Hamleys circular train layout

Iano · September 26, 2013, 05:05:58 PM

http://www.hamleys.com/

Hamleys is a large, long established toy shop in Regent Street London

In the late 1960's I had a job nearby and used to go in there to view their large circular layout that was positioned above the main stairs - actually it may have been escalators, does anybody else recall it? I know that I'm much older than most of you, it was really quite something, I've searched youtube just in case there was a video in the but couldn't find anything - pretty sure that it was OO as I don't think N gauge was either around or as popular if it was.

Roy L S · September 26, 2013, 05:16:24 PM

Quote from: Iano on September 26, 2013, 05:05:58 PM
http://www.hamleys.com/

Hamleys is a large, long established toy shop in Regent Street London

In the late 1960's I had a job nearby and used to go in there to view their large circular layout that was positioned above the main stairs - actually it may have been escalators, does anybody else recall it? I know that I'm much older than most of you, it was really quite something, I've searched youtube just in case there was a video in the but couldn't find anything - pretty sure that it was OO as I don't think N gauge was either around or as popular if it was.

I recall it.

My Grandmother took my brother and I to Hamleys a couple of times around that time, I would have been maybe four or five.

If I recall correctly it was 00. I remember lots of locos/stock on it but only some kind of Diesel/DMU actually running when I saw it - I was a bit disappointed.

N Gauge was around, but very much in it's infancy.

Regards

Roy

Iano · September 26, 2013, 06:55:04 PM

cheers Roy

What I found most memorable was a combination of its unusual configuration, size and complexity with the various lines weaving about - all behind glass

Kipper · September 26, 2013, 08:39:59 PM

Many toy shops, in the 50s, used to have a layout in the window, and you could start the train buy depositing a penny in a slot in the wall. Usually got a couple of circuits for your penny. Always tried to time my watching when there were a few people there, and they paid and I watched for free!

d-a-n · September 26, 2013, 09:44:19 PM

Quote from: Kipper on September 26, 2013, 08:39:59 PM
Many toy shops, in the 50s, used to have a layout in the window, and you could start the train buy depositing a penny in a slot in the wall. Usually got a couple of circuits for your penny. Always tried to time my watching when there were a few people there, and they paid and I watched for free!

This little beauty is in Stuttgart railway station

[smg id=7181]

It costs one Euro and you get to play with all four trains and control their speed. Many other blokes stopped to have a look as I was playing trains...luckily, it was Mrs dan's idea to play on it after a journey from Munich to Stuttgart!

Gordon · September 26, 2013, 10:06:59 PM

There used to be one in the 1960s and 70s at Vienna Westbahnhof station in Austria, populated by home-prodcuced Kleinbahn stuff

carlmt · September 26, 2013, 11:14:02 PM

I remember the one in Hamley's - my recollection was that it ran around a circular light-well that was open to the ground floor. The layout was on the first floor and encased in a glass box. You couldnt see the whole layout in one go - you had to walk all round the circle!

I am now just turned 50, so this must have been in the late 60's.........

trainsdownunder · September 26, 2013, 11:52:54 PM

Quoteit ran around a circular light-well that was open to the ground floor. The layout was on the first floor and encased in a glass box. You couldnt see the whole layout in one go - you had to walk all round the circle!

Spot on. Very early sixties and possibily fifties as I was born in 55.

My parents regularly took days out in London and it was always my treat to be allowed to spend time watching the layout with my Dad, whilst Mum wandered off elsewhere. I could have happily stayed there all day. I'm sure this is where my first desire for a model train set started. First layout at 8 yrs old)

At Christmas back then, a large number of toy shops would have smaller layouts on display and I also remember travelling to Birmingham where Lewis' Department Store would have a "wonderland" of train layouts, scalectrix for people to see and play with.

silly moo · September 27, 2013, 07:29:01 AM

I can remember being captivated by the layout and Hamleys itself when I was about six in the early sixties. The shop seemed enormous to me then and seemed considerably smaller when I went back a few years ago. I started out (aged 4 or 5) with Lone Star Locos and still have some of them in my collection.

Our local model shop that stocked the Lone Star had a coin operated layout in the window.

Hamleys only seem to stock very overpriced 00 now but in the '80s I bought my first n gauge loco, a black five and two blood and custard coaches from them and it's been downhill ever since!

ozzie Bill. · September 27, 2013, 08:50:16 AM

Has anyone actually asked Hamleys if they have any pix, diagrams etc? It could be fun to have a look at and see whether any elements would be worth recreating. Cheers, Bill.

Michael Shillabeer · September 27, 2013, 09:05:16 AM

I don't remember the layout in Hamleys.

In the 1980s Chicago Meatpackers (Tottenham Court Road or Charing Cross Road) restaurant had LGB running around the ceiling.

As a teenager I built a window layout for Wimborne Models - I was paid with Peco track

Michael

Michael Hendle · September 27, 2013, 10:47:48 AM

I can remember going to Hamleys at Christmas times every year in the 1950's and we also went to Gamages as well in Holborn,they used to have a model railway there as well,in those days you could get Hornby 00 and also Trix Tin Plate,and Triang,the first Triang train set was made for Marks & Spencer.

Mike

chub1 · September 27, 2013, 05:45:14 PM

Quote from: Michael Hendle on September 27, 2013, 10:47:48 AM

I can remember going to Hamleys at Christmas times every year in the 1950's and we also went to Gamages as well in Holborn,they used to have a model railway there as well,in those days you could get Hornby 00 and also Trix Tin Plate,and Triang,the first Triang train set was made for Marks & Spencer.

Mike

Just about recall the set in Hamleys,remember Gamages well.
My dad brought me a Triang train set when i was around 8 ish i guess.I can remember it was on the kitchen table on xmas day,my dad and my uncle wouldn't let me near it :'( :'( :'(

Jerry Howlett · September 28, 2013, 04:29:48 PM

Never saw the Gamages layout but do remember the Hamleys one. I was treated to the "London trip" for my birthdays in the late 60's by my Dad. This involved visiting most of the London Termini for train spotting, also remember going to the Central Westminster Hall (?) for a major model railway exhibition or was it general modelling. I was only small and I have forgoten an awful lot since....

Jerry

Michael Hendle · September 28, 2013, 04:55:34 PM

Hi Jerry
Gamages would have closed by the 1960's, yes there used to be a big model railway exhibition every year at the Central Hall London,It used to go to had every thing from gauge 1 down wards,I'm not sure when it stopped.

Mike