Cab forward question for the SP fans (not slobbering Pennsy) out there.

[SkipGear]

The Intermountain Cab forwards are on the water and due in a month or so. What are the major spotting differences if any between an AC-12, AC-11, AC-10, and AC-8? I'm not even sure how in depth Intermountain is going to recreate the differences so what should we be looking for?

[SirTainly]

Some useful information here:

http://www.keymodels.net/id17.html

[UP4-8-8-4]

    The AC-10's, 11's & 12's pretty much looked the same.
AC-8's have a difference in the front looks as well as other small details.
Heres a link showing all SP AC types.
http://www.keymodels.net/id17.html




Ernie

[UP4-8-8-4]

Some useful information here:

http://www.keymodels.net/id17.html

    LOL !
How many times could that happen with the same link ?
 



Ernie

[SkipGear]

Thanks for the link. Looks like minor details in the cab of the AC-8, and even some of them had AC-10/12 style cabs. I betting IM picked those AC8's to model.

[Flagler]

I have heard that these models are delicate,how do they run? Do they run as well as the Athern Challenger or Kato GS4?
How much do they pull on a grade?

[jagged ben]

I have heard that these models are delicate,how do they run? Do they run as well as the Athern Challenger or Kato GS4?
How much do they pull on a grade?

I don't have any, but a couple guys at the club do.  I'd say they can pull about 15 40' boxcars on a 3% grade.  We have a reefer block of about 35 cars, they can run it up our mountain with two or three of these locos.

[Nato]

             I can't prove it,but I think the same factory in China did the AC 12 loco that did Athearn's . The boxes, how locos are packed,even how they appear to be assembled look very similar. One of the two locos that I have  had the valve gear and one drive rod come apart. Sent it to IM and recieved it back in good working condition with a letter from Intermountain. Straingly enough one of my Athern Big Boy's had a similar problem and I got same type of repair service from the Big A. My two AC 12's will easly pull 40 cars on level trackage, I have run a 30 car reeefer block at shows,I also double headed my two lokies at one show for an impressive looking consist. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[UP4-8-8-4]

    The way their packed in the boxs, I though the same thing as being exact as Athearns Big Boys & Challengers. I'd guess the same factory as well.

     As far as being a delicate steamer, just as much so as Athearns, Bachmann Spectrums and the rest being made nowdays.
All my Intermountains AC-12's run just as good as all the Athearns and Kato GS4's I have.
No complaints here.
   


Ernie

[peteski]

Since some of the questions were about its construction and performance, that was discussed at length on the Atlas forum. It was about the first run AC-12 but the 2nd run was almost identical to the firs one (except for amber LEDs being replaced with white LEDs). I suspect that this run will also be mechanically unchanged.

Here are some useful threads:
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=58826
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45756
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=64768

I hope that they keep Atlas forum archive online for a while - there lots of good info there!

[Mike Madonna]

Some useful information here:

http://www.keymodels.net/id17.html

The above link should answer your questions. When Key did their varied versions of the ACs (Sam/Korea), they were accurate... albeit pricey and didn't like smaller radius curves (say less than 16/17 inch radius). What I've asked "Richard" (from IMRC) was whether they considered doing an AC-6 "Flat Face". The cab is a separate casting, so that could be done. Details are very similar to the -12s. The sticking point would be the tender. The -6 had a 160C "vanderbilt" tender. Actually, Bachmann has the correct tender behind their 4-8-4 Northerns. Some would call the "flat face" an ugly duckling, others a "handsome brute". I prefer the latter.... 

[Bremner]

the 8's also had some slightly different pipeing and appliances, but not too big of a difference to worry about them, the cab is the biggest issue, the AC7's also had a different pilot

[Flagler]

I wish I could find someone in the Atlanta area that would run this engine on my layout before I buy one.

[babbo_enzo]

... What I've asked "Richard" (from IMRC) was whether they considered doing an AC-6 "Flat Face".
The cab is a separate casting, so that could be done.
Details are very similar to the -12s.
The sticking point would be the tender. The -6 had a 160C "vanderbilt" tender.
Some would call the "flat face" an ugly duckling, others a "handsome brute". I prefer the latter.... 

Hi Mike, here Enzo in Italy!
IF IM will "smack the face" of his AC cab .... I for sure want one at least!
And IF somebody will provide a whaleback tender ....
Well, wake up : I'm dreaming!
take care