United States Toy Train Company

(Del Mar, California, USA)

Tom Stephenson was the owner of TESA Design, a company that specialised in transportation design for such clients as Amtrack, Pullman Standard and various regional transit authorities. He launched USTTC in the early 1970s, with first production being in 1974, the philosophy of the company being tinplate trains that would operate on 0 or 027 track, but new designs, not reproductions. The first product was a series of boxcars, the US Army loco, various other locos as kit or ready to run, and the BART streamliner, followed by the Washingtom Metro set and 555 Interurban.

The BART sets comprise a three car unit powered by the ever reliable Marx double reduction motor, USTTC having purchased all remaining stock of Marx motors when then Marx owner Quaker exited the toy train business. Around 200 BART units were produced, the three piece set being powered A with unpowered B and A units. Additional B units were produced to create longer trains.

Tom Stephenson passed away in 1989 and, with him, USTTC.

USTTC locomotive 160, repainted and reworked Lionel 8603 Hudson. 46 produced, 1977-78

USTTC locomotive 160, repainted and reworked Lionel 8603 Hudson. 46 produced, 1977-78

USTTC locomotive 160, repainted and reworked Lionel 8603 Hudson. 46 produced, 1977-78

USTTC locomotive 160, repainted and reworked Lionel 8603 Hudson. 46 produced, 1977-78

USTTC boxcab locomotive 150

USTTC boxcab locomotive 150

USTTC Toy Train Collectors Society electric loco, 1984, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC Toy Train Collectors Society electric loco, 1984, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC interurban car, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC interurban car, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC interurban car, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC interurban car, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC 500 Metro Set, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC 500 Metro Set, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC 500 Metro Set, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC 500 Metro Set, fitted with Marx double reduction motor

USTTC 500 Metro Set, fitted with Marx double reduction motor