FYI, I just got a reply to my inquiry with Roundhouse/Athearn/Horizon about their upcoming USRA light 4-6-2.

If you want to model a steam railroad, the most generic and appropriate roster would feature USRA light 4-6-2s and USRA light 2-8-2s on the mainline, USRA 0-6-0s in the yard, and modern 2-8-0s. There are a number of light 2-8-2s out there, as well as 0-6-0s....so getting the 4-6-2 again is nice since they are hard to find. Previously, the subpar IHC 4-6-2 was the only option (I have one...it is seriously lacking). Hopefully, the 4-6-2 will be upgraded from the original Genesis version.

The plain version is expected in December and will list for $150. The Tsunami version will be in March and list for $240. I'd guess they'll have discount store prices of $100 and $160...with lower street prices after the initial introduction. I need these enough that I'll probably buy two when they are offered and keep an eye out for more at the street prices later (I picked a $280 list price 2-8-0 for $70...new...a few months back).

That's good to know! I really like the Pacifics. Any link to more info?

Andrew

That's good to know. There arent many pacifics on the HO market. But, I have little use for one, and even at that price it is still much to rich for my wallet. I am still likely to pick up an older Mantua at a train show, and spend a few, ahem, years detailing it to my liking

Here's their website...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.roundhousetrains.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=4-6-2&CatID=THLS">http://www.roundhousetrains.com/Search/ ... CatID=THLS</a><!-- m -->

It really sticks out in their product line since the other locomotives are more appropriate for a short line after 1900.

The deal on the original Genesis pacific was that it seriously lacked in pulling power...sufficiently bad that it was a flop. Still, I've tried to get one a few times. The first 4-6-2 and the 2-8-2 were built by Samhongsa whom no longer exists. I don't know much of anything about the recent Genesis offerings (way too UP focused for me...just about the only railroad of which I have no interest in their modern steam).

Based on my Horizon-Roundhouse 2-8-0 and Genesis 2-8-2, I'm expecting her to run as smooth as a Swiss Watch.

It's surprising that the Genesis 4-6-2 seems fairly rare, at least in the local hobby shops, while there is usually a plentiful supply of the Mikes. I bought two of the Mikes before they were released, and, after figuring out how to make them decent pullers, picked up two more, used, and at about half the cost of the originals. Surprisingly, none of the four have had issues with split gears, although I have replaced a few for others.
These locos were very smooth runners, although that "pigtail" wiring was a source of tender derailments. The running gear was very nicely done, and, in my opinion, made it well-worthwhile to put some effort into the pulling power issue. Getting rid of the pigtail and adding tender current pick-up were other useful upgrades.

Wayne

Thanks for all the tips and info. I think this one will have to go on the wish list for sure. Now if only it came with an all-weather cab...!

Andrew

I've got one of those IHC (Mehano) Pacifics as well as one of their Mikes. Not bad runners, but I plan to someday remotor both. I have actually remotored the Pacific with a can motor from A Line, but it is still undergoing the stripping down of plastic details phase. Well, I should say it will be once again someday. It's been a few years since I worked on it.

Someday is soon....

Galen

MasonJar Wrote:....... Now if only it came with an all-weather cab...!

Andrew

Precision Scale has the old Kemtron all-weather cab in either brass or plastic,
[album]223[/album]

and Miniatures By Eric offers CPR- and (I believe) CNR-style vestibule cabs in cast resin. I'm currently using a Miniatures By Eric CPR-style cab to convert a USRA Mikado into a CNR loco for a friend - not too difficult, now that I've figured out how to mount it solidly, yet still leave it removeable (for installation of window "glass"). (Sorry, no photos yet.)

You can also use sheet styrene (.010" or .015" thickness) to construct an all-weather cab around an existing cab. I use the existing cab's front, and where possible, roof. Sand all detail from the original cab's sides, lay your new side overlay atop the old side, and mark the new side's openings onto the old side. Carve or cut away anything within the marks, so that none of the original side shows through the window openings, then cement the new side in place. You can use heavier (.020" or .030") sheet styrene to construct a new rear wall for the cab, adding as much or as little detail as you wish. Trim away the original cab roof's overhang at the rear, if required. If that results in the roof "not looking right", simply sand or file off all roof detail, then construct a new roof overlay from .010" or .015 sheet.

This cab was built over the original Bachmann cab, and the original roof, slightly modified, was re-used (cab windows are moveable):
[album]1015[/album]

This is a Bowser all-metal NYC K-11 Pacific, with a scratchbuilt styrene cab built right over the original metal one:
[album]1343[/album]

And a Tyco Mikado, same idea, but over the original plastic cab:
[album]1344[/album]

The advantage to building over the original, provided that you don't remove too much material from it, is that the new cab will be much stronger.

Here's another Kemtron cab, this one in plastic, on an old John English Pacific:
[album]1345[/album]

Wayne

I will have to keep my eyes peeled for these. I need a few.

Wayne, Those are some sweet looking rebuilds. For the life of me, I can not figure out why the PM never had an all weather cab steam loco. I have found information showing crews using large pieces of wood, or even grain door paper to seal the cabs in the winter. They never ran further south than northern Ohio in regular service, and Michigan winters can be brutal.


Matt