Considering snatching up one of the “upgraded” Mantua 4-6-2 Pacifics (455-340003). First of all, what does the “upgraded” refer to - the DCC ready? Most importantly, what are this loco’s strength and weaknesses, especially reagrding smoothness, quietness and pulling power. I understand that its DCC-ready. Will sound be an install from scratch? Presuming the speaker for such would likely go into the tender, would it be feasible to also upgrade the Vandy from coal to oil? Looks like additional detailing might be in order as well.
Yes, “upgraded” refers mostly to the fact that it’s DCC ready. But it does also use a quality can motor, and probably has better lead, trailing, and tender wheels. The drive wheels and gearing are the same (although the gears are now Delrin plastic instead of nylon), but that’s because no upgrade was needed there. Mantua steam engines are smooth, quiet, reliable runners, and the Pacific has a metal boiler which gives it a lot of traction. The detail is the same as it was 50 years ago, so that could use some upgrading.
So basically, Mantua steam engines like this one are built to run. DCC can be installed easily, and sound shouldn’t be much trouble either (although I don’t think it’s set up for it), but you’ll want to add more detail.
Thanks, Darth. Good to hear from you again. BTW, I got those Igarishi cans for my GPand SD9 upgrades. Will be moving forward on that project in months to come.
I do have one of the upgrades & it does run fine on DC. Haven’t had time to put a decoder in yet. It does have a 9 pin set-up in the tender. What seems to be exclusive to the Model Power-Mantua upgrade is that the drawbar is also the connector for the wires from the engine to tender, no more hanging wires. It could use added detail & the fact that the boiler is metal, it will be harder to remove the molded on details. Some things have been changed since the original, probably over 60 yrs. ago. The pilot & cab are now plastic & the pony wheels have metal tires…be careful of them because they have a tendency to fall off, a drop of glue will take care of that. jerry