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Posted - January 26 2025 : 4:58:10 PM
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My LOTW is this Mantua Shifter. I found one with full valve gear at a swap meet and added more electrical pickup and just enough detail to give the illusion of it having detail. It got a working headlight, injectors, a cross-compound air compressor, a nicer bell and whistle and to the delight of the crew, safety valves so they don't get blown up. Also added were uncoupling levers.
Carpe Manana!
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 2405 ~
Member Since: September 17 2013 ~
Last Visit: April 29 2025
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Posted - January 31 2025 : 12:42:14 AM
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Beautiful job. Especially the safety valve.
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 11501 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: April 04 2025
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Posted - February 08 2025 : 10:42:03 PM
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That is indeed a thing of beauty.
And now, for something on the other extreme:

..a completely basic "Big Six", just purchased last week. It doesn't run quite as well as my Shifter, but I think it'll get there eventually.
Mark in Oregon
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 18 ~
Member Since: April 17 2024 ~
Last Visit: February 09 2025
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Posted - February 13 2025 : 10:39:00 AM
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 11501 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: April 04 2025
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Posted - February 13 2025 : 7:16:17 PM
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Older Mantua tenders have notoriusly poor electrical piclup at the axle points. Crude but effective enhancement to Mantua tender electrical pickup: . Polish the axles, truck frame, and truck mounting surfaces; wrap some brass wire around the axles and truck frame. The engine-tender connector is a piece of plastic credit card.
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 146 ~
Member Since: November 26 2009 ~
Last Visit: April 23 2025
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