Ready Made Toys
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
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