IHC

[oleirish]

What can you guys out there tell me about the IHC locomotives the 2-8-2 and the 2-6-0 mogal[?][?][:)]
JIM

[icmr]

I don't know about those but my 4-8-2 runs well.



ICMR

[Billba]

I have had an IHC 2-6-0 for 7 or 8 years, and it runs great. The one that I have is form their Premier line. Although I have not got a lot of miles on it, it is very smooth and pulls pretty good for a small engine.

However, it was a pain to mount a Kadee coupler on the tender!! I had to build up a mount for the draft gear box.

I also have had a Mountain for about the same number of years, and it is also a good runner. Again, not a lot of miles.

[Anonymous]

Jim, I can't speak about those models in particular, but in general IHC steamers are decent (not superb) runners that are somewhat lacking in details. Their models are not accurate representations of any prototype, but remain reasonably convincing to the untrained or casual observer. Rivet counters would find these models to be gross misrepresentations of the prototype, so you will have to choose which audience you will be creating your models for. IHC also has a nasty habit of selling locomotives that were not even close to any prototype, such as a Hudson in UP livery. UP never had Hudsons, so this is very inaccurate. This particular topic has recently been covered in another thread, so I'll leave it at that.

[JohnT14808]

My IHC 4-6-4 Hudson in C&NW livery LQQKs absolutely marvelous and pulls pretty good too.[2c]

[Anonymous]

Dont waste your money.

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stuckarmchairing

Dont wa--

INCORRECT ANSWER DELETED[:D] (sorry)

I just happen to own a 2-8-2 and a 2-6-0.

The 2-8-2 is the quitest engine I own. My Kato SD80 is very noisy compared to the IHC Mikado. It is also heavy for a plastic Light Mikado, and can pull at least 30 cars. It's detailing is a bit plain, but it's still a very good engine.[:D][:D]

The 2-6-0 is well detailed and even has interior detailing. There's weight filling every space except for the area for the motor. It's a very smooth runner, but only has enough power to pull maybe 15 cars. It is also quiet.[:D][:D]

So BY ALL MEANS, WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THESE!!!![:D][:D][:D] IT'S WORTH IT!!!![:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Unless you use DCC, or like detail on your engines.

[selector]

According to a recent post, the IHCs are pretty solid engines. They're a cut above the train set ones, but not in the same league as P3K, Genesis, or BLI. Essentially, they are good reliable engines, not especially well detailed, and often labeled for roads that never owned that style of loco...so there's liberal interpretation there.

I have a 2-8-2 that looks pretty darned decent, considering it was a gift, and I just ran it on address 00 with my SEB yesterday. It sounded a high-pitched buzzing, but not a loud one, and moved well. The only thing that puzzled me was that the reverse light flickered and only glowed orange. Probably Randy could tell us what is happening.

[jnichols]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

I have a 2-8-2 that looks pretty darned decent, considering it was a gift, and I just ran it on address 00 with my SEB yesterday. It sounded a high-pitched buzzing, but not a loud one, and moved well. The only thing that puzzled me was that the reverse light flickered and only glowed orange. Probably Randy could tell us what is happening.

Any locomotive without a decoder will make this sound and exhibit strange lighting quirks when running on a DCC system using address 0. Once a decoder is installed, the squeal will go away and lights will work normally... [;)]

[selector]

Thanks, I know why the engine buzzed. What I didn't say is that it was much quieter than my P2K 0-6-0 that has a 100LC in it, and buzzes like heck! I had never read that the light was similarly affected...it was strange to see its colour and flickering.

In any event, I don't believe an IHC engine will disappoint those who get one, especially if they don't expect high quality and don't mind adding details. For example, the valve gear is not very realistic. But I would guess that you can get an IHC engine for about $50 on e-bay, and probably less.

[Berk-fan284]

My brother has the 2-8-2 Mikado and he is pleased with it. It wobbles slightly at low speed when run without any cars hooked up, high speed or loaded up it runs good and straight and is a reasonable puller. You can find them for a reasonably low price if you shop around.

[oleirish]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Darth Santa Fe

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stuckarmchairing

Dont wa--

INCORRECT ANSWER DELETED[:D] (sorry)

I just happen to own a 2-8-2 and a 2-6-0.

The 2-8-2 is the quitest engine I own. My Kato SD80 is very noisy compared to the IHC Mikado. It is also heavy for a plastic Light Mikado, and can pull at least 30 cars. It's detailing is a bit plain, but it's still a very good engine.[:D][:D]

The 2-6-0 is well detailed and even has interior detailing. There's weight filling every space except for the area for the motor. It's a very smooth runner, but only has enough power to pull maybe 15 cars. It is also quiet.[:D][:D]

So BY ALL MEANS, WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THESE!!!![:D][:D][:D] IT'S WORTH IT!!!![:D][:D][:D]

I just won an IHC 2-6-0 and an 2-8-2 Mike on E-BAYThere is no one to bother me about my engines,I will add detail to them and re-paint,Thanks for info,the price was right so I got them'

JIM[^][:)][;)]

[trainboyH16-44]

Unless you want to spend $300 on a great model that runs well, go for IHC. I have a 2-6-0 in CP Camelback form, and it's decent, not great, but I wish it hadn't hit the floor with disastrous results. I also have a 4-6-2, and I tried to add weight to it so it could pull more coaches up the hill. Couldn't get it back together, and I miss it now.
trainboy

[cacole]

I have several IHC steam engines and have put DCC decoders into all of them -- it's really easy to do because their motors are already isolated from the frame. They do require hard wiring, though, because none of them were DCC ready.

They all run extremely quiet and smoothly. They lack detail, but are a good choice for the price. I can spot an IHC engine easily because they all use silver wire for the handrails and other manufacturers at least paint the handrails black.

[jnichols]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

Thanks, I know why the engine buzzed. What I didn't say is that it was much quieter than my P2K 0-6-0 that has a 100LC in it, and buzzes like heck! I had never read that the light was similarly affected...it was strange to see its colour and flickering.

The Soundtraxx LC series decoders have the worst motor control circuitry on the market IMHO. Virtually any motor will emit the audible pulses of the PWM when this decoder is used. The only other decoders I've heard do this are the inexpensive ones from Lenz. My suggestion to anyone using an LC series sound decoder is to not use it as a motor decoder. You can purchase good qualtiy motor decoder with inaudible PWM for less than $15 at this point and install it in conjunction with the LC sound decoder. Lighting can then be controlled from either, or you can setup the functions in the new decoder to give you more outputs.

Jeff

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirish

I just won an IHC 2-6-0 and an 2-8-2 Mike on E-BAYThere is no one to bother me about my engines,I will add detail to them and re-paint,Thanks for info,the price was right so I got them'

JIM[^][:)][;)]

The 2-8-2 does need some piping and details like that, but the 2-6-0 already has enough detail to look good next to high quality steamers. All it really needs is a crew.[:D]

[Don Gibson]

IHC is the US Distributer for Mehano (factory).

How good or bad they are depend's on how 'fussy' you are.

GOOD if your criteria is mostly ''Do they run?''
POOR if you compare to other top brand's
EXCELLENT if your #1 priority is spending as little as possible on a hobby.

FACT: Low prices and guaranteed profit's are most easily obtained by 'leaving out' thing's - detail, for example. Like I said, it will depend on how 'fussy' you are.

[cacole]

I use SoundTraxx DSX Sound-Only decoders, even for G scale locomotives, and have had good results with them. That gives you the option of using any other brand of motor decoder that you want to.

[oleirish]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stuckarmchairing

Dont waste your money.

Do you have a model railroad??or are you just like your name "Stuckarmchairing"
JIM

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

According to a recent post, the IHCs are pretty solid engines. They're a cut above the train set ones, but not in the same league as P3K, Genesis, or BLI.
<snip>

[wow] I've been trying to get a look at these new P3K locos, but haven't come across any of them in stores yet! [(-D][(-D][(-D]

(Sorry Selector! I just couldn't help myself when I saw this!)

[selector]

[:I] Well.....a guy can dream, can't he? [(-D]