There's a Mantua letter circulating out there announcing that they are closing down as of Oct 31-01. I have not seen the letter as yet.
This is the second place I've seen this message. I suppose that I can understand, but they made a tough, long lasting entry level HO product at one time. I just pulled a Mantua small diesel switcher, a caboose and a Swift reefer out of some stuff that my wife bought at a runnage sale. I put the wires back that someone had removed and it took right off. I'm giving the 3 pieces to a grandson as his first electric train. He can run it all day on my layout without hurting the loco or any of my rolling stock. I'll get him some track and a powerpack for Christmas and he can take it home. Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@localnet.com == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html == == East Central Indiana HO Scale Railroad ==
I just checked www.mantua.com and there is no information there regarding them closing up shop. To be fair, the web site has a "last updated" date of Monday 14 May 2001 and a notice that the web functions are currently not available. So, maybe the rumors of Mantua's demise are sadly true this time. Drew
Guys, I've got sad bet VERY true news. I called Mantua in Woodbury heights NJ and they are in fact closing their doors as of Oct 31 2001. I have sent for some parts that I need and remembered this thread and I asked about it and YES they are closing shop. If you have anything made by them and want it sent to be fixed do so now before Oct 31 2001. If not all warrenties, and maintenence work is obsolete. It will no longer be offered and or done! So Get then in the mail or whatever or your going to be stuck with a not running loco or whatever! I hate to see Mantua close the doors being they made some great loco's and rolling stock! I own alot of Mantua loco's! And this was the last thing I wanted to see! I'll have to come with someone to get new motors for my Mantua stuff and all so... If I run onto anything I'll be sure to advise you all.... [ 10 October 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]</p>
There was a post on Rec.Models.Railroad today from an individual who received a letter from Mantua. The letter stated that they stopped producing locomotives and other products on 08 October 2001 and will close up shop on 31 October 2001. I had the fortune of touring the plant twice for a NMRA regional convention back in the Fall of 1989 and it was impressive. Sorry to see them go, but they just did not stay up with the times. Drew
Well i'm not a steam era modeler i recall an MR article few years ago about taking a Mantua Mallet and making it into an outstanding model. I recall getting all these grand modeling plans for a mountain line here in Colorado using models like that...
Its been reported elsewhere that Modelexpo is buying up all remaining Mantua rolling stock. Be interesting to see how Modelexpo now prices Mantua engines now without the Life time warranty. In July 2001, I paid $110.00 total W/W for a Mantua heavy mikado to Modelexpo.
I spoke to someone at Mantua a couple days ago, and she said that Model Expo probably had the best selection. I forgot to ask who was going to pick up their parts inventory. For those of us who need to repair their engines, that may be the most important thing. She also stated that they wanted to close before they had to declare bankruptcy, or something to that effect. I suspect that sales have been way down, and now was the time to liquidate, before it was too late. Pat
