Need information regarding mexican made kusan trains

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I just got a hold to several (around 50) trains made by Kusan, the trick is that I believe they are mexican made (at least some of them) because the box cars are marked with Mexican companies names like Carta Blanca beer.

I just can´t find any information regarding them: the year they were made, where (if they are US or Mexican made), photos to see how they are supposed to look (some need touch ups), and how much are they worth today (I want to keep them but I like to know everything I can about my models).....

They trains include two atomic trains ( I think I can put together one as originally was sold), and several NH diesels, plus several box cars, cabooses, and more.....

Can anybody help me?

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on your fantastic find!

Kusan was a toy company located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were named after an obscure Indian tribe in the Pacific Northwest. Kusan began making toy trains in 1955 after they bought out the train manufacturer AMT (Auburn Model Trains/American Model Toys). Kusan couldn't compete against the big companies Lionel or American Flyer and quit making trains in 1961. One thing that Kusan is noted for are their many models of military- and space-themed trains.

Kusan also had a factory in Mexico that manufacturered trains. The Mexican factory continued to make trains for a couple of years after Kusan had quit doing so in the US, so there is a chance that your Mexican items might be newer than the others. Mexican Kusan trains are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors. The only Mexican Kusan pieces that I have ever seen on ebay were two boxcars with badly chipped paint that went for more than $100 each. Unfortunately, I can't supply you with any pictures.

Also, I strongly suggest that you DO NOT touch up any of the paint!!!!!! Doing so would wreck their original condition. The value of these cars would diminish considerably. In train collecting, collectors want their trains to be in original, unaltered condition. I know that you don't want to sell them and they are yours to do what you want with, but it would be a real shame considering how rare they are. Mexican Kusan trains in any condition are a true rarity.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information......

I meant by touch up to clean them and maybe put wheels on it... that's it.... I am aware that painting them lowers their value and ruins the magic...... anyhow thanks for the advice (it is always welcomed).

By the way, There should be around 30 cars plus the diesels in good shape, and 20 more really beated up..... Its quite a collection then....

[philo426]

Where did you find such a unique haul?What type of diesel engines did you get?Enquiring minds want to know![:D]

[mersenne6]

KMT Mexican trains – made in the Kusan Mexican plant 1960-1962

#2716 Nacionales De Mexico – Alco

Silver paint black lettering “El Azteca”
Yellow and gray paint – red lettering “El Internacional”

#3206 Nacionales De Mexico – SP switcher silver paint, black lettering (the mold for the present day “Beeps” ) has hand rails

#9657 N de M boxcar – “Carta Blanca” beer

1. Yellow paint, black lettering
2. White plastic, yellow Saint, black lettering
3. Yellow without number “Cerveceria Honora Mexico”

#9875 N de M Caboose – gold paint, black lettering
#9875 N de M Hopper – silver and black paint, black lettering and cover “Hylsa” in oval “Hojalata & Lamina S.A.”

#21137 Del Fuerte CH.P boxcar – product decal
1. Silver Saint; black and red lettering “Garei-Crespo” soda
2. Gold paint, black top, black lettering “…Fuerte” soda

#37211 CH.P boxcar blue and white paint black and white lettering

#87153 Ejercito Mexicano boxcar – olive drab paint; white and red lettering; “Explosives”

#???? Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc, S.A. Boxcar –Yellow plastic black lettering
“Carta Blanca” beer

#???? DuPont Tank Car yellow paint, chemicals
#???? Fundidora GP Switcher: Green paint; steel
#???? Hylsa Gondola; Red paint; steel
#???? Nacionales De Mexico Tank Car ; black paint
#???? PEMEX Tank Car ; silver Saint; gasolina
#???? Red Alco lettered “El Yaqui”
#???? Sears Robuck De Mexico, S.A. DE C.V. Boxear red Saint –white lettering “AllState”
#???? Tubacero Gondola: Dark tuscan plastic; white lettering “HECHO IN MEXICO” in oval; pipe

[Anonymous]

Excellent information, mersenne6! I've printed it off for my own reference. I'd love to own some Mexican Kusan trains. It would really be something to have an entire layout of them. I do have some Mexican Plastimarx (Marx's Mexican branch) train sets, however. Lesser-known trains made for smaller, foreign markets have always fascinated me.

[Anonymous]

Isn't Kucsan defunct? I know that the RMT BEEPS use an origianl Kucsan mold for the body. Walt told me so.

[mersenne6]

Hmmmm...I must have had a bad case of "rented fingers" when I typed that list last night. Everywhere you see the word "saint" please change it to "paint".

As for Kusan being defunct - yes a long time ago. Also, as you noted, the "Beeps" are the Kusan mold - same one as used for #3206 in the list.