does anyone out there have the riverossi 2-8-8-2,and could you tell me how many cars it could pull up a 2% grade?Does it have traction tires.scale is ho.thanks in advance.
gil
I have a couple, and used to have a couple more. The older version, #2197, has traction tires, and with some weight added, it will pull anything you want to, but the second driver from the front on each engine will hop until you add bushings, because it just runs in a slot from the factory; no bearings. I have never had a motor issue but some people claim they have. I used to have a 2.15% grade and she was good for 60 free rolling, but not NMRA weighted, hoppers and a caboose.
On the later version (no pizza slicer wheel flanges), #2174, I also added weight, and it also has a traction tired driver set, and it pulls rather well. Used to do 55 hoppers over a 2% hill. I wasn't testing, that was just what I thought looked best on two different layouts. No issues with the later loco, just not great detailing.
I have double headed them with brass and BLI Class As, just for looks, and I didn't own enough cars to stop that combo.
Rivarossi did not put out the most detailed engines you could buy, prior to the H-8, but their prices were decent, also prior to the H-8, and they ran fairly well. Proto has made some super nice 2-8-8-2s, and the Precision Scale Y6b is great. Make sure which version you are getting. The old ones will not run on less than code 100 track without hitting the "spike" heads unless you cut down the flanges.