Reference Shelf: Britsh Toy Trains, Vol. 1

British Toy Trains by Michael D. Foster is a solid introduction to less well known (in North America) model train makers Whitanco, Burnett, Chad Valley, Palitoy, and Astra.

I recently received a copy of the first volume in a projected series of four books covering firms of Whitanco, Burnett, Chad Valley, Palitoy, and Astra (I had only previously known of Chad Valley).

The book is a terrific assembly of newly photographed locomotives, rolling stock and accessories and well a vintage advertising, instruction sheets, and other historic material neatly packaged into 130-odd pages.

You will find photos of three-rail trains, clockwork two-rain trains, and a delightful assortment of detail pieces such as wreck cranes, train spotters, snack trucks, and railway junction boxes designed to flesh out your model railroad.

One thing that struck me was no matter how simple the toy was, the designers made an effort to get it right, particularly in the area of liveries, so that the toy could be called an authentic model of something a child might see and make the association “that is just like mine ” as in the old Lionel ads comparing a Standard gauge 4-4-4 with a real New York Central Hudson.

I was also impressed with one vintage ad from a firm that sold replacement clockwork mechanisms of varying sizes for your clockwork locomotives. I had no idea that anyone, anywhere sold replacement mechanisms like this. Very cool.

The writing style is light and you don’t need to be an expert in British railroading or even British English to enjoy this book. It costs $25 plus shipping. In the U.S. the book can be ordered from www.caboosehobbies.com.