Rolling Stock

[jimnrose]

Does anyone have experience with Mantua freight cars?
Also are there recommended brands?
While I'm at it, I like the "old time" coaches, but where they still in use in the 1940 - 1950 time frame?
Thanks, Jim

 

[brakie]

Yes,I used some mantua back in the 60's and had no problem with them. I recommend using the athearn and model die casting cars(round house}. As far has your old time passinger cars cars,you could used them on a mixed freight or you could use them in maintenance work trains. If you are modeling the 40s-50s both athearn and mdc makes cars for that era.I hope this helps you

 

[George]

Bachmann also makes old time coaches, but the best quality ones you will find are the MDC Roundhouse kits.

 

[jimnrose]

Thanks for your help. The Mantua cars are on sale but I understand the current cars are similar in quality to IHC and the IHC sale items are a better buy so I'll pass on the Mantua cars.

I'll pick up the Roundhouse coach cars; thanks for the input.
Take care, Jim

 

[Drew1125]

Many RR's used wooden coaches on branch locals well into the 1950's. I think this was particlarly true in the South, where declining passenger revenues made the old coaches the only thing available on the rural branch lines.

 

[George]

Regardless of price, you may want to snag a set of the Mantua cars now while you can. More "STUFF" bound to become collector's items.

Mantua is going Kaput, and their cars will go the way of the Varney equipment, down that great siding to oblivion.

I'm glad I kept the Varney pieces I have.

 

[Catt]

Back somewheres around 1980 when K-Mart decided to stop selling train stuff at Christmas time I bought 36 of these Tyco hoppers at $1.00 piece.

Over the years I added KATO trucks and KADEE couplers repainted and decaled them.This one is done for Michigan Transportation Services(MTS) a freelanced division of my GVR.

Tyco of course is no longer in the train business but IHC still produces these cars at very reasonable prices.

 

[brakie]

Catt! : You did agreat job there,If you didn't tell us that was a tyco,nobody could tell it.

 

[George]

The only thing to curse about a TYCO is the mechanism if it's a locomotive Rolling stock is fine!