I don't know a lot about the United States Toy Train Company (USTTC) but the TCA's Western Division has a pretty good history of it. However, that website indicates that the company ended in 1989 when owner Tom Stephenson passed way. However, in 1998 a company near Buffalo, NY produced some models decorated for the Arcade and Attica Railroad under the name of the U.S.T.T.C. and I have some in my collection. They were written up in 2/1998 issue of CTT. The boxes have a sticker with "USTTC" on it, and some of models (like the cabooses) match those on the TCA's website. The address of the company was: US Toy Trains, Rte 78 and 362, Bliss NY 14024
Another oddity: a one-time-only posting by a "Craftypeople" in 2013 on the CTT's forum claimed she was the niece of Tom Stephenson. She confirmed that the company ended in 1989.
But, how could they have been made by the USTTC in 1998 if the company folded in 1989?
The TCA website referenced above contains a paragraph indicating that Ron Darstein, a owner of Colden Hardware Co. and one of the first USTTC dealers, was based in Colden, NY. Per an online map, Colden and Bliss are two towns in western NY that are about 12 miles apart.
I am not a USTTC collector, but I do collect A&A stuff. Can anyone explain this mystery?
Thanks.
