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4-4-0 Old Timer

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Wichita, KS
  • 77 posts
4-4-0 Old Timer
Posted by ort007 on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 1:52 PM
I'm interested in getting an 1800's 4-4-0 American. Does anyone know if the Bachmann 4-4-0 or the IHC 4-4-0 is the better model? The IHC appears to be similar to the old AHM/Rivarossi model (which makes sense!). Any opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Ort007
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Wichita, KS
  • 77 posts
4-4-0 Old Timer
Posted by ort007 on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 1:52 PM
I'm interested in getting an 1800's 4-4-0 American. Does anyone know if the Bachmann 4-4-0 or the IHC 4-4-0 is the better model? The IHC appears to be similar to the old AHM/Rivarossi model (which makes sense!). Any opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Ort007
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 4:31 PM
I would try the IHC simply because if used bachmann HO in the past and was not impressed by its performance. If you look around on ebay you could probaly find the old AHM and Rivarossi locos.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 4:31 PM
I would try the IHC simply because if used bachmann HO in the past and was not impressed by its performance. If you look around on ebay you could probaly find the old AHM and Rivarossi locos.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Whitby, ON
  • 2,594 posts
Posted by CP5415 on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 4:49 PM
I have a 4-4-0 AHM locomotive I got from my Dad. It's close to 40 years old. It still runs great. The IHC models I've seen are extremely similar. I'd go with IHC.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!

 K1a - all the way

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Whitby, ON
  • 2,594 posts
Posted by CP5415 on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 4:49 PM
I have a 4-4-0 AHM locomotive I got from my Dad. It's close to 40 years old. It still runs great. The IHC models I've seen are extremely similar. I'd go with IHC.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!

 K1a - all the way

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 21, 2003 12:07 AM
IHC is better than the Bachmann, I had both of them. But if want another very good one it is a new model that is coming out from MDC (Round House Products). They are introducing the 4-4-0 in their old timer line.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 21, 2003 12:07 AM
IHC is better than the Bachmann, I had both of them. But if want another very good one it is a new model that is coming out from MDC (Round House Products). They are introducing the 4-4-0 in their old timer line.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,522 posts
Posted by AltonFan on Thursday, August 21, 2003 12:32 PM
Didn't Mantua/Tyco have a 4-4-0 kit in their line?

Dan

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,522 posts
Posted by AltonFan on Thursday, August 21, 2003 12:32 PM
Didn't Mantua/Tyco have a 4-4-0 kit in their line?

Dan

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 21, 2003 3:25 PM
I have old locomotives and I like the Tyco. I recommend you use the NMRS gauge before purchase. Many of the old model wheels have flanges that are very deep. If you are using better quality throwouts, the flange will engage the points and guards. This can cause grief and derailments. On our club layout, they destroy the handlaid throwouts because they hammer the solder.
Lindsay
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 21, 2003 3:25 PM
I have old locomotives and I like the Tyco. I recommend you use the NMRS gauge before purchase. Many of the old model wheels have flanges that are very deep. If you are using better quality throwouts, the flange will engage the points and guards. This can cause grief and derailments. On our club layout, they destroy the handlaid throwouts because they hammer the solder.
Lindsay
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Wichita, KS
  • 77 posts
Posted by ort007 on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 12:31 PM
Thanks for all the input. Looks like IHC is the winner (for now, at least)!
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Wichita, KS
  • 77 posts
Posted by ort007 on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 12:31 PM
Thanks for all the input. Looks like IHC is the winner (for now, at least)!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 3:30 PM
For what its worth, we have a Bachmann N scale one that runs great. And we have great dreams of gradually kitbashing a bunch of these to build up a fleet of various old-timers in different wheel configurations.
--Mo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 3:30 PM
For what its worth, we have a Bachmann N scale one that runs great. And we have great dreams of gradually kitbashing a bunch of these to build up a fleet of various old-timers in different wheel configurations.
--Mo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 8:56 PM
I bought the IHC 4-4-0 but find the performance "jerky". Any tips on how to improve performance?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 8:56 PM
I bought the IHC 4-4-0 but find the performance "jerky". Any tips on how to improve performance?
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 10:06 AM
FYI, MDC Roundhouse will be issueing a new 4-4-0 loco in HO sometime this year, it looks more like a late 19th c loco and we wont know how well it runs till it arrives, but just a heads up if your into that wild west RR thing.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 10:06 AM
FYI, MDC Roundhouse will be issueing a new 4-4-0 loco in HO sometime this year, it looks more like a late 19th c loco and we wont know how well it runs till it arrives, but just a heads up if your into that wild west RR thing.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 11:00 AM
I use both IHC and Bachmann locos of every type and have been pleased with both. IHC models used to be made by Rivarossi, but are now made in China like everyone else's models. Bachmann locos have more detail than IHC; both use can motors; but if you intend to run DCC, Bachmann are easier to convert. Running qualities are practically indistinguishable between the two. The jerky motion mentioned is probably caused by dirty wheels -- you must keep your track and wheels clean, no matter what you are running, in order to get smooth operation out of a steam loco due to their relatively light weight.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 11:00 AM
I use both IHC and Bachmann locos of every type and have been pleased with both. IHC models used to be made by Rivarossi, but are now made in China like everyone else's models. Bachmann locos have more detail than IHC; both use can motors; but if you intend to run DCC, Bachmann are easier to convert. Running qualities are practically indistinguishable between the two. The jerky motion mentioned is probably caused by dirty wheels -- you must keep your track and wheels clean, no matter what you are running, in order to get smooth operation out of a steam loco due to their relatively light weight.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 11:12 AM
I have HO IHC 4-4-0 and have just hardwired DCC in it. Not hard to do. What I'm having trouble with is the DSX decoder I put in. Can't get sound coordinated with engine. Also have Bachmann locos.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 11:12 AM
I have HO IHC 4-4-0 and have just hardwired DCC in it. Not hard to do. What I'm having trouble with is the DSX decoder I put in. Can't get sound coordinated with engine. Also have Bachmann locos.

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