Help with selecting an HO Allegheny scale model.

Way, WAY back when I was modeling HO, I always preferred the brass model of the C&O H-8, from Key. I had two at the time, and still have one (#1650) on display, along with a brass C&O T-1.

The only one I am still looking at it is the one from MTH. Trainworld has them for $399.99. Only reason I don't have one yet, is I already have two C&O 2-10-4's from Broadway Limited with rolling thunder sound for my coal drag.

HotWater and DL&W Pete,

Thank you for your replies as I started looking at those models.

I had hoped that there would be others who could have offered some advice on a great model.  Online I've seen discussions regarding Akane models from the mid to late 60's as being the best runner with detail.

I also haven't heard anything about Rivarossi models from 2008 nor 2011 or the one from MTH in terms of their running capability.

Key Allegheny:

Akane Allegheny

MTH  Allegheny

While I don't have am MTH Allegheny, I do have their 4-8-8-4  Denver and RioGrand Yellowstone with Proto 3.

it runs beautifully both forward and reverse, especially at low speeds.  Its loaded with detail and smokes like a champ.

You will also have a one year warranty with it

I would have no problem going for the MTH version.

Good luck

daylight posted:

While I don't have am MTH Allegheny, I do have their 4-8-8-4  Denver and RioGrand Yellowstone with Proto 3.

Do you mean a 2-8-8-4 D&RGW Yellowstone?  Only the UP had the 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, then again, I didn't realize that the D&RGW had any 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone locomotives anyway, except those that they borrowed from the DM&IR during WWII.

it runs beautifully both forward and reverse, especially at low speeds.  Its loaded with detail and smokes like a champ.

You will also have a one year warranty with it

I would have no problem going for the MTH version.

 

Good luck

Hot Water posted:

daylight posted:

While I don't have am MTH Allegheny, I do have their 4-8-8-4  Denver and RioGrand Yellowstone with Proto 3.

Do you mean a 2-8-8-4 D&RGW Yellowstone?  Only the UP had the 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, then again, I didn't realize that the D&RGW had any 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone locomotives anyway, except those that they borrowed from the DM&IR during WWII.

it runs beautifully both forward and reverse, especially at low speeds.  Its loaded with detail and smokes like a champ.

You will also have a one year warranty with it

I would have no problem going for the MTH version.

 

Good luck

 Wow, Hot Water, I knew I should have got the wheel arrangement right before I posted. Yes, I did mean 2-8-8-4.  I had a feeling that I had the wheel arrangement wrong but wasn't at home to check.

 

daylight posted:

While I don't have am MTH Allegheny, I do have their 4-8-8-4  Denver and RioGrand Yellowstone with Proto 3.

it runs beautifully both forward and reverse, especially at low speeds.  Its loaded with detail and smokes like a champ.

You will also have a one year warranty with it

I would have no problem going for the MTH version.

 

Good luck

I agree with Daylight; I have the MTH HO UP Challenger and have not had any problems with it.  The caveat:  I do not run it every day but when I do, it runs fine.  I've been wanting to get an MTH HO Allegheny, just other financial priorities at the moment. Daylight didn't mention it but they are diecast.

I wish MTH would produce some other HO loks; steam: PRR Turbine and PRR T1, UP GTEL turbines, the 3 unit bunker oil, two unit Propane and 3 unit Coal turbine.  (But don't do them all in one catalog, my pocket book couldn't handle it.  

Steve

daylight posted:

Hot Water posted:

daylight posted:

While I don't have am MTH Allegheny, I do have their 4-8-8-4  Denver and RioGrand Yellowstone with Proto 3.

Do you mean a 2-8-8-4 D&RGW Yellowstone?  Only the UP had the 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, then again, I didn't realize that the D&RGW had any 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone locomotives anyway, except those that they borrowed from the DM&IR during WWII.

it runs beautifully both forward and reverse, especially at low speeds.  Its loaded with detail and smokes like a champ.

You will also have a one year warranty with it

I would have no problem going for the MTH version.

 

Good luck

 Wow, Hot Water, I knew I should have got the wheel arrangement right before I posted. Yes, I did mean 2-8-8-4.  I had a feeling that I had the wheel arrangement wrong but wasn't at home to check.

You might want to re-check what wheel arrangement you really have, as upon further research, I found that the D&RGW did NOT own any 2-8-8-4 "Yellowstone" steam locomotives. Maybe you have a 2-8-8-2 or a 4-6-6-4? Not being familiar with MTH HO models, I have no idea. Maybe you can post a photo or two?

 

 

Hot Water posted:

daylight posted:

Hot Water posted:

daylight posted:

While I don't have am MTH Allegheny, I do have their 4-8-8-4  Denver and RioGrand Yellowstone with Proto 3.

Do you mean a 2-8-8-4 D&RGW Yellowstone?  Only the UP had the 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, then again, I didn't realize that the D&RGW had any 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone locomotives anyway, except those that they borrowed from the DM&IR during WWII.

it runs beautifully both forward and reverse, especially at low speeds.  Its loaded with detail and smokes like a champ.

You will also have a one year warranty with it

I would have no problem going for the MTH version.

Good luck

 Wow, Hot Water, I knew I should have got the wheel arrangement right before I posted. Yes, I did mean 2-8-8-4.  I had a feeling that I had the wheel arrangement wrong but wasn't at home to check.

You might want to re-check what wheel arrangement you really have, as upon further research, I found that the D&RGW did NOT own any 2-8-8-4 "Yellowstone" steam locomotives. Maybe you have a 2-8-8-2 or a 4-6-6-4? Not being familiar with MTH HO models, I have no idea. Maybe you can post a photo or two?

 looks like I got the road name wrong also.

Its a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range (#225) 2-8-8-4

Hot Water than you for the follow up

Key allegheny.

Before:

After:

samparfitt posted:

Key allegheny.

 

After:

Beautiful!  Except, why did you go through all the excellent painting workmanship, and then decal the engine with the incorrect road number?  ALL C&O H-8 class "Allegheny" locomotives were numbered in the 1600 series!

Hot water,

Just noticed your comment.  All fixed. Can't believe I did something that stupid!

I could be wrong, but I think Samhonsa made one, all brass of course (may have been the Key model as shown above).  Cost $3,000.00 when new.  One sold for $4,000.00 some time ago.  If memory is correct, it had two lights on top of tender and one on rear for back up light.  The only nicer model that I have seen was made by Fine Art Models in 1:32 scale

The MTH Allegheny release was almost enough to tip the scales and send me back to HO scale. If my vision and hand dexterity skills were better, I would have stayed there. I admire a lot of what I see in HO. It's harder to look back at HO after seeing the big ones. 

I like most any Allegheny I see! 

I have the MTH HO model of the 1601. It's been a excellent runner and has held up very well with lots of mainline run time. I recommend it.

Engineer-Joe posted:

The MTH Allegheny release was almost enough to tip the scales and send me back to HO scale. If my vision and hand dexterity skills were better, I would have stayed there. I admire a lot of what I see in HO. It's harder to look back at HO after seeing the big ones. 

I like most any Allegheny I see! 

 

I agree, seem to prefer the 1:32 scale or larger engines now, much easier to see.  Big on cab detail now.

The Roster: 

 Three truck Shay  brass, weathered 1:24 scale (lights and seuthe smoke) Iron Horse hobbies importer. Manufacturer name escapes me at the moment

Berlyn locomotives works K-37 (massive engine)   1:20 Scale (DC, sound and synchronized smoke added) Phoenix sound system failed the second time I ran it on rollers. Mike Regan of Train America Studios added new sound and smoke system

Accucraft  K-28, green boiler 1:20 scale  (DCC sound and synchronized smoke added)

Samhonsa K-27 Mud Hen # 10 of 10,  factory weathered. 1:24 scale (just had DC/DCC and sound added)  

2 Fulgurex, brass, 1;32 scale, one with DCC and sound and one with DCC, Sound and Synchronized smoke ( the last of their 1:32 scale engines being manufactured per the importer and the first one with Synchronized smoke)  

2 Km-1 Steam engines,  1 brass and 1 brass and metal, both have DCC, Sound and synchronized smoke (includes cylinder smoke)  1;32 scale

LGB/Aster Garratt  brass  DC, Sound and Smoke (may be Synchronized) Not sure of the scale.

Marklin diecast and brass  factory weathered, Deutsche Bundesbahn  2-10-0 ( DCC/ Sound and  Synchronized Smoke)  1:32 scale

The size of your curves may narrow your selection.