model train set on track

Ready Made Toys

e*Train Issue: Oct 2003   |   Posted in: ,

By Bob Mintz

There are some new train items coming down the track from Ready Made Toys, a new company having a significant history with toy trains.

RMT has been granted a license from Lionel to produce toy truck vehicles carrying the Lionel trademark. These quality vehicles are made of die-cast and plastic with authentic Lionel colors and trademarks.

The first release is a set of 2 die cast pickup trucks, a 1955 Chevy Stepside and a 1997 Ford F-150.

Each truck features a very well detailed die-cast body with crisp painting and lettering. Opening doors, cab interior and soft rubber tires complete these nifty layout accessories. Packaged individually in a Lionel style collector’s window box, each truck is mounted on a display base (easily removed). Sold only as a set for only $19.95, it is a really nifty train item for any Lionel collector.

Second release is a Lionel licensed die-cast auto carrier truck that comes complete with a set of 4 die-cast 1957 Chevrolet convertibles…All items are 1/43rd scale for full compatibility with your Lionel toy train layout. The car carrier truck is painted Lionel orange/blue and is lettered for “Lionelville Auto Transport” with appropriate Lionel markings on both truck cab and trailer. Each Corvette is specially painted in a first-time-ever orange/blue color combination with the Lionel trademark on each rear trunk lid. The “Limited Edition” car carrier truck is also serially numbered for added collectibility. The complete set of car carrier truck and the 4 Corvette cars is packaged in a special Lionel collector’s box and has a suggested retail price of only $39.95! The Corvette cars are NOT available separately. Future issues are planned that will continue this new collectible truck series.

In addition to being a Lionel licensee, Ready Made Toys will be offering a 0/0-27 gauge 3-rail diesel locomotive. They have taken possession of the original Kusan molds recently used by Taylor Made Trucks/Toy Truck Collector and are now offering prototypical railroad names on this Baby-sized General Purpose/GP locomotive…hence a BEEP!

Pennsylvania, Milwaukee Road and Union Pacific are the first Ready Made Toys offerings in this new series of affordable detailed 3-rail locomotives. In addition, 3 different numbers per roadname will be offered. Each locomotive features crisp detailing, metal handrails and drop-end steps with chain, electronic e-unit, metal wheels with two roller pickups, directional headlight, operating knuckle couplers and cab windows! The power chassis has again been upgraded for better electrical pickup by factory modifications and can be identified by the READY MADE TOYS name stamped into each chassis metal plate.

Packaged in a distinctive purple-red-white box that features many historic railroad heralds, the complete powered locomotive retails for $49.95.

Additional railroad names will be available soon as the American Railroads Series continues. Here is an interesting footnote…custom runs of the BEEP diesel locomotive for dealers, train clubs or groups are also available.

Minimum custom run is only 100 pieces!

For operators and collectors with any KUSAN/AMT-Williams-TTC previous production, separate sale powered chassis bases that include lights, reverse unit, and operating couplers are available for only $39.95. They easily snap fit onto the older bodyshell.

All the LIONEL and BEEP items will be available first at the October 2003 TCA York Meet. Visit the Ready Made Toys display and operating O-gauge layout in the orange hall.

The items can also be ordered for early November delivery direct from Ready Made Toys, Inc., P.O. Box 173, Bloomsbury, NJ 08804, or call toll-free at 800-477-6994 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm EST or online at www.readymadetoys.com

Shipping is $6.95 and will be adjusted for multiple item orders. Payment by Visa-Master-Discover cards, check or money order. NJ residents need to add 6% sales tax.

Long time TCA member, Walter M. Matuch, is in president of Ready Made Toys. He has been involved with toy trains as a consultant to various manufacturers over the years, was product manager for Aristo-Craft Trains G/Large scale and was the design and production team leader at TMT/TTC until early this year. His experience and enjoyment of the toy train hobby has now been channeled into Ready Made Toys.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP