This is an ATA model. ATA stood for A. Thomas Alsgard, a Chicago custom builder in the 1930s and 40s who eventually offered a few standard models as either kits or built. This 4-8-4 was one of them. I first saw this particular model in the possession of the late Alf Modine. He told me he bought it from the original owner, whose name I do not know. It was bought as a kit in the late 1940s and built by the buyer in Tom Alsgard's shop, which he opened on Saturdays to modelers who bought one of his kits. It was worn out by the time Alf acquired in the 1970s. Alf completely restored it and superdetailed it (the original models were rather crude). He installed a KTM gearbox and a PM motor. I first saw it in a display case in Alf's living room during an open house at O-Scale West, 2015. Alf and I discovered we both grew up on the north shore of Chicago, one stop away from each other on the C&NW and the North Shore, so we had a lot to talk about. He got a chuckle that I knew this model as an ATA , as it's pretty obscure. We talked a few times on the phone after that, but Alf passed away just a year or two later so that was our only meeting. A mutual friend knew of my general interest in old models and my particular interest in the H1 and offered to see if I could have a chance to acquire it. It took a while but it finally came my way. I will post a video once I get it edited.
Jim
