Any Experieince with Mantua RTR Old-time 2-6-0

[SpaceMouse]

Good, Bad, or Ugly?

Is it easy enough to convert ot DCC?

[CNJ831]

The real problem with this model, Chip, is that it is not to HO scale, in spite of how it’s been sold/marketed for years. In fact, it is a OO model (or an S narrow gauge with an under-sized cab, if you will), as are several of the other “old time” locomotives in the former Mantua line of products. It’s a long story as to why it was done that way originally.

CNJ831

[SpaceMouse]

The real problem with this model, Chip, is that it is not to HO scale, in spite of how it’s been sold/marketed for years. In fact, it is a OO model (or an S narrow gauge with an under-sized cab, if you will), as are several of the other “old time” locomotives in the former Mantua line of products. It’s a long story as to why it was done that way originally.

CNJ831

Thanks. That’s good enough for me. I’ll pass.

[hminky]

The real problem with this model, Chip, is that it is not to HO scale, in spite of how it’s been sold/marketed for years. In fact, it is a OO model (or an S narrow gauge with an under-sized cab, if you will), as are several of the other “old time” locomotives in the former Mantua line of products. It’s a long story as to why it was done that way originally.

CNJ831

Actually it isn’t really OO scale. It is S scale. It is based on the ten-wheeler which is a match for the SP narrow gauge ten wheelers in S scale. Making it Sn3-1/2, the 4-6-0 matches the SP narrow gauge plans in Model Railroader in the mid-1980’s.

Just a thought

Harold

[SteamFreak]

The real problem with this model, Chip, is that it is not to HO scale, in spite of how it’s been sold/marketed for years. In fact, it is a OO model (or an S narrow gauge with an under-sized cab, if you will), as are several of the other “old time” locomotives in the former Mantua line of products. It’s a long story as to why it was done that way originally.

CNJ831

Actually it isn’t really OO scale. It is S scale. It is based on the ten-wheeler which is a match for the SP narrow gauge ten wheelers in S scale. Making it Sn3-1/2, the 4-6-0 matches the SP narrow gauge plans in Model Railroader in the mid-1980’s.

Just a thought

Harold

I was given one about ten years ago and sold it. It is grossly over-sized, and the boiler “backhead” is a separate plastic casting that slips over the motor magnet (which fills the cab), and falls off routinely. Maybe if they had made it a tender drive it would be closer to the proper proportions. Not an attractive engine.

[Edit] On second thought, I had the 4-6-0, but I’m sure the same issues apply.

[steamnut]

You would also virtually need to re-motor it to convert to DCC, as the open frame motor with which it comes is electrically conected to the frame.

[Curmudgeon]

Unless that’s a different open-frame motor than they all had.

Typical DCC balderdash.

You just slip a piece of wire insulation over the spring and behind the brush like of the other side.

Once the boiler is off, takes, oh, 10-15 seconds to do.

[CNJ831]

I was given one about ten years ago and sold it. It is grossly over-sized, and the boiler “backhead” is a separate plastic casting that slips over the motor magnet (which fills the cab), and falls off routinely. Maybe if they had made it a tender drive it would be closer to the proper proportions. Not an attractive engine.

[Edit] On second thought, I had the 4-6-0, but I’m sure the same issues apply.

Interestingly, if you have access to Mantua’s brass and zamac Belle of the Eighties or 8-Ball Mogul from the Master Model Builder’s series of the 1940’s-early 50’s, which represent 19th century engines, or even the diecast “General” (introduced circa 1951), examination will show that Mantua was quite capable of making such small locomotives to proper HO scale long before they ever introduced their later, over-sized, plastic “Old-Time” locomotive series.

CNJ831

[hminky]

Interestingly, if you have access to Mantua’s brass and zamac Belle of the Eighties or 8-Ball Mogul from the Master Model Builder’s series of the 1940’s-early 50’s, which represent 19th century engines, or even the diecast “General” (introduced circa 1951), examination will show that Mantua was quite capable of making such small locomotives to proper HO scale long before they ever introduced their later, over-sized, plastic “Old-Time” locomotive series.

CNJ831

The Belle and the 8-ball were OO scale and oversize.

Harold