MANTUA 2-8-2 MIKADO

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


You are all claiming rank amateurs, but you are all digging in and trying to fix poor runners, I would say that’s a long way from rank amateur, sourcing parts fixing bits….my non runners get painted and weathered and end up looking what they are non runners
I salute the lot of you :)
Thank you! That's a very nice compliment to receive from you considering your amazing skills! :)
I have my own models I have been working on here ----->https://modelrailroadforums.com/for...ailroaders-custom-locos-and-kitbashing.38380/

As for the rank amateurs, its a inside joke we did in this thread. -----> https://modelrailroadforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/some-ho-modelers-being-too-rigid.38516/
Actually funny the response this thread got! 😂
 
I did say it was going to be a pain to make the motor mount. Final angle is 19 degrees. The Kato motor touches the motor mounting boss that the original motor used. Luckily, the Kato motor has a long enough shaft.
View attachment 238785
View attachment 238786

There's quite a lot of space inside. The good news is that massive flywheel will fit.
View attachment 238787
View attachment 238788
View attachment 238790

Next up - backhead and firebox flicker. This one is going to need my previous design to be stretched.
You think just like me! I am adding firebox and Cab lights to my Berkshire. How will you do the flicker? Pre-done circuit?
 
You are all claiming rank amateurs, but you are all digging in and trying to fix poor runners, I would say that’s a long way from rank amateur, sourcing parts fixing bits….my non runners get painted and weathered and end up looking what they are non runners
I salute the lot of you :)
Thanks! XModelRailroader is the founder and I signed up! That was a funny thread.

I tinker in stuff like this. Engineering, mechanical, electrical. I have no eye for the artistic side like you do.

Since I just recently restarted in this hobby after retiring, I've been finding that I bought a lot of parts back then and am now using them up. I have since remotored 4 old diesels with the Kato motors that are still in the shipping box that I received in the mail.
 


How will you do the flicker?
I use flickering LEDs. One yellow over one red. They do their own thing with the flickering, like a real fire.
FIREBOX GOOP.jpg


I have tried a cab light, but may end up not doing it. My Kato D51 has been sitting for a few weeks while I decide on what to do. The body shell will not fit back on, so something is in the way. Maybe too many wires. Doing the DCC thing on this one.
 
Started the lettering removal on the tender. Tried mineral spirits, IPA, orange degreaser, tamiya paint thinner, decal set, scotch tape. So far, the green paint is coming off. The letters are clinging on with their lives.

LETTER REMOVAL.jpg


Will try brake fluid next. Have to remember to wash it all off when done.
 
Oh, dang it, Dennis461, now you got me looking at ebay stuff again! There are some cheap Mantua 2-6-6-2' parts for sale. They are for the logging Mallet's, but maybe, with a little bit of work... ;-D
This is in no way meant to tempt or entice you in any way, shape or form...but The "Q" did have what i consider one of the coolest looking (if not the coolest looking); 2-6+6-2s on its roster, the T-2😃
 
This is in no way meant to tempt or entice you in any way, shape or form...but The "Q" did have what i consider one of the coolest looking (if not the coolest looking); 2-6+6-2s on its roster, the T-2😃
The "Q" did have the T-1 and T-2 2-6-6-2's. The T-1's were basically inherited from the GN. As for not meaning to entice me...too late! I bid on and won a modified logger from ebay. Not sure what I will have to do, but will definitely want to enlarge the boiler. Have to see what I will need to buy to do that, but we'll see. The main thing was to get the new motor and the drive mechanism. May take a while...
 


Got the tender wired and added some weight for hopefully better connectivity. 40 grams.
TENDER WEIGHTS.jpg

TENDER WIRING.jpg


The connector is JST 2mm. The male side is solder. The female side is crimp. I thought I had the right size crimper... one more crimper needed.
TENDER CONNECTOR INSIDE.jpg

TENDER CONNECTOR.jpg


Will be painting the connector black to help it disappear.
 
Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think this model is closest to a class O-3. Numbers will be 3200 - 3208.

Have the cab soaking in the IPA now as I didn't realize that it needed to be black.
 
Here are a few shots of the only Great Northern 2-8-2 saved:
IMG_20250714_135933425_HDR.jpg
IMG_20250714_140047761.jpg
IMG_20250714_140002334_HDR.jpg
IMG_20250714_140024945.jpg

Unfortunately this is one of the worst displayed steam locomotives there is. The fence has really thick bars and it's practically impossible to get good shots of it. It is located in Williston, Montana.
Photos taken by me in July of this year.
 
Last edited:






Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top