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 Posted - December 19 2013 : 11:41:47 PM
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While searching out an old Tru-Scale built-up on HO Seeker's site I discovered an interesting pre-Tyco history to the group of buildngs they sold as built-up offerings in the 1970s.
The colonial house, ranch house, passenger station, church, gas station, and factory were part of the Tru-Scale line in 1963, sold as kits on a plastic card. The factory itself dates to Aurora production, originally sold as the Aurtown School - both the School and factory versions are in the Tru-Scale line, as is Joe's Diner, the stainless steel type small diner which didn't make it to Tyco. In fact, it and the school seem to dissapear when the other dies went to Tyco.
So the good news for me is the gas station does exist as a kit, since taking one apart is near impossible. The bad news is the likelyhood of finding one is remote, these kits seem to rarely turn up. In fact, I see on eBay an Aurora example in kit form sold for almost $230.00.
What's also interesting is the kits included a Saloon and a Bank, both based off the same stone building, that was most recently sold as a plumbing supply by Life-Like. There's a windmill and water tower set that appears to have had a second or third life too (AHM, IHC). It makes me curious what all the original history is on these pieces.
And for what it's worth, the church and the two houses were being produced by IHC again at the end - and the houses even included a car from the Tyco Camaro/AMX dies. Maybe the gas station dies are still out there.
Edited by - lvrr325 on December 19 2013 11:49:37 PM
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Posted - December 20 2013 : 02:42:53 AM
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Tyco also had a built-up station too
I do want the built-up Union 76 gas station someday 
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Posted - December 20 2013 : 06:41:11 AM
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The dual sign 76 station is the most valuable version. The single sign model isn't worth as Much. HIC also has the Tyco stations ( built and lighted) and the Rico station. AHM also sold a versIon of the Rico station. Some IHC kits are AHM based too.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - December 20 2013 : 5:40:51 PM
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Interesting. I think I have parts of a Tru-Scale Bank kit.
Edited by - ChessieRR on December 20 2013 5:41:19 PM
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Posted - December 20 2013 : 6:07:10 PM
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Yes, the buildings I listed off in the first post were sold as built-up by Tyco with a few other additions. They were initially Aurora kits and were also sold as Tru-Scale kits. Eventually, some of the same dies became IHC kits.
Just like there are current Atlas kits that were once AHM and then IHC releases (rural station), and there are current Atlas items that were once Life-Like (modern car wash), and Walthers has re-issued kits that were once Con-Cor/Heljan. (OL King coal yard, Henry Ford's First Factory among others)
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