I'm modeling the Seaboard and L&N in the early 1950s, so I've been scouring the web and Walthers catalog for suitable steam locomotives. There's not much to choose from, but one company that offers a few models is IHC. I've never seen an IHC model in person, but my first impressions are that they are not up to the quality standards of others such as Proto 2000, Bachmann Spectrum, Athearn, etc. Can anyone offer a comparison of IHC locomotives with other brands? How are they in terms of detail and performance?
Also, are there any companies that offer a good range of steam that aren't carried in the Walthers catalog? So far I haven't found any.
Thanks!
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I completely agree with Simon. I bought 3 IHC's when I first started back into the hobby after 50 years, didn't know a darn thing about any vendor, and hadn't even got onto this forum or any MRR forum yet. Now, I see the difference in what you get from your $ spent. There are certainly some lemons with every brand, even the very best, but those are the "exceptions" to the rule for those vendors.
BLI and P2K make the best Steam locomotives today.
IMHO, they are the worst of the manufacturers available above the "toy train" level in HO scale. IOW, they are a step above old Bachmann, old Life-Like, old AHM, etc. But they are a step down from the rest. Fortunately, they are priced cheap, but you usually get what you pay for in this hobby.
While I don't own any of these "gems", a couple guys in my club do. I wasn't impressed. Lightweight pullers, they went down the track wobbling along. And don't even get me started on the totally bogus New Haven RR paint schemes and engines (my word, have you seen what they are trying to pass off as an I-5? Ick. And the NH's tender lettering was yellow, not silver (except for "snow melters" and I-5's). And the NH didn't have Camelbacks! Arrrgh!).
I would recommend against IHC products... It would be worth it to get at least a Spectrum.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Paul3 wrote: IMHO, they are the worst of the manufacturers available above the "toy train" level in HO scale. IOW, they are a step above old Bachmann, old Life-Like, old AHM, etc. But they are a step down from the rest. Fortunately, they are priced cheap, but you usually get what you pay for in this hobby.While I don't own any of these "gems", a couple guys in my club do. I wasn't impressed. Lightweight pullers, they went down the track wobbling along. And don't even get me started on the totally bogus New Haven RR paint schemes and engines (my word, have you seen what they are trying to pass off as an I-5? Ick. And the NH's tender lettering was yellow, not silver (except for "snow melters" and I-5's). And the NH didn't have Camelbacks! Arrrgh!).I would recommend against IHC products... It would be worth it to get at least a Spectrum.Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Paul has done a good job of pointing out why many would not want an IHC loco. If you have the least interest in a prototypical look then they are not for you unless you are really into kit-bashing and detailing projects. Like many steamers they are not the greatest pullers, but I would contend that this failing afflicts many of the higher priced models as well, P2K Heritage locos being a good example. IMO these IHC steamers have a place in the market. Personally I like the fact that I can let my kids handle them with no fear of significant damage to fine detail. But clearly they are not for everyone. While I would agree that the IHC diesels that I have seen are not good and no more than "toy" level, I think the steamers deserve a more charitable assessment. Either way, you spend you money and take your choice. All I would say is that if you do spend it on one of these, look for bargains on the web, look for the sales on the IHC web site and don't be surprised if you feel it was money well spent.
jblackwelljr wrote:The other thing not mentioned here - the newer 2-10-2 is the only IHC loco (I think) with RP-25 drivers, meaning you could get into trouble with the older deep flanges and less-than-code 100 rail (in HO). I'll defer to the more experienced posters on other IHC issues.
Not true any more, for at least the last 5 years the IHC steamers have lost the deep flanges.
If you are not careful, you may still purchase one of the deeper flanged locos, so beware...they are out there.
I don't have much to say for or against IHC...you really do get what you pay for, but the things, to be honest, are reliable runners. Still, when you can get a Spectrum Consolidation for peanuts, this discussion really should be moot. Try www.trainworld.com.
simon1966 wrote: jblackwelljr wrote:The other thing not mentioned here - the newer 2-10-2 is the only IHC loco (I think) with RP-25 drivers, meaning you could get into trouble with the older deep flanges and less-than-code 100 rail (in HO). I'll defer to the more experienced posters on other IHC issues. Not true any more, for at least the last 5 years the IHC steamers have lost the deep flanges.
I was not aware of that - thanks for the info. I just wish IHC would add that to their bullet points when describing their locos. I would be inclined to buy one or two more - even if they have to be gussied up a bit.
I picked up one of these IHC locos at a UK exhibition, it really is a good runner both at DC and now its converted to DCC even smoother. The tender on the 4-6-2 I have has sufficient room for a sound decoder to be installed at a later date.
Ian
IHC products are great for me because they are cheap and need some detail, which gives me something to do. I am putting together a diarama with the IHC Cement plant, and with some detail and TLC, the scene looks great. I am going to get the final of the prototype pics posted soon. But back to IHC, I think most of there products are ok if you dont mind adding detail to them, but I have no clue how there loco's do.
-beegle55
The best IHC locos are the 4-8-2, 4-6-4, and new 2-10-2. They all share the same boiler and drive train. They run well and pull well because they are big and heavy. They also seem to have the most details but they are not really prototypically correct. With a little kitbashing and detailing they can make interesting models.
Returning to the hobby, I found myself wandering into HO, which I always wanted. I bought an IHC 2-8-2 Mikado for $58.00. I was surprised at the amount detail it did have (looking to my old O/O27 and N scale from childhood stuff for comparison) and from a live model. Everyone seems to have bad things to say about IHC's.
I am on a budget, so the price was nice. The thing that surpised me the most was that on bare track on bare plywood, the loco makes virtually no noise while it runs (DC). If it didn't move, you wouldn't know it was working.....regardless of speed. My Bachmann HO F-type diesels make horrendous noise. (they were budget also and lack details.) Of any loco of any scale of any age I've ever had, it is the quietest, and runs well at all speeds.
For me, for my budget, and the way it performs, I'm happy. I can always add details later. (or buy some new locos in the future!!)
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Galaxy makes a good point. I, too am on a budget (being a student in High School I have both space and financial limitations) and have stuck with the IHC models all my life. I had acquired a few Bachmann locomotives from uncles and such and I have to say that they too have created enormous amounts of noise. Up until recently, I had been favoring the IHC models both for their fair quality and reliability as well as their very good price (Here in Canada, IHC models come in train sets for $100 CND ever Christmas), when I received a BLI M1b Mountain. It is incredible! With it's factory installed sound and incredible detail I was very impressed, however, you do get what you pay for (although i didn't buy it. Got it as a very generous gift from my aunt and uncle) and I still believe that the IHC models are the best for your dollar.
BTW msowsun, I have been following you work on the IHC 2-10-2 ever since you started the thread and I must say it is phenomenal as well as your models of the CNR Hudson. I am extremely impressed with your model of CPR's K1a Northern. I honestly believe you should send your process for any one of these models to MRR and see if they will run it in an issue. Certainly would be a bonus for all of us Canadian Modelers!
- Matt
FloridaPanhandler,
Model Railroader just provided this link in their email newsletter to their review of the IHC HO scale freelanced 2-10-2 steam locomotive, the generic American version of the "Canadianized" model that mswosun kitbashed above. The 2-10-2 is the nicest model they've produced to date.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
I see several of the IHC steamers at the HO modular club..While light most will pull 12-14 fee rolling stock weight cars on the FLAT.I have not notice any wobble or bobble as they circle the layout.What I have notice they are smooth and quiet runners.
IMHO these steamers appears to be loosely base on the USRA designs.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
ghonz711 Galaxy makes a good point. I, too am on a budget (being a student in High School I have both space and financial limitations) and have stuck with the IHC models all my life. I had acquired a few Bachmann locomotives from uncles and such and I have to say that they too have created enormous amounts of noise. Up until recently, I had been favoring the IHC models both for their fair quality and reliability as well as their very good price (Here in Canada, IHC models come in train sets for $100 CND ever Christmas), when I received a BLI M1b Mountain. It is incredible! With it's factory installed sound and incredible detail I was very impressed, however, you do get what you pay for (although i didn't buy it. Got it as a very generous gift from my aunt and uncle) and I still believe that the IHC models are the best for your dollar. BTW msowsun, I have been following you work on the IHC 2-10-2 ever since you started the thread and I must say it is phenomenal as well as your models of the CNR Hudson. I am extremely impressed with your model of CPR's K1a Northern. I honestly believe you should send your process for any one of these models to MRR and see if they will run it in an issue. Certainly would be a bonus for all of us Canadian Modelers! Ghonz
Ghonz
Recently, I bought a Mehano Mountain 4-8-2 Wabash steamer (Trainland, $60 all in) and saw a dinstinct family resemblance to the 2-10-2. The flanges look a little oversized. It has the same square holes on the rear of the boiler as the 2-10-2. What details go there?
Other than the missing details, I have no worthwhile criticism to make of these loco's. Maybe I'm easy to please, but I love my Mehano locomotives. I would be glad to see msowsun's work on his 2-10-2 appear in the Model Railroader!
Thanks, Herb
Don RhotenI bought the IHC (Mehano - Slovenia) 2-10-2 Sana Fe #3803 steamer less than five years ago for about $100. It came in a great presentation-style box, had RP-25 flanges and ran silky-smooth out of the box. I added a sound decoder and it now crawls along almost imperceptibly. All the railings are blackened metal and so are the uncoupling levers. The white paint is well-done, even on the driver rims. The center set of drivers are flangeless, so this loco presents no problem going around a 22" radius! So far, this has been my most reliable locomotive, apart from my Maerklin stuff. Recently, I bought a Mehano Mountain 4-8-2 Wabash steamer (Trainland, $60 all in) and saw a dinstinct family resemblance to the 2-10-2. The flanges look a little oversized. It has the same square holes on the rear of the boiler as the 2-10-2. What details go there? Other than the missing details, I have no worthwhile criticism to make of these loco's. Maybe I'm easy to please, but I love my Mehano locomotives. I would be glad to see msowsun's work on his 2-10-2 appear in the Model Railroader!
I have a Premier Mike and 3 Premier Pacifics by IHC. The only beef I have with these is that the handrails are just added over the molded-on handrails. Fortunately, from the most common photography angle (straight horizontal) they did the job so well that you can't see the molded-on ones. These are fair representations of USRA light locos.
Performance-wise, they pull quite well considering their relatively light weight, are quiet, and smooth-running. There's one Pacific that I fear is infected with the infamous cracked-gear disease, but not seriously...
---
Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
===================================
"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins
http://fhn.site90.net
I have a premire pacific from (I belive) the late 90's. It's one of the mehano ones, and it's the nicest steam engine I own. Near silent operation, practically maintnance free, and unlike the newer engines of today, I'm not afraid of man-handeling it and all of the detail parts falling off. I'd love to get a mike or two, but train purchases are pretty much on hold until we move.
The local hobby shop has a number of the last IHC locomotives produced 2-10-2, 2-8-2's and a couple of others. These are quit nice engines and run well.