John Tyler, TYCO and Mantua, all names tied together inexorably in model railroad history. What many may not remember is that TYCO gained it's greatest notoriety not in model railroading but in the toy business. In the 1980's and 90's TYCO dominated the HO Scale "Slot Car" model car racing market and, with late acquisitions like Matchbox, Viewmaster, Magna-Doodle, Ideal Nursery and others was a major player in the toy industry.. When TYCO was eventually sold to Mattel in 1997 it was the third largest toy company in the world.
Information on Matchbox Collectible Locomotives is sketchy at best but we do know this:
Mantua was started and owned by the Tyler family.
John Tyler started TYCO.
TYCO owned Matchbox.
Mantua introduced their legendary die-cast limited edition "Collectibles" locomotives in 1996.
TYCO/Matchbox was sold to Mattel in 1997.
All this being said what we have here is an even more rare version of the already rare Mantua Collectibles 03001 Southern Crescent 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive likely offered by Mattel for one year only in 1996. Yet another enigma of model railroading history.
FEATURES:
PERFECT C9 Mint Condition with Good Original Box.
MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified
Test track run time only.
Heavy die cast metal boiler, frame, motor mount, leading and trailing trucks.
Legendary Sagami Can Motor with Power Drive.
Silent, flexible drive and slippage-free oversize knurled drive wheel axles.
