Our Mantua or Tyco locomotive parts are primarily obtained from distressed Mantua and Tyco locomotives. Used parts are thoroughly checked over for a variety of defects before they are sold. All parts are for HO scale trains except as noted. Mantua and Tyco locomotives were both made by the same company and, in most cases, use the same parts. Mantua locomotives were generally sold as kits and Tyco locomotives were sold ready-to-run or with Tyco train sets.
- We typically do not retouch paint on Mantua parts. This is because we have not found a good match for most of Mantua's colors, and because the paint damage tends to be more severe on Mantua die cast items than on Athearn frames.
- Motors are cleaned, oiled and checked for excessive vibration, open/shorted windings, worn bearings, damaged worm gears and worn brushes. Motors may have some surface rust though.
- Frames are checked for damage and typically include all axle bushings, bottom covers and associated hardware.
- Drivers are cleaned non-abrasively to protect the nickel plating. Visible wear to the plating will be noted in the item listing. All drivers sold are checked for quarter and tightness on their axles.
- Valve gear assemblies are checked for bent linkages and free movement. They typically are sold with their accompanying rods and mounting bolts.
- Boilers and cabs are checked for damage. Depending on the nature of the damage, the damage will be noted or the item will not be sold.
- Tenders are checked for damage to all parts. Wheels and bolster contact surfaces are cleaned for improved electrical conduction.
- Other parts are cleaned and inspected as needed.
Our Mantua parts inventory tends to favor more common locomotives such as the 4-6-2 Pacific, the 2-8-2 Mikado, the 4-6-0 ten-wheeler, the 2-6-2 Prairie, the 2-6-6-2 articulated logger, and the variants of the 0-4-0 and 0-6-0. This is because these locomotives were made for longer and in greater numbers than others.