Just getting back into the hobby after 20 years out of it. I have several mid 70’s tyco alco 430’s a #249 1776 steam loco and a 4-4-0 reno. they run terrible and i was thinking of putting new motors in them to insure low amperage draw as i also want to convert to DCC. These motors don’t run well and in fact blow the fuse on the dc power pack test track. Are most motors a universal fit? Can they be made to fit or are they use specific? Where can i get more info on the best motors to install? I like these loco’s …just want to get em up and runnin good
thanks
bob
Sorry. Tyco is out of business and Mantua was picked up by Model Power.
I don’t think you’ll be able to find motors to fit those locos. You’d probably have to refit them with a new type motor. After all that it would be cheaper to buy new locos. May I suggest Athearn. They made a large line of Blue Box or BB kits that are very rugged, easy to put together (in most cases just snap the shell on, add the hand rails and you’re in business). Most of these kits sell for under $50.00. They also a ready to run line. A little more expensive, but no assembly required. Then there’s the Athearn Genesis line, thier premium collection. These locos are highly detailed, good runners and quite rugged. Any of these will serve you well. There’s also Atlas, Kato, Life-Like Proto 1000 and Proto 2000 series. Very fine locos from all of them.
I agree, it will be cheaper to buy new locos. And you will probably be pleasantly surprised to find that detailing and quality has improved since the 70’s tyco days.
I dont know about the Mantua. I owned a 2-6-6-2T briefly and found it to be a classic engine but a little light and hardly any space (To me) for DCC and Sound. That engine did well on it’s brief service but it was made within the last few years.
Google Helix Humper and you will get many results. These folks make repowering kits (including the motors) that are practically drop in fits for old Mantuas, Varney’s, Bowsers. With a Helix Humper motor and main gear set (included with the kit), Mantua locos that were good runners now become excellent runners.
Here are some web sites:
http://www.eddystonelocomotives.com/helixhumper.htm
http://www.ablehobby.com/Can%20motor%20Adapation%20Kits.htm
http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/alliance/alliance.htm
Also Goggle proto power west for a new motor for that Reno. If it is a Reno from the 1970’s it was imported by AHM and was made by Pocher. All it should need is a low speed, high torque can motor mounted where the old one was, resolder the pickup leads to the new motor and you should be off and running.
A friend of mine just “retired” a Reno and a Genoa (both 4-4-0’s) after running them since 1964. He had mashima can motors installed over twenty years ago and they were extremely smooth runners with the can motors. The bearings finally wore out in the loco frames, and axles, and just couldn’t be rebuilt again.
A lot of modelers, many sometimes new theirselves, forget that this older equipment means more to the person than they know, as in a gift from a loved one no longer with them.
I never advise anyone to throw away older equipment. I will find out what model it is, who made it, how old etc. Before I advise them on what to do. Sometimes the loco is too far gone, or is not designed to be repaired. But if it is, why get rid of it because “its old”. My newest loco is 25 years old, and it still runs and pulls better that the current version from the same company. Often times with a little work these older locomotives will out pull and out class any of the “newer” stuff on the market. BUT, you have to be willing to do the work to make it so. I don’t know if you are, but it is not hard, especially being a Mantua st
The 70’s were a transition time for Tyco, so on the C430’s it depends on which motor they have. Check the bottom of the loco. If the plate between the wheels on the bottom of the truck is metal, this is the older MU2 power truck, and are worth cleaning up and using. If it’s plastic, they’re pretty bad.
Don’t recognize the reference to the #249 1776 steam loco, what wheel arrangement is it?
The 4-4-0 Reno is probably a Rivarossi, not Tyco. The only 4-4-0 Tyco made is the General, and it has a cast on name board on both sides of the boiler near the front. The General is a good runner for such a small engine, even with the motor in the tender.
The #249 1776 loco was probably the 4-6-0 that was an oversized version of Sierra #3. They did that one in a gaudy striped Bicentennial paint scheme. Possibly worth saving as a collector piece, but I would repaint it and remotor it.
I have a AHM/Rivarossi Reno 4-4-0 that I put a new can motor in. Runs great. Tyco/Mantua never made a Reno. Only one I ever heard of was by Rivarossi, mostly for AHM.
Tyco/Mantua motors from that period were chancy at best. I agree with Carey (cjcrescent), though - clean, lube, and tune them.