3208 Interstate Delivery vs. 3208-1 Interstate Delivery Set

[biddle]

This has been posted before, but I just realized the Interstate Delivery set I recently aquired had a piece of 3031 Double Turn-Out track because it's a variation of the 3208. This is a good set since the Double Turn out track is desirable. In addition to that, oddly, Tyco also included a switch turnout track, the 3030 High Adventure Turnout, that serves no purpose on this layout design as far as I know. This is also a rare piece of track. I can confirm that the 3208-1 had both those rare track pieces in the set.

The 3208 used a 3032 Double Turn-Out w/ Bin. This is a 3208-1, it switched the 3032 for a 3031 Double Turn-Out and added a 3440 Dump Bin, which was discontinued in 1982 when the 3032 debuted in 1983.

In true Tyco fashion, the 3208-1 was shipped with the 3208-1 instructions that reflected the Double Turnout Variation, but they did not update the box artwork to reflect this, so it depicts the other double turnout with the bin on it. I suspect this set was put together with excess parts from the warehouse toward the end of life for US-1 Trucking in 1985. The set I bought had a hand written checklist dated from 1985/1986 from the original owner, which likely dates the set to this period.

If you hate reading, check out the video comparison here- https://forums.tycous1trucking.com/...-3208-1-interstate-delivery-set.275/post-1338

 

[biddle]

One last note, this also included a green controller! initially I thought I was buying a mixed lot, but I now strongly suspect this is original to the set and Tyco was putting whatever they could in there to get rid of excess inventory. I think the GI Joe sets must not have sold as well as they suspected so the turn out track and green controller got thrown into this set!

 

[suprb6970]

I believe what you are saying is true. I think Tyco had a lot of this G.I. inventory left over. There is another set out there that has 3 high adventure turnouts in it. I just don't remember which one. I like the switched turnouts. If all of them were like that you could use the track like a race set as well. Just change the terminal track out. I'm glad to see you snagged a green controller they are rare IMO.

 

[biddle]

Video Comparison-

360 VR-

 

[Tyco Guy]

Im going to have to check my set.

 

[biddle]

Another note: there is also a final version they called the 3208-2. TYCO eliminated the double turnout and included three High Adventure 9-inch switch tracks instead! So weird. It also has a green controller. If you watch my video, the switch tracks are a PITA! It also appears they tossed in the blue Goodyear Tire bin instead of the brown bin.

I'm convinced they did this because they were in financial trouble and a last ditch effort to liquidate overstocked parts.

 

[US1Stomper]

One last note, this also included a green controller! initially I thought I was buying a mixed lot, but I now strongly suspect this is original to the set and Tyco was putting whatever they could in there to get rid of excess inventory. I think the GI Joe sets must not have sold as well as they suspected so the turn out track and green controller got thrown into this set!
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Your knowledge of these things is astounding, you should write a book. I have 2 Interstate Delivery sets other than the 3208. One is 3206 and the other is a Sears set number S3311. Do you have the parts list sheet for either of those? Thanks.

 

[biddle]

The 3206 Instructions sheet is at the bottom of the page- https://tycous1trucking.com/us1-vehicles-trucks-trailers/interstate-delivery-set/

Sears-

 

[US1Stomper]

The 3206 Instructions sheet is at the bottom of the page- https://tycous1trucking.com/us1-vehicles-trucks-trailers/interstate-delivery-set/

Sears-
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Thanks. Now I can go through my extra parts boxes and put the correct parts in each set box. I would not have guessed that 3 logs was standard when there was no log loader.