09 Collectable Model Train Manufacturers: I - K
Description
This article is from the Model Trains FAQ, by Christopher D Coleman with numerous contributions by others.
09 Collectable Model Train Manufacturers: I - K
IVES
Founded by Harry Ives in 1868, they produced various toys
includingsfloor clockwork trains, until 1900 when a fire
destroyed the plant.sAfterwards Ives was able to design an
entirely new toy line includingsboth cast iron and stamped steel
O gauge trains and 1 gauge clockworkstrains. They were also the
first US maker to use preassembledssectional track, as pioneered
by European makers such as Bing. Ivessbecame the initial American
market leader in electric trains in 1910,swhen it introduced
electric O gauge versions, following from clockworkstrains. 1
gauge electrics followed in 1912. Ives was in for
stiffscompetition when Lionel entered O gauge in 1916 and it was
exceeded inssize by Lionel in 1924. Ives changed from 1 gauge to
2-1/8" StandardsGauge introduced by Lionel, calling it Wide
Gauge. Lionel fiercelystargeted Ives quality in their ad which is
at least partially due tosthe personal rivalry between
J. L. Cowen and Harry Ives. By 1926 Ivesswas in financial
straights and filed bankruptcy in 1928. Lionel andsFlyer jointly
bought Ives and in 1930 Lionel purchased Flyer'ssportion. Lionel
continued to build Ives trains until 1931 when trainssales
plummeted. Lionel mostly wanted Ives for their superior
andspatented three position reversing unit.
Ives is not produced except occasional reproductions
Name owned by Lionel LLC
JOY LINE
A small maker of tin trains which became Marx's entry into the
market when they purchased it.
K-LINE
A more recent addition to the three rail fray, it was founded in
thes1970's by Maury D. Klein (hence MDK Inc.). K-Line acquired
many of thesold Marx dies and tooling, changing only the name on
the products.sMore recently they have greatly diversified into
more accurate models.sThey currently offer a full range of
O-Gauge products. Their qualitysis usually good but can sag
dramatically in some cases.
MDK, Inc.
K-Line Electric Trains, Inc.
PO Box 2831
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Phone: 718-648-5399
Toll Free: 800-34-HOBBY (800-344-6229)
http://www.k-linetrains.com/
KALAMAZOO TRAINS
Maker of G-Gauge equipment
Kalamazoo Trains
655 44th Street
Allegan, MI 49010
KATZ
Henry Katz and Company was founded by Henry Katz and was famed as
thescreator of the one dollar train and one dollar transformer in
1929.sThe firm produced a few low priced yet attractive
lithographed trains.sIt was dissolved in 1931 when Henry Katz
moved to Hoge.
KASINER
Founded by Norm Kasiner and Bill Kachler in 1947 in Rochester, NY.
They produced a small line of O gauge passenger car kits.
KENTON
No information available.
KNAPP
The Knapp Electric and Novelty Company was founded in 1890
andsintroduced its full line of 2" gauge trains in 1904. Train
productionsended in 1913, but Knapp later marketed HO scale
trains from 1931-46.
KRIS MODEL TRAINS
No information available.
KUSAN
An established plastics maker who, under the guidance of
presidentsBill McLain, purchased AMT's tooling in 1954 and used
it as a base forstheir own line of trains. They were unique in
being able to run onseither two or three rail track. Kusan
created many "space train" itemssin the late 1960's prompting
Lionel to do the same. Nevertheless assthe train market declined,
Kusan was financially forced to phase thesline out beginning in
1958. In 1961 the line ended production and thestooling was sold
to Kris Model Trains.
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