Tyco US1 Electric Trucking is a popular line of slot car toys produced by Tyco Industries in the early 1980s.
This particular set is among the first produced beginning in 1981 with several red colored boxes, and in 1982 with a refreshed orange / blue theme. Many more were added later, all the way until the end of the decade, with vehicle and building / play set addons sold separately, and some store exclusive models.
Key Features
Unlike the bulk of Tyco’s slot car sets, the US1 range wasn’t purely about racing. These toys featured a unique model trucking theme where players could control model trucks on tracks instead of typical slot cars.
Each set contained:
- 1 x Dump Truck
- 1 x Truck cab
- 1 x Gravel trailer
- 13 x Sections of track
- 1 x 6″ straight
- 1 x 15″ straight
- 6 x 9″ 1/4 radius
- 4 x 9″ turnouts
- 1 x 9″ terminal with controllers
- 1 x Power Pack (U.L. Listed)
- 1 x Dump Yard
- 1 x Gravel Bin
- 1 x Operating Pipe Loader
- 1 x Operating Gravel Hopper
- 4 x Highway Signs
- 1 x Operating and Layout Manual
Vehicles and Interaction
The US1 Electric Trucking sets included a variety of vehicles, such as semi-trucks, tow trucks, and dump trucks, which could be controlled by the user.
The tracks were designed with various accessories and features that mimicked real-world trucking scenarios, like working traffic lights, intersections, loading docks, and even a working crane to load and unload cargo.
One of the key selling points of the Tyco US1 Electric Trucking sets was the level of interaction they offered. Users could control the trucks’ speed and direction using a special steering wheel insert, and perform various actions with the trucks and accessories to simulate real-life trucking operations.
Collectability and Availability
Tyco US1 is now considered a vintage collectable, with many enthusiasts seeking out the sets and individual components to add to their collections or to relive their childhood memories.
While it’s been 40+ years since Tyco US1 has been out of production, they can still be found on online auction sites or in hobby shops that specialize in vintage toys.
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