Has anyone had any experience with powered IHC E-8s? I see them from time to time on eBay and have purchased a couple of the dummy units - they are acceptable once fitted with Kadees and some attention to detail, but I'm kind of hesitant to buy a powered unit. Are both trucks powered or just one? Are they smooth (quiet) runners? Thanks.
Hmmm...so far only the sound of crickets chirping lol. Anyway, looking at the dummies for some kind of clue, it appears that the powered units would be single-truck powered - ala the old AHM units of yore. Now these I have had, and have some on my roster but they tend to occupy shelf space or unpowered sidings because they sound and run like a coffee grinder. Nevertheless I was hopeful that even with a single truck powered, they may have evolved a little over the years. Anyone have one?
Sorry, I'm one of those crickets. I've got a Riv E unit from the American Orient Express set, but it's only run around once. I do't recall having any fits out of it, but I don't recal noise issues one way or t'other. And it's in stoarge, so I can't crack it open to tell you how it's powered. it wouldn't surprise me if these aren't at least realated to the AHM models though.
Ah Charleston....I was at a motel there back in the 70's and watched a paddlewheel riverboat proceed down the river with what must have been a college dance function....and than came inside the room to watch my first wrestling match on TV. Still can see both. I went looking for an IHC E8 diagram online and had no luck. The forums I have been across indicate the AHM version was a one-truck-wonder. Now my C-424 is a one truck pony, but it runs good. And I do remember that IHC advertised there diesels as "all-wheel drive" trying to convince former AHM sufferers that they had upgraded the old units. However, no confirmation on it. I asked an eBlah seller if both trucks were powered on a unit he was selling and am waiting on a reply. I have read plenty of reviews gushing on the P2K E8's and dogging the older E8's. I have viewed Model Power E8's and they are worth the money ($30) that they fetch at train shows as they have dual drive and a can motor that is large enough to hurt you. But, I also have to ask why an E8, when you can get an E6? That patrician shnoz on an E6 stands out more than an E8, especially in L&N colors. Also, the motors on the AHM units were all 3-pole motors, non-skewed. Hence, they blew chunkx and they clunked. I will put it to you this way: As you seemed concerned about performance and want a runner, the choice on that is a P2K E8, hands down. Take it from a guy who spent a year re-doing an Athearn GP9 and then bought an early P2K GP9. I run the P2K. I sometimes run the Athearn. Mark
Flash & Mark - thanks for breaking up the crickets. Mark - I agree with you re: the P2K E's being the top choice, I have P2K E's of the 6, 7 and 8 variety - and yes they are look very classy in the L&N colors, especially the blue/cream passenger colors, and yes they are excellent runners. My first interest is L&N passenger trains and L&N related ones such as the Southern Crescent. I got an IHC dummy E8 to run with my P2K E7 on a later version of the Humming Bird and was happy with the look, after some massaging. I see IHC Southern E8 powered/dummy pairs from time to time on eBay for acceptable prices and was wondering if they were worth taking a chance on. I've always assumed with the AHM heritage that the IHC locos would have a tendency to "blow chunx and clunk" but really hadn't had any experience with them other than the dummy units. Glad you have fond memories of Charleston - the river's still there, the paddle wheelers come and go, and CSX still runs up and down the valley..
