Hi all,
I’m looking for an articulated 2-6-6-2. Bachmann usee to make them and from time to time they are on eBay Mantua makes one but I cannot find a useful review. I think they use MTH decoders.
Does anyone have one of teh Mantua models? what’s your opinion?
Well first, I believe only MTH engines come with MTH decoders.
The Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is based on the USRA engine designed in the latter days of WW1. It’s a large mainline “drag freight” engine, meant to haul long trains at 15 MPH or so. The Bachmann model is well made and smooth running, some have been offered with Soundtraxx sound decoders.
The Mantua 2-6-6-2 is based on a Northwest US logging engine, and is quite a bit smaller than the USRA engine. One problem finding those engine is that Mantua itself went out of business some time back (early 2000’s IIRC). The line was re-started by Model Power, which did offer some of the engines with sound. However Model Power recently went out of business. The Model Power / Mantua line has now been taken over by Model Rectifier (MRC); not sure if the Mantua engines are in production again yet or not.
I have one of the last run Mantua 2-6-6-2 locomotives and it is a very good runner. It is a bit noisy out of the box but I installed a MRC 1731 sound decoder and that took care of the side rod noise.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I have an older Mantua model. I added a tender to increase the number of power pickups. I also added a sound decoder (MRC I believe - I forget!), and it runs fine. It does have a bit of a sideway movement, but I was told that it would be pretty prototypical for a logging operation [:)]. It is one of my favorite engines…
Simon
Model Train Stuff has new Mantua 2-6-6-2’s. Are they just old ones they never sold?
$269.98 $129.99
(You save $139.99)
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My Mantua 2-6-6-2 runs just fine.
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The front and rear trailing truck brackets suffered from metal rot and required repair.
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Other than that, no problems, and it is a great looking locomotive on the STRATTON & GILLETTE roster.
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-Kevin
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MRC’s August 2015 Youtube has a preproduction model, so that’s the oldest they can be. MTS does seem to have some closeouts, as does Trainworld.
I have a 1980’s Riverarossi 2-6-6-2. Think I’ll see if I can DCC it.
For a DCC & Sound at that price i may just get one from MTS.
I don’t think Rivarossi made a 2-6-6-2, do you mean the Y6B 2-8-8-2. The later (80s) had the round motor and could draw a little over 1 amp locked rotor, the square motors draw close to 1½ amps locked rotor.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.