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4-4-0
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 Posted - February 01 2007 : 06:46:27 AM
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Hello,
since i'm from Germany, i never even heard of the brand Tyco or Mantua until last year (please bear with me), but i soon got me some older models of engines and rolling stock. To my amazement those engines were die-cast and well detailed, with brass and believable colours. When i heard of US companies like AHM, IHC, Bachmann or others before, there was always this cheap plastic with glossy colours and looking like the cheapest toy train - not that they really were that cheap. The newer Athearn Genesis or Bachmann Spectrum are much better i know, but mostly plastic again.
Since i'm especially interested in the older engines and rolling stock, say pre-1870, or when the wood burners began to vanish, i bought several "Generals" with various RR logos and a lot of fitting older rolling stock.
Then i found some passenger cars with Western Atlantic logo in eBay (those older ones with barrel, not elevated roof) , and when it arrived they were new - well made and even better colours, and with brass fittings - and there is a tiny "made in China" sticker at the bottom, but no hint of the Mantua or Tyco logo.
I know that there still are some new Mantua models to buy
(http://www.modelpower.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=30),
but from China ??
Greetings from Germany,
4-4-0/Kai
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Posted - February 01 2007 : 1:39:24 PM
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hi 4-4-0 if you have not already got it this site and the red box site are great for the models and links to ahm,lifelike,cox etc ken
http://tycotrain.tripod.com/tycotrains/
bowser do a casey jones originally by varney
http://www.bowser-trains.com/holocos/casey_jones/casey_jones.htm
and a couple of my usa locos ken
/tyco/forum/uploaded/catfordken/dfd 001-1.jpg/tyco/forum/uploaded/catfordken/dfd 002-1.jpg
Edited by - catfordken on February 01 2007 1:58:46 PM
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4-4-0
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 Posted - February 01 2007 : 2:22:55 PM
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Hello Ken,
thank you, and you sure have a nice collection !
I already found the red and brown box site, it was here from where i started to find some of the 4-4-0s. I'm still not sure about Mantua and Tyco though - from what i read the first company was Mantua, which then had a special model train branch by Mr. Tyler, but in the end it was Mantua again - and now you can buy new Mantua engines and rolling stock from "Model power".
I do not know where the eBay seller had his new rolling stock from, but this is without doubt Tyco or Mantua, and was advertised as such. No Tyco or Mantua label to be found though, but the label "made in China" is nevertheless confusing ... The quality of the coaches is very good, lot of brass and fine WARR logos gold on red under the roof.
Then i got an old "General" kit in a red box from Mantua - unbuilt and very heavy, with non-solid wheels and open windows, not like the later ones, with lots of instructions and tips - this paperwork is outstanding. I wonder whether i should build it, i guess those kits are rare.
Greetings,
Kai
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Posted - February 01 2007 : 2:28:12 PM
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hi 4-4-0 or is it kai check this website out lots of info about mantua and varney ken
http://www.yardbirdtrains.com/
ps that photo is one selfe of 8, i started collecting us trains last year,the one i use as an avitar is made for matchbox by mantua,from a 60s tooling ken
Edited by - catfordken on February 01 2007 2:31:24 PM
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4-4-0
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Posted - February 01 2007 : 2:51:49 PM
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Hello Ken,
Kai is correct, forum name is 4-4-0. The yardbird site is a great resource !
Thank you and greetings,
Kai
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