Since the mid-1800s, toy and model trains have been a part of everyday American life. From wooden push toys to intricate layouts with detailed electricity powered trains and automatic accessories, model railroading has grown considerably since its beginning and now holds the title of the world’s greatest hobby.
For Paul Sturtevant, however, the toys and small models were not enough. A resident of Glen Ellyn, IL, in 1928 Sturtevant constructed a large model of a steam locomotive with custom track for his son. When it was discovered that the train was large enough to ride, it became a neighborhood hit. In 1932, a Sears store owner approached Sturtevant with the idea of leasing the train to use at his store during the holiday season. Soon, more Sears owners requested trains for their stores too, and by 1940 Sturtevant had created the Miniature Train and Railroad Company.
Subject ID: 12640
MoreSince the mid-1800s, toy and model trains have been a part of everyday American life. From wooden push toys to intricate layouts with detailed electricity powered trains and automatic accessories, model railroading has grown considerably since its beginning and now holds the title of the world’s greatest hobby.
For Paul Sturtevant, however, the toys and small models were not enough. A resident of Glen Ellyn, IL, in 1928 Sturtevant constructed a large model of a steam locomotive with custom track for his son. When it was discovered that the train was large enough to ride, it became a neighborhood hit. In 1932, a Sears store owner approached Sturtevant with the idea of leasing the train to use at his store during the holiday season. Soon, more Sears owners requested trains for their stores too, and by 1940 Sturtevant had created the Miniature Train and Railroad Company.
With permission from General Motors, the MT&RC built their trains based on the streamlined diesel locomotive designs of the Electro-Motive Division of GM. The first was a model of an E unit, and soon the company was producing F units as well. Train production halted during WWII but resumed immediately after. In 1946, the “G-16” scale was introduced, which became the company’s most popular type.
In 1948, the MT&RC relocated from Sturtevant’s Glen Ellyn machine shop to a factory in Rensselaer, IN and was subsequently renamed the Miniature Train Company. The factory was located on Cullen Street in Rensselaer and would remain open until 1956 when the MTC was sold to the Allan Herschell Company. Allan Herschell continued to produce MTC trains until 1963, when the design was scrapped for a modernized Allan Herschell model.
Subject ID: 12640
Subject ID: 12640