Mantua is back!

[mhdishere]

Well, not quite back yet, but check the model power web site, MP bought the molds, dies, etc and plans to have the Mantua products back in production in 2003. As someone who has a bunch of Mantua engines and loves every one of them, this is GREAT NEWS

[Anonymous]

Hi,

WOW! That is great news! I have pieces here and there from Mantua, mostly rolling stock though.

Now if someone would just startup AHM again. I really miss those great cars.

-Wolv33

[Anonymous]

GREAT POST, thanks for sharing.

[BRAKIE]

Yes,Indeed! This is good news! Those old Mantuas are good running locomotives and has always been a good buy.Kudos to MP for saving this line of steam locomotives!

[Anonymous]

I could be offbase on this, but I believe AHM was an importing wholesaler-distributor, who ordered bulk quantity items, from Aristo,Rivarossi,Mehano etc., and had them packaged in Europe as their own brand.(They were even into brass engine imports from Japan in the 60's.)
I believe this is what IHC does now, except Rivarossi has not been available to them the last few years, due to ModelExpo and now Walthers.
regards/Mike
PS...The Mantua news is welcome.

[mhdishere]

Mike,
I think you're right, a good part of the AHM stuff is available from either IHC or Rivarossi. I for one WI***hey would re-issue the ten-wheeler camelback, but such is life.

For the record, I have a bunch of Mantua steamers, and they will all pull the bumper off a '69 Impala.

[CHESSIEMIKE]

I wondered what happened to the bumper on my '69 Impala! Would you wind returning it?
CHESSIEMIKE

[dknelson]

obviously we have to wait and see just what part of the Mantua line is being brought back and whether what used to be metal will now be plastic. I had an all metal Mantua 0-6-0T that was an amazing puller in its time. Wasn't much for looks but then I wasn't doing any detailing back then. The Mantua gondola car has been the subject of all sorts of conversions over the years including some by very fussy and prototype minded modelers.

As to AHM-- they imported from all sorts of places not just Rivarossi but also Rivarossi knock offs from eastern Europe. Mehano and such. There are some things AHM had that nobody has picked up since. But some things have been picked up by Con Cor, Model Power and so on. It Pays to check the catalogs
Dave Nelson

[mhdishere]

Was that yours? It just went out one nite and came back with the bumper, kinda like a cat I had that came back with mice