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 Posted - July 06 2013 : 12:53:28 AM
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When did Mantua/Tyco produce the 40ft metal underframes with snap-in trucks instead of the screw-on trucks? I purchased a Swift reefer in a Red Box with this type underframe and filled-in steps, and I'm not sure if everything about it is legit.
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - July 06 2013 : 09:33:54 AM
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong but somewhere in the 1980's if I remember correctly the bolt ons were the older ones and the snap ins were newer to lower cost in manufacturing them.....
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - July 06 2013 : 09:48:21 AM
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HI gmoney,john,i have always found that the open steps were red box and early brown box and closed were brown box,as the modification was made in 70s,will stand corrected ken
Edited by - catfordken on July 06 2013 09:53:49 AM
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Posted - July 06 2013 : 10:04:13 AM
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Ken,
Thanks for jumping in there! so, I would take it the snap in frames for the trucks were TYCO brown box, correct? Wouldn't that have been 1970's and early 1980's then?
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - July 06 2013 : 10:26:16 AM
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the real person to know the facts would be tony but he and site,are unavailable,but hazard a guess that the pop in items were hong kong/mehano versions ken
Edited by - catfordken on July 06 2013 10:26:54 AM
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Posted - July 09 2013 : 12:35:46 AM
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quote:...i have always found that the open steps were red box and early brown box and closed were brown box,as the modification was made in 70s...
Originally posted by catfordken - July 06 2013 : 09:48:21 AM
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Ken, that's my understanding too, but how late did Mantua/Tyco use the metal underframes? Did they last into the Brown Box era? If so, my reefer could be early Brown Box. And John, your comment reminded me that the Tyler family reacquired some tooling from Consolidated Foods in the late '70s and restarted Mantua Metal Works. Perhaps my reefer is a product of that venture. At any rate, it appears to be in the wrong box.
TONY, WHERE ARE YOU??
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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waw47
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Posted - July 09 2013 : 10:59:47 AM
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This might help clarify the issue.
1. Tyco produced the Swift reefer from 1960 until at least 1981.
2. Tyco introduced snap on trucks around 1967-1968 on some rolling stock.
3. Tyco started using closed steps sometime after 1963.
4. All of the "New Mantua" Reefers (1978 onward) were made from the old Lindberg tooling.
It is possible, that your Swift Reefer is legit.
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Posted - July 09 2013 : 4:01:51 PM
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I think it's a red box. My friend when I was a young bought a layout from another kid circa 1972. All of the equipment was from the late 60's, since the kid hadn't done anything with it in a while. There was a Dairyman's reefer with a diecast frame, snap-on trucks, and closed stirrups in the collection.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - July 10 2013 : 03:10:26 AM
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quote:
2. Tyco introduced snap on trucks around 1967-1968 on some rolling stock.
Originally posted by waw47Â -Â July 09 2013Â :Â 10:59:47 AM
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So Tyco was still using the metal underframe at this time?
NKP - You must have a really good memory to recall such detail after 40+ years! 
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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waw47
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Posted - July 10 2013 : 09:40:41 AM
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| I am uncertain of the exact time period when Tyco switched from metal bottoms to plastic bottoms on box cars, reefers and gondolas. Tyco was still using metal bottoms with screwed on trucks in 1965-66. You need someone with a extensive boxed Tyco train set collection to answer that.
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Posted - July 10 2013 : 3:32:48 PM
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| Metal frame goes away about the time snap on trucks are added, likely as inventory was run out.
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Posted - July 10 2013 : 9:36:08 PM
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Thanks, Glenn. I guess I do have a pretty good memory (particularly where trains are involved  ), but I still have that car in storage somewhere, somewhat the worse for wear.
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Posted - July 26 2013 : 06:48:31 AM
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Thanks everyone for your input! I now feel better about my purchase, and less like I've been "had." From now on, however, I will take a closer look before I plunk down my hard-earned cash!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
Edited by - gmoney on July 26 2013 06:49:44 AM
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Posted - August 12 2013 : 4:07:51 PM
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I have a few boxed examples from the early 70's that still have metal chassis; as others stated they were running out inventory. The changes to tooling are interesting to see. Originally the metal chassis screwed into the carbodies at the corners. Eventually the bodies' mounting posts were modified to simple lugs, which press-fit into the holes in the metal chassis. All the plastic chassis were press-fit. These changes all occured in the late 60's / early 70's. It seems to depend on whether a particular car was made in Hong Kong or the USA - remember for a time Tyco was sourcing models from both facilities.
Trying to make a timeline has been a challenge. Too many concurrent and conflicting changes across car types and plant production and such. I'm not even sure a full collection of MIB sets would be 100% definitive although it could certainly be helpful.
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