Ahm
- Thread starter MitchyG
- Start date
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Well...AHM went out of business around 1980 (re-surfacing shortly thereafter under the name IHC, which just recently closed its doors for good). So, at best, examples of the exact models you are looking for are at least 30 years old and could be as much as 50! These were actually models produced by Rivarossi for AHM and imported. The earliest examples were certainly not as good runners as the later ones, but any model with these many years under their belts are highly questionable purchases in my opinion. Perhaps if you are experienced at rebuilding HO mechanisms you might have a go at them, but expecting performance anywhere near approaching that of today's locomotives, either before or after rebuilding, when they are bought sight unseen (as regards how they actually run) and long OOP, is a real gamble.
NYW&B
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You also need to know the condition. Many AHM models ended up in the hands of kids, who didn't treat them well. When the model was built is another factor. Later AHM models had improved motors and running gear. Most of the earlier models didn't look good, and ran even worse.
jeffrey-wimberly
Dr Frankendiesel
The later production steamers are all right. The diesels not so good.
I'd stay away from any of that old stuff, tyco, mantua, ahm.
I've picked up a few GOOD old stuff like Atlas/Kato RS 3's on the auction site for around 40bucks.
added decoders and they run great.
Try to define what era you want to model and go slow or you'll waste money and wind up with a lot of shelf displays that you'll never run.
As an example, I bought a mantua hudson 20 years ago that ran great on DC, added a decoder when I went DCC, but because of the way these old things pick up current it simply won't run right.
Dick
Dick
I've picked up a few GOOD old stuff like Atlas/Kato RS 3's on the auction site for around 40bucks.
added decoders and they run great.
Try to define what era you want to model and go slow or you'll waste money and wind up with a lot of shelf displays that you'll never run.
As an example, I bought a mantua hudson 20 years ago that ran great on DC, added a decoder when I went DCC, but because of the way these old things pick up current it simply won't run right.
Dick
Dick
Well...AHM went out of business around 1980 (re-surfacing shortly thereafter under the name IHC, which just recently closed its doors for good). So, at best, examples of the exact models you are looking for are at least 30 years old and could be as much as 50! These were actually models produced by Rivarossi for AHM and imported. The earliest examples were certainly not as good runners as the later ones, but any model with these many years under their belts are highly questionable purchases in my opinion. Perhaps if you are experienced at rebuilding HO mechanisms you might have a go at them, but expecting performance anywhere near approaching that of today's locomotives, either before or after rebuilding, when they are bought sight unseen (as regards how they actually run) and long OOP, is a real gamble.
NYW&B
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Charles Smiley
cspmovies
I agree with NYW&B.
I bought a bunch of smoothside and heavyweight passenger cars from them long ago. They were great for the shells to make fine looking models -- but with a lot of work. Even the trucks were junky and needed replacement.
They weren't cheap in price back then, and yet, very poor in the operation department. But good for bashing-projects.
I bought a bunch of smoothside and heavyweight passenger cars from them long ago. They were great for the shells to make fine looking models -- but with a lot of work. Even the trucks were junky and needed replacement.
They weren't cheap in price back then, and yet, very poor in the operation department. But good for bashing-projects.
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