Toby

Ed Rappe

Now that we know what 'Toby' is, what is PFM and KTM? I will add these to the acronym list, soon as I figure out what they are.

PFM had a meaning in my working life, but I doubt that applies here?

PFM was Pacific Fast Mail, another importer.

If you were to put the terms "PFM model trains" and "KTM model trains" into a Google search, you would get satisfactory results. 

Toby also did the PRR 4-4-0 for Max Grey.   I have one and the name plate says Toby.   I have a friend who has the USRA 0-6- by Toby.    Both are nice models for their time and well built.   

KTM was the initials of a Japanese brass loco builder that Max Grey and then U.S. Hobbies (the successor to Max Grey) used most of the time.   I think USH had an exclusive contract during much of their tenure.    The KTM stuff was considered the best brass models at the time.     I don't think KTM is still around building brass models anymore.  

As mentioned above PFM was "Pacific Fast Mail" which was an importer.   I have never seen any O Scale done by PFM but they could have done some.   I have seen lots of HO and most of it is very nice stuff.   

Jim - Thanks for adding the MG D16sb to the list.  I should be ashamed for missing that one as I own a MG D16sb super detailed by Ted Stepek in the 1960's.  He did a fabulous job. I wonder if any other Max Gray models were done by Toby.

Ed Rappe

Ed, I'd enjoy a photo of that D16sb if you have one...a rare piece that I'd seek out.

Thanks

Bob

Thanks to all that have provided information on these, they are added to the list.

PFM was Pacific Fast Mail, another importer.

Pacific Fast Mail was a long time successful importer of brass models as well as a publisher of railroad books and maker of a pioneering model railroad sound system.  For many years PFM had the full page ad on the back cover of Model Railroader.  PFM was founded by Don Drew and based in Edmonds Washington.  Their offices were located along the shore of Puget Sound near Mile Post 18 on the Great Northern.  A photo taken at MP 18 was used for the cover of the Guide to North American Railroad Hot Spots. 

Today the display layout from the PFM offices resides in the Edmonds Historical Museum.

Here are several photos of my MG/Toby D16sb as detailed by the late Ted Stepek Ted was Atlas's long time ad illustrator, track plan book author (with John Armstrong) and prototype data source/tech advisor for Atlas/Roco rolling stock. 

Details Ted added to the base Toby model include brake rigging, tender steam line, cab doors (to hide the motor), and etched number, builder's, and tender plates.  If I'm not mistaken a photo of this model was published in MR in the 1960's.

Ed,

The only other Toby I remember seeing was the USRA 0-6-0 and I think the importer listed on the box was "King".    There is an MG C&O mikado that I vaguely remember may also be a Toby.  

Outstanding Ed! Thank you for the photos...I'd grab one of these to upgrade if I ever see one available.

Bob

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These are very nice photos. Recently I obtained a MG NYC Niagara from a friend thru a private sale. The unit is in good condition, but it could use a little updating. The former owner mentioned that as far as he knew it was a "Toby" unit. So I thought I would ask about this pedigree, and determine how I could verify this.

J.

Toby also built a Santa Fe Mikado in O Scale. I believe PFM imported a Heavy 4-8-2 Mountain in O scale.

KTM = KATSUMI MOKEITEN CO., LTD.,3-10-5 SHIMOMEGURO,MEGURO-KU, Tokyo, Japan

A Japanese builder for importers US Hobbies and Westside....maybe also Max Gray and PSC.

Simon

PS: Toby's covered hoppers show up pretty often on that well known auction site. They must have made a ton of them.

don't forget Toby's center flow hopper and HO

Does anyone know whether the PFM mountain was factory painted in a Southern livery? What year did they make the engine and is there a builders plate or manufacture's identification located anywhere on the engine or tender.

I have an engine similar to the pictured one above that is painted Southern.

Thanks for any information you may have.

The PFM USRA heavy mountain came unpainted in the mid-sixies, 1965 - 1966. 

Thanks Soo Nut.

Thanks Simon, added to the list.

They came unpainted and there is a small builder tag located on the bottom of tender shown in picture.

Toby also made an Alco 2-8-2T for Northwest Short Lines inaccurately called a Minaret. I have an O scale version-great detail and once re-powered and reworked, a great runner.  The actual Minaret was an Alco 2-10-2T and only one was made for Sugar Pine Lumber CO  RR.  I don't believe anyone made an O scale version.

PFM made 2 O scale engines I am aware of.  A Great Northern 4-6-0 and an SP 2-8-0.  I have the 4-6-0 and it is a great runner, smooth and quiet.  It is for sale if anyone is interested.

Peter

PFM also imported an O scale D&RG standard gauge 2-8-0.  I have one converted to an SP loco as well as the PFM SP 2-8-0.  Both were top-o-the-line imports of their day.

Charlie

Add a UP coal burning 2-8-0 to the list of PFM O Scale imports.

ChipR 

General question that I hope does not derail this thread.  Don Drew of PFM bought the business around 1966.   Who started PFM?

Regards,

Jerry

This is the first statement in this forum for me.Thank you to everyone.

The Toby Model Company was a brass manufacturer founded by Mr. Noboru Sawada in Yokohama, Japan. The company dealed O and HO gauge brass models, exported for (or "imported by") MG, USH, Gem, King, and NWSL, and used the name "United" for PFM in HO. I considered the MG's CUT locomotive for the first export in 1952. In its later years, European models became main commodities. The advertising to TMS (a Japanese railroad model magazine) was until November 1987 issue. Reputation in Japan for the products, assembling the best, running poor.

Followings are O scale models which I have examined.

Max Gray/Toby

1-C-C-1, GN Y-1 1960

1-C-C-1, PRR FF-2 1960

2-B-B-2, PRR DD-1 1963

2-C-C-2, PRR GG-1 1960

2-C-C-2, P-2 CUT/NYC 1952

0-C-C-0, R-2 NYC 1963

2-8-2, 3280 AT&SF 1964

2-8-2, K-3a C&O 1965

4-4-0, Canadian Pacific 1962

4-4-0, D-16s PRR 1964

4-8-4, J N&W 1959

US Hobbies/Toby

Covered Hopper ACF CenterFlow 4-bay 1971?

King Models/Toby

0-6-0, USRA 1968

Gem Models/Toby

2-6-0, M21 SP 1963

Pacific Fast Mail/Toby

4-8-2, USRA Heavy 1968

I'm looking for the CUT and Gem models. Please sell those to me!

Kotaro Kuriu (or Works K), Kyoto, Japan

gnnpnut,

PFM was started by Vince Ryan.

Jay

Hi Guys,

I very good friend of mine (and a very knowledgeable person with regards to these matters) wishes to add the following to this topic:

The N&W J was built by a company by the name of "Pioneer". Max Gray was the importer, not the builder.  KTM was not the builder.

The PRR GG1 was built by KTM-Sofue.  He has one of these models.  He brought it to the Chicago March Meet last year so a Japanese gentleman could look it over (Forgive me, I forgot this gentleman's name.  He was selling some Japanese wheel sets and had a few copies of a book that featured Sofue and his models).  As soon as this  gentleman saw the GG1 model he exclaimed "Sofue!!!!!!". 

My friend has a flyer dated Aug. 1, 1954 that lists this model for sale at $195.  And it also lists KTM-Sofue as the builder. 

Steve

The Japanese fellow was Takashi (Tad) Daito.  He knew and worked with Mr. Kimpei Sofue, pronounced so phoo e.  Tad has wheel sets (Lo D) that are manufactured different from RP25 profile.  Very free rolling.