Kevin, that 2-10-2 looks to be a beautiful locomotive. Never knew that IHC made one.
Here is my contribution for the week. Last Saturday I finally attended a train show, and found this little beauty. Not sure how well it runs, but the seller told me it did. No matter; I have plans to remotor it, add pick up wipers, and a decoder. It is certainly my style and size...
And now, a small scene from my in-progress N layout...
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Hello everyone, and welcome to an exciting brand new weekend!
I have two special shares this week.
This first one is very special to me. I remember this locomotive's introduction very well. It was announced around Christmas time in 2006. My middle daughter was graduating High School in May of 2007, so I was just about to get a spare bedroom to build a new HO scale layout in. IHC announced a "freelanced 2-10-2" model, and it was reviewed in Model Railroader in early 2007.
The review said it was not based on any specific prototype, ran well, had nice detail, and would negotiate an 18" radius curve! What more could I ask for?
To this point, I had been modeling HO scale for about 12-13 years, and had only bought four locomotives. I explained to my wife that this new IHC 2-10-2 was going to be the "standard" steam locomotive for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE, and I wanted to puchase six, or maybe eight, of them. She said OK!
Then... THE HORROR! I ordered six from Gulf Coast Model Railroading. They called me after a few weeks and said they could not get any. I tried Orange Blossom Hobbies, Ready-To-Roll Hobbies, and Colonial Photo & Hobby, NOTHING! I called advertisers in Model Railroader, None, None, None. I was so disappointed.
Every so often a decorated model would show up on eBay, but never an undecorated one. I never saw one at a train show. I gave up.
Then one day last week I woke up at 7:00 AM (2 hours sleep) with a stomach ache, and turned on the computer. A seller in California had just listed TWO of them for $130.00 each. I bought one as fast as I could click. I thought about the second one, but someone else snapped it up before I was ready to commit.
It arrived on Monday, and it is beautiful. The detail is as good as my Bachmann EM-1, and it seems to run right on the same level as that one, amazing. It will start up and creep along with no hesitation just as smooth as you could dream about.
I love the white-outlined driver wheels.
It will go through my 22" radius S-Curve test track perfectly with no problems! Imagine that from a 2-10-2. I think this is amazing.
It is a beast! Right about fourteen inches long overall.
This removes my desire for the brass "freelanced" Westside Brute. No need for two monsters on the SGRR Centerville division.
It was worth the wait to get this model.
Last week I received a very generous gift from forum member "Pav" from way up North. He read about my troubles getting the Rapido Railcrew uncouplers I needed and offered to send me the six extra that he had.
Having these is a load off of my mind. I can now get the mainline track laid down right away since I have enough uncouplers to fill all the needed positions.
I just need a finished train room.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I am looking forward to seeing everyone's photographs this weekend. This thread can always be counted on to be the best of the week.
Lets GO!...
-Kevin
Living the dream.