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 Posted - February 20 2006 : 6:17:41 PM
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Greetings fellow Tycoots:
This is merely a little essay on the unsung Shifter and. particularly, the Shifter II, the die-cast 0-4-0's Johnny-come-lately plastic-boilered replacement in 1967. I recall a lot of grumbling at the time about this interloper. After all, the engine seemed to meat-and-potatoes trainmen to be a cheapened version of their beloved zamac model, essentially unchanged for what seemed like an eternity. Sure, there was an operating headlamp, but a plastic boiler?
Also, let me just come right out and say it: Tyco/Mantua's HO legacy has been typically portrayed since their demise as "those purveyors of toy trains." This notion, commonly accepted by many of today's jaded scale modelers, flies in the face of much published evidence which suggests Mantua's role was more central and important to the model railroading hobby than mere "toys."
For example: in the Sept. '67 issue of "Railroad Model Craftsman" staffer Steven Alhstedt devotes considerable space in that issues "Test Track" department to a rave review of the "new" Shifter II. Significantly, his comments mention the May RMC review of the new Mantua/Tyco Prairie. Alhstedt refers to the new Shifter as "an excellent companion" for the Prairie. Alhstedt's opinion of the Shifter II was very high, indeed. Discussing the particulars of the motor and drive, he writes the new Shifter has "pulling power that just will not quit. This engine will pull far more cars than a prototype 0-4-0." Aiming directly at RMC's hard-core modeling audience, he goes on to state, "Conversion possibilities are almost unlimited with this loco," offering suggestions on cab and firebox re-arrangement, conversion to a Camelback, substituting or superdetailing the tender, adding lost wax castings, adding a pony truck and other customizing notions.
Ahlstedt concludes thusly, "we think that this is one of the best looking switchers yet made by an American manufacturer." Take that, you Tyco-nose-thumbing collectors of Varney, Penn-Line, MDC and other so-called "high-end" American-made HO!
Magnolia Academy
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Country:  USA ~
Posts: 446 ~
Member Since: December 09 2005 ~
Last Visit: October 28 2006
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