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Looking for a quality DCC & Sound 2-6-6-2

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  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Moneta, VA
  • 116 posts
Looking for a quality DCC & Sound 2-6-6-2
Posted by gary233 on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 10:41 AM

Hi all,

I’m looking for an articulated 2-6-6-2.  Bachmann usee to make them and from time to time they are on eBay  Mantua makes one but I cannot find a useful review.  I think they use MTH decoders.

Does anyone have one of teh Mantua models? what’s your opinion?

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 11:20 AM

Well first, I believe only MTH engines come with MTH decoders.

The Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is based on the USRA engine designed in the latter days of WW1. It's a large mainline "drag freight" engine, meant to haul long trains at 15 MPH or so. The Bachmann model is well made and smooth running, some have been offered with Soundtraxx sound decoders.

The Mantua 2-6-6-2 is based on a Northwest US logging engine, and is quite a bit smaller than the USRA engine. One problem finding those engine is that Mantua itself went out of business some time back (early 2000's IIRC). The line was re-started by Model Power, which did offer some of the engines with sound. However Model Power recently went out of business. The Model Power / Mantua line has now been taken over by Model Rectifier (MRC); not sure if the Mantua engines are in production again yet or not.

Stix
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 11:36 AM

I have one of the last run Mantua 2-6-6-2 locomotives and it is a very good runner.  It is a bit noisy out of the box but I installed a MRC 1731 sound decoder and that took care of the side rod noise.
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 11:48 AM

I have an older Mantua model. I added a tender to increase the number of power pickups. I also added a sound decoder (MRC I believe - I forget!), and it runs fine. It does have a bit of a sideway movement, but I was told that it would be pretty prototypical for a logging operation Smile. It is one of my favorite engines...

Simon

  2-6-6-2 Mantua TNVR 4 by " alt="" />

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Moneta, VA
  • 116 posts
Posted by gary233 on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 12:27 PM

Model Train Stuff has new Mantua 2-6-6-2’s. Are they just old ones they never sold?

Mantua Classics HO 345103 2-6-6-2 Articulated Logger with Tender, Norfolk and Western #1192 (DCC and Sound Equipped)

MAN-345103 
$269.98 $129.99
(You save $139.99)
 
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Mantua Classics HO 345103 2-6-6-2 Articulated Logger with Tender, Norfolk and Western #1192 (DCC and Sound Equipped)
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 1:59 PM

My Mantua 2-6-6-2 runs just fine.

.

The front and rear trailing truck brackets suffered from metal rot and required repair.

.

Other than that, no problems, and it is a great looking locomotive on the STRATTON & GILLETTE roster.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 5:04 PM

MRC's August 2015 Youtube has a preproduction model, so that's the oldest they can be.  MTS does seem to have some closeouts, as does Trainworld.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Moneta, VA
  • 116 posts
Posted by gary233 on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 6:13 AM

I have a 1980’s Riverarossi 2-6-6-2. Think I’ll see if I can DCC it.

For a DCC & Sound at that price i may just get one from MTS.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 6:52 AM

I don’t think Rivarossi made a 2-6-6-2, do you mean the Y6B 2-8-8-2.  The later (80s) had the round motor and could draw a little over 1 amp locked rotor, the square motors draw close to 1½ amps locked rotor.
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 

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