Mehano H.O. Steamers.....Better Then You Think! 

Thanks for all you work to show us how repairs are done.

I love the simplicity yet solid build of these Mehano steamers. Tremendous value for money. Mehano sub contracted for Rivarossi even back in Yugoslavia days. Slovenia is right next door to Venice in Italy. So the factory just over the border and still there making HO trains.

Born in 1962. Grew up watching the C&NW running past the backyard. My favorite era with lots of GP7, 9, 18, 30 and 35 also FM baby TM. Those were good times.

Fellow mechanic here, loved that intro!! Lot of us train guys love the cars and trucks. Thanks for the great videos!

I have cleaned up and refurbished a couple of Mehano Pacifics and have removed the smoke unit in each as they seem to melt the boiler and smoke stack. Had to do a complete stack replacement on one unit as it was melted at a blizzard angle. Ha got you by three years Ron! My layout that does not exist yet is in the 50s or so to maybe 60s so mix of late steam and early to mid diesels and will be Midwest as well! Raquel Welch. ☺️. They also made a simplified valve gear version as well. Thanks Ron!! Great review!!! Take care!

Gave my grandpa a A.T.S.F mehano mikado as a birthday gift and he loves it. They really are great runners

It was funny in a sad sort of way at the model train club I was in 2009 to 2019 when my IHC/Mehano 2-8-0 and 0-8-0 would run and run and run and run for hours straight on open house days on the DC track while the expensive steam locos on the DCC track were having continual technical difficulties. I'm the kind of model railroader who enjoyed getting a basic IHC or MDC or Athearn locomotive then painting and detailing them for my freelance roads.

I'm 77 years old and my freelance layout is set in 1962 and represents a very short dieselized remnant of an electric interurban. It does switching services for two customers and also has its own team track. I run DCC with a DCC-EX command station and a homebrew wired throttle. I have 4 DCC locos (Plymouth ML-8, GE 44 tonner, GE 70 tonner, and EMD SW9), but I run only one at a time as the whole layout is built on a 1x6 foot shelf unit. I would like to see you do DCC conversions on older locos. I browse eBay for old, used small switchers (my first HO loco was a Marx imitation of an Athearn Hustler), but unfortunately most of them seem to have flanges too large for my code 75 track. Cheers from Wisconsin!

It’s Raquel Welch. I have chosen an imaginary Ohio town in the 40’s and/or 50’s for my layout. It’s about what makes you happy!

Another great video!! I can relate to modeling the years before being born!! I like the 50's myself. Great job Ron !😊 Raquel Welch "Fantastic Voyage!"

As always very enjoyable!

AHM/ Rivarossi... definitely my favorite vids to watch

What a great video starting with the truck and ending with another great train on the rails again. I always stay to the end thanks for the time you spend with us 👍🏻

Great video, lots of fun to watch. Yes, I would enjoy seeing DCC installations in old steam locos.

Sweet locomotive Ron! P.S. - nice Chevy pick up.

Awesome vids

Ron, great intro, great video! I have one of these, and it’s a real bear! I always learn from you, so keep it up! 🚂

Another great video. Love your truck and the fact that it is a stick. Brings back good memories of some of my old cars. Had a 68 442 and a 69 GTO back in the day. Both with 4 speeds. Thanks for sharing.

Great video Ron love the truck

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

Great video. You crack me up. Super entertaining!

Gotta love these Mehanos. They're always great value for money.

That ol pickup is amazing. Fantastic intro PS Nicks Trains in Raleigh is my favorite train store, lots of nice folks helping me get into the hobby!

One of the best parts of this video was the sound of that V8 in your “Intro” - really enjoyed the teardown as as well 😁🇦🇺👍

Intro was great! Awesome train vids! BTW truck sounds good.

Enjoyed the video, thanks for posting. I'd vote for adding DCC to the Mikado

I never expected to see a pickup in the tender for illumination. And I appreciated seeing the restoration and Mehano's ability to pull a substantial load and operate smoothly and quietly. A DCC project would be interesting to see.

wow! Looks like I know what I’m getting for my birthday!

I'd love to see that Mike running on DCC. Would be nice to see a before/after performance test as well, if there's a difference. And that truck is just grand, a good ol' V8 with four on the floor. Foolproof as a block of granite! Thanks for posting / 33%er from Sweden!

Very nice locomotive you worked on and nice classic Chevy truck you have!

Great video&layout story, Ron. On my Roman Coliseum of model trains. I loosely model the CASO&GTR airline 60/70/80's.JellyBean era. Grew up beside them. Leaves me the leeway to run almost any railroad. Because I seen it🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

DCC would certainly make an interesting video. Enjoyed the repair Ron! Keep the awesome vids comin’!

Hey Ron great info and nice repair... second classic model I got... Keep up the great work...always learning something from your videos... Rich...

I'm interested in seeing this locomotive converted to DCC. Your videos are very informative and you do an very good job explaining how these engines operate! Thanks

Hey Ron, you did a great video. I really enjoyed your nostalgia looking back at the simpler times. I agree with you very much on that. Even though I’m from Long Island, I spent a lot of my childhood up in the Berkshire Mountains of Pittsfield, Massachusetts where my mother spent a lot of her childhood, as well as the White Mountains of Claremont, New Hampshire. My father bought some property back in 1961, and I was born in 1962. So quite frankly, I LOVE New England, and it’s where I want to retire and get off this congested island. (I really can’t say what I want to say about this place, then again, I can. I’m from here! LOL) Your beautiful classic model of the week is none other than Raquel Welch. She was smokin’ hot!

Let's see you dcc in it. Always a great video and educational.

Really enjoyed the video of repairing the macado.Great northern engine very nice mechanical mechanism in it

You have a very very good channel Love the way you show how to do repairs don't change only if it is for the better.

I love these old Mehano engines. They are a great value, very reliable and easy to maintain. Two things distract from these engines, one being the molded on handrails and the other being a bit of a lack of pulling power due to their weight. The later versions with metal handrails, flywheels and additional weight took care of the issues. Thanks for this great video.

Another great video ron keep up the great restorations yes put dcc in them.

Like the pickup.

Best made locomotives ever made

Hi Ron, I myself have a Mehano CNR mogul, and I love it to death. It is very easily my favourite locomotive and I'm glad you like the company as well! Very rare to find one that's super clapped out. 😄

I really really like your 72 Chevy pickup 3/4 ton. I have an 82 Chevy pickup with a 468 big block in it 3/4 ton and it's the same age as me

Great video Ron! Mehano made some great locomotives. Solid as a rock.

Thanks for your video on this locomotive! I recently purchased a Mehano pacific on EBay. This was my first experience with Mehano. As a youth, I purchased the Mantua/Tyco products, and later Bowser. The Mehano ran fine until it came to my 3% grades. It could barely pull more than two cars. My initial reaction was to replace the motor with an old NWSL can motor. It ran more smoothly and quietly, but no improvement in pulling power. I eventually discovered that the electrical connections on the tender trucks were a significant drag on the pulling power. Maybe a thorough oiling would have helped, but I simply removed the electrical connections. No longer any light in the tender, but it can now readily pull four passenger cars up the grade. Thought some readers might benefit from this experience.

Nice to see you and trains from Slovenija(part of former yugoslavia) in America

This was my first special locomotive! My parents bought me one in 1984! I love this old mehano steam engines!

What a great runner. They made this one right. Yes! Doing a DCC conversion has my vote.

Welch....nice video

As a former 72 K5 Blazer owner....love the truck!

LOL...love the intro Ron!! Was born inn 1970, but Im "Proto-lancing" Central Maryland back between 1950 to 1970. My railroad (HO Scale 34ft x 8ft) is a double track main loosely based on Central Maryland where I live. It is a bridge route between Harrisburg, PA and Richmond, VA. The railroad was picked up by the Chessie, but retains its home road name, The B&N (Boeville & Newtown). Still a work in progress, though it is operational

Mehano were hands down the best budget locos you could buy. Very well built for not much money. They were selling them in toy stores in Europe up until mid 2000's. They even made sets for LIDL Europe which were great value. I've quite a few Mehano/IHC locos, European and US. Great video as always Ron

I’ve been resurrecting my old trains from storage myself the past couple of months and have found many of your videos helpful! I definitely enjoy your videos more than some other creators. Anyway, I haven’t decided on what I want to do with my layout as of yet because of the eclectic collection of different engines that I have. I do have quite a few diesel’s a large collection of streamlined passenger cars, etc. I would like to see what you have in the line of old Model Power/Roco diesel’s if you have any. They’re pretty strong runners! Thanks for all you do! 33%ers club member!

Hi Ron, again love you 72 chevy I miss mine, Great video I think I have that locomotive in parts now I need to get it running

Nice "yammering" Ron! I live in New Zealand and model USA late fifties era. F7s and GP7s/9s in rocky desert scenery. After watching, gonna keep an eye out for a Mehano steam!

Hi Ron, I loved the introduction. That truck sounds mean. I'd like to see you do the DCC thing with this locomotive.

Tea, biscuits and Ron makes for a good evening. Great to see the old style intro back! Keep your voice down about these Mehano's loco's (and sets). When people find out how good they are, the prices will go up...Oh no! Too late! I wore out my old 10 speed on the paper route, 364 days a year, 5 o'clock am, rain or shine. My layout is a "run what i like" but, with a nod to the 50's/60's. Great vid as always.

I model 1955, the year before I was born. These are good little engines. I have a few of the later Mehano/Rivarossi 4-6-2s that don't have the pizza cutter wheels. they make a good inexpensive base for kitbashing. I believe these engines were sold under Mehano/AHM/IHC and Rivarossi brands.

Presidents Choice train sets in Canada had AHM locos in them. Love the intro. Should do a video in your old rig that's bad ass.

I Love your general and Pullman cars. I'm modeling early 1900's Middletown CT Also CV railroad in the 40's & 50's on my upper level

I love these Mehano models. I've gotten some flack elsewhere for saying that but hopefully not here. I think they have a great balance of having a decent level of detail, a very futureproof mechanism (someone could replace that motor with a new one real easy if so inclined; and wire up DCC way easier than a lot of older engines); and being relatively cheap to make. I wish they had more pickups on the loco, but I guess that's something you can fix yourself if you want, and at least some of them let you hook them up to the tender pickups. And they're pretty easy to work on. One of the few locomotives I still have from when I was a teenager was an IHC (made by Mehano) 2-8-0. It was great to have then and great to be able to fix up again a few years back. I'd have tons of them if I could. Glad to be in the 33% club, even if I'm skeptical of any club with low enough standards to let me in. I think throwing a DCC decoder in here would be a good idea.

That 72 sounds nice Ron!

Raquel Welch. Great opening Ron.

Really like that locomotive! My Railroad is set in the fictional Southwest Colorado mountains current day scenic tourist steam passenger trains. I do like the setting of your layout Ron. Thanks for all the great videos! I’d like to have a CMT decal but about 1/4 what is on your windshield. Oh , yeah 33%er!

I have one of these Mehano Mikes, but it doesn't have a smoke unit. The Mehano Pacific does though (and the shell is identical). I put DCC and sound in both of them, and it was very easy. My layout is loosely based on my little Iowa hometown circa 1965 or so, before the CB&Q became the BN (and much later, the BNSF). Nicks is my local go-to hobby shop, thanks for giving him a mention.

This video is a fun video to watch. Yes show us how to put DCC in these small HO steamers. I’ve always been wary of taking these little things apart. Thanks, Classic model trains.

Hi Ron, another great video, always look forward to what you are doing, I have got the dungerees, and a cap, also I have purchased a railroad pocket watch, so I'm now kitted out in merry old England, but my neighbours think I have lost the plot,somewhere along the road, until next time, pete, from lincoln.

Liked the different opening. I haven’t pin pointed a year, era would definitely be late fifties, early sixties because like you stated, fifties ended in Feb.’64, steam was done, and things just got uglier in the world. Born in ‘69, you got me by a year. This is the first classic model I got right, R.Welch. N e way, another great video, thanks for sharing a little bit more of you, and your life.

I have been modeling HO trains since I was a kid now im almost 42 and here to admit I know nothing what so ever about DCC. If you make videos on DCC stuff like how to for beginners would be very interested to have you teach me all about it :) Love your vids man and the new intro was awesome.

I finally got my table built, now working on painting the sky and clouds. I'm going with mid 19th century to early 20th century. I do like the 1900's to the 1930'. Not sticking to a particular era, just doing whatever strikes my fancy. Going DCC. This hobby has come a long way since I was a kid in the 1950's!

Nice goin to town rig ya got there. I’m not a Chevy guy, but if I was to get one, it would be that vintage. I model 1966 in Freelance and Great Northern. I’m going to have to keep my eye out for one of them there locomotives. Thanks for another great video. 33%!!

Nice video . I solder wires connecting the loco to the tender to improve the contact for both and add weight to the tender also.

Good video I would like to see DCC stuff that would be cool keep them coming brother

Love the Great Northern l like it simple DC for ever

Hi Ron. I have a few of the IHC and Mehano from Slovenia steamers. I've actually been waiting for you to pull that project off the shelf. I think I mentioned that to you in one of my past notes. so, thanks for that! I think they a very good runner. Another great video. I like DC. I'll watch your stuff either way. I model the 1950s to the 1990's... give or take a few years. Born in 1964 and I love the era of the war bonnets. I have them all. Super Chief and El Captain. I also have GN trains and Zephyr trains. All the trains that went from Chicago and to the West. I did just pick up a NYCentral train. It was just too kool. I justified it because that train ran from NY to Chicago. I'm sure there's some fellers from NY who needed to get to California via Chicago. I want nothing to do with NY, but I got a super deal, and it was just to kool. I like the diesel engines. 38 years of trucking diesel fuel on the highways here in SoCal. I like diesel fuel. I watch your video of the 5th wheel travel trailer you got for a buck. What a mess. I think you paid too much. LOL. Are you building a new spot for a bigger layout? I thought you made some sort of reference to that. I hope so. I miss your first layout. Went way too long on this note. Take care. Gary

I agree, Mehano made some great locomotives. I bought one in the 1990s, mine is a pacific, love it. Another great show Ron. I can do without the DCC, I’ll watch if you do DCC stuff. I’m not into the modern era electronics everyone else seems to be a part of. And yes I model days gone by on a 2x8’ shelf layout, primarily where my dad used to work here in sparks NV. Keep up the great shows…

Raquel Welch my all-time favorite love the intro Ron nice truck my layout represents 1944 through roughly 1957 when I was born kind of end of steam through beginning of diesel. I also try to add detail of places I have visited in my travels lately

Nice truck

this is just like my AHM 4-6-2 Pacific even the screw and tabs on the back of the cab. Great little locomotive.

I freelance my layouts too. I like some mountains. More foothills really. I mix vehicles but model only "old" buildings. Rustic and more 1930's or so.

As always great video.. I absolutely love that old Chevy truck. 1 of my dream trucks. ❤ yes do dcc. It's cool. I do both DC and dcc.

Love your truck, my first set of wheels was a '69 Chevy C-20. Same cab, different grill. Lots of great memories. You mentioned putting a DCC decoder in an older steam locomotive. I have a Rivarossi 4-6-4 that I need to convert to DCC and would love to see how you would convert a similar unit.

hey ron remember there was no dcc in 1963 o buy the way love the intro

Love your videos. I have learned SO much from you, thank you for sharing. I model the CSX Monroe, NC sub from Hamlet, NC to Monroe, NC in the late 80's early 90's, but I love steam, so I made a (fictious) museum in Monroe to showcase my steam collection. I have no DCC and am very mixed about running it. I'd love to hear your take on its pros and cons, I trust your personal opinion and experience.

Just received an eBay bargain job lot half hour ago with my first IHC/Mehano locos X3. . 2 x4-4-0 and a 2-6-0. Great smooth,quite runners straight out of the box. Will definitely keep an eye out for some more. Great vid. . Love the change up on the intro ✌️

Interesting video, Ron. I would never have purchased a Mehano thinking it was a poor quality runner like most AHM/Rivarossi locos. I do have some AHM/Rivarossi locos and that’s how I based my opinion. I prefer the TYCO/Mantua locos for steamers but it’s all a moot point. I haven’t run my trains for a long time now. I keep intending to, but my aches and pains keep me firmly in my chair. Good show, keep them coming.

Ron. That would be cool to do a dcc on one of those. I never did one on h.o. scale but had my mth proto-sound 1 and 2’s upgraded to a 3 on o scale. I’d like to try on h.o. Also love the videos intro, that truck sounds like a motor should. Keep the videos coming for us 100% crowd 😊

I like the 80's. I have a tyco Howard Johnson's restaurant. I remember eating cake with mint chip ice cream on my birthday at that restaurant. Brings back a lot of memories. I did buy a modern Era Culver's restaurant because my kids like Culver's. I do, too lol. I guess you would call it second generation modeling. Building a layout is like playing God. You create the best of your life.

Yes, I've always had a soft spot for Great Northern.

Definitely going to dcc the ones ive picked up. There do smooth they deserve that touch of slow/crawl control. Im thoroughly impressed with them. Especially at the price you can get them for

Great video Ron! My friend has a IHC 2-8-2 and it runs as smooth as butter. He also has a IHC 4-4-0, which is a small bugger but i still do recommend getting. The prices for it on e-bay are a little bit overpriced for it though. Anyway, hope to see more IHC coming up!

90s Mehano steamers are always a joy to get running again. Typically takes 15 minutes if it's been sitting in a hot attic unrun fir a decade or more. AHM, TYCO Old Bachman is several evenings to disassemble and clean up or replace parts.

Nice video! Lets see a DCC conversion on it!

Hi Ron. That 2-8-2 does look decent. I have recently been playing with an old Mehano RS-11. It's better than you think too, but you have to add all wheel pickup and ditch the original headlight installation. The headlight contacts are loose and jiggly and cause all kinds of problems. I made additional contact wipers for the trucks from K&S brass sheet and converted to LED lighting. It now out performs my Athearn GP9, and that has the gold motor in it. Wow.

I started work on my layout about twenty five years ago. It's a DC powered block system. I have no ambition to convert to DCC. What I have works well and to convert it to DCC would wind up being an expensive proposition. That being said some DCC content would be interesting and worth while. I model the Milwaukee road that operates around the fictional city of Coldwater. I live on the shore of Lake Michigan so that's sort of where that came from. The time period is around the early 70's, but some steam still rides the rails. I knew that was Raqual Welch when I saw the picture. Ha. I stayed to the end anyway.

Hello Ron I really enjoyed your video this go round. Your idea you had worked out great for the video. I wonder what you will come up with for the next one? Take care my friend. Really enjoyed it.

I definitely would like to see you put DCC in that👍

I struggled with the decision to go to DCC also. I'm glad I decided to make the change. Only problem, DCC for my 1973 Dixie Bell. That's my original set when I was 8 years old.

33% here and I'd definitely enjoy seeing some DCC fitting. I've been messing around with DCC fitting some old locomotives myself.