I had sometime ago bid at a model train auction on a IHC set of workcars and five Rivarossi log buggies.
The picture of the bid item clearly showed 8 workcars, the 5 log cars in their Rivarossi packages and a small steam locomotive which showed no detail in the picture, just a black silhouette. . I assumed the small locomotive was more or less a junker as the written description of the lot never mentioned it with any detail, just steam engine which judging from the size looked to be likely a 0-6-0.
I bid and won the auction and early this week the package came.
The IHC set of workcars are all for the CPR and the cars are all old 36 footers. The only thing missing from a work train would be a crane and I just happen to have one in the CPR colours. This set of the CPR workcars are worth more than what I paid for the lot.
The Rivarossi cars were a big surprise, I was not aware that Rivarossi had made log buggies
I knew about the logging cars but these short 26' buggies were a big surprise. The cars are all metal and for there size quite hefty. Each of the 5 cars comes with an assortment of logs as their load. I must admit being pulled by my Shay look very good.
The locomotive is also a surprise, it is a Mantual 4-4-2.. I tried this locomotive out on my test track and was quite surprised at just how well it ran. It has a can motor, exterior is plastic but the loco and tender are quite heavily weighted. The level of detail with piping and detail parts is better than I would have anticipated for a 1980'ish product.
This engine runs very well, super slow performance, I was not sure it it was running at first it travels that slowly, It will be so easy to upgrade this to DCC.
I was very surprised at how well this little locomotive ran. If all of the Mantua model railroad engines were running this well I am surprised that Mantua went under having this fine a locomotive. I guess the timing was the problem.
I wonder if Model Power will be bringing thie particular locomotive back in their Classic Mantua line they are currently promoting.
hi don
I was reading your listing and when i got to the auction that came upfor what you had gone to didn't have a catagorey for model trains. Did I miss something in their ad? Or do I have to reguster to get all the info.
thank you slow train Ed
The auction I attended was a few weeks ago. I did mention it, good auction
http://www.wardsauctions.com/sales/2012/173-trains/index.htm
The majority of items were Canadian, note how low the prices were for the American items.