By the middle of the 1950's, it had become apparent that the days of the steam locomotive were coming to an end. Most of the main line trains on the C&O were being handled by F7' and as more and more GP9 were delivered more steam found its way to storage or scrap lines. The Clinchfield was all ready diesel by this time.
As with the prototypes I follow, diesel power offers great cost savings - with or without sound. So I surrender my pleadings for non sound steam and instead hope that I will still be able to obtain non sound diesels at affordable prices for a few more years anyway.
Sadly
Tom
Diesel locomotives with sound can come around $120, and nicely detailed DCC locomotives can come from $100 to $150. Standard DC locomotives come even cheaper than that. Ranging from $10-$100.
Sincerely,
Joshua
What scale are we talking about here? There is lots of steam with no DCC in large scale. Would this discussion be more appropriate on the H0 board?
Actually, now is a great time for buying slightly used steam or diesel in the smaller scales. It seems a lot of people are selling their dc locomotives so that they can buy versions with DCC on board (with or without sound,) probably because of the price of having DCC/sound installed or the perceived difficulty of doing it themselves.
Jim
Good Afternoon All,
You want non sound, non dcc diesel engines? Go to www.athearn.com. Athearn actually offers more motive power without dcc and sound than most manufacturers. Atlas is another good source for diesels without dcc or sound. Kato is another source.
Athearn diesels can be had for under$80.00 list and Atlas for around $100 list.
Bob
Another very good source of non-dcc, non-sound steam locomotives is IHC.
I have 20 plus year old Athearn, Rivarossi and IHC locos that have performed without flaw. None of them had to be returned for service. I currently have 5, less than 1 year old, Bachmann locos: three required repair, one I repaired but the last is doing fine so far.
I'm not sure but I think Tom was saying he hopes that diesel will remain inexpensive in reference to comments on this board about more and more steam locomotives are available in sound only at a higher cost than the previous non-sound dcc models were available, not that its hard to find inexpensive diesels.
Trainmaster971, I viewed a thread on the Model Railroader forum in which it was learned that IHC is no longer in business. I just thought the viewers would be interested.
Ray
Ray et all
IHC is very much in business.
Their demise is a malicious rumor.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
Quote from: Tim on May 06, 2009, 02:55:28 PM
Ray et all
IHC is very much in business.
Their demise is a malicious rumor.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
The main supplier of their engines Mehano is bankrupt. Apparently they are going to shut down. One can only hope that IHC can find another supplier for their engines.
I hope that someone will come forward and buy Mahano and restart, will have to wait and see. Remember Rivarossi shut down and Hornby purchased their assets.
Will wonder how IHC can overcome that loss of their main HO engine supplier.
I followed all the comments recently made on this board regarding IHC; I can't speak for other forums as I don't visit them.
Since IHC has chosen not to make their current status known, whether the situation is temporary or permanent remains to be seen.
Bob
Go to the IHC website, you will find most everything in stock.
Also they have four new DCC equipped loco's.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
Quote from: BestSnowman on May 06, 2009, 12:07:55 PM
I'm not sure but I think Tom was saying he hopes that diesel will remain inexpensive in reference to comments on this board about more and more steam locomotives are available in sound only at a higher cost than the previous non-sound dcc models were available, not that its hard to find inexpensive diesels.
You are 100% correct, that is exactly what I mean. I have nothing against sound equipped locomotives eitherf steam or diesel, I just resent having sound forced on me.
As those of us on Social Security just found out there will be no cost of living adjustments in either 2010 or 2011 this makes my hobby dollars even more dear.
Tom
When I checked the IHC site last week, there were no locomotives in any category. This week all items seem to be in stock. I have tried calling them on the toll free number and only got a recording.
I did a search for "IHC Locomotives" and found only a few sources that listed them, either "out of stock" or "on back order". I also called Caboose Hobbies, no inventory and no expected delivery dates.
I make no speculation, but the evidence makes me wonder. Anyway I'm not concerned as IHC has nothing I need except for a few structures. (also out of stock at Caboose)
Quote from: Tim on May 06, 2009, 05:08:48 PM
Bob
Go to the IHC website, you will find most everything in stock.
Also they have four new DCC equipped loco's.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
Those are DCC ready, not with DCC installed.
Pacific Northern
You're right I didn't click on any of the loco's icon's.
The first listing just says DCC.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
If this is true, can IHC survive selling only their passenger cars, structures, and other such accesories if Mehano really did go bankrupt?
Most likely, no. Keeping 'secondary' items such as passenger cars and accesories in stock has never been a priority with IHC.
Quote from: Tim on May 07, 2009, 06:07:23 AM
Pacific Northern
You're right I didn't click on any of the loco's icon's.
The first listing just says DCC.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
It certainly is a shame that Mehano had to declare bankruptcy. They were just starting to upgrade their existing steam engine designs with the .039 flanges and had started to blacken the locomotive wheels, side rods and valve gear.
Their last new offering the 2-10-2 is a very respectable steamer, decent detail, good running characteristics and was DCC ready.
If they are not successful in finding a new buyer the hobby will be losing a proven supply of good running, modestly priced steam engines. There selection reanged from small steam to large steamers.