Can anyone tell me what is a bantam locomotive? I see the word Bantam used in a lot of MTH listings of their engines. What does the word Bantam mean in regards to a locomotive?
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Thanks Don.
My first set in 1952 was pulled by a 671RR so I am partial to the Steam Turbine. The MTH Bantam is probably my least favorite because it is just a little 'off'. When they put the plans in their CAD program someone goofed in my opinion.
Anyway some Steam Turbines: First pix, MTH, MTH, Lionel. Second pix, Lionel, MTH, MTh, Lionel. Third pix, Williams, MTH, Lionel
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As I recall the Bantam series of MTH locomotives all more or less share a common chassis for that locomotive type and as a result compromises were made. I have a Bantam CNJ 4-6-2 Pacific that feels a bit "squished" whereas my RK CNJ 835 Black Pacific feels a little closer in proportion. My dad has several GS-4s and J class Bantam steam locomotives he has repaired and they share the same proportional feel as the Pacific he gave me.
At a TCA Division meeting I was speaking about the prototype S1 and asked a very prominent postwar Lionel collector how many S1s Lionel made and he replied, "probably thousands". Many a collector was surprised when I explained that there was only one made in real life and it didn't last too long in service. Perhaps one day if the price is right, I'd add a 3rd Rail 2 rail one to my collection as it is an interesting locomotive. As it stands now, I have a 781 that I picked up at a local auction in my small post war collection.
3 pages of “Bantam” engines (and sets) if you search MTH website.
