The purple box moguls and 4-4-0s are the best steam models Mehano-IHC ever offered. Best details, smooth running, easily matched to doublehead on a DC setup. The oil bunker snaps off and it is easy to install a coal bunker in place of it...for eastern and early 20th cen western layouts. Very little is needed to make it a model instead if a trainset locomotive. The Pacific and Mikado Mehano from 1999 are not as matured in the model world as the mogul. They've added more detail as the years progressed from 1973...but often it is still atop the cast on glob detail suggestions like the molded into boiler grab rails...or the blob headlight.
I had no idea this was a first for a lot of other people. This wasn't strictly my first engine, but it was my first nice not-train-set engine. Boston and Maine with a coal tender. Love it to bits.
Yes you finally did a video on one of my favorite Mehano locomotives, Most of mine are the premiere run they had but I do have some older runs, Great review as always
Great video. I have one from a train set shortly approaching 20 years ago. Still hasn't missed a beat and I've bought a couple more new old stock ones in recent years
Thanks for doing this review! Picked up a purple box mogul in L&N scheme today on ebay for $70. Not too bad for mint condition. They are getting harder to find!
I used to go to a place called Junction Valley Railroad, sadly they closed in 2016, I've painted some HO scale models of the locomotives they had and made my own Junction Valley heritage fleet, and I also took one of these IHC 2-6-0 and made a fictional Junction Valley steam locomotive (because Junction Valley in real life never, had a steam locomotive)
our club had one for the community to use during open house. I cleaned it up, and put a Bachmann smokebox front and headlight from one of their Russian Decapods on it. It really spruced up the basic looks for a freelanced model.
I recently got one for Christmas and it runs great. It does make a little of noise but runs smoothly. Some of he packaging came in the box used for shipping but didn’t come with the either colored purple or white box. It did come with the plastic though and runs great with the small extent of no marker lights. But I can add those myself.
I wish I could show you mine, whoever owned mine before me put figurines in the cab, custom painted parts, SP fonts fitted to the number board frames. Customized headlamp and an additional one on the tender. Custom additional front handrails on the smokebox. Replaces couplers (I forgot which ones they’re called but it’s like what you did in the video) the little bell had been replaced with a more detailed bell that actually swings. Dropped open cab windows in the front, customized marker lights, additional brass handrails on the top of the oil bunker on the tender. Sadly it doesn’t run and I’m trying to figure it out. Also nice model I love it
I was actually considering one of these for one of my fictional’s engines, however an incomplete mantua prairie kit with missing parts took that role instead… I think I made a mistake :/
@@michaelramsey81 I wanted to thank you for the tip. I found it! My hands tend to shake now, and putting on decals is enough to drive me crazy. Using labels solved that! Rivet counters might have a conniption, but it works for me. Thank you!
Great video. However there is one serious problem with your steam engines. The fuel costs for coal and oil must be high - lol. Seriously, what are the capacities of those tenders and now much oil and coal does your layout go through in a week- hehehe?
It's a Digitrax DN136PS. I use these decoders in most of my fleet because they're relatively cheap and have BEMF. They definitely have downsides (the BEMF is a little overactive sometimes, and the CVs are a bit confusing), but they're a pretty good value for the money.
Great model and I have a bunch of them. How do you get access to the motor? I'm having a little trouble with this and their "Modern" 4-4-0 with a similar design.
It's been a while since I took one of these apart, but I think you can just take out the screw under the smokebox and the rearmost one under the cab, and the shell should lift off. There might be one more screw somewhere, but I remember it being a pretty easy process.
@@tionstav5799 Yep. The older ones can be great runners if you happen to get a good one. The first IHC Mogul I had as a kid, an AT&SF one old motor, ran better than any I've found since then.
Is there a specific reason that you changed the connectors on the tender car? I bought a similar locomotive wanted to see if I need to do that?! Great video by the way!
I had to change the coupler to match the ones on the rest of my trains. If the coupler on yours already works with the cars you want to pull, there's no need to change it.
I have very mixed opinions on Bachmann. Some of their recent stuff is really good, and some... isn't so much. Their best stuff was the Spectrum line in the mid-2000s, most of which is now out of production (or downgraded significantly, in the case of the 4-6-0). They're definitely capable of making great models, but they're not very consistent.
I have a question about some of your passenger cars in your set it looks like they were Strasbourg passenger cars I’d like to know where can I Find some because I have two Strasbourg passenger cars and I need at least four more to complete the set
Mine were originally Central Pacific cars. They are from a Roundhouse Overland 4-car set that I acquired about 12 years ago. There are still a few of the sets listed on eBay, but unfortunately, none in that color right now. Keep an eye out at train shows and on the used market, and I'm sure some will eventually turn up.
I actually found out ihc or mehano Is still around they just don’t sell American model anymore. How ever this is second hand info so this might be false.
I believe they moved production to China around the time IHC shut down, and they changed most of their product line. It seems they're now more focused on ultra-cheap train sets and toys.
You have both a very nice MRR, locos, and rolling stock, and also know how to make a well rounded video... Also, nice to be able to 'comment' for once, because in your video about the Bmann 10 wheeler, I don't know, if she runs and looks so good, why you retired her.. I also have the same beautiful modernized 4-4-0 as you...
@@michaelramsey81well hello there I do believe that I have a ihc 2-8-2 daylight (the old motor one) that locomotive runs quiet as the new motor varient (which is a Richmond 4-4-0 I recently purchased for a whopping 7.00$! Super cheap!)
The purple box moguls and 4-4-0s are the best steam models Mehano-IHC ever offered. Best details, smooth running, easily matched to doublehead on a DC setup.
The oil bunker snaps off and it is easy to install a coal bunker in place of it...for eastern and early 20th cen western layouts.
Very little is needed to make it a model instead if a trainset locomotive.
The Pacific and Mikado Mehano from 1999 are not as matured in the model world as the mogul. They've added more detail as the years progressed from 1973...but often it is still atop the cast on glob detail suggestions like the molded into boiler grab rails...or the blob headlight.
I had no idea this was a first for a lot of other people. This wasn't strictly my first engine, but it was my first nice not-train-set engine. Boston and Maine with a coal tender. Love it to bits.
Nice work! I especialy like how the head light has the realistic glow
Yes you finally did a video on one of my favorite Mehano locomotives, Most of mine are the premiere run they had but I do have some older runs, Great review as always
Great video. I have one from a train set shortly approaching 20 years ago. Still hasn't missed a beat and I've bought a couple more new old stock ones in recent years
Love these old IHC engines. Still can run great today!
Thanks for doing this review! Picked up a purple box mogul in L&N scheme today on ebay for $70.
Not too bad for mint condition. They are getting harder to find!
I used to go to a place called Junction Valley Railroad, sadly they closed in 2016, I've painted some HO scale models of the locomotives they had and made my own Junction Valley heritage fleet, and I also took one of these IHC 2-6-0 and made a fictional Junction Valley steam locomotive (because Junction Valley in real life never, had a steam locomotive)
our club had one for the community to use during open house. I cleaned it up, and put a Bachmann smokebox front and headlight from one of their Russian Decapods on it. It really spruced up the basic looks for a freelanced model.
The Bachmann smokebox front is a cool idea! I didn't know those would fit. Might have to track one down and try it.
Great video! I recently bought one of these and I can’t be happier! Keep up the good work!
I recently got one for Christmas and it runs great. It does make a little of noise but runs smoothly.
Some of he packaging came in the box used for shipping but didn’t come with the either colored purple or white box. It did come with the plastic though and runs great with the small extent of no marker lights. But I can add those myself.
I wish I could show you mine, whoever owned mine before me put figurines in the cab, custom painted parts, SP fonts fitted to the number board frames. Customized headlamp and an additional one on the tender. Custom additional front handrails on the smokebox. Replaces couplers (I forgot which ones they’re called but it’s like what you did in the video) the little bell had been replaced with a more detailed bell that actually swings. Dropped open cab windows in the front, customized marker lights, additional brass handrails on the top of the oil bunker on the tender. Sadly it doesn’t run and I’m trying to figure it out. Also nice model I love it
Found out it comes in GN colors, gonna save for it
Update: found one and Fitted a USRA Tender to it, runs smooth
i have one of these, decorated for CN 905. It's a yellow box version, runs well and never caused any problems.
Always wanted one of these engines, though I would probably change the headlight and positioning of it for mine for variety
I have one these which it was from the Pillsbury express set. I haven’t ran it in a couple mouths, but it runs super nice, and it is not lout at all
If you put a Vanderbilt behind it, it becomes its true form a SP 2-6-0
When My wife and I Go to The Train Show This Will Be One Of the Engines I Will Be Looking For.
This mogul is a perfect match for the Espee Class M-4.
I just bought this type of locomotive yesterday for just over $50. Yellow box, but it is my first steam locomotive.
$50 is a great deal for one of these!
@@michaelramsey81 Great news, it just arrived and runs great. super quiet and reliable. guess i got lucky
Ah, the IHC mogul. What a fine little engine. Nice work as usual! Perhaps a better looking brass bell and headlight will be in it's future?
Those are definitely on the list of future upgrades!
Just got one used in excellent condition off Kijiji. It's sweet!
That’s a fire video can’t wait for another one
Lovely Running Engines. Thinking of getting one.
I was actually considering one of these for one of my fictional’s engines, however an incomplete mantua prairie kit with missing parts took that role instead… I think I made a mistake :/
I loved my little Mantua/Tyco prarie. Small drivers and a traction tire. She'd pull a ton of cars. Probably more than a real one of comparable size.
Can I ask what model Brother Label Maker and Tape you use? I have problems with decals these days...
I don't remember the exact model, but it's part of the P-Touch product line. They have a few different ones that use the same tape cartridges.
@@michaelramsey81 I wanted to thank you for the tip. I found it! My hands tend to shake now, and putting on decals is enough to drive me crazy. Using labels solved that! Rivet counters might have a conniption, but it works for me. Thank you!
I found spares for the 4-6-0 63” driver locomotive, specifically the boiler and the drivers. Thinking about the conversion.
That would be an interesting kitbash!
Yes, but then i realize they were sold out.😭🤣
Anybody know any goods sub in’s for the 63” drivers?
Very nice video, I might have to try this on my ihc mogul once I get it back up and running
Just ordered one for myself, gonna get a new motor, new Lighting and DCC sound
This is very epic
Great video. However there is one serious problem with your steam engines. The fuel costs for coal and oil must be high - lol. Seriously, what are the capacities of those tenders and now much oil and coal does your layout go through in a week- hehehe?
Hey Micheal. What decoder did you use?
It's a Digitrax DN136PS. I use these decoders in most of my fleet because they're relatively cheap and have BEMF. They definitely have downsides (the BEMF is a little overactive sometimes, and the CVs are a bit confusing), but they're a pretty good value for the money.
@@michaelramsey81 thanks for telling me! I recently got an IHC 2-6-0 and wanted to know what you ran yours with
I have the same engine but I repainted it to a special b&o engine to match the passenger cars I have
Great model and I have a bunch of them. How do you get access to the motor? I'm having a little trouble with this and their "Modern" 4-4-0 with a similar design.
It's been a while since I took one of these apart, but I think you can just take out the screw under the smokebox and the rearmost one under the cab, and the shell should lift off. There might be one more screw somewhere, but I remember it being a pretty easy process.
YES!
Mine runs very quiet, but I'm surprised to find that it has the old motor.
Some of the old motors run just as smooth as the new ones. The new ones are just more consistent across multiple units.
@@michaelramsey81 Quality control got better for sure.
@@tionstav5799 Yep. The older ones can be great runners if you happen to get a good one. The first IHC Mogul I had as a kid, an AT&SF one old motor, ran better than any I've found since then.
Is there a specific reason that you changed the connectors on the tender car? I bought a similar locomotive wanted to see if I need to do that?! Great video by the way!
I had to change the coupler to match the ones on the rest of my trains. If the coupler on yours already works with the cars you want to pull, there's no need to change it.
Choo choo good 👍
How do you hardwire a DCC decoder into it and in change out the light bulb?
I'll make a video on it at some point. With this loco, I pretty much had to re-wire the entire thing, since it wasn't designed for a decoder.
i thought you really liked bachmann.
I have very mixed opinions on Bachmann. Some of their recent stuff is really good, and some... isn't so much. Their best stuff was the Spectrum line in the mid-2000s, most of which is now out of production (or downgraded significantly, in the case of the 4-6-0). They're definitely capable of making great models, but they're not very consistent.
I have a question about some of your passenger cars in your set it looks like they were Strasbourg passenger cars I’d like to know where can I Find some because I have two Strasbourg passenger cars and I need at least four more to complete the set
Mine were originally Central Pacific cars. They are from a Roundhouse Overland 4-car set that I acquired about 12 years ago. There are still a few of the sets listed on eBay, but unfortunately, none in that color right now. Keep an eye out at train shows and on the used market, and I'm sure some will eventually turn up.
I actually found out ihc or mehano Is still around they just don’t sell American model anymore. How ever this is second hand info so this might be false.
I believe they moved production to China around the time IHC shut down, and they changed most of their product line. It seems they're now more focused on ultra-cheap train sets and toys.
@@michaelramsey81 yep I believe that is all true
Very nice, kinda wanna get one now
You should! They're great little engines, and they're still fairly inexpensive.
@@michaelramsey81 Alright then, might try to pick one up soon.
You have both a very nice MRR, locos, and rolling stock, and also know how to make a well rounded video...
Also, nice to be able to 'comment' for once, because in your video about the Bmann 10 wheeler, I don't know, if she runs and looks so good, why you retired her.. I also have the same beautiful modernized 4-4-0 as you...
I had to retire the ten-wheeler because the motor died. That loco will definitely return (in some form) eventually.
@@michaelramsey81well hello there I do believe that I have a ihc 2-8-2 daylight (the old motor one) that locomotive runs quiet as the new motor varient (which is a Richmond 4-4-0 I recently purchased for a whopping 7.00$! Super cheap!)
I recently picked up a purple box NYC version for $35
Awesome deal!
It's a shame that IHC doesn't produce train models anymore.
Definitely. They were a great source of cheap, smooth running steam. Hopefully the supply of used ones doesn't dry up anytime soon.
What LED did you use?
@@seymoarsalvage Just a normal 3mm yellow LED. I forget where I got it - probably Amazon. If I did it again I'd use warm white rather than yellow.
Before there was IHC, it was formerly known as AHM.
👍
I have one of these
Doctor who ref