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Permanent layouts are nice, but most toy trains were played with on the floor, with the railtracks being set
out for a few hours. Even a layout such as this is more than most young boys achieved. Sharply curved
rails did not take up much space on the lounge floor. These are 3 rail tracks for electrically powered locomotives
(as common in the USA) but clockwork engines will run on it too. *****************************************************************************************
My first Hornby loco, given to me in playworn state many years ago. Now at least 90 years old! Bottom of the range. Motor
was broken and Models Ltd (NZ Meccano/Hornby agents) crudely installed an M0 motor.
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Hornby in trouble! The first type of 20volt motor powered Hornby (using the
French Hornby style motor) has a problem! The Hornby crane is inadequate to lift the loco so a bigger Lionel crane is
assisting. Not sure how an American crane got to be in New Zealand (note the NZR lettering) - perhaps during
the war some USA equipment was sent to help. **************************************************************************************
This illustrates how toy trains varied considerably in size! They are same gauge which means they
run on the same track spacing. This is Gauge 0 which is one and a quarter inches between rails. These
are not scale models! Left is a Brimtoy. At right is a Bowman. The Brimtoy has a small clockwork motor
which gives a running range of about 24 feet. The Bowman is a methylated burning live steam locomotive and runs for
over half an hour on its water and fuel supply. ******************************************************************************.
`Standard Gauge` was not really standard, but called that by Lionel of the USA. Production ceased with the start of WW2,
but replicas were introduced made by MTH Trains. The gauge is 2 1/8th inches. Here are three locomotives. The small red one
is over 85 years old and runs well. Trains were made to last then. The other two are modern replicas built in the old style
with old type motors. The rolling stock is all prewar Lionel.
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Advertisement for Bowwman live steam locomotive. Production of these ceased in 1935.
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Coming events.***************
November 16th/17th Wellington Railex at Walter Nash Centre Taita, Lower Hutt. 0 gauge & Dublo.
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Tauranga Model Train Show, January 2020 Mount College Hall.
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