I originally posted this on the Atlas forum. I got a couple responses but was hoping for more. So if you have seen this already I'm sorry. Here it is. "AHM SD-40 or Mehano SD-40 Before I get the buy Atlas or Kato instead speech. Here is some additional information. About 8 years ago I bought a IHC SD-40 for $18 for my layout on a whim. It didn't have a flywheel and was noisy, so I packed away as a lesson learned. A couple years later my 4 year girl wanted an engine of her own to run. So I gave her the SD-40. She loves it and it still works. It pulls pretty good but the handrails have been battered. So I am checking out ebay for a replacement for her. She is 10 and wants exactly the same engine. But I can't find an IHC only the AHM or the Mehano. The AHM says it has flywheels but I was told the Mehano was an IHC in disguise. The shell looks exactly the same. Can someone tell me the best choice between the two? Mstly it has to pull a few cars (10 at most) and be dependable (Like the IHC which always runs well). Thanks for the help. All spelling errors are an illusion and should be disregarded." A couple of additional questions. Has anyone had experience with the SD-40 from AHM made in Yugoslavia around 1979? Was it reliable? Does the flywheel help or hurt it? Thanks Ted
Ted, I'd seriously look ath the Atheanr SD-40. It's reliable and economically proced. They have known deficiencies, but also well known fixes that can turn them into really good runners. I'd consider them a "best buy". Mark in Utah
Thanks Mark. I have thought of that but Athearn 3 axle units won't run on 18" curves. I have 4x8 so the curves are tight.
Ted, saw this on eBay today, and thought of your post. Maybe you could mix and match the handrails and paint to match. Good luck, Bill http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=484&item=3188153241&rd=1
Well I found an AHM Conrail on ebay that started at $6. I bid and it went to $8.50. Then the other guy quit. So I won. I haven't heard from the seller yet. But don't anticipate any problems. Thanks for the help.
Ted, My experience is that Athearn 3-axle engines WILL run on 18" curves. Maybe you've had other experience to the contrary? Most every manufacturer has to make their stuff run on 18" curves in order to compete. I've got a couple of SD-40's and a couple of AC4400's that run just fine. I've also tuned up the gearing and added weiht so they REALLY pull! Mark in Utah
Ted, If your looking for depenable running and not really detailed at a good price check out Walthers Train line units. I picked one up a few years ago at a give away price and I belive this thing would run on dirt if you wanted it to. Like I said though, detailing is very low!!!
Mark_Athay: I was told by several Hobby shop owners that 3 axle Athearns will sometimes derail on 18" curves. I even have an Athearn tune-up book that discusses this and how to fix it. I have avoided them for these reasons. Anyway I got the AHM SD-40 and should recieve it soon. Thanks for your input. ak-milw I was looking for a Trainline 8-40B in CSX scheme but missed out on one on ebay. I will keep looking. I hear they run well but lack the detail as you said. Ted
Mehano (in what was Yugoslavia) makes IHC's stuff I believe. The only things to watch would be that I think you will get a horn-hook with IHC and a loop coupling with Mehano items. If the AHM was made in Yugolavia, then my suspicion is that it is the same model again. Chassis bits have been gradually upgraded over the years, but the shells are still recognisable. HTH
I got the engine yesterday. The shell looks just like the IHC SD-40. Even the color looks the same. It has couplers mounted to the shell instead of the trucks (IHC had truck mounted) so that is cool. However it doesn't have the front pin for the coupler. It appears to have the same style as the old RoCo Atlas couplers. The AHM has flywheels but they really don't do much as the engine almost stops dead when the power is turned off. It does run smoothly but a little noisy. All in all not bad for $15 including shipping. My daughter likes it so that is the main thing. I will retire the IHC and use it for parts if needed on the AHM. Thanks again for all the help. Spelling mistakes I no ce anie?
So how is this AHM on your 18" radius curves Ted? Are the trucks the same as the ones on your IHC? Also, just curious as to what your Athearn tune-up book recommended to correct their problem on those 18" curves? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill
Ted, I'll try to answer the questions one at a time... Mehano is a train manufacturer based in Slovenia, formerly Yugoslavia. I suspect that they originally made the IHC SD40, and certainly make it now. If the newer model has a flywheel, it's a recent upgrade. You can order parts straight from IHC, although they may not have your handrails in stock. I tried ordering parts for a customer a number of years ago, but only half came in. Didn't do me a lot of good, and didn't help my customer at all. As far as choosing between the two, I'd test one first before I bought one. Try a swap meet, if there is one near you. You can usually test engines there before you buy them; you can't do this on eBay. Make sure it runs well enough to satisfy you before you buy it. Athearn's SD40-2 may go around an 18" radius, and it may not. You'll have to try it yourself to find out; and if you don't want to spend the extra $$$, then don't! The most important thing here is to keep your daughter happy. The Athearn F45 won't take an 18" radius (I know, I've tried), because the side ladder restricted the movement of the trucks. The SD40-2 doesn't have the side ladders, so it might go around the tighter radius. The overhand on the ends might derail the cars its pulling, however. Hope this helps! Pat
Ted, one more question to add to the ones I asked above. Are there any problems with steps or other body parts that would require the long shank couplers on 18" radius curves?
First the SD-40 seems okay on 18". I haven't done extensive testing or running to be sure. THe trucks look the same as the IHC but don't have the coupler attached. The coupler is attached to the walkway part that the hood connects to. Sort of like Stewart did thier C628 or Atlas did the RS-11 (I think). But the walkway is the chassis, and the hood connects to that. THat part is the same for the IHC, but on it the couplers are attached to the trucks. Just learned that the AHM only has pickups on oppisite sides. Left side of truck on front and right side of truck on back. So going through switches is a hassel. The IHC has 8 wheel pickup. Now on Athearn 6 wheel per truck engines. The book I got from A-Line said something about filing the middle position of the truck sideframes on the newer truck used by Athearn. This allows more play on the middle set of wheels so it doesn't derail. So I just stayed away. I have a Atlas U36C and Stewart C628 that handle 18" and don't derail cars or themselves. I had to file a little on the shaft of the coupler on the Atlas. Nothing on the Stewart. Oh I almost forgot my P2K E8/9. No problems there either.
