The mouse that roared ( for awhile ) GMC General Models Co.

[Carey Williams]

Hello Vintage O scalers... ( the trains not you personally)

Recently picked up from ebay a run of "The O Gager" magazines ...published by Joseph R Matthews of GMC ( General Models Corp) . Volume #1 February 1950 monthly to November 1950 ...( unknown if there are any other later issues) . Interesting little magazine promoting the GMC line with a few other advertisers here and there. 1950 Matthews decides to sell direct to the consumer ... with no need for dealer representation ... may not have been the best business model to follow. Frank Libuse JR , ( Mr Atwater.. creator of the lovely F units) is listed as "Chief Engineer at GMC"....that could explain the EMC switcher . Matthews explains that O gauge is not dead ..disregard the "fake news" . It most have crushed Frank Libuse's JR heart to offer a tinplate version of his loved F units ... but any money is good money.
GMC offers ;
5 steamers! Old Varney ten wheeler initially offed at 100 by Varney ... now listed in 1950 for 38.75-44.50 depending on the month.
Other steamers Atlantic , Pacific , Mountain and Articulated 2-6-6-4 ( claimed to have made a run of 100 of these).
2 diesels F units with the number board variations
and at the low end of the scale a push and go motor car and trolley at 1.95 & 3.95.
Assorted freight cars .
Ads promoting the return of Scalecraft ... Elliot must have convinced Joseph to allow purchases on the "layaway plan" as that is started.
Middle of the year as the "Police Actions" in Korea heats up, America turns on the war machine again, limiting various materials ( like brass) .
There are a few mentions to having difficulty obtaining materiel to build the models ... this I assume leads us to the story of the box cars of brass , ( on the black market?) bought and paid for but never delivered ..bringing down GMC.
Looking forward to corrections and additions to the tale of GMC .... is the date known for All Nation's take over / purchase?
Any of the Articulated engines out there ?

Cheers Carey
Yes all the photos were vertical when up loaded ..just turn the monitor to read

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[rrjjf]

In my collection of American made O Scale locos, I have a complete General Models Articulated kit. The design of the mechanism and frame is not well done as it was cobbled up from the Varney Ten Wheeler parts and only the rear drivers are powered. Additionally the tail beam of the frame is a chunk of cast brass that is supposed to float above the trailing truck assembly...not good! If I ever get around to assembling this model, I will install power in both mechanisms and machine a fixed tailbeam for the frame. The model is not on my priority list. I believe I saw one of these assembled for sale on ebay a few years ago and the builder had powered both driver assemblies using US Hobbies gearboxes. To do this the rear cylinder casting will have to be milled out to allow for the installation of a drive shaft between the gear boxes. I have a set of US Hobbies gearboxes made for their articulated locos that I will use.

I have always wondered how many of these loco kits were ever assembled by their purchasers. I do not think I have ever seen more than one in over 45 years of attending O Scale shows, swap meets and conventions.

Maybe someday!

Joe

[ScaleCraft]

Seen a couple..assembled, too. Almost bought one 30 years ago, but $75 was too much back then.

[bob turner]

I converted one to a 2-4-6-4, or maybe a 4-4-6-4, for Frank Thomson (RIP) of Philadelphia. Wouldn't pull anything.

I suggest the NWSL non-tower gearboxes for your project. Drive shaft stays lower, so not a big notch in that cylinder casting if you use speedometer cable. P/n 253-6 or 653-6. I had great luck with one of each on my MM-2.

Boiler, like the Mountain, has no prototype. It may be close to the Wheeling & Lake Erie. The Mountain may be close to a Frisco prototype.

[Carey Williams]

Thank you for more details about articulated GMC / AN .
Minirama in the Dells had one ..gracing the All Nation cover 8th edition ...

The articulated was not on the list of normally run trains at Minirama ..featuring Milwaukee Road style trains .

Cover shoot engines seems to be able to pull at least one box car ... catalog claims due to many requests we made a run of castings ...
pile of raw castings 46.95.... bigger pile including the pieces for finish the engine 167.50 ... and the warning that this kit is for the scratch builder...
Cheers Carey

[ScaleCraft]

I have one of those elec-traction powered handcars.....and I think the trolley. You would not believe the drive in the handcar. The wheels the commutator...power up, push to start, and you WILL win land speed records with it.
I can do pictures if anybody cares. Treads are striped with brass.

[Carey Williams]

Hello Dave sure would like to see a photo of the push and goes ..... is it push and go because of a 2 pole armature ? .

Here is the All Nation cover ..with the GMC / AN articulated ..on the Minirama layout .
Cheers Carey

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[ScaleCraft]

Push and go GM AC three rail handcar

Underneath...notice single point (frog stalling) wiper center rail pickup.

Really good shot of the commutator. Look closely at the wheels. The inserts are the contacts for common, and as they touch the rail, they energize the field. I hope you can make out the axle with these two shots, it's a flat bar that rotates in the field.

Pop the "seat" off to expose the headlight that shines out the two holes in the nose below the windscreen.
No gears, the armature is the axle, and you can set land speed records with this thing. I have demonstrated it twice.

[ScaleCraft]

I dug out the GM (?) trolley..it is mounted on an old Lionel 4 wheel bobber caboose chassis as a trailing trolley for a Lionel #60 trolley.
I pried it off the chassis, to see if the powered chassis I have fit...which I thought it did...but it does not. So, here is the "unknown" single direction single axle powered chassis, AC, three rail:




There are zero part numbers, casting numbers or identifying marks.

[Carey Williams]

Hello Dave
Thank you for posting the photos of the motor car .... no extraneous parts used ..

Matthews spread himself pretty thin by offering so many products within a very short period ..with only doing mail order and no dealer representation... ..

Any one know when GMC closed their doors ? ...
For more info about GMC please see link

http://www.tcawestern.org/gmc.htm

Cheers Carey