OK 2-8-0 chassis, which yields a good running, but wholly inaccurate engine. IHC is famous for this: their 2-10-2, 4-6-4, Mother Hubbard 2-6-0, semi-streamlined 4-6-2 and modern 4-4-0 aren't really models of anything, although if you squint, most sort of resemble SOME engine built once.


The best thing you can do to the engine is to strip off most of the cast on piping, remove the back sand dome (VERY few 2-8-0s had a second sand dome, and those were mostly oddball eastern coal haulers), and add new detailing to make the engine look as close to the SP engines as you'd like. Look to Bowser for most of your steam parts needs, and Precision Scale for those few parts you can't get from Bowser (Pre Scale likes SP steam, so you might use a lot of their parts). For a more SP-looking cab, haunt Ebay looking for a Model Die Casting "Harriman" steel cab.

On the bright side, the IHC engines DO run fairly well.

[bsurf]

Thanks Ray. It is as I suspected. I don't think the extensive changes required would be worth it. Although I do enjoy model making and kitbashing etc I think I may make some minor changes to make it look a little better and save my money for a better detailed and correct model to purchase some time in the future.
After all the changes, it would still have an exposed flywheel inside the cab instead of boiler back details.

[orsonroy]

True, but those are some of the compromises we're sometimes forced to make in this hobby. Your only other options to add an SP 2-8-0 to your roster are to buy either an older Roundhouse "Harriman" 2-8-0 kit, or buy a brass engine, neither of which will necessarily run as well as the IHC engine, and both of which will cost more than the IHC.

I run into this problem all the time. As a steam modeler, and one who models "obscure" roads like the NYC and IC, I'm regularly faced with all sorts of modeling issues. Take Mikados for example. Nominally, they were the most regularly seen steamers in the 1940s and 1950s, but the only ones available outside of brass are the USRA versions, which, in the grand scheme of things, weren't all that common. I need one non-USRA NYC Mike and two IC Mikes. For the NYC Mike I was forced to buy used brass, which thankfully runs very well. For the IC engines, I could have spent over $1200 for two engines. Instead, I kept that project on the back burner until I happened to measure the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 and compare it to the IC diagrams. Besides the overall length and lack of a trailing truck, the B-S engine is VERY close to the IC Mikes, even down to the correct cab (for the 1500 series engines, anyway). So now I have a new project: stretching the B-S model into an IC Mike.

The same sort of logic can apply to your IHC engine. You've already got it, it runs well, and does have potential, so why not try to turn it into a fairly accurate SP engine? If nothing else, the attempt will increase your modeling skills, and you'll learn a lot about how to be a better modeler. I know I always do when I work on a new steamer!

[Newyorkcentralfan]

I've measured out the IHC consolidation it's a good start for a NYC G-6. You need to remove the second sand dome and lenghen the cab forward and make detail changes. The basic dimensions are very close however.

By following the prototype if you lengthen the boiler by splicing two together you can probably mount it on a IHC mikado chassis and make a NYC H-5. Which is their signature freight locomotive.



BTW, the IHC consolidation is a good start for a NYC G-6. The biggest changes is removing the dome and lengthing the cab forward.