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Tyco Trains

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Operating Tyco Layouts

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Chris
Switcher

Status: offline

Posted - June 02 2006 : 6:15:40 PM

Hello All--I'm new to the forums, but really enjoy this site, as I now collect and operate what I first experienced as a youngster--like many of you, I suspect. Not being familiar with all the topics in the Tyco Forum (and please redirect me if an area already exists), I'd like to read about any of you who actually OPERATE your Tyco/Mantua's. I'd like to read about track plans, operations, etc. For example, I've been very successful with my Tyco's by using nickel silver, powered frogs, track feeders, and generally running locos that are 'most' reliable, or have more wheels for electrical contact. I successfully use the horn-hook couplers with either Atlas or the old Tyco (portable) uncoupling ramps. I keep locos and track clean (and locos oiled). One trick I've used on my later (70's) Sharknose diesel is to add a middle axle to each truck for improved pickup (even though it is a '2-axle' truck). My current favorites to operate are the passenger trains, both the 'short' tyco streamliners, and the longer Mantua aluminum cars. So let's hear about how everyone operates!

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USA ~ Posts: 2 ~ Member Since: June 02 2006 ~ Last Visit: June 09 2006

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theoldreliable
Big Six

Status: offline

Posted - June 16 2006 : 1:12:43 PM

Hello Chris,
As a matter of fact, I am in the process of planning one right now. Please allow me to recommend the professional services and unbeatable prices of Nagangast Hobbies in NY for *ANY* Atlas track product. Ask for Hans.

I am currently planning to run 100% Tyco on an updated and slightly tweaked version of the Atlas "The Berkshire Valley Lines" HO35, complete with ALL Tycokits, lighted buildings, and just about ALL of the action accessories.

It will be a double out-and-back 4'x12', with a decent-sized yard and ample places to add spurs for the accessories. This one will be "prototypical, with a twist." Tyco offers PLENTY eye-catching fun and action to the lucky few who still have a childlike fascination with the hobby, and who do not view it as a Puritanical, hard-and-fast religion.

I was also lucky enough to place a HUGE order with Bernie Paul at IHC a few years back, and was able to acquire one each of ALL of the old Tyco mold releases from IHC. He quickly sold out, and did not run the series again. So...I have to find room for 90 additional freight cars!

Best of luck to you...and I would love to see images of your layout. I will probably post pics when I begin the layout, showing the progress as I work on it.

-theoldreliable

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USA ~ Posts: 316 ~ Member Since: June 16 2006 ~ Last Visit: September 02 2017

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Trans-Slam
Switcher

Status: offline

Posted - June 22 2006 : 02:50:30 AM

You all might just want to get this book. It is the official Tyco Model Railroad Manual by Robert Schleicher. Published in 1979 by Chilton Book Company. I guess Tyco gave him a bunch of Tyco products and told him to build a layout, and build he did. Awsome pictures and text including pancake engine repair and excellent modification projects. I got mine used on Amazon and so can you! Color photos of your favorite Tyco products it's really a great inspiration because that is what I want to do too. I do not need or afford the new DCC locos and $20.00 rolling stock. Classic Lionel don't do it for me either and I do not want to tarnish my engines and cars with weathering, I like em shiny with the freash gleaming paint. Also I love the whine of a Power Touque engine, they do pull with less amperage. There is alot of Tyco engines and accesories out there cheap so go wild, have fun, and maybe if there is enough of us well have a setup in the corner of the next model railroad show, not quite vintage, not even prototype, byt highballen an Alco 420 at scale speeds beyond the ream of reality and into our childhood fantasies, right on brother, right on. Keepin Tyco's Runnin for the Funnin

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USA ~ Posts: 28 ~ Member Since: December 09 2005 ~ Last Visit: April 23 2009

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MagnoliaAcademy
Hudson

Status: offline

Posted - June 22 2006 : 1:20:03 PM

Chris, TheoldReliable, TransSlam:
Henry Greenley would be proud of you guys! Thanks for the best block of forum subject and responses I've read. I'm reminded of the old standard gauger who told me he operated ALL the pieces in his collection periodically. "They were built to be run therefore they shall be run," he asserted. It is hard to argue with his logic. What is the point of mint-in-shrink-wrap NRFB toy trains anyway? That's correct, fellow in the back or the train room: the point of NRFB Tyco train purchases is getting them home and being the first lucky son-of-a-gun to open that never-removed-from-box 1967 Alco 430 kit in NH livery and running the beautiful darned thing!
I can't wait for some of you fellows to post pix of your operations!
Magnolia Academy

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USA ~ Posts: 446 ~ Member Since: December 09 2005 ~ Last Visit: October 28 2006

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theoldreliable
Big Six

Status: offline

Posted - July 04 2006 : 9:37:03 PM

Thanks Magnolia...Happy 4th to All.
This is my 2nd time around the block! Just before eBay broke wide open between '98 and '99, (I've been a member since '97, but lurked when it came online in '96). There were only about 10 folks bidding on Tyco/Mantua, and I knew them all. We would give "heads-up" or "dibs" on stuff, and would respectfully wait until it came around again. Try that today![xx(]

I had already amassed it ALL by '99 ("Little Trains" tan and greens, turquoises, reds and brown boxed) by virtue of Railroad Reeves, trains shows all over Texas, "HO For Sale" via Model Railroader, "The Toy Shop" newspaper, flea markets, classifieds online, fellow collector friends at Timonium, York and Chicago shows, and good old-fashoined yard sale hunting at the crack of dawn Saturday mornings. I even had *variations* of some variations. No exaggeratin', either. [:D]

I sold about 30 banker's boxes worth (15x15x24's)...all Tyco, between 2000 and 2001. I think I even sold some stuff to Tony before he started his site. I had a Locomotive Display Merchandiser, a lighted '74 Tyco Service Center Sign (it looked like a beer light)...I was way overboard. Like-Richard-Dreyfuss-Close-Encounters-Kiddie-Pool-with-Mashed Potatoes-and Sand-in-the-middle-of-the-living-room-overboard. Nearly certifiable, based on my wife's consternation. I lost 2 rooms in my house just to storing the stuff. I had to let go...share, and pare down.

Recently I have just about regained most everything I wanted to operate, and have very few duplicates and variations. What's best is that there is enough out there for EVERYONE to collect and operate (and salvage for parts). I also found out through my 15+ solid years of collecting that there are over *60* known 50ft. promo boxcars out there...NOT counting cataloged stuff and common promo cars like Tropicana, Quaker Products, Stokey's, etc. It is insane. I just gave up chasing it all, and have focused on what will fit alongside that garage wall...LOL. [:D]

I plan on cramming an entire 20ft. garage wall full of the fun stuff, and doing it right...giving those colorful trains somewhere to go, something to do, and try and make it prototypical...by "Lionel Store Display" proportions. And If any Power Torques crap out, I will replace 'em with Atlas motors or old stand-by Mantua MU-2 units (care of Yardbird Trains), and get 'em off the rip track and back into service.

I do have the '79 Schleicher book...and anyone who wishes to have copies of the different chapters are welcome to it. Xerox copies may not be top quality, but it will give one a taste of the overall book, if one should desire to acquire it. There are 3 versions of it out there; 2 versions are titled, "The HO Model Railroad Handbook." It is merely an update/addendum to the '79 Tyco publication.

I'm here to answer questions for ANYONE who has them, and to share.
I have all of the catalogs (back to 1955), so just ask if you need something. I pop in here, from time to time.

Until Next Time...
theoldreliable

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USA ~ Posts: 316 ~ Member Since: June 16 2006 ~ Last Visit: September 02 2017

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romcat
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - February 07 2010 : 11:11:33 AM

Hey Thor:

Just re-read this thread and decided to reply to revivie it... I borrow that book regularly from the Local Library... No one else seems interested in it....

-Gareth

"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification

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