I just finished the gathering phase for a project.
I had got two sets of the original Mantua Talgo streamliner car sets and a couple of the engine shells. I had planned to strip a set of the cars to bare shells. But just couldn't bring myself to force open the cars and tear the chassis's free.
A couple of weeks ago I got lucky once more and found my way to a set of largely the shells of the cars and a locomotive.
Now I can mod the cars to be mid-train sets and an end-train set with no lingering guilt. This is a RTV and casting resin project to make some ten car or so sets instead of the original quite short four-car set. I think that means 12 and 16 car train sets for operation on the local Mega-layout RR club.
Nothing assembled yet. But with whats on hand for supplies, I think I can have the molds ready in about three weeks from re-mastered cars for the mid-train sets. and a slew of new shells lying about in perhaps a month from now.
I want them to be Talgo sets with LED lighting inside and out.
She's more of a dream with parts and supplies on hand. But a fun project that I dreamed about when I first saw pictures of this elusive Mantua product I only saw in a book when I entered this hobby.
I think I'll make them turbine-sound powered when they are about ready to go into operation. That won't be an expensive add-on. I've got some sound equipped toy jets that sell for about $7 with some nicely rather small, effects circuit boards in them.
They look like they should be turbine powered streamliners........ And with Alclad gleaming stainless paint over most of the cars.
Yeah...... Fun .....
Best to ya...
Mike Bauers
Milwaukee, Wi, USA
