Hello, I was wondering what peoples' opinions were of IHC Premiere series steam engines. Finally getting back into the hobby after a couple of false starts in the past two years. I have been looking into buying a couple of new locomotives, but I've heard rumors that IHC lack a bit in detail and have slightly out of scale features. :?: Can anyone help shed some light? Do they run smoothly?

I have a Premier Series 2-10-2 and it is one of the best running locomotives I own. I can't speak for detail. A local hobby shop took one decorated for Southern Pacific and fitted it with a Tsunami large steam decoder planning to use it on the store layout. Somewhere in the process it fell to the floor and broke off the overhang on the back of the cab. The put it out on the "Deal table" for $80.00. The retail price for everything was $289.00. I bought it and sent a letter off to IHC telling them that I had dropped the locomotive and broke the cab, how much for a new cab? They sent my letter back with $25.00 written on the bottom of the my note, I sent it back to them with a check and received the new cab a couple of weeks later. I model Santa Fe normally, and I don't really know how close this model is to an S.P. The IHC 2-10-2 was based on a Santa Fe prototype, but the one picture I have of an S.P. 2-10-2 looks pretty close to it. Of course I had to buy an S.P. caboose to run with it, but it runs great. I consider it a deal at $105.00!

Back several years ago when I was quite involved with HO a friend of mine bought a used IHC Mikado.I am not a steam fan but that used Mikado ran so sweet that I went and bought a brand new one (it ran even better) .When I sold off most of my HO stuff the Mikado was one that went.The new owner was so impressed with it that I lost a whole $5. on the deal but had the loco for something like 5 years.

Bottom line is Mehano builds good steam and I would not hesitate to buy another one in a heartbeat.

This topic often show up from time to time. And many modellers, from any background, have a favorable opinion of these steamers. They are a good start for redetailling project.

I had good experience with their 2-6-0 and my IHC 4-6-4 is an outstanding machine (in term of mechanics!).

Matt

I had an IHC 4-4-0, and it ran great! But, the flanges on the wheels were too big and it wouldn't work well on anything less than code 100. I think the premier series locos had rp-25 flanges, and should work fine on code 70. As for the details - I think the 4-6-2 was pretty close to the USRA, and the 2-6-0 was close to a SP prototype, but the other steamers were more or less "generic".

I have one of the 2-6-0s and one of their 4-6-2s, as well as an old time 4-4-0 (it is 1:76th scale).

The mogul is a nice locomotive. It runs and looks great, except for the ugly stamped rods, the crude drivers, and the tender looks a little plain. The detail on the boiler offsets for the other deficiencies and I consider it one of the better bargains in the hobby.

The 4-6-2 has the same weaknesses as the 2-6-0, but doesn't have its strengths. The boiler and overall detail is crude by modern standards. It does run well, but not on par with Spectrum or the 2000ish Athearn 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 which were/are only slightly more expensive.

The 2-6-0 and 4-8-2 were Pemco prior to IHC; I don't recall on the 4-6-2, 2-8-2, 2-8-0, and 4-6-4. While I'd gladly buy another 2-6-0 (it is a Harriman-SP prototype), I'd never consider another of the 4-6-2s.

I have about 3 of these. (Two of them came with our Presidents' Choice/Loblaws trainsets... Cdns will know what I mean). I also have a GP7 diesel. From what I know, they are good value, most run very well & smoothly, but the detailing is either less accurate or more basic. I think they're a great option, especially if you're on a budget.

I have an older 2-8-0 Consolidation from IHC. Yeah, the boiler detail is pretty basic, but it does have a crude backhead. The flanges on the drivers are pretty deep, but I have no problem running it on my Code 83 track. Anything smaller might cause a problem.

It was in storage for five years at one time while I laid my track down. I took it out of the box, and it ran like it was brand new. I have had it now for almost 15 years now, and it really is a smooth runner. Just keep the running gear well lubed.

I have one of the older Moguls. I changed a few details, and converted it to a coal burner, shortening the tender in the process. Mine had the deep flanges, which I turned-down using a cut-off disc in my Dremel. I replaced the tender wheels. It's a decent runner, although it has a higher starting current than the brass Mogul with which it usually runs. Once they get moving, though, they run well together.



After re-working the brass Mogul, I decided that the 37 could use a make-over, too. I re-built the tender to more closely resemble that of the brass loco...



...then added new air tanks and some piping, plus a cab from a Bachmann Consolidation, and put her back into service:





I hope to eventually re-motor and re-gear her, too, but that will require a new frame.

Wayne

Thank you everyone, I think I'm sold. The only question is what to get!

I think IHC (Mehanno) used to be based in the former Yugoslavia. Then, I think they had a fire at their plant and closed it down & then set up in Texas -- is any of this true or am I totally off-base?! Thanks, Rob

I think IHC and Mehano are not related. The headquarters for IHC is in Pennsylvania. I think all of their new production is in china. As far as I know Mehano is out of business.