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HO Scale Cab Forwards Comparison

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  • Member since
    January 2017
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HO Scale Cab Forwards Comparison
Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 1:04 PM

Well I decided till a manufacturer makes an SP-2 or an AC-9 or my finances improve (which will be next summer when I get a job) or my kitbashing skills get better I am just gonna get a Cab Forward. Which is the best bang for the buck while remaining affordable?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
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Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 2:21 PM

Define:  "affordable"

 

Ed

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 2:24 PM

Similar discussion 2 years ago:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/251941/2811910.aspx

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 2:38 PM

Under 500.

Preferably well below 500.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    May 2004
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Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 2:58 PM

Intermountain's are listing for $480 new.  You have to be VERY careful if you buy a used one, as the early ones were, uh, challenging.

I've got one of the recent ones.  It was only run at the shop.  I haven't taken it out of the box because it's got a LOT of detailing.  At the shop, two pieces became detached.  I'll reapply them later.

It ran beautifully.  Sound was just fine.  It was gorgeous.

I made my decision to order one because of a very extensive review I saw on Youtube.  Until I saw that, I was VERY wary.

Once I figure out how to pick it up and to transport it, I'll take it to a Free-mo setup and give it a spin.  I've already got a caboose and a few SP cars.  I'm waiting for an Atlas SP Alco switcher to use to turn the train.

The Intermountain is the ONLY "plastic" articulated that is.  Articulated.  As opposed to swivel-trucked.

You MIGHT find brass, too.  Right now, there's a brass AC-4 on Ebay for $600.  Lurking might find something for less that's still worth having.

 

Ed

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 3:07 PM

NWP SWP
Under 500.

Preferably well below 500.

Then what do people think of Rivarossi then and a DIY decoder installation?  There are a couple on Ebay

 
 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2004
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Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 3:20 PM

The Rivarossi has been around about forever.  Its detailing is far inferior than the Intermountain.  And it's swivel trucked.  I wouldn't touch it.

Cheap, though.  You can probably get two for the price of one Intermountain

Do ya want cheap or good?

 

Ed

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 4:04 PM

I have 13 Rivarossi Cab Forwards and 6 Y6Bs bought of eBay, all most all of them were clunkers priced between $40 & $70.  Every one restored great, all are great runners, I re-motored all of them and added 8 to 10 ounces to every one.  As noted above their detail isn’t the best around but the detail can easily be added from manufacturers such as Precision Scale.
 
As for smooth running and power I’ll put any of my 13 up against any Cab Forward out there. They make a great running locomotive.  They will negotiate a 18” radius easily.
 
There are many Rivarossi Cab Forward on eBay that don’t need restoring but at much higher cost.  I’m into restoring locomotives and I really enjoy making something work as good or better than it did new.  I have a total of 20 Rivarossi articulated locomotives that are very good runners and look good too.
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 6:00 PM

Well I was going to ask my parents for one for Christmas so I'll probably ask for the intermountain one.

By the way does the IM one have a whistle because when I looked at it on youtube the guy was only using the air horn?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 6:09 PM

NWP SWP

By the way does the IM one have a whistle because when I looked at it on youtube the guy was only using the air horn?

 

It's got both.  I don't recall the "clever trick" that picks one over the other, but the shop owner made it do both.

Current Intermountain stock shows an unlettered version and also several without "Southern Pacific" on the tender (I read that that was how the engines tended to look on the Oregon line).

Either way would be convenient for lettering for a freelance road.

Ed

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 6:10 PM

NWP SWP
By the way does the IM one have a whistle because when I looked at it on youtube the guy was only using the air horn?

You can never do enough research before you buy.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 6:19 PM

This was the review that convinced me to drop the bucks:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2GBkEkdRhY

 

Ed

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