Mantua expanded it's ever growing HO line with the period "Belle of the Eighties" American type steamer in 1940...and string of open ended passenger cars .
The Belle is unique in Mantua's line as it was offered also in OO gauge ...scaled to 4mm ..which is proper for OO ...towering over the 3.5mm HO pieces .
Prewar engines 1940-42 had a 6-8 volt motor , postwar 1947-50 up graded to a 12 volt motor.
The Belle is a brass and diecast engine offered as a kit . Cars were stamped tin prewar and later changed to stamped brass with etched wood planks ( lines) on sides .
The Belle is lovely to look at ...but seems a bit light to pull much of a load ...huge drivers struggle for traction pulling 2 cars.
This is a postwar example in provided green paint and original kit graphics .
One photo compares Belle (4mm) with Brass Betsy (3.5mm)
Any extra OO Belles out there ?
Action packed video
Cheers Carey
