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Mantua upgrades

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  • Member since
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Posted by Oregon_Steamer on Sunday, April 19, 2020 3:14 PM
  • Member since
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  • From: Franconia, NH
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Posted by dstarr on Sunday, April 19, 2020 2:45 PM

Yes, Both air compressors on the Pacific are double compressors.  I noticed Bowser is asking $13 each.  I wonder if Walther's has a better price?

  • Member since
    October 2016
  • 76 posts
Posted by Oregon_Steamer on Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:47 PM

dstarr

Your photo shows twin air compressors mounted on the pilot deck protected by twin shields against air borne crud.  I got brass casting of the both the air compressors and the twin shields from Cal Scale.  That was some years ago but I would expect them to still be available.  The pilot is a boiler tube  with footboard type.  The footboard gives a place for brakemen to stand during switching operations.  Again, Cal Scale ought to have such a pilot.  The original Mantua Mikado came with an unexciting plastic casting that served as both pilot and air compressors.  Replacing that piece of plastic with brass castings did good things for the looks of the locomotive.

This is the Mantua Pacific, which is pretty much the same as the Mikado.  The front end is all Cal Scale brass castings. 

 

Thank you I found almost all but one part on the Bowser website that being the airpumps I am not sure wich is the one you have since the shield obstructs details to help me identify it. Are these the pumps that come in singles or pairs?

This was the only pump I saw in pairs.

http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/14679537/Cal%20Scale%20HO%20Double%20Air%20Pump%20Set%20w%5E2FValve%20%26%20Reservoir

  • Member since
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  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
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Posted by dknelson on Sunday, April 19, 2020 10:10 AM

It was mentioned that the original Mantua Mikado combination air pump shield and pilot is a not too convincing plastic part.  Originally everything was metal.  Over time the cab, tender, pilot became plastic.

When looking around for steam locomotive parts, of course Cal-Scale comes to mind and we are grateful Bowser has kept that line going.

Don't forget the old Kemtron line, also very good quality and lots of variety, it became P.I.A., then disappeared, but is back under the same folks who acquired Precision Scale:

https://www.precisionscaleco.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/PIA-Line-WOP.pdf

And Precision Scale itself has stuff -- try this

https://www.precisionscaleco.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/HO-Steam-WOP.pdf

The old Selley line also had some stuff but the castings show their age.

Dave Nelson

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  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, April 18, 2020 10:45 PM

You should be able to get the pilot wheels from Bachmann, as they offer (or offered) the ones used on their Berkshire as a separate item.  You may also be able to get the air pumps and shield from Bachmann.

Here's a slightly modified Bachmann Berkshire, showing the lead truck, along with the shielded pumps....


...and here's the Bachmann Berkshire's lead truck on one of my four Athearn Mikados...

There are several variations of the dual air pumps with shields, available from Cal-Scale - contact Bowser (English' Model Railway Supply) as they own and carry the entire Cal-Scale line of detail parts - much more extensive that the old folded yellow catalogue formerly offered by Cal-Scale.

When I'm looking for detail parts for steam locos, and require more than a few, it's well-worth my time to drive the 250 miles to Montoursville to view in-person the racks of brass and plastic parts available.

Cal-Scale also offers several types of front-mounted bells, and likely over a dozen styles of headlights and headlight brackets.  There's also a wide selection of whistles.

If there are other detail parts needed, but you can't name or otherwise identify them, go to the on-line illustrated catalogue to see if you can find similar-looking  details.

For a wheelset with larger wheels for the trailing truck, check out North West Short Line

Wayne

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Saturday, April 18, 2020 9:27 PM

Your photo shows twin air compressors mounted on the pilot deck protected by twin shields against air borne crud.  I got brass casting of the both the air compressors and the twin shields from Cal Scale.  That was some years ago but I would expect them to still be available.  The pilot is a boiler tube  with footboard type.  The footboard gives a place for brakemen to stand during switching operations.  Again, Cal Scale ought to have such a pilot.  The original Mantua Mikado came with an unexciting plastic casting that served as both pilot and air compressors.  Replacing that piece of plastic with brass castings did good things for the looks of the locomotive.

This is the Mantua Pacific, which is pretty much the same as the Mikado.  The front end is all Cal Scale brass castings. 

  • Member since
    October 2016
  • 76 posts
Posted by Oregon_Steamer on Saturday, April 18, 2020 8:41 PM
Thanks for the info but do you know what type of pilot and shields this mikado and the lima berks share?
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Saturday, April 18, 2020 7:25 PM

Headlight, whistle and front mounted bell should be available from Walther's.  Cal  Scale is the maker of such.  Also pilots and shields for pilot mounted air compressors.  You can get some brass barstock from K&S, solder the pilot to one end of the barstock and secure the other end to the frame with 2-56 machine screws.  Drill and tap the frame to take the screws.

  Mine came to me with an open frame motor.  Back then, Mantua was still in business and I was able to order a can motor conversion kit (motor and bracket) from Mantua.  Later on Yardbird Trains carried the conversion kit.  If yours already has a can motor, you should be able to replace the motor with any other 12 volt can motor that fits, which means same diameter, same length and same drive shaft diameter.  I hear that E-bay is carrying can motors.

  Good luck.

  • Member since
    October 2016
  • 76 posts
Mantua upgrades
Posted by Oregon_Steamer on Saturday, April 18, 2020 6:13 PM

I am upgrading my Mantua Mike to be more like the DT&I 800 Class Mikado it's based on, I'm shooting to make it simplex yet slightly detailed.


Some things like the running board will be skipped because I don't want to risk damaging the model too much.

Does anyone know what parts I'll need? I know where to get the style of cab it uses.

Here is a list of the following parts I need. 

  • Pilot wheels of that type.
  • Metal wheels tall enough for the trailing truck (insulated on each side).
  • A pilot and shield of that type (simmilar to the Lima Berkshire).
  • A headlight, a whistle and a front mounted bell.
  • Some appliances I am not fammiliar with and will need a guide to.
  • a better can motor with better torque.

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