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 Posted - September 25 2007 : 9:08:25 PM
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Tyco number boards
I would like to give credit to Tyco for actually putting numbers on their number boards on their diesels even if it was the same number (Either 5628 or 4301). The other manufacturers at the same time had clear lenses or no lenses at all and no numbers on the boards. I find it interesting that Tyco did and all the others did not. Your comments Thoughts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Edited by - Brianstyco on September 25 2007 9:10:51 PM
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Posted - September 25 2007 : 11:19:46 PM
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| The pantographs on their GG1s are exceptional for a toy loco. That, the number boards as you mentioned and the innovation behind some of their operating accessories, especially the truck terminal and the working grade crossing. And how can one not get a tickle out of a ramp jumping, wall climbing, loop the looping Turbo Train...woo hoo[:D]
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 Posted - September 26 2007 : 04:55:20 AM
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I feel, that if you didn't own the Turbo-Train, their F-7's flew like a bat outta he+11.
Interestingly, if choosing track of days gone by, I'd trust TYCO brass or steel over any Botchmann or un-Life-Like... Tyco was closer matched to Atlas.
The plastic they used on their rollingstock... quite durable.
TYCO had a relative: Mantua... both sturdy and rugged...
Botchmann or un-Life-Like did not. More cheezy than pleazzie!
The motors... most all were contained in the truck (I said "most").
If I had a choice to choose between a TYCO/MANTUA locomotive and BM-uLL, I wouldn't look twice... gimmie that T/M loco Now!
by the way, anyone interested in the Passenger/style of the Turbo Train?
The other dealer has the 3-unit set.
I will think of more, later.
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
Edited by - zebrails on September 26 2007 05:01:23 AM
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Posted - November 02 2007 : 9:15:51 PM
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| Many of the diesel locomotives have a very distinctive sound. They really and truly sound LIKE TRAINS! As great as the many high end engines out there perform (Proto, Kato Atlas etc), many are just TOO quiet, or sound like a small remote contro airplane. Tyco engines (especially the ones with Power Torque) have that high pitched whine sound that is very recognizable...especially when one winds down the throttle to slow the train. Mix that sound up with the rattle of the loose rolling unpowered wheels and the clank on the rails....you have a locomotive that actually sounds "to scale" and realistic. Very cool!
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Posted - November 02 2007 : 9:57:00 PM
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I like the paint schemes that Tyco dressed their locos in. They were all very bright and eyecatching. Another good thing about Tyco's engines, is that all the motors are pretty much the same. This may seem like a cheap tactic for cutting costs, but now if you ever need parts, they are cheap and easy to find as the PT motor is so common.
-cheez
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Posted - November 05 2007 : 3:23:32 PM
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| The thing I like best about Tyco engines--and all rolling stock for that matter (other than the memories), is that there's no worry about being totally prototypical. On the "serious side" of my hobby, I often get discouraged in not being able to get things 'just right,'---you build or invest in something only to discover that something is different from the prototype--and it doesn't matter how small it is, it still bothers me. However, with Tyco/Mantua, you can represent the prototype without actually modeling it. Examples: If I want to run the Frisco's hot QLA train, I use Tyco 50' boxes, Tyco Frisco auto racks, and maybe Santa Fe run-through motive power. If I run SP's Colton Block (perishables), I just string together several PFE reefers behind my SP GP 20, backed up by my silver SP caboose. Of course, unit trains (coal, etc.) are easy also, and I use my Red/Silver Santa Fe C430 pulling Santa Fe streamliners to evoke the feeling of the Texas Chief, pulled by U28CG's.
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Posted - November 05 2007 : 4:02:42 PM
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What I like best about Tyco's is
a) memories since my first model train stuff was a whole pile of after Christmas Tyco stuff that was going in the trash at the department store my Mom worked at.
b) This formum where the sheer joy of playing with trains wins out. I love accuracy but it has it's place and so does this.
-G
Edited by - romcat on November 05 2007 4:11:23 PM
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Posted - January 20 2008 : 8:42:12 PM
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This going to sound odd:
The best thing I like about tyco locos are the 3 screws that hold the sideframe assembly to the frame of the power torque motor truck. These screws are great - self tapping and they match the nylon screws from kadee.
To put things in perspective, I have several Tyco C-430s in NYS&W yellow/black with the athearn B U boat drive. Holding the couplers in place are the only original tyco drive part - the screws.
BTW, Tiger Valley makes the missing dynamic brake grids and the hi-ad trucks. Too bad Tyco got the nose wrong...
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Posted - January 20 2008 : 11:20:56 PM
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The nose should have more of an "edge" around the top wouldn't you say???
Got a pic of one of your Suzie 430's?
-Gareth
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 Posted - January 21 2008 : 12:00:35 AM
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As a kid I liked them because they were cheap and more durable than the equivalent Life-Like and Bachmann stuff of the time.
Now I find myself fascinated by the idiosyncratic nature of the line:
- a Century 430 with an EMD fuel tank
- a Century 630 that never existed as offered
- (both of the above numbering less than a couple dozen in real life!)
- an oversized "Plymouth" Diesel Swticher
- A GP20 with terrible detail compared to the F-unit released a few years prior (of course we now know said F was not of Tyco's design)
- The Vampire trucks
- a GG1 with a fuel tank
Tyco's paint jobs in later years were great though... perfect eyecathers for a kid and nice pretties for a seasoned modeler to enjoy.
Speaking of Modeling... as said above, I find myself sometimes getting overworked about the little details. I's funny how I can set a Tyco unit next to a superdetailed Atlas or Genesis... and in the Tyco I see the same image, distilled down to its bare essence. It's almost elegant in its simplicity... the artistry of minimalism.
But my FAVORITE thing about Tyco engines - both as a kid AND adult - is the smell they make under strain... or just before they cash it all in. AHHH nothing freshens up a basement like good ol' ozone! [Yeah!] [:D]
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 Posted - January 21 2008 : 01:26:58 AM
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GIC's right about the Ozone!
Run your PT Tyco's save the planet!!!
I'm just saying,
Gareth
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Posted - February 01 2008 : 8:32:49 PM
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I've mentioned this elsewhere that I enjoy the slow speed growl of the MU2ed Mantua Tycos. The SF 4301 Alco was the Tyco that got me started. Probably one of the most common models.
Alco Fan
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Posted - February 02 2008 : 05:55:27 AM
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I have the TYCO little Plymouth shifter.
Yes, I love that little growl, myself... oh, this thing also flys!
Good Day, all...
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
Edited by - zebrails on February 02 2008 05:57:22 AM
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