I have a Brass HO scale 2-6-0 type locomotive, numbered 24. There are no markings on the loco, but on the tender, it says mantua. the numberplate also says baldwin. this locomotive looks like a logger, but it might just be the olive green. I don't have the means to take pictures right now, sorry. I have scoured the internet for something similar, but am lost. The loco is a vey small mogul, but is strong. It works, but not very well. there is a single wire (in a clothy covering) running from the motor in the loco to the tender. There are two domes, one in the center of the boilerand one in the back (of the boiler) the headlight is very ornate, and has "support" bars that seem to go halfway down the boiler! Right behind the headlight is a dynamo looking thing, but I can't be sure. The smokestack is a balloon stack, which has a single screw inside the stack. the firebox isn't on the boiler, but would run all of the way through the cab if it was modeled. the motor sticks out where said firebox would. The tender looks "old timey" but is larger. Sorry for this wordy post, but any help would be appreiciated.
thanks for any help, Trainman05/MatthewB
Before Mantua introduced its die cast steam locomotives about 1950-51 or so, it offered some steam locomotives that were made of brass, or a mix of brass and die cast. One of them was the so-called "Eight Ball Mogul," a 2-6-0. They were popular models at the time. The Manuta Belle of the 80s 4-4-0 is still sought out by modelers of the "wild west" era.
The models were pretty basic but it was common for guys to considerably redetail them, which is easier to do with brass than with die cast.
Now, Mantua/Tyco also had a 2-6-0 is plastic -- dating from the 1970s or 80s. What you have might be about 70 years old, however.
Dave Nelson
I must say Thanks a lot. I was worried, because I had put "baldwin" but it needed to be ALCo. Thanks again, MatthewB/Trainman05
I do n not know the prototypes (if there were any) for that old generation of Mantua old time steam locomotives. It may predate ALCo in the sense that ALCo was a combination of many steam locomotive manufacturers of the 19th century.
At one time, in addition to Mantua, Varney and Bowser both offered locos with brass boilers.
Wayne
The EARLY mantua locos often had real prototypes - the original Pacific was a Reading loco, the 0-4-0 cameback was also a Reading prototype. The later Pacific was more or less a B&O loco.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This sounds like a "Porter Mogul", one of the earliest Japanese Brass models which was a model of a Japanese 3'6" gauge prototype, and might be to 1:80 scale.
These were sold under a number of brands, including Tenshodo and possibly AHM so Mantua isn't that unlikely.
It is possible that the prototype is preserved in Japan.
Peter
Is this it? http://hoseeker.net/gallery/index.php?album=mantuatyco%2Fmantuasteamengines&image=Img_8041a.jpg
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Or is it this, the Porter Mogul, brought in by Ken Kidder:
Ed
I believe the Ken Kidder Porter Mogul was a model of the "Benkei," circa 1880, which has been preserved in Japan. As I recall it was actually close to S scale running on HO gauge track (so Sn3 1/2, which I think is the Japanese gauge anyway) but because the prototype was so tiny, it looked plausible as a purely HO scale locomotive. In fact it might have been available in HOn3 for a while.
That was many guys' first Japanese-built brass steam locomotive because they were comparatively cheap.
If the OP's model says Mantua then I am pretty sure it was the pre 1950 model from Mantua: brass made in USA not Japan. And yes many of the their steamers had prototypes but I am not sure the Belle of the '80s 4-4-0 and the Mogul 2-6-0 did.
I think that it is more like the Mantua one from DarthSantaFe. (BTW, I am a DSF Subscriber!) Not the Ken Kidder model, but even the Mantua one isn't exact. Mine has more detail, like more top detail, a fancier headlight, and different placings of things. Also, @RRinker, I have one of those Mantua Reading Camelbacks too. Long Live the Reading!--tm05
There was a lot more customization going on back in the 40s and 50s since the selection of trains was still somewhat limited, so it's always possible that you got a model that was detailed by the original owner. It could also be another brand of steam locomotive that had a Mantua tender added behind it.
Trainman2005(BTW, I am a DSF Subscriber!)
Thanks!
dknelson I believe the Ken Kidder Porter Mogul was a model of the "Benkei," circa 1880, which has been preserved in Japan. As I recall it was actually close to S scale running on HO gauge track (so Sn3 1/2, which I think is the Japanese gauge anyway) but because the prototype was so tiny, it looked plausible as a purely HO scale locomotive. In fact it might have been available in HOn3 for a while.
Cool. I might send in some pics of mine soon. I have them, but I am posting this from a study hall in school. I am a bit annoyed at myself, because I thought that the jig I had made would hold the headlight while it super glued. Now the headlight is wonky. Oh well, I guess it adds to the patina.
Trainman05
Anyone Else nostalgic for something they were born 80 years late for?
Lol. Fixed it like nothing. Pics soon!
TM05/MatthewB
Don't want to revive to old a topic, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. Anybody have a rough estimate for price for this locomotive? I am NOT selling it, but want to know what I have on my hands.
Thanks in advance, TM05/MatthewB
And may your Trains always be on time!