Before anyone says it, yes I know Tyco/Mantua are no longer around making model trains, but I do have a decent amount of their cars and engines thanks to me getting them from train shows/hobby shops, and with how much Tyco stuff there is on Ebay, it's like they never left.
Thought the company is gone, their not forgotten, and in this blog I wanna take a look at the things that I like about the old company that I wouldn't mind seeing other companies do.
U.S 1 Trucking:
While I don't want to make U.S 1 Trucking as the sliced bread of model railroading, I do like the concept. Model trucks on slot car track that can pick up and drop off loads just like real trucks do.
It's a nice twist on slot cars and I really wish it was done again. True, we do have E-Z streets by Bachmann, but that's in O scale and apparently not that popular. Either U.S 1 Trucking needs to come back, or one of the model railroad/miniature model companies need to make a deal with Faller to use their car system (which see's a small motorized diecast car follow a magnetic line.)
Tyco's freight and passenger cars:
Yes model railroading folks, I know Tyco's fright and passenger cars don't hold a candle to modern day cars in the realism department, but I do have a soft spot for them. For one, they seem pretty durable and reliable. Maybe it's because I've gotten lucky, but I have a decent amount of Tyco cars in my collection and I haven't had any issues running them on the layout.
Heck, I have a streamline car that still lights up in spite of being up in my grandmothers attic through the cold and heat.
Speaking of the streamline cars, I really do have a soft spot for them. Again, I know they don't hold a candle to modern or even more accurate ones, but give Tyco some credit for at least trying to make them as appealing as possible.
Train sets that came with accessories:
Guys I'm sorry but I just can't accept the idea that accessories in train sets can't become more of a thing these days because "the hobby is niche."
Yes Bachmann I know you do sell some sets that come with accessories still to this day, but the sets with bridges and inclines are no where to be found. Also would it really be not worth the extra money to put in a fright unloading dock into a set, or a coal dump?
And let's not forget the roads and rail set that Tyco sold where their US Trucking line crossed over with their railroad line (literally because they had a railroad crossing.)
They overall had some nice trains/train sets:
I know this one's kind of cheap, but I can't help but add it to the reason why I wanna give Tyco their post-mourn flowers. Some of the sets and trains that Tyco released are things that I'd love to see be re-released in some way or anther.
From the snazzy looking Midnight special, the Golden Eagle, and even their spirit of America with state themed cars, Tyco had some decent trains/sets that are worth adding to the collection just based on how nice they look.
To those who were around when Tyco was, what was your favorite things about the company?
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