Guide to Deagostini, Atlas Editions, Dinky Toy car and van models.

Deagostini are a magazine, part-work, company that produces subscriber based magazine series. Nowadays, they focus on larger model vehicles, that are released piece by piece. However, in the past they provided complete models with each magazine issue.

Over the years they have released a a range of magazine / model collections covering famous manufactures of the past, such as Dinky Toys. Binders were also issued for the magazines.

The Dinky toys releases, comprised 70 issues, covering cars and vans based on original Dinky models. The series included French as well as British issued models. There seemed to be little logic in the choice of models issued. With no particular order or date sequence. This ended up pleasing nobody! finally, The magazine run ended in 2019. The original cover price was £7.99 and they were issued every two weeks.

However, The models seem to have been overproduced and the remaining stocks were bought by John Ayrey model wholesalers in the UK.

However,they are attractive models and are still widely available. At the time of writing we still have some in stock, follow the links. The listing below is in issue order.

#1. Triumph TR2 sports (111) UK series, estimate £12.00 (Original model issued 1956-59)

#2. Bedford 10 cwt Van ‘Kodak’ (480) UK series, estimate £12.00 (Original model issued 1954-56)

#3. Cabriolet Ford Thunderbird (555) French series (Original Model issued 1961-69)

#4. Volkswagon beetle (181) UK series, estimate £12.00 (Original model issued 1956-69)

The Jaguar XK 120 was issued in several colours, by Deagostini, some of which do not appear to be original.

#5. Jaguar XK120 coupe (157), green, estimate £15.00 (Original model issued 1954-60)

5c. Jaguar XK120 coupe (157) yellow & grey

#6. Fiat 600D (520) French series, estimate £12.00 (Original model issued 1960?)

7. Morris mini-traveller (197) UK series, estimate £12.00 (Original model issued 1961-70)

8. Citroen DS19 (24cp), French series, estimate £12.00 (Original model issued 1960?)

9. Citroen 2cv (24 t), maroon, French series, estimate £12.00

10. Berline 403 Peugeot (521) Light Blue, French series

11. Fiat 1800 Familiale (548) Light Green, french series

12. Volvo 122s (184) Lilac, UK Series original model 1961-64

13. Renault 4l (518) light blue, UK series, 1962-65

14. Fiat 1200 Grande Vue (531) French series light yellow & blue

15. Studebaker commander (24y) Blue & white French series

16. Renault dauphine minicab (268). French series 1962-67

17. Opel Kadett (540) French series

18. Aston Martin DB3S (110) Grey, UK series

19. Porsche 356A coupe (182) UK range, blue 1958-66

20. Coupe borgward isabella (549) French range

21. Dodge royal sedan (191) 1959-64 UK range.

22. Simca versailles (24z)

23. Ford zephyr saloon (162)

24. Renault fluoride (543)

25. Packard eight sedan (39a)

26. Renault r8 (517)

27. Lincoln premiere (532)

28. Auto-Union racing car (23d)

29. BMW 1500 (534)

30. Peugeot Esso van (25BR)

31. Ford vedette 54 (24X)

32. Jeep (25J)

33. Buick Roadmaster (24V)

34. Simca 5 (35A)

35. Citroen Traction 11 BL (24N)

36. Chevrolet Corvair (552)

37. Simca Aronde P. 60 (544)

38. Peugeot 203 (24R)

39. Austin Atlantic Convertible (106)

40. Opel Capitan (177)

41. Jaguar XK120 Coupe (157)3 Estimate £15.00, blue and maroon

45. Miroitier Estafette Renault (564)

46. Peugeot 403 Familiale (525)

47. Aston Martin DB3S (104)

48. Citroen ID 19 Break (539)

49. Peugeot 402 (24 k)

50. Simca 9 Aronde (24 U)

51. Morris Mini-Traveller (197)

52. Triportteur (14)

53. Morris Oxford Saloon (159)

54. Simca 1000 (519)

55. Peugeot 504 Cabriolet (1423)

57 Ford Taurus 559 lilac

58 Peugeot 203 24R lilac

65 Fiat 1800 station wagon

66 Renault R8 police car 517P

70 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia green/cream (187)

There were also three specials.

Oxford Models, guide to their Police vehicle models, from the 1950’s and 60’s. Part 1.

Oxford models guide to their Police vehicles part 1. Oxford models have released a number of Police vehicles from the 1950’s and 60’s, in 1/76 scale, here we look at them in detail. This series of articles is in chronological order and multiple parts.

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Model railways on a budget, #1 ,baseboards and track

This article and series features exclusive video content. The videos can be downloaded for free, click on the three dots on the right, when hovering over the video.

Baseboard, Free
PVA Glue- large bottle, £2 – Poundland
1/8″ Cork sheet- Javis
Peco track pack, £62.00 – Jacksons Models
Dapol class 27, £120 – Hattons.

Nowadays, building a model railway can be an expensive business. Therefore, how do you create a layout for less than £300?

The answer is n gauge, as a rule n locomotives are cheaper, and you use less materials to make the baseboard and scenery. A basic oval with two sidings, can be had for around £60 and locomotives are generally cheaper than their 00 equivalents. For example a Dapol 9F, can be had for £120. While the 00 equivalent would be well over £200.

The video below shows some early running tests of the prototype layout. The locomotive should run at normal speed with no stalling or stuttering. It should also pass over points smoothly.

Track can be cleaned with a spray of WD40, on a cloth, or lighter fluid.

You also need much less space than with the larger scales.

Baseboards on a budget

The baseboard used for this project was made from three old chipboard shelves. They were screwed together using scrap plywood battens. Check that they are perfectly flat.

Priority number one is getting the track laid flat, and reliable. N gauge can be very finicky, with wheel flanges being fractions of a millimetre deep, there is no room for error. Consequently, cork sheet was used as an underlay.

Another issue is unreliable joints, especially with sectional track. Sometimes you just have to solder a recalcitrant joint, take care not to get solder on the rail head. N gauge track is usually nickel silver and takes solder well.

Power connecting clips are also a source of problems. I usually solder these to the outside of the rails. Use a very fine tip, not a braising iron!

Once the track is good we start work on the backdrop. This splits the layout into two scenic sections….

Part two looks at making the backdrop. We also investigate what is available on the second hand market, in n gauge.

Oxford N Scale Land Rover Defender RNLI

£6.95
1 in stock

Add to cart
Oxford N Scale Morris traveller Wolverhampton Police.

£6.95
1 in stock

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Oxford N Scale Leyland Royal Tiger Coach North Western

£9.95
1 in stock

Add to cart
Oxford N Scale Yelloway Burlingham Sunsaloon Coach Metal model

£9.95
1 in stock

Add to cart

The Tri-ang, 1955 first edition catalogue, part 2.

This is part two of a series looking at the Tri-ang 1955 catalogue, page by page. Page 3 of the 1955 catalogue featured an electric goods set and two clockwork sets.

The No. 3 Goods set

The R3 set had a Jinty locomotive , a bolser wagon, a 7 plank wagon, a GW van and a NE brake Van.

R10, 7 plank Goods wagon
R11 goods van in GW red
R17 Bolster wagon
R16 brake van

The R.52 Tri-ang Jinty was produced from 1952 until the mid 1970’s.

There were also 12 curves and two straights, of standard track, finally a battery box was included.

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The Tri-ang, 1955 first edition catalogue, part 1.

Click on the eBay links to see current prices.

Here we look at the 1st edition Tri-ang catalogue from 1955. Even at the beginning the range was comprehensive. Notably, a lot of work and research had gone into making it a viable system. Most images are from tri-ang.co.uk

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The Vauxhall Cresta PA estate by Friary, a mess?

The Vauxhall Cresta PA estate by Friary, From 1959 until 1962 Vauxhall produced an estate version of the PA Cresta. The design was done by Vauxhall but tooling costs did not justify making them in house. Consequently, the work was subcontracted to Friary motors in Basingstoke.

The Vauxhall Cresta

The Vauxhall Cresta was made between 1954 and 1972. During this time it went through some radical design changes.

The Cresta E

The Cresta E had a 1950’s look, that mimicked American cars of the time. The E version launched in 1954 with a 2262 cc six-cylinder engine. The Cresta E had a good specification, with leather upholstery, an optional two tone paint job, heater, electric clock and boot light. Top speed was 82mph.

The Cresta PA

Perhaps the most radical design shift occurred with the PA. Notably, the late fifties was the era of fins on everything and the PA was no exception.

The Lockheed brakes had 9″ drums all around. Drum brakes meant that you had to make an appointment to stop.

Motorway cruising with a three speed gearbox was a nightmare. Unfortunately ,they still used the earlier six cylinder engine. Notably, the enormous front bench seat meant that the handbrake and gear change were dash mounted. These were stylish and attractive cars, however the fins dated pretty fast.

The Vauxhall “Fry-up” Estate.

The Vauxhall Friary Estate was a bit of a car crash, to coin a phrase. They had an enormous cargo capacity but the grafted on rear did the look of the car no favours. Apparently the Queen had one…. they were only produced for a few years, however quite a few have survived, unlike some other 1950’s rot boxes.

Vauxhall Friary models

Models of the Friary are fairly scarce, Oxford models have released them in 00 and 0 Gauge. Otherwise it is down to limited run and expensive models by Pathfinder.

Oxford models Cresta Friary models

The Oxford models are £5.95 for 1/76 scale and £30 for 1/43 scale.

Pathfinder Friary models.

The Pathfinder models are £175 for 1/43 scale

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The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway- heritage Lines

The Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway is a four mile long heritage line near Skipton in Yorkshire. It was once a part of the Midland line to Ilkley. The original line closed in 1965 and the track was lifted. Gradually, the heritage line was reinstated as far as Bolton Abbey. That was in the early 1990’s. Here, a replica wooden station was built.

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The Tri-ang-Hornby M7 tank locomotive, model guide.

The Tri-ang Hornby M7 Tank locomotive (eBay Affiliate Link) model was in the Hornby range for over 40 years. Additionally, the model was also the first to feature a firebox glow and an opening smokebox door.

The prototype

The London and South Western Railway M7 tank engines were used on the intensive London services of the said company. Notably, 105 were built between 1897 and 1911. The designer was Dugald Drummond a Scottish engineer who had worked for three different companies.

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The worst cars ever made, the Hillman Imp

The Hillman Imp, also known as the Hillman Limp , “had a distant relationship with build quality”, as quoted by Giles Chapman. The car was first conceived in 1955 after the Suez crisis. Previously, The Rootes Group was known for it’s large gas guzzling cars and lacked an economical small car.

The car was intended as a Mini competitor but production numbers never rivalled the Mini. Additionally, Reliability problems with the first cars caused sales to plummet after 1965. Arguably the Imp destroyed the Rootes Group’s reputation and they were taken over by Chrysler in 1967.

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Origins of the Imp

The Imp went into production in 1963 and sold for £508. It had a revolutionary light-weight Aluminium engine that was mounted at the back. However the car was still tail heavy and this led to the need for a complicated rear suspension arrangement. Additionally the engine tended to overheat.

The car also suffered from political meddling. Originally intended to be made in Coventry. Instead, the “deprived” regions of Scotland were to gain a new car factory, for production of the Imp. This proved to be a bad idea, as the recalcitrant workforce and poor build quality, compounded the cars problems.

Problems problems, the Hillman Imp is a disaster

The imp was innovative, probably too innovative, with its pneumatic throttle and automatic choke. Both of which were replaced by more conventional units, in the MK II. however, the damage had been done, to the cars reputation.

The MK II Hillman Imp

The mark II saw some attempts to fix the cars problems. The balky throttle and choke were replaced, the suspension was modified and a water pump was added to aid cooling. Additionally, the cylinder head was modified. Other issues included water leaks and a sparsely trimmed and more expensive package, than the Mini.

The MK III Chrysler Imp

By 1968 The Rootes Group was no more and Chrysler revised the entire Imp range.

The dashboard was changed to include a number of smaller dials.

This turkey dragged on until 1976, when production ended, after losing the Government a ton of Money.

On the positive side they are quite nippy and fun to drive, once all the bugs have been fixed.

Collectable Imp Models

Corgi produced a Hillman Imp model (251) from 1963-66, this was available in Blue or Bronze (£40)

Dinky also produced an Imp model (138) from 1963-72, this was available in green or blue (£40)

Various Hillman Imps have appeared in the “Vanguard” range.

VAO4007 Hillman Imp Californian
VAO2618 Hillman Imp Metallic blue
VAO2619 Hillman Imp wardance
VA26000 Hillman Imp Road car in blue
VA26002 Coastguard Hillman Imp
VA7221A Hillman Imp in blue
PP1002 Pinky and Perky set

Atlas Editions released a Police Imp.

Oxford models also have a number of Imps in their range.

Finally, Rovex issued an Imp model in 00 scale, for their model railway range.

Rail trails – Accrington to Baxenden

This rail trail walk is 3.74 miles long and the grade is medium. Explore the old line to Bury, along with Howarth art gallery and Oak Hill park. Then, pass the Art-Deco old police station to the centre of Accrington. OS maps licence pending.

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Accrington station to Woodnook Vale.

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