USTTC A&A Boxcar inquiry

[Bob Keller]

That was our pre-digital era and I have no idea where the photo negative might be, so I took a photo of the page.

 

[Benjamin Maggi]

Thanks for the quick reply! I am even more excited about the prospect of several interesting cars to hunt down. I will need to get the CTT back-issue to see this picture. I wonder if they are still in business.

[Bob Keller]

I ran a photo of some of their products in the Feb 1998 issue.

I had the impression that the toy train biz was a side interest of the owner of another company, because the literature I had at the time, steered queries to a firm that I only recall due to the exotic name - Invicta Hi-Temp. 

Featured in the photo were an A&A coachg, an A&A gondola, and A&A boxcar marked for Reidorf Feeds, an A&A tender and a station marked for Couriers NY (on the old A&A line).

Their address was US Toy Trains, Rte 78 and 362, Bliss NY 14024. The rolling stock cost $75 each and the station $35. All were made of steel, and as I recall dimly, pretty well made (we shot the photo in house).

[Benjamin Maggi]

While strolling through the Arcade and Attica Railroad's (a Western NY shortline) train station a couple of years ago I saw a couple of trains painted in the A&A scheme, including what I think was a "standard gauge" boxcar in yellow lettered for Reisdorf feedmill- an online customer. Thinking it was a custom painted car I didn't take notice until last week when the same car was auctioned on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=390311224325&si=7LSrYkVqwaXP6Ik70HUp0XoxwiA%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Apparently the car was manufactured by the "United States Toy Train Company," and there are several pictures of the car on the EBay site which include the underside showing a USTTC sticker. I imagine the EBay link (with the pictures) will disappear soon and I don't own the rights to post them, so hopefully I can get some answers before they disappear.

I couldn't find much online about the USTTC. Who are they, and when did they operate? Can anyone give me any information on this specific car, like a rough production estimate, year of manufacturer, approximate cost, etc?

I try to collect everything related to the A&A but this one is a real stumper. I am not all that familiar with antique O scale or Standard gauge trains, so any and all insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!