How many times did AHM release or make the blue goose? I'm thinking about getting one and would like to know if they had any issues. Do they run smooth, quiet, any mechanical problems?
Thanks,
Dave
I was trying to link to another thread on this forum, but the forum software wont let me make it clickable, so I give up.
The AHM 'Blue Goose' came out in the mid-70's, not sure how many times it was released. Since it was based on AHM's similar NYC J-3a streamlined Hudson, it was not really correct(but they did a credible job on it). I am not sure how many runs were done. The original was standard AHM, with a 3 pole motor, poor electrical pick-up and oversize flanges that limited it to code 100 track(andwent from zero to 100+...) In the late 70's/early 80's AHM upgraded selected steamers with can motors and .039" flanges(so they would run on code 80 trackage). I know the UP Challengers got the treatment, but I do not know if the Blue Goose ever did.
Here is a link to a copy of a mid-70's AHM catalog on HOSeeker....
http://www.hoseeker.net/ahminformation/ahmcatalog1979page05.jpg
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I have one from back in the 1980s with the oversized flanges. It ran well on my old layout with the code 100 track but doesn't do well on the code 83 track on my current layout. I had 28' minimum radius on the old layout.
Mine is still in good shape. One of these days I'll probably sell it but I just haven't got around to it. I've looked on e-bay from time to time and people are asking $100 and up for them but I don't remember one selling for that much. I also got the non-prototypical passenger set but those cars are in disrepair.
They seemed a lot more popular back in the 1980s but I rarely see one on a layout now. Santa Fe only "goosed" one of their Hudsons.
How about the Rivarossi blue goose, would this one be ok on code 83?
David,
AHM did not make anything, they imported from European manufacturers for the most part. Rivarossi made steam engines for AHM.
The Rivarossi blue gooses seem to be newer items packed in Rivarossi own red boxes.
Are they or not?
If it is in the red Rivarossi box, I suspect it is the can motor one with the .039" flanges. Is this on eBay or something you can get your hands on & test run?
I'm in the market for one and trying to get a handle on what would be the best model to buy.
I think Rivarossi did away with the pizza cutter flangers on their locos around 1990 as code 83 became more popular. Mine predates that although I have no idea of the exact year. The original box is long gone but I think it came in the red box and was distributed by IHC. Only by earliest steamers were purchased under the AHM brand but they were all made by Rivarossi.
BTW I remember years ago reading that Santa Fe employees actually called them "Bluebirds". Later, in the late forties, Baldwin sent out a diesel demonstrator in a blue-gray scheme that was nicknamed the "Blue Goose", and somehow the name retroactively started to get attached to the Santa Fe streamlined steam engines. Not sure if it's true or not, but certainly could be. Wouldn't be the first time a nickname got mixed with something else, or a railfan nickname was different than an employee's nickname for an engine type.
if the chance arise's look into the Blue Goose imported by Pacific Fast Mail,this brass version is a great looking heavy hauler in factory painted Blue and Silver.
my son bought me one a number of years ago and even though I'm a G.N modeler I opted to have sound installed and with the exception of a slight problem with thefront tender truck occasionaly derailing it's a sweet runner.
Burlington Steam Dave if the chance arise's look into the Blue Goose imported by Pacific Fast Mail,this brass version is a great looking heavy hauler in factory painted Blue and Silver. my son bought me one a number of years ago and even though I'm a G.N modeler I opted to have sound installed and with the exception of a slight problem with thefront tender truck occasionaly derailing it's a sweet runner.