Released in late 1953, this 40-foot gondola model appears to be among the very first plastic rolling stock offerings from Mantua-TYCO. Prior to its 1953 arrival, Mantua did offer a metal-and-brass gondola kit that followed the same design as this plastic release. This model debuted with four road names: Baltimore & Ohio, Pennsylvania Railroad, Rock Island, and Texas & Pacific. Kits sold in Mantua boxes for $2.25 beginning in 1953. Soon after, fully assembled gondola models in this same four road names served in TYCO’s original line and carried $3.50 suggested retail pricing. The model underwent modifications, most notably discarding its die-cast metal underframe for plastic, and stayed in TYCO’s line almost to the conclusion of the manufacturer’s HO-scale train offerings in 1993.

Baltimore & Ohio
No. 310-A 1953 release

Pennsylvania Railroad
No. 310-B 1953 release

Rock Island
No. 310-D 1953 release

Texas & Pacific
No. 310-C 1953 release