InterMountain - 65712-02 - VALLEY NTRAK OF CT - N Scale Club - 197696

Specific Item Information: 3-car numbers; 197691 (1) 197696 (2). Micro-Train couplers. Originally priced at $17.00. Valley NTRAK of Connecticut established in 1976. Club based in Seymour, CT. Website link: www.ctvntrak.com

Prototype History: The Association of American Railroads had been establishing design standards for freight cars since the early part of the century. Each new design standard meant higher capacity, lighter, more durable cars.

The Modified 1937 AAR boxcar design was a result of the industries continued search for more freight volume per carload. The real first attempt at a standardized design had been the 1932 ARA steel boxcar with an inside height of 9'-4" . In 1936 the board of the AAR approved the 1937 AAR design with a 10'-0" inside height. This became a standard throughout the industry.

Brand/Importer Information: InterMountain was founded in 1985 by Fred Brummet. They got started in the model railroad business by producing O-Scale model kits. They got started in the N Scale business almost a decade later when in 1994 they introduced the 40-23 reefer car in kit form. Later, in 1998, they started producing RTR (Ready-to-Run) models. By the early 2000s, InterMountain phased out kit production in favor of the RTR models.

The InterMountain Railway company is located at 1224 Boston Ave in Longmont, CO. They are a manufacturer of HO, N and Z scale model trains. They have produced kits as well as RTR (Ready-To-Run) models. Their N Scale products include locomotives as well as rolling stock. Their rolling stock lineup includes Boxcars, Hoppers, Tank Cars, Reefers, Gondolas, Stock Cars and Flatcars.

Their locomotive releases have primarily been diesel units, with the one major exception being their series of AC-12 Cab Forward steam locos. Their diesel lineup includes F3's, F7's, F9's, SD40's, SD45's and FT units. They are known for quality and detail. They also release their rolling stock in larger varieties of road numbers than most of the other manufacturers.

Commissioner Information: The Valley NTRAK of CT Club was established by five n-scale enthusiasts in 1976. Meetings were informal and held in the basement of a local hobby shop. The Club continues as a non-profit organization and our present membership is now approximately 35 members. The Club presently meets monthly at the Seymour Land trust in Seymour, CT. While we have retained the clubs original concept, we have expanded our focus to include participation in many diverse activities including shows, meets and conventions, both locally and nationally. While the Club started in the lower part of the Connecticut Valley, the Club now draws members from all areas of Connecticut and Eastern N.Y.