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 Posted - January 07 2015 : 12:59:15 AM
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Tycomrades:
November 1948: HO Monthly (long gone) takes a trip through the Mantua plant.
We're treated to some nice pictures of Bridgeports. It seems all the dies were sunk (cut from metal blocks) on these. And probably hand ground to blend and finish the detail.
We don't see the die casting machines or any details of motor production (Mantua didn't claw their way to the top of the train chain by letting all their secrets out) but there's a table where some men are trimming sideframes using manual foot-operated kick presses, and another one where some ladies are assembling boxed kits from bins. Also some glimpses of specialized drilling / tapping equipment; one machine seems to be a drill bit chucked on a fixed arbor, with work presented to the drill. Look carefully, and you can see that the 'drilling-tapping department' is a single wall, with the 'toolroom' on the next wall, and 'kit assembly' possibly on the wall after that - across from drilling / tapping - with the Bridgeport mills presumably in the center. Shipping might be on the last wall, or it might be downstairs. Not a big plant, but a busy one.
75 employees at the time. Looking pretty crowded at that - expansioin is probably not far off. 'A new loco' is in the works. I suspect this may be the Mikado.
Last of all, an 'automatic layout' built by John Tyler. Said to be operated electronically, with no explanations given. I would really like to know more about that...
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 08:19:28 AM
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I really enjoyed this. Thanks for taking the time to post it for us.
Randy
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 09:27:07 AM
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 That's actually pretty cool. Especially since my Mantua Pacific was made in that very factory (or area) around 10 years later. 
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 11:45:20 AM
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That's fascinating! I wonder if any photos exsist of the factory exterior?
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 12:12:03 PM
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quote:That's fascinating! I wonder if any photos exsist of the factory exterior?
Originally posted by Redneck Justin - January 07 2015 : 11:45:20 AM
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Looks like a front view on the last page
http://tycodepot.com/
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waw47
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 1:19:40 PM
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For exterior picture: Google 412 Grandview Ave.
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 3:54:38 PM
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Got a side and the back. Tyco is in front. Wonder about the front view as of today? Surprised to see it still standing. Can't say that for Lionel!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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waw47
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 5:09:23 PM
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Try Bing Maps for a Front View.
The Lionel Irvington NJ plant is gone, but the Hillside NJ factory is still standing. The AC Gilbert and Ives factories are still with us, not sure about the American Flyer Factory in Chicago.
Edited by - waw47 on January 07 2015 7:03:28 PM
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 10:51:42 PM
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I went there a few times with an old-timer buddy of mine for parts. He had been going there for decades.
I remember only older ladies working there. I never went past the front counter area, but they used to let my buddy go in the back; he was such a 'regular' and they all knew him well.
It was a pretty plain building; don't even remember seeing a sign. Inside was a small room with a counter and a train display shelf. A door behind the counter went to the room where the ladies repaired/painted the trains. I remember looking in and seeing ladies sitting at work desks painting engines.
Mark
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Posted - January 07 2015 : 11:23:50 PM
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The "tool room" began as John Tyler's garage. He moved his entire house down the street and into the neighborhood, to make room for the rest of the factory.
The entire original factory still exists now as an electronics and software firm, and they still have a very small display case with historical Tyco information in it (as of 2010).
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Posted - January 08 2015 : 12:06:52 AM
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quote:The "tool room" began as John Tyler's garage. He moved his entire house down the street and into the neighborhood, to make room for the rest of the factory.
The entire original factory still exists now as an electronics and software firm, and they still have a very small display case with historical Tyco information in it (as of 2010).
Originally posted by theoldreliable - January 07 2015 : 11:23:50 PM
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That's good that they at least care at all of the history of that structure.Honestly, I've been trying to find a picture of this place for quite some time now so I'm glad you finally posted one.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - September 29 2017 : 4:41:31 PM
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| Great stuff, thank you.
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Posted - September 29 2017 : 7:04:59 PM
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quote:The "tool room" began as John Tyler's garage. He moved his entire house down the street and into the neighborhood, to make room for the rest of the factory.
The entire original factory still exists now as an electronics and software firm, and they still have a very small display case with historical Tyco information in it (as of 2010).
Originally posted by theoldreliable - January 07 2015 : 11:23:50 PM
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Nice to see that the original factory is still in use, and that the present company paid tribute to the history of Tyco/Mantua trains!!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - September 30 2017 : 1:39:24 PM
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* Well this is what I remember it looking like.
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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 Posted - November 24 2022 : 06:48:08 AM
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Nice to look back during a simpler time.
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Posted - November 24 2022 : 10:10:23 PM
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Cool history of Mantua Tyco
http://www.tcawestern.org/tyco.htm
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