Re: 1950s model manufacturers - was Train-Master vs. Train-Miniature
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Peter Ness
Bob, Thanks for publishing as I also have an interest in the hobby history.
These may not help much, but perhaps be enough to jog someone’s’ memory for correct information; The newer ownership may well have removed them from a Southern California location.
Ayers Models – these were picked up by someone else- I recall seeing the Ayers Chairs kit in Walthers catalogs, but no longer manufactured by Ayers. Cliff Line – I recall reading years ago this line was also picked up by another company? Or perhaps I’m confusing with Dale Newton/Red Ball/Wabash Valley… Ulrich – at one time Walthers appeared to at least manage this line along with Silver Streak; I think the products were identified as “a division of Wm K Walthers” on packaging. As of a couple years ago, someone turned up in an ebay search who was still selling limited Ulrich vehicle cast metal parts under the Ulrich name. Kurtz-Kraft – I “think” Cannonball Car Shops produced some Kurtz-Kraft flat PS-1 kits. I bought one in a hobby shop years ago – the shop owner told me “they used to be Kurtz-Kraft”. Lindsay - I am pretty sure this product line went to someone else as well; I have an old Lindsay Alco FB-2 die cast shell; may have been Hobbytown or Cary? Revell – they also made structure kits and (my opinion) to this day have the finest styrene brick wall molding detail around (roundhouse, bakery and print shop kits). I recall reading about the kit die-maker (or designer?) years ago. His name was Armitage and he wrote a short booklet on working with styrene which is still available today (newer edition, from PSC) I believe the model railroad equipment and structure lines followed different paths after Revell; I recall seeing the structure kits from both AHM and Con-Cor.
Tony – I enjoyed your Globe blog as well – thanks for posting the link.
To keep this within STMFC content; It’s amazing (to me) that “back in the day” some manufacturers really made such a top effort to produce both accurate and detailed freight car kits working with the available technology. The first wood freight car kit I built was a Silver Streak 36’ Wood New Haven box car. The car tuned out very nicely (my opinion) and had I used todays available detail parts (brake wheel, housing, car ends, underbody parts, stirrup steps, NBW castings, etc.) and appropriate wire for grab irons instead of what came with the kit, I think it would still stand up with many of today’s offerings. Perhaps not at the top of the heap, but in the running or honorable mention categories. Of course as a kid, almost my entire roster was Athearn and MDC/Roundhouse with a smattering of Varney and Tyco/Mantua….98 cents per kit was hard to beat for a kid with an allowance determined by weekly chore performance….
Stay healthy, Peter Ness
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io [mailto:main@RealSTMFC.groups.io] On Behalf Of Bob Chaparro via groups.io
1950s Southern California Model RR Manufacturers I've had discussions with several people who are/were model railroad manufacturers and asked them about their fellow model railroad manufacturers who were in Southern California in the 1950s. This was golden age locally with many firms located in the area. I learned in those days long past the manufacturers were somewhat of a fraternity who frequently met socially (usually monthly) to discuss the hobby and product plans. Sometimes they traded product lines that were either in development or on the market. I started to compile a list of Southern California manufacturers from the decade of the 1950s. The current list is below. It is based on advertisements placed in Model Railroader in the 1950 through 1959 January issues plus interviews with folks who were still alive to confirm details. One point I will mention is how to pronounce the name "Suydam". I learned from the son of one of the company founders that it is pronounced "So Damn", as in "It is so damn hot outside". Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA ++++ 1950s Southern California Model RR Manufacturers
1950 Champ decals in North Hollywood, 1951 Champion Decal Co. in Fresno, 1959 in San Jose 1950 Kurtz-Kraft in Burlingame, 1953 in Long Beach, 1955 in Oroville Olson-Spencer probably same as W. H. Olson 1958 Weston Mini-Figure Co. in Healdsburg 1959 Clover Decals in Santa Rosa 1959 Cal-Scale in Pinedale
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