Dad's old trains

voltan · June 19, 2013, 10:18:21 AM

Not runners and a bit battered, but thought they might be of interest to some on here, found them while looking for something else

A4s are 4.5" and carriges 3.5" ish.

oscar · June 19, 2013, 10:30:29 AM

Look like Lone Star. There are collectors.

BernardTPM · June 19, 2013, 01:15:27 PM

Rather earlier than Lone Star. These were produced by Dinky and have their origins in the models produced in 1935 for the Silver Jubilee - that's why the two coaches are articulated. Very early versions have open windows were silver/bluish grey http://www.vectis.co.uk/AuctionImages/79/3683_l.jpg. As you can see from your own examples, later ones were in other liveries, production continuing until the 1950s.
There were quite a few 'pushalong' Dinky railway models including a streamliner GWR railcar and an LCC No.1 (Bluebird) tram as well as more mundane goods trains. They are close to N, but tend to be a bit wide.
Here's a post-WW2 boxed set: http://www.vectis.co.uk/AuctionImages/339/2516_l.jpg
French Dinky also did other models:http://www.planetdiecast.com/hwdphotos/uploads/1653/661/39dt02.jpg that I wasn't aware of - just look at those autorails!

GWR-Kris · June 19, 2013, 03:47:03 PM

its amazing to see how much model railways have changed over the decades. I wonder what people back then would make of todays models. Certainly worth keeping hold of esp if you could get the original boxes.

BernardTPM · June 19, 2013, 04:08:56 PM

The interesting thing is that if you look at the window and door arrangement on the brake coach and it compare to the real thing http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110823212122/ttte/images/6/61/SilverLinkpullingtheSilverJubilee.jpg it's dead right!

voltan · June 19, 2013, 08:49:33 PM

All interesting stuff, from the dates you've said I'm wondering if my Dad bought them for himself or if his dad bought them 'for' him.

If I remember shall ask him, assuming I can find the old pulman I was looking for.

oscar · June 19, 2013, 09:46:09 PM

Quote from: oscar on June 19, 2013, 10:30:29 AM
Look like Lone Star. There are collectors.

Oops! Got that wrong, didn't I?

BernardTPM · June 19, 2013, 10:29:01 PM

Understandable as Lone Star did do an A4 (effectively a half-sized Hornby Dublo, so another Meccano Ltd connection there!), but it was the correct relative width, with separate tender and 'proper' rolling rail wheels.
There's a really nice page of Lone Star pushalong models here: http://www.garyscars.co.uk/dcmt/locos/index.htm
The only error I can see is that the '12 - American diesel' is actually the later 000/N series model as sold in Woolworths rather than the earlier model, though this is shown in blister packing as no. 66. The early one was based on the Tri-ang 'Transcontinental' model http://www.modelfair.com/sites/1002/images/product_images/original/39966.jpg whereas the later one used the newer body made for the 'Treble-0-lectric' powered range as is quite an accurate F-7.
Rambling a bit, but these old diecasts are an interesting subject.