Kenny Campbell, of Albuquerque, N.M., has the very first Toy Trucker ever published. This toy collector and toy modeler came to the Gateway Mid-America Farm Toy Show with Kathy Swyear for the first time since 1985. Campbell brought his Mack truck and trailer that he built and won Best of Show 40 years ago. Ironically, this was Gateway’s annual Model and Display Contest’s 40th anniversary. Kenny was a welcome anniversary present.

“I thought I would bring it here,” Campbell said, “At home it just sits on the shelf behind glass.”

At the show, Campbell brought along his 1985 trophy. “This is the trophy from 40 years ago that I won at this show.”

Besides his truck, trailer and trophy, Campbell also placed a handmade brass road grader made by Terry Rouch on his trailer. “It is called an Auto Patrol, and was made for maintaining established dirt roads,” Campbell added about the beautiful piece.

Ten or more years ago, Campbell said he was featured in a Toy Trucker issue. “I made the cover with a custom Smith Miller I made.”

Campbell’s interest in toys centers on trucks and construction equipment and Ford tractors. “I have a dozen Smith Miller trucks I’ve started, my son Rob has also done a few.”

Originally from Pennsylvania, Campbell said, “I was born in Pennsylvania in 1943. In 1950, my parents moved to New Mexico. I have the first toy my father bought me – a KB International Harvester pickup at the Pennsylvania State Farm show made by Product Miniature. It was in 1948; he bought it in 1948, the same year as the pick-up. It is in mint condition. I was an only child and spoiled. Dad liked nice toys, maybe because he couldn’t afford them as a kid.”

“That,” Campbell added, “started my hobby of collecting nice toys. I still watch for Ralston Company toys.”

He shared that they sold the semi-trucks and trailers either individually, or in a gift set of two trailers and two trucks in small, medium and large. “I have three sets that were never played with. They are still in the box with the colorful packaging.”

Eventually Campbell went from being a collector to a custom builder. “It was probably in the 1970s that I went from being a collector to a custom builder in the machine shop where I could make aluminum parts.”

He said this was in the days when he could find boxes of broken toys under the tables at antique toy shows. “I started buying junkers and building the toys they didn’t make. I wanted them to look like a toy though.”

This was true of his Mack truck and trailer he brought to the show. He made the wheels and the rack behind the cab. “I have several like them. I have a whole wall in the living room and dining room.

“My favorite toy,” Campbell said, “I have one I cherish, a cast iron Arcade truck that was my dad’s. It was originally blue, and it looks played with. One day, I decided to paint it orange, and lettered it Gulf because I worked at a Gulf station during junior and high school days.”

Campbell has a soft spot for the Dopke model toys. “I have a big collection of Dopke, and another of Ruehl Caterpillar that were sold at the dealership when they had them. When we moved to New Mexico, dad bought me in 1955 about every piece they had at the dealership in Albuquerque.”

Visiting back in Pennsylvania, Campbell shared, “My parents would go to Pennsylvania in the summer to visit. Dad would take me to the IH truck dealership and buy me plastic truck models. They were supposed to replicate the truck models. I have never seen these in stores. They were sold in the parts department. I have a pickup, dump truck, stake truck, semi, semi van and trailer. When we came back, he would buy me one, two, three or four. I had indoor toys, and outdoor toys. So, these were in my indoor collection.”

After graduating from high school and serving in the Navy, Campbell worked at Sandia Lab as a technician. He worked there for 15 years. The second half of his career was another 15 years in safety security. “I was in electronic security. I did that for five years, then went to work for the railroad. I am a train freak.”

When Campbell first started working on the railroad, he would haul crew members here and there. When the opportunity arose, he passed the clearance to be volunteer railroad security. “Now I have a Ford Explorer with train radios. It looks like a cop car. I watch trains, I am another set of eyes.”

Campbell also has a Divco milk truck that he has restored and drives. A fascinating man with an amazing collection. Campbell is a true collector with items from his childhood and ones he has made and added over the years. Hopefully it won’t be another 40 years before Campbell makes it back to St. Louis to celebrate this great hobby.