Robert's Kusan Trains Layout
Welcome to my Kusan two-rail layout page! Even though I mainly collect and operate Lionel O-gauge three-rail trains, I also have a small collection of Kusan O-gauge two-rail trains. Since two-rail locomotives can't operate on traditional three-rail track, I wanted to create a small layout that would enable me to run and showcase the two-rail trains in my collection. Kusan made K-Series diesel locomotives, boxcars, flatcars, gondolas, hoppers, tank cars, cabooses, DC power supplies, and cardboard cutout signs and structures. They were also the first to manufacture atomic and space-themed cars and sets. After acquiring Auburn Model Trains, Kusan-Auburn produced Duo-Trac locomotives, boxcars, refrigerator cars, stock cars and passenger cars.
The photo above depicts my Kusan two-rail layout as it looked in July 2009. The layout board just fits between the arms of a futon and can slide underneath for storage. The layout features original Kusan switches and track and is powered by a KMT model KS-6 DC Power Pack. A gray over yellow Kusan Satellite Train is on the mainline oval (see the video). Displayed on the layout, in the left side of the yard area, is an army green Atomic Train (see video). Also in the yard is a green and white Southern Railway Alco A unit pulling a silver gondola and brown over yellow caboose and; a blue four-wheel switcher or "Beep" with a red and silver Dynamic Injection Compressortron flatcar. On the right side of the layout is a silver "Beep" coupled to a tank car and yellow depressed-center flatcar with an olive drab military load. This train is parked underneath an HO-gauge Schuco Disneyland-Alweg monorail, which was made in the 1960's. The switch tower, crossing gate, billboard, brown packing crate and various signs are Kusan cardboard cutouts. The station with the green roof and tractor trailer were made by Lionel. The white house with red roof and trim underneath the monorail track was made by Skyline.
Though this page is primarily about two-rail Kusan Model Trains, the O-gauge tooling used to make Kusan trains has been owned by other companies through the years. American Model Toys or AMT, which incorporated in 1948, preceded Kusan. In 1954, AMT changed its name to Auburn Model Trains. The Kusan Corporation acquired Auburn that same year and briefly made toy trains as Kusan-Auburn. The Auburn name was later dropped. Kusan continued making trains until 1960, when toy train production ceased due to poor sales. Andy Kriswalus purchased the tooling from Kusan in 1967 and, shortly thereafter, began producing a line of rolling stock under the Kris Model Trains name. In 1980, Williams Reproductions purchased much of the former AMT-Kusan tooling from Kriswalus. Other companies later using the old tooling were Frank's Roundhouse and K-Line.