Quality of IHC Diesels(Yet more questions.......)

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to add flywheels to the ones without flywheels?

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alexander13

DARTH: Whitch IHC models are the good ones? Any diesel, or just steam?

The diesels, the best ones are the ones with one or two flywheels. (C-628, FP45 and SD35) The C-628 needed a little modification in the gearboxes at one point, because one gear in each truck wasn't held in enough, causing it to slip and make the engine jump. I don't belive the others have this problem.

The GG-1 electric is also a good one.

The steam, I'd say they're all good. All but one have the same drive. The old-time 4-4-0 has a different drive, so I'm not sure about its running quality.

My C-628 is one of the smoothest running engines I own, and I have some Kato, Proto and a few others.[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

A Husky Stack is a kind of intermodal car, Athearn made an industrial switcher called the Hustler. I think it was based on a GE 25 Ton four wheel switcher.

Cheers!
~METRO

Thanks fot that

DARTH: Whitch IHC models are the good ones? Any diesel, or just steam?

Thanks

Alexander

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

IHC does not manufacture anything. They import from several foreign makers, therefor their product line is uneven. I don't recall any IHC product favorably reviewed - which may say a lot.

Actually, I believe the only products they import now are from Mehano. They did used to do Rivarossi, but switched to Mehano pretty quickly.

Some of their stuff is actually very good. I've done a couple reviews on them, and both were positive. The 2-6-0 is actually a very detailed engine, and I have yet to see a Mehano drive that doesn't run smoothly.[:D] So far, I own 7 or 8 engines made by Mehano, and they all have perfectly smooth and quiet drives.[:D]

[METRO]

A Husky Stack is a kind of intermodal car, Athearn made an industrial switcher called the Hustler. I think it was based on a GE 25 Ton four wheel switcher.

Cheers!
~METRO

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Unless I'm mistaken, A husky is a switcher. Fell free to correct me if I'm wrong, anyone. I'm not real big on switchers. If it don't have at least 8 wheels, I don't run it. Does anyone remember the old Cox locomotives? I had a couple of them a long time ago. I later noticed that they were seemingly identical to Athearn locos of the time. I found out only a few years ago that Cox didn't make thier own locos. They were Athearn locos made with the Cox emblem on them and packed into Cox boxes. Anybody remember that?

[Don Gibson]

dingy

99.9% of the BB diesels out there were sold as KITS. Only since Horizon took over did they come with RTR.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

QUOTE: Originally posted by alexander13

Either of them would fit my prototype, whitch is from janurary 1972 to the creation of amtrak. A very tight fit, as i have 2 LL trainset gp38-2 locos, whitch are on the chopping block when i get the athearn locos. i also have one cheap bachmann f7 in santa fe passenger livery, with 2 passenger cars, whitch will be ran till it stops working.

thankyou

alexander

Oi mate, Amtrak's first day of running America's passenger trains was May 1st, 1971, also the GP38-2 was not introduced until January of 1972. You're free to freelance as much as you want though.

As for which one to go for between the F7 and the GP38-2, the F7 is probably going to be cheaper, but the detail is better on the GP38-2, and they both have simmilar performance. What line are you modeling? That might help make the advice easier.

Cheers!
~METRO

I must have got my years mixed up, oh well, i can add that to the list of things i am freelancing. I am doing UP, and BN, with a bit of SF, because my brother likes it.

The GP38 and F7 bb kit are pretty much the same in price, however a RTR F7 A+B is cheaper, by a few dollars. go figure.

Also, what is a RTR husky? i don't know what it is???

thanks
alexander

[Don Gibson]

PROTO 1000 mechanically is a Chinese copy of the Athearn BB drive with superior lighting - and runs better too.
Early 4 wheeled truck Proto 2000 's used the same chassis with superior bodies.
Later 6 wheeled truck Proto 2000's used a better-yet chassis.SD-60 for example..

IHC does not manufacture anything. They import from several foreign makers, therefor their product line is uneven. I don't recall any IHC product favorably reviewed - which may say a lot. Most magazines let the manufacturer pull any product review that is not favorable. That way they keep the advertising dollars.

Bachmann has augmented their line with 'Spectrum' products - mostly steam. They seem to be improving their product's- for more money.

If it's better, it costs more. Some things don't change.

.

[Anonymous]

I also add my vote for BB. With Athearn, you've got something that's sure to run well.

Also- what are you people talking about? I've bought 2 BB and you don't have to put the shell on. You could run it right out of the box, without installing handrails, if you wanted.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

QUOTE: I going to add my vote for the Athearn BBs - they are to model RR'ing what the early Volkswagen Beetle was to automobiles: Inexpensive, reliable, and [with maintenance] they last forever!

[#ditto] I agree completely

[METRO]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alexander13

Either of them would fit my prototype, whitch is from janurary 1972 to the creation of amtrak. A very tight fit, as i have 2 LL trainset gp38-2 locos, whitch are on the chopping block when i get the athearn locos. i also have one cheap bachmann f7 in santa fe passenger livery, with 2 passenger cars, whitch will be ran till it stops working.

thankyou

alexander

Oi mate, Amtrak's first day of running America's passenger trains was May 1st, 1971, also the GP38-2 was not introduced until January of 1972. You're free to freelance as much as you want though.

As for which one to go for between the F7 and the GP38-2, the F7 is probably going to be cheaper, but the detail is better on the GP38-2, and they both have simmilar performance. What line are you modeling? That might help make the advice easier.

Cheers!
~METRO

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Darth Santa Fe


The Athearn would most likely only be an extra $5, and will outlast the other two, but they're all good.

Not so here in australia, the exchange rate mucks everything up.

thanks
alexander

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Darth Santa Fe


The Athearn would most likely only be an extra $5, and will outlast the other two, but they're all good.

Not here in australia, the exchange rate mucks everything up.

thanks
alexander

[Anonymous]

I going to add my vote for the Athearn BBs - they are to model RR'ing what the early Volkswagen Beetle was to automobiles: Inexpensive, reliable, and [with maintenance] they last forever![:D]

[Anonymous]

As far as the quality of IHC locos are concerned,.......[%-)]what quality? I owned several and they all were so made, that they made the Life-Like beginner line look like craftsman level stuff.

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alexander13

Hey, i need some sort of agreement here, should i a) buy an IHC diesel, b) Get a new bachmann or c) save up for a Athearn bb?

thankyou
alexander

The Athearn would most likely only be an extra $5, and will outlast the other two, but they're all good. If you want the best quality of the 3, then go for "c".[:D] You could also just buy the one you'd want most from any of them.[:D]

Athearn's newest BB kits have plastic railings that are easier to install than the old wire ones, which should take about 5-10 minutes off the time it takes to build it.

[Anonymous]

The current standard Bachmann locos are fine - they've done a lot to solve the performance problems, and as long as you get a good one (of 11 Bachmann UK and US diesel locos I've bought, all have been smooth, quiet, and reliable) you won't be disappointed. As I said, just make sure what you're getting is one of the latest ones with the 8-wheel drive and pickup, can motor, and full pilots (the easiest way to spot the new ones). I'm giving serious thought to using the mechanisms in British EMU kits now - they'd need two £30 power trucks otherwise, and with the Bachmann locos at £20 or less it makes sense if the truck wheelbases are close enough.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The Bachmann's standard line locos sold during the '80's and early '90's are crap! I know! I have 3 of them and not a one of them run worth a darn. They never did, even out of the box!

I'm a firm believer in Athearn's quality. Even they're cheap trainset locos are great. I've got one. All I did to it as a modification was too put a super weight in it. It runs so quiet, people think it's a P2K product. I even had one guy who thought it was made by some high-quality European company. Definity, go for athearn. Their BB kits are great and their Genisis locos are superb, down to the last detail.

[loathar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alexander13

The reason that i am looking at IHC is that i found their prices, and being a kid, money is hard to get. Proto 2000, is VERY expensive, and i need a few good runners that i can get easily. You need to realise that here in australia those $40 Proto 2000 units just don't happen, they retail for $130 australian average.
I thought bachmann was total crap, and should be avoided?
My main concern with BB kits is how hard they are to assemble. My hands aren't the greatest at fine movements. Could anyone say how hard they are to assemble?

Thanks
Alexander

The Bachs aren't crap. Even the cheaper ones. I don't know what they cost where you live but if you're looking for a descent quality, lower priced loco that will be reliable, they are a good value.
If your going to go with the IHC you will have to do maintanance and maybe some modifacation. (weight) You get what you pay for.......

[james saunders]

theres some good deals there now, NIB P2K's for $70, im not trying to convince you to buy off ebay.. but its simple and just look at the feedback [:D]

your decision tho' [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by james saunders

gday there alexander,

watch ebay i've picked up a few P2K and an Atlas loco for under $60, which is a steal!
also www.perthhobbycentre.com.au have very reasonable prices. i got nothing against BB's they are great infact, but i've found that most of the time they go for about $50 here in Aus, and when you can get P2K's for another $10 i think thats a worthy investment.

my 2c

James

Hi James

I am a bit cautious of buying off ebay, and i don't have an account. i prefer new. Just a peace of mind type thing. I know about perth hobby centre, thanks anyway.

if i find anything really good, then a teacher at school will bid on it for me, but normally i just buy new.

thankyou

alexander

[james saunders]

gday there alexander,

watch ebay i've picked up a few P2K and an Atlas loco for under $60, which is a steal!
also www.perthhobbycentre.com.au have very reasonable prices. i got nothing against BB's they are great infact, but i've found that most of the time they go for about $50 here in Aus, and when you can get P2K's for another $10 i think thats a worthy investment.

my 2c

James

[BRAKIE]

Alexander,While you can use the wire hand rails you *can* upgrade if you wi***o the newer Celcon handrails for $5.75 which would eliminate the need to put the old metal handrails..

I would save up for a Athearn..

[Anonymous]

Hey, i need some sort of agreement here, should i a) buy an IHC diesel, b) Get a new bachmann or c) save up for a Athearn bb?

thankyou
alexander

[Anonymous]

Either of them would fit my prototype, whitch is from janurary 1972 to the creation of amtrak. A very tight fit, as i have 2 LL trainset gp38-2 locos, whitch are on the chopping block when i get the athearn locos. i also have one cheap bachmann f7 in santa fe passenger livery, with 2 passenger cars, whitch will be ran till it stops working.

thankyou

alexander

[METRO]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alexander13

Good, then i will get me some bb kits. So does this mean that you could put it on the tracks and use it, without the shell?

thanks
alexander

Absolutely. But, it's not at all hard to pop the shell onto the engine. Seriously it can be done one handed with a blindfold if you get a GP38-2 (trust me I've actually tried that one, long story)

I'd either reccomend the F7 or the GP38-2 depending on what era you want to model. From the 1950s to the 1980s pretty much everyone had at least some F7s and from the 1970s to now pretty much everyone has at least some GP38-2s. These are also two of the best selling Athearn locomotives of all time, and two of the best made. Putting together the F7 is probably the easiest kit in model railroading, litterally snap-together and you could have it from box to tracks in five minutes flat.

The GP38-2 is a bit more intricate, however still quite easy, as the wire handrails will require a bit of glue to hold them in place, but that's the hardest thing you'll have to do.

Athearns are pretty much a staple of the hobby, like Walthers buildings and Kadee couplers, everyone's going to have at least some exposure to them through just being an HO scale model railroader. There are countless articles on how to modify them, repaint them and do any of the more challenging things that you may someday. Odds are that Blue Box Athearn will stick with you and be a great runner for most of your time in the hobby, I don't know of a Bachman or IHC that would do that.

Cheers!
~METRO

[Anonymous]

Good, then i will get me some bb kits. So does this mean that you could put it on the tracks and use it, without the shell?

thanks
alexander

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: apparently you have to put gears on, assemble the trucks, etc is that true

NO!! That was pry just the exploded diagram, which shows all the parts in case you need to take it apart. All you do is put the handrails and numberboards on and it's DONE. It even comes w/ the shell on it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, i would get an athearn bb kit, but i saw the instruction sheet for one of them, and apparently you have to put gears on, assemble the trucks, etc is that true, or is it really as easy as popping on a frame, handreail, etc?

thanks
alexander