I have a Mantua 4-6-0 that’s in need of a motor. Can anyone recommend a suitable replacement (and where to buy it) that won’t break the bank? It doesn’t have to be new either, if it’s in good condition. I know Northwest Shortline makes an upgrade kit, but it seems kind of pricey to me.
EDIT: I should also state that this locomotive is just your standard DC.
Thank you.
Hi,
I have purchased motors from this fellow before with good results:
https://www.ebay.com/str/Sweetwater-Locomotive-Repair?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
There is another ebay seller but with a lower feedback rating that I have no experience with:
https://www.ebay.com/str/MOPS-Electric?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
Good Luck, Ed
I think the Bowser motor fits … but it’s been a while since I messed with the Mantua locos I have
You might give Motorman a try. He must have close to a hundred different can motors available.
http://www.micro-loco-motion.com/
or
https://www.ebay.com/str/microlocomotion/
or by email
motorman@micro-loco-motion.com
Eldon is very knowledgeable on remotoring locomotives.
Mel
Ed, I’ve bought motors from MOPS: good prices, fast delivery, and seemingly good motors, too.
I bought five and used one to re-motor this IHC Mogul…
…and another identical one to re-motor a brass Mogul, currently being re-built.
Wayne
Thanks, Wayne. I’ll keep him in mind for my next “restock” of motors. I like to keep several different styles on hand for repair and replacements.
Regards, Ed
As a possible alternative to replacement, you can put these new magnets in those old Mantua motors. I got these at Hobby Lobby and slipped them in here. They come 12 in a pack, this motor uses 8. You have to remove the long rivet holding in the original one. The force of the magnets will hold it together just fine, believe me. And it runs smoother, quieter and more powerfully than it ever did even when it was new.
That is unless your motor is way worn out or smoked the windings. Or you’re going DCC. Dan
As long as the motor is OK and you check the current draw, there’s nothing wrong with using an open frame motor with DCC.
After I checked this thirty-year old, but like-new, open frame motor I wired it to a decoder and it runs just fine. There’s actually two of these in my PRR DD1 and I wired one decoder to each motor.
The above photo is my temporary, trial-run wiring before making everything permanent. It is a simple job to isolate the brushes from the frame for DCC wiring.
Cheers, Ed
at least the newer Mantua 0-6-0 camelback has a can motor
does anyone know if this Bachman replacement motor for their 0-6-0T can be used in a Mantua loco. i assume it depends on the gear ratio
It’s funny you should mention that motor. I was looking at that one myself, but I don’t know if it’s compatable with a Mantua or not.
Thank you everybody. You’ve given me some food for thought. I’m also going to check my local hobby shop when it opens on Tuesday, and there is also a swap meet on the 8th that I’ll have to look into. I’ll give you an update when I find/decide on something.
Not to overtake the thread, but I should have said if going DCC you need to isolate the brush feed wires from the motor or loco frame for DCC.[8D]
Ed: I’d really like to see that locomotive your working on, or a reference photo of it? Dan
(edited in: I parused your flickr album and found it, Very cool early electric!)
In their last few years of operation, Mantua used Sagami (IIRC) can motors in their engines. They offered the motor as a retrofit kit too. I added the motor to a couple of engines that way. Doing a search online or an Ebay search under something like “Mantua can motor” might yield something. As I recall the original retail price was like $19.95.
Thank you for that information. I’m going to my local hobby shop today, so I’ll have to ask if he has any of those motors.[:)]
Hi everyone. I just wanted to let you know that I found a replacement motor locally that seems to be working good so far. I just need to make a few adjustments. Since this was my first remotoring project, I decided to go with something similar in size and shape to make the process a little easier, so I found a Pittman motor that fit the bill quite well. I’m not sure what the model is as it was second hand, but it’s a good fit that required minimal work to adapt it to the locomotive. I would like to thank everyone for their helpful tips and suggestions, and I will definitely keep them all in mind if I ever get another one of these locomotives in need of a motor.
