As I love this prototype, have an AHM/Rivarossi one but they are so fragile and underpowered. But it will go around 48" diameter curves. Will the US Hobbies brass one go around the same curves or does it lack enough lateral play in the drive axles? Hate the spend the $$ and not be able to use it. It will be 4 to 5 years before we move to a new place where I can rebuilt with bigger curve radius. If it will manage those curves, anybody got one for sale? Thanks AD
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I 3 railed one of these, …get a hold of me via profile for details
Pat
i am not planning to 3 rail either of them, the layout is 2 rail with the old AHM sectional 24" radius track as thats all I can fit right now. Im either going to buy a couple more of the AHM IHB switchers or one of the brass US Hobbies locos if it can go around the same curves. But I am hearing it wont from other sources. AD
The 2 rail KTM ( USHobbies ) will not ….it has a quite a big wheel base for an 0-8-0,…..better stick with the plastic AHM’s …..
Pat
Thats the plan for now, till we move and I build a new bigger layout around the room. So I am hunting for a couple more of the 0-8-0s from AHM. Or the USRA 0-6-0 from US Hobbies, that will probably manage my curves ok with the shorter wheelbase. I am going to remotor my current AHM IHB loco, see if that will improve its slow speed stability. Just about anything is an improvement over the original 3 pole motor. But I will keep it small to not overwhelm the drive train. Maybe just a little more weight to, but again, keeping it modest.
US Hobbies never made a USRA O-6-0. They did a USRA 0-8-0 and a PRR 0-8-0. Sunset imported USRA 0-6-0 in 3 different versions. One detailed for UP, one detailed for PRR, and one generic. I have the PRR one it is a nice runner and has a lot of detail. I don't know how sharp a curve it will handle. My sharpest is 48 inch RADIUS and it has not problem with that obviously.
Some importer brought one in mfg by a company called "King" I think. It might been imported by Max Grey.
Weaver also imported a brass USRA 0-6-0 that I seen. I don't know anything about it. I have a WEaver Brass PRR 2-8-0 and it is sturdy, reasonable detailed, and will handle 48 inch radius so I'm sure the 0-6-0 would handle that and some sharper stuff.
Ok, gives me some things to watch for. I would want the B&O style USRA 0-6-0 with the high headlight and USRA tender, like the Rivarossi HO scale one. Its a shame some of the O scale that was advertised on my boxes never got made by Rivarossi, the 0-6-0 being one of them. They were onto something for affordable 2 rail O scale, but it failed to capture the market. Maybe not including the motorizing kits with the engine kits was a marketing miss. I have a cross breeding of AHM track right now, my curves are marked POLA, came in their factory AHM boxes, but my switches and straights are Rivarossi and the curve on the turnout is just slightly different than the POLA curves. The 0-8-0 likes the switch better than the curves. So time to find the Rivarossi curves and see how those work. I have a shot at buying a bundle of AHM kits, 1 IHB loco, 3 Casey Jones and 2 Genoa/Renos, 2 Casey Jones motorizing kits, 2 IHB motorizing kits and a couple undec atlas cars. The motorizing kits are boxed, the loco kits are not but he feels everything is there for each loco kit. Wants $465 to my door for it all. Hmmmm I am also looking at either a NOS Sagami or Maxon motor to put in my current IHB
A long-term O scaler's opinion: think of the hobby as a long range commitment - go for quality over quantity. The lightly built Rivarossi locomotives are OK for a display shelf - but IMO are not rugged enough for long term operation.
If you don't have the space for mid-sized curves consider building a switching layout module. It would be fun to operate an 0-6-0 or 0-8-0 on it, while you enhance your modelling skills such as hand laying turnouts in tight trackage situations. (consider ROW castings for points/frogs/guard rails) The switching module could be used/integrated in a future layout, while the track laying skills will save train account funds that can be applied to purchase quality models.
A USRA brass 0-6-0 was built by Toby in Japan and imported by King Models. They are relatively rare.
I'm well aware they won't hold up to heavy hauling. But for a tiny layout with lightweight rolling stock/short consists. I think the old Rivarossi 0-8-0 will do just fine for now.
And switching only layouts for me are a bit boring. In a couple years I will have a bigger space for a bigger layout
I have one, over 20 years now. I can guarantee it on 48" radius and probably less.....but I doubt it would get even vlose to 24"r. Great engine.
I will get one when I get the first chance to. None up for sale at the moment
Weaver did an 0-8-0 diecast, (conventional). Pennsy, belpair, fire box.
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