Building a Vintage railroad using old trains and sets from the the earliest HO to the present

[toptrain]

 

The most common of older HO to me is the Mantua-Tyco line of 1860 to 1890 equipment. Having made locomotives of many wheel configurations the most common of which are the 4-4-0's, 4-6-0's and 4-8-0's of the 1860's and 80's. Set's that come to mind are " The Golden West" with its colorful ATSF 4-6-0 with a combine, coach, box car, horse car, low side gondola with or without its water tanks and a added bobber caboose to start things off. The General 4-4-0 was used for civil war period railroading with the V&T passenger set, and freight set for the same railroad. Other 4-6-0 sets the Iron Horse, Petty Coat Junction, were commonly seen in train stores and department stores. Mantua-Tyco also sold many other 4-4-0's and 4-6-0's they were popular enough to bring out a 4-8-0 and 2-6-0 types in other road names. There was no shortage of period locos and cars from many other producers and importers to fill in and provide different choices to modelers of Vintage railroading. For inspiration one could turn to history or Carl Fallberg and his Fiddletown & Copperopolis Railroad. The only thing in ready to run for this time period that is hard to find is people properly dressed for this time period.

 

 

 

 

 

[csxns]

Nice collection.

[Southgate]

I have a fondness for these particular tyco steamers, even if as a starting point for a more detailed model. They have great potential. Even as they are, they are decent runners.

I started in the hobby with a Tyco train set, with the F-7 and it's horrible drive. Then another tyco diesel with the same problem. 

I bought an AHM "Genoa" 4-4-0, but it was finnicky and light on it's wheels, and too high geared. But I liked the looks.

Had I started with one of these Tyco steamers, I could have enjoyed a lot more running time and less frustration (until I learned of Athearn)

You have a nice collection there, reminding us of some of the phases the hobby has come through. Dan

[hon30critter]

That's a neat looking bunch of locomotives!

Do you plan on painting and detailing them or are you content to run as is? I'm not suggesting that one alternative is better than the other. Just curious.

Dave

[dknelson]

And before Mantua/Tyco came out with The General around 1950 or so (in a specially designed box and lid if memory serves) Mantua had the Belle of the '80s 4-4-0 in metal.  Although a lot of them were sold they'd still be something of a collector's item.  Other models of early railroading were from Aristo Craft.  And in the craftsman's kit era there were a lot more 19th century passenger car kits than there are now.

Dave Nelson

 

[toptrain]

 Thanks for all the nice thing said and I have no plains of further detail these Mantua, Tyco old timers. The layout I am building now will be a nicer place to run the old timers mixed in with others I have. Namely the Aristo-Craft Distinctive Miniatures and other New One Models like the Silvine 0-4-0t. MDC-Roundhouse made a couple of old timers in their 2-8-0 and 2-6-0 locos, and a few others I've shown in photos. My two Kitbashed 4-4-0 camelbacks will fit nicely with these old timers.

 I would love to build Lehigh Valleys, Laury’s station, hotel, and freight station with its siding. I have enough info for the build. Who knows what time will allow. I would love to also make a further dream that would be the addition of Laury’s Island with its dance pavilion, rides and pick nick areas.

Yep! Who knows. 

This is what has been published in the past about Laury’s Island. 

             Laury’s Island.

 

“Brim full the singing streams rush by,

     Fringed deep with fronded ferns;

   The air is wine and life is joy

     When man to nature returns.”

 

 Picturesquely situated, nearby midway between Easton and Mauch Chunk, is Laury’s Island, one of the most popular picnic resort in eastern Pennsylvania. It is nearly 1 mile in length, beautifully shaded, and fit out with all that is desirable for the convenience, comfort, and pleasure of visitors.

  The finest of water, fed from springs on the mainland, is furnished in abundance at different points. Boating and fishing are favorite amusements. Swings benches and tables are to be seen everywhere, while the merry-go-round, toboggan, miniature railway and rowboats afford opportunity for an unlimited amount of pleasure.

  The island is connected by a foot bridge to the main land directly opposite Laury’s Station, rendering it very convenient of access.

 Two large handsome pavilions specially constructed for dancing, are located at desirable points, and the elegant bandstand adds both to the beauty of the surroundings and the convenience of the bands that furnish music almost daily during the season.

  Immediately back of the station is the hotel, the management of which makes a specialty of catering to excursionists at reasonable rates.

 

[rrebell]

As far a fiqures for this time, Weston made lots of them. I am sure their were others and now there many on the market.

[toptrain]

I know of weston, presnor, and meret (mertel). even selley made one set of 5. Aristo-Craft sold 2 different sets of old time people. But when you need 40 or 50 the cost is way to high. it could be over $100 just for people. That is if you can find any sets for sale. 

[SeeYou190]

Very nice collection of equipment!

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toptrain

The only thing in ready to run for this time period that is hard to find is people properly dressed for this time period.

.

Try looking at "civilians" offered for 18mm or 20mm wargaming for either American Civil War or World War One. There might be something you can use.

.

These will not be ready to run. You will need to paint them.

.

-Kevin

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[toptrain]

rrebell

As far a fiqures for this time, Weston made lots of them. I am sure their were others and now there many on the market.

 

 

 Yes i do know of various retailers who had in the line per and civil war era figures and gay ninties figures. They are very hard to find and are sold at high prices. 

frank

[John-NYBW]

Is that brass track. If you really want retro, brass is the way to go. Good luck finding any. Nothing says 1960s HO railroading like the sparking of the loco's wheels. 

[BRAKIE]

John-NYBW

Nothing says 1960s HO railroading like the sparking of the loco's wheels.

John,The only engines known for sparking was Athearn BB with the slither wheels. Maybe the Hobbyline FM10-44? I had the Lindsey SW7 and it didn't sparkle nor did my Dad's Penn Line steam engines.

[MidlandPacific]

For foreground figures, the best Victorian and Edwardian figures I have ever seen are Andrew Stadden’s:

https://www.acstadden.co.uk/

Beautifully detailed, if properly painted (a hobby in itself), they liven up any depot scene.

[toptrain]

By Dave, That's a neat looking bunch of locomotives!

Do you plan on painting and detailing them or are you content to run as is? I'm not suggesting that one alternative is better than the other. Just curious.

Dave

 The paint color choice and details chosen by Mantua seem to be proper for these locomotives. Details are very simple and plain especially the old style oil headlights. The ones I see in photos are more decorative than what Mantua has placed with their 4-4-0, 4-6-0 and 4-8-0. I was able to locate a very decorative one made back whenever by Kemtron. The light itself was nice and it came with a very fancy way of supporting the light not just on top of the smoke box but up and out in front of it. I used this light on a Mantua 4-4-0 the “Bell of the Eighty’s”. It is too bad you can’t get these old castings anymore. I found another headlight that was shaped like an old Coo-Coo Clock. This one went on a old Camelback I have of which a great deal of work went into to remove and replace pipelines that just didn’t look right. This locomotive, a Pacific camelback now to me look very much like a Lehigh Valley K1 class 4-6-2 used on the Black Diamond Express to pull my MDC Pullman Palace cars also done for the Black Diamond.. It makes a really nice set. So Dave I am trying to upgrade some of my Ho scale 1860 to 1900 trains.