LUXURY ON THE RAILS
Mark Nolan trawls through the Tri-ang Railways range.
In the early 1960s most boys were highly tuned in to the model trains available. For most of us they were invariably OO gauge. Triang was cheap, colourful and well marketed, but there was a certain snobbery about their use of plastic.
Market leader Hornby was part of the Meccano empire. In a time when image and branding was less pervasive than now, Meccano were actually ahead of the game. Their managing director, George Jones, had been their marketing man and understood the business well. The introduction of HornbyDublo was one of his successes, though interrupted by the Second World War.
APPROVED STOCKISTS
If you wanted to sell Hornby trains in the early 20th century it was all very controlled. A man would come round to assess your business, and your suitability to be associated with their products. If there was another ‘Approved Stockist' close by, you would be refused, in order to protect the incumbent retailer's sales.
Tri-ang was also part of a toy empire; Lines Bros. As a newcomer to the toy train business, Rovex/Tri-ang may have been more ‘gung ho', but they still practised what they called ‘maintained retail prices' as it was considered in the best interests of all concerned. Tri-ang prices today are still buoyant thanks to the Boomers who remember them with affection. Let's take a look at what flutters the heart of the Triang Railways collector who has nearly everything.
SYDNEY SUBURBAN
The Tri-ang Sydney suburban was among a number of Australia-specific models made during the 1960s by Moldex in Melbourne after the company was acquired by Lines Bros. The NSWGR suburban electric motor car and driving trailer car used moulds from the discontinued Tri-ang EMU, modified by Moldex. The Sydney suburban was based on 1955 units which were nicknamed ‘Sputniks' after the Russian spacecraft. In their final years, these cars were also known as 'red rattlers' due to the way the windows and window shutters rattled in their frames. The Sydney suburban unit is one of the most popular imports for Triang collectors and commands high prices.
DOUBLE-ENDED LOCO
The Tri-ang R257 Transcontinental double-ended loco was a freelance design similar to many North American and Australasian outlines. Part of the Transcontinental range, it was also offered as an overhead electric loco with twin pantographs. They were produced in various colour schemes, including TransAustralia blue and yellow, plus a two-tone green version. However the green and orange version is one of the most rare, selling for £110 upwards.
BLUE TT DIESEL
The smaller range of Triang TT models contains a disproportionate number of rarities. The T96 A1A-A1A diesel locomotive in blue, as opposed to BR green, is extremely scarce with only 50 believed to have been produced. A few blue versions were produced without BR emblems for the French market, hence the label on the box is in French; 'A1A-A1A Diesel Loco Electrique Habille Bleu'. Blue A1A's are believed to have been produced in two batches during October and November 1961. One reference model sold recently for an unprecedented £2350.
Another TT rarity is any MK1 coach in blue and grey as TT was discontinued around the time of the change to BR's corporate image.
COMBINATION ROAD AND RAIL SET
The first Tri-ang train set to mix trains and Minic Motorways cars was RM.A, priced at 219/6 (nearly £11). It was advertised in a separate leaflet tucked in with the 1964 Tri-ang Railways catalogue.
The set came in an unusual
upright box with the contents individually packaged. It contained an 0-6-0 Class 3F loco and tender with a BR 1st/2nd Composite and a Brake 2nd coach in maroon livery. On top of this you got a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and a Jaguar 3.4. The oval of roadway included two level crossings, giving a layout sized 4’6” x 3’9”. Otherwise known as the ‘Crash and Smash’ set, this is very rarely seen complete, let alone boxed. An unused ex-shop set sold recently for £690.
ROCKETS
Tri-ang’s original R346 Rocket and coaches was a bold move for the company. Not particularly rare, the tiny model was nevertheless easy to damage, so anything in good condition is likely to be keenly contested.
Battle Space and Nato military models are another rich seam for Tri-ang aficionados. The range of Tri-ang military action models peaked in 1967. By this time they were rebranded as Tri-ang Hornby. The R571 G10 ‘Q’ car was a khaki version of the exploding wagon containing a missile launcher with two rockets; one of the rarest items in the Battle Space range.
COMPLETELY KNOCKED DOWN
CKD stood for ‘Completely Knocked Down’ and the kits always looked tempting in the catalogue. Mainly featuring pairs of coaches, locos were also offered as CKD. An unmade CKD Princess made £225 recently. Another valuable Princess is the first Rovex version with roller pickups.
THE EMU
The R156 Electric Multiple Unit is based on a Southern Railway pre-war 4 Sub unit. It featured a working headcode light, which was pretty advanced for a mid 1950s toy, and a fine level of moulded detail. Just as well as the units are spectacularly lacking in design cues apart from the domed roof and bow front. The motor coach and dummy trailer came as a two car set. Later versions featured BR crests and interior seating. Discontinued in the early 60s, it continues to fascinate collectors. The coaches needed to lengthen the train are simply Triang SR green suburban coaches. Normally a Tri-ang coach goes for £5-10, but as they’re EMU centre cars, they’re worth nearer £35.
STEEPLE CAB LOCO
The Tri-ang R254 Steeple cab electric loco was a convincing freelance design. A switch in the roof allowed the power supply to be changed from the wheels to the pantograph above the cab. A sophisticated model in its day, it has only improved with age. The loco was also made in maroon for a starter set with a non-operating plastic pantograph. There is also a BR maroon version with operating pantograph which was only made for a six month period.
The level of detail with which Tri-ang managed to imbue their plastic mouldings continues to surprise. The steeple cab loco demonstrates this in a small body; the grills and rivet detail could easily have been omitted, but they absolutely make the model. The same applies to the EMU and many other mouldings. Roof detail, coach ends, many Tri-ang products carry more detail than necessary for a mere toy. All in all, these products are a credit to the Margate toolmakers, which means the trains stand up well to close scrutiny over 60 years later.