MANTUA Resource

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The 1960 Mantua look is seen above, complete with the "First in HO" slogan.

The Mantua Story

The Mantua name was associated with the model railroad hobby market since the early 1930s.  Mantua was a pioneer in the field of HO-scale model trains.  Early offerings included component pieces such as the Midjet Motor sold in the '30s to steam locomotive, freight car, and passener car kits that included a full line of offerings by the 1950s.
 
The growth in ready-to-run HO-scale train sets was the reason behind the creation of the TYCO nameplate in 1957.  TYCO's name derives from TYler Manufacturing CO...or TYCO.  Mantua continued to exist throughout the '50s and into the 1960s manufacturing kits, while the TYCO line sold already built and ready to operate model trains largely in set form. 
 
The Mantua and TYCO empire was a family owned business from its inception.  John Tyler was the person who helped guide the early Mantua into the model train business in the '30s.  John Tyler's son, Norman Tyler, was named president of TYCO Industries, Inc. the combined Mantua and TYCO companies, in 1967.
 
The 1970s brings the sale of the company to Consolidated Foods.  Production focuses upon the TYCO line and moves from the Woodbury Heights, New Jersey home of Mantua to Hong Kong.  Norman Tyler served as an executive for TYCO, under the Consolidated Foods ownership in the early/mid '70s.  The Mantua factory in New Jersey was no longer needed by the late '70s and Mr. Tyler was told to find a buyer.  Tyler ended up buying the factory and brought the Mantua name back to life in 1977.
 
The new Mantua offered steam locomotive kits, plus ready to run examples.  The F7 and GP20 also joined the Mantua line.  Freight car offerings included classic Mantua tooling, plus later the former Lindberg line was re-introduced by the company. 
 
The new Mantua published its final catalog of products in 2001.  Model Power purchased the company's tooling and today sells them under the Mantua Classics name.
 
This site features the product catalogs published to promote the Mantua HO-scale model train line, as it existed between 1977 and 2001.
 

Facts and information regarding Mantua's history presented above was found in the November 1984 edition of Model Railroader magazine.  Russ Larson and Jim Hediger tour the Mantua plant and the company's history is detailed in the article, "Mantua Metal Products Co."

Please note that this site was created for use by those with an interest in HO-scale model trains and does not necessarily represent the current Mantua Classics line available today from Model Power.

The author is not affiliated with, nor representing Mantua or Model Power in any way. This site is intended for your enjoyment and information only.
Images and information presented on this site comes from a variety of sources including magazines, internet, catalogs, visitor input, and the author's collection.
Site Copyright (c) 2013 HO-Scale Trains Resource