The Mantua 2-8-2 Mikado is a fairly generic example of one of the finest workhorse locomotives used on the rails during the steam era.  These "Mikes" were extremely common on just about any major railroad, as well as hundreds of branch lines throughout the nation.  One request we have had over the years was a conversion kit to change the standard Mantua "Laird" crosshead system over to an "Alligator" crosshead system so these Mikes could be customized for different lines.  We have acquired parts for this kit, which will be available until our parts run out.  Below are the basic directions for installing the kit.  **Please note that this kit will not work with the very early Mikados with enclosed gearboxes, or the newer Power Drive add-on gearbox, as the gearbox would get in the way of mounting the new valve gear hanger.  This kit is designed for the standard open gear Mantua or Tyco Mikado.  If you can see the worm gear on the end of the motor shaft, you have the correct model for this kit.

Begin the installation by inspecting the parts of the kit.  Remove the boiler from the loco, and completely disassemble the mechanism (Let me mention here that if you intend on painting your rods, etc. after assembly, this is a great time to clean or even lightly sand the rod, linkage, and other surfaces to ensure good paint adhesion).  Cut the crosshead guide arms off of the frame and file smooth, as shown in figure 1 & 2.  There will be a hole in front of the gear opening coming up through the bottom of the frame (to hold the cover plate on).  Taking one of the screws from the cover plate, thread this from the top side to make sure the threads are clean (as shown in figure 3).

After cleaning the frame, cover plate, and wheels, reassemble them, being careful to set the drivers back with the insulated wheels on the left side (fireman's side) of the loco, as seen in figure 4.  Next, assemble the main rod/vgear units to the valve gear hanger, using the small bolt.  Place the small nut on the inside as shown in figure 5.  The completed unit should look like figure 6.  Make sure all linkage moves freely.  Now you're ready to mount this unit to the frame.

Fasten the completed valve gear unit to the frame using a small 2-56 screw into the hole you cleaned out earlier. (figure 7).  Next, line up the crosshead guides to the steam chest to get a mark for making a small hole in the inside of both sides of the chest, as shown in figure 8.  Using a #56 drill bit, drill both sides to accept the small coarse thread screws included, being careful to keep them at the quarter positions, as in figure 9.

2)  After drilling the holes for the crosshead guides, install the guides using the small coarse thread screw to fasten them.  Line them up as straight as possible before tightening (figure 10).  The completed unit should look like figure 11.   Now, you can slide the steam chest onto the frame, guiding the crosshead and valve rods into the proper holes (figure 12).  After mounting the steam chest, check for any binding while spinning the wheels.  You may need to adjust the crosshead guides to get them in line with the crosshead travel.  Also, check all of the rods to make sure nothing is bent or rubbing on another rod.  Everything should spin freely and effortlessly.  If not, recheck all of the joints and try to pinpoint the binding part while gently turning the drivers.  This completes the installation of your M760 Crosshead conversion kit.  The completed mechanism should look like those below. 

Painting the mechanism will make a big difference.  If you elect to paint the rods and valve gearing, you will want to clean them with alcohol prior to painting.  Using a small sanding tool with extra-fine grit paper will also aid in adhesion of the paint to the small parts.  Your loco will now be ready to remount the motor and reinstall the boiler.  Thank you for choosing our kit.