Brass Akane 2-6-6-6 Allegheny

[knewsom]

Is there a big difference between a brass Akane 2-6-6-6 from 1962 and one from 1964 as far a collectors value and/or running capabilities? Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

[cefinkjr]

I can't shed any light on your problem but, if it really bothers you, I can advise on the disposition of that H8. I'll even pay the shipping. [}:)]

I recall running a pair of Akane B&O EM1s on a friend's layout while I was in college ('64) and they were really sweet engines. They ran much more smoothly and quietly than anything else available at the time.

Chuck

[fmilhaupt]

From what I've seen, there are Akane Alleghenies out there which have only the rear engine powered, and there are others that have both.

Akane made Alleghenies for Gem in 1962 and 1964, but brought in some under their own name in 1959. I'm not certain exactly which ones have one engine powered and which have both.

Only the 1964 Gem models have sprung drivers.

[dknelson]

Vague and often faulty recollections make me think that some Akane imports in the early 1960s came through without bearings for the driver axles meaning that over time either the axle or the frame would start to show signs of wear. But I cannot say that this engine was one of them. One reason why old old Mantua engines still run well is that they had a zinc frame but with openings for half round brass bearings (which were very easy to replace), so the steel axles had a good base.
Dave Nelson

[twhite]

All I can tell you is that my local LHS had a used Akane Allegheney in their brass case last year, they were asking $1100 for it, and it was worth every penny! The detailing was incredible, it ran like a swiss watch, and it would haul the paint off the walls. I almost bit, but by the time I got up the courage, it was sold. It didn't last too long. Both of my M-4 2-8-8-4's are Akane--they date from about 1964. Both wheelsets are powered, the drivers aren't sprung, nor are there bearings on the axles. They're run constantly (one has been repowered) and there is NO wear on the frame from the axles. These babys are BUILT! For their time, Akane had the smoothest and quietest power drive going, even better than PFM. I'd like to find some more Akane, the damn things are just indestructable!
Tom [:P][:P]

[cjcrescent]

Akane 's first articulateds in the late '50's, early '60s all came with the rear engine only powered. Then they powered the front engines starting in '63/'64. They finally added bearings and springing to drivers shortly thereafter. Akanes were originally imported under the Gem, Olympia, and Fuji names. They were all known for their outstanding performance. I heard that in '65/'66 Mr. Akane died of stomach cancer. I also heard that most of his employees were hired by Tenshodo.
I have two Akanes, one a USRA 2-10-2 is one of smoothest runners, best pullers I have. The other is a last run '65 H8 Allegheny.
I wanted one of the H8's when I first saw them in the '60s. Never could afford one. Then one of our OLD club members, he's now 86 and still very active, came to me one day and said, "I can't think of anyone who would want this more than you."
He handed me a package,(no box), and wrapped up in a jewelers tool pouch was a last run Akane H-8! I have put a decoder and a new motor in it and it routinely pulls 100 hoppers around our club layout with no problems and could easily handle more.
I forgot to add, collectingwise the models with both engines powered and sprung are considered the best of the Akanes, but any of the articulateds in original boxes routinely go between 800-1000 bucks.

[knewsom]

Thanks for the information. I had seen a few of the 64 versions go for $680 on eBay, and I found one manufactured in 62 for $350. It is at an antique shop and looks to be in mint condition. There is no wear on the wheels and it comes in the original box. I am going to purchase it to go with my C&O United 2-6-6-2. I would like to convert both to DCC since that is now what I am running and have them painted, but I will save those questions for later.

Thanks again for all of the information.
Kevin

[Anonymous]

One tidbit...I have several Akane articulated from '60 thru '62, and seen even more in my search for the perfect engine, and all have both engines powered. As far as I know, the single-powered-engine phase ended around 1959. The biggest difference I know of is that a number of articulated engines were converted to bearing/sprung drivers around 63/64, as CJ mentioned.

My AC-9s (2-8-8-4) routinely pull the bumpers off of local Chevys when I'm not looking. A remotor with the beefier NWSLs is in the works in preperation for DCC conversion as well.

-dave