Hello,
I am getting ready to buy this item off ebay.
I must admit, being new to this hobby (3 months), I have bought some duds.
Is this a decent locomotive? Is it a good buy? Anything I need to look for in particular.
HO Scale Train Engine Mantua GP-20 Pennsylvania Railroad w/flywheel
What does w/flywheel mean?
They “say” it is new.
cplmckenzie
Hi!
The flywheel is basically a cylinder shaped (or disc) attached to the drive shaft going from the motor to the gear assembly at the wheels. It gives the loco momentum, meaning it will tend to coast when you turn off the power and will not jack rabbit start when you turn on the power. That’s a very basic description, and I’m sure others can elaborate more.
Mantua is an old time MR mfg and their current products are - in my opinion - middle of the road. Check to see what others are going for on Ebay, and also check the sellers feedback.
If the item is used, I would certainly look for the buyer to include the original package and full disclosure of condition.
But all in all, I would do comparison shopping for similar offerings first.
Mobilman’s advice is good. Also, if you’re worried about the prototype (real life railroad), the PRR never owned any GP20s.
I would advise against buying that Mantua locomotive and buy a better brand like Life Like Proto 2000 or Walthers Proto 2000, Atlas, Athearn, Athearn/Genesis or Kato. You will be light years ahead.
If road name is of no concern, there are several dozen P2K locos on eBay right now for under $40.
–Randy
Agree with Larry. Best to stay away from some brands from the olden days - odds are better to go with a better more recent brand.
I recall reading in MR that Northlandz used a number of Mantua engines due to their durability. Not the best out there in details, but a very robust drive, that apparently that would run for hours on end.
Mark.
Mantua might not be high on details, but they will last a long time. They are very durable, and hard to kill. If it is going for a low price, I would go for it. While it might not run as well as the modern proto 2000 and others, it will probably last longer without needing any work.
I bought a Mantua 2-8-8-2 logger a couple of years ago and their detail has improved. Like others have said in this thread it is a solid good runner, but . . . . it’s also the noisiest HO locomotive I’ve ever heard. I tried numerous things to reduce the noise but nothing helped.
It is a very light locomotive for it’s size so it has limited traction and doesn’t do well on my 3½% grades, max is 12 log cars and a caboose.
It’s good looking and a good runner so it’s a keeper even though it’s limited to hauling freight cars with birds in flight and can be heard next door.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
Mel, if your engine is grinding, try loosening the screw that holds the motor in. I have an 0-6-0 that started grinding, and that was the fix.
OP, I 2nd that Mantua engines will run forever, but like everything on eBay, buyer beware.
[:-^]
We are talking about Mantua GP-20s… In my roster I have four of them in my fleet of forty and I will atest to them being rugged locos. They do well pulling 15 cars on my 3.5% grade and with two MUed they could litterly chase their tail.
The detail is really lacking, for example, there is no detail at all on the pilots. To make them look acceptable I have had to mount snow plow blades on them. Once I have more time at the end of scenicing the layout I will try my hand at custom fabricating the pilots.
Do a good comparison for the same value that they are asking for the Mantua against others being offered on the Bay. If price and condition are similar or slightly more, I definately look toward Atlas, Athearn or Pk-2. You get the drift. But if you do go for the Mantua, if you can get by the lack of details, it will truly serve you well.
Johnboy out…
My logger doesn’t grind. You can hear every wheel, gear, side rod, and drive line doing it’s thing. It sounds like a thrashing machine. It runs and looks great.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I got rid of all my Mantua’s because of the way they run, and second their looks. Yes they are rugged but don’t expect what I consider slow speeds, for a place like that mentioned, it would be a good choise but we will not be running our trains like that.
Considering that the Mantua GP20 is the old TYCO shell the molding is probably older than some of the guys on this forum.I have one and I like it runs smooth,pulls like mule and is not all that noisey.Oh and it has 8 wheel drive and power pick up.
If you are shopping Ebay for bargans, be sure to add the shipping cost into your evaluation. Sometimes a lower priced item has a high shipping cost.
Some have great success on ebay. Besides the shipping cost, you also have to consider quality of the item(s) purchase and reputation of the buyer. I prefer to purchase things in-person over the hit n’ miss of ebay.
Most everything I own comes from ebay. A few things from train shows, but most of my locos and even kits come from eBay. If it’s something in current production, I compare prices with places like MB Klein, but no longer made versions, there’s not much choice. I’ve seen some current Accurail kits, when I checked, were cheaper to buy from Klein than the ebay seller. Definitely remember to add in shipping. The search now allows you to sort things by price plus shipping. I try to avoid the people who overcharge for shipping - I’ve sold plenty on eBay as well, and I have a pretty good idea what is costs to ship things. Sometimes the crazy ship price people are just trying to get around eBay’s fees by selling the item for a ridiculously low price but then overcharging for shipping, but ebay changed some rules and this doesn;t really work out now. Also, be patient. Very little is anywhere near as “rare” as sellers claim. They’ll be another one, don’t get caught up in bid fever. I probably let a dozen P2K Alco S1’s go before I won one (from MB Klein of all places) for $25. Their guy who handled the auctions even said to me in his email, you got a great deal on that one.
–Randy
I haven’t owned any of the newer Manta diesels. The older units were basically cheap train set junk. Those produced since 1990 may be good. I have quite a few of their steam engines, Pacifics Mikados and the 0-6-0 and 0-4-0 switchers. All with diecast boilers. Great runners. Stay away from the Tyco Chattanoga. If I was shopping for a diesel, I would look for Kato, Atlas, Proto. You will probably pay more ($40.00 to $70.00) than the Mantua, but they are reliable, durable and great runners.
If price is a concern, stick to buying LifeLike/Walthers Proto 2000 locomotives. They’ll run about 20 dollars more expensive than Mantua items if you have patience.
They are simply made better with better components than the Mantua products.
Items from Atlas, Kato, and Stewart are also good choices, but generally more expensive on the secondary market. Look for Athearn as well.
Okay,
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.
I have been reading them all and got a better understanding of buying used.
I missed the buy of the one I referred to for $41.
But I do have my eye on an Atlas for $49.
I think I have heard every mfg mention except Bachman.
Any thoughts on them?
cplmckenzie