Mark Carne

Greenly and Bassett Lowke changed scales in both O and 1 before WW1. The first 3 scale model locos in gauge 1 that BL commissioned from Bing, the GCR Sir Alexandera, a GWR Atbara, and the LNWR Precursor were all 3/8" to the foot, but after that, they shifted to 10mm to the foot, the last being the Precursor introduced in 1907. The first O gauge scale model loco BL commissioned from Bing was the O gauge version of the GWR Atbara, which was 1/4" to the foot. It looks a crude thing to modern eyes, but in 1904, it was nothing short of a miracle which we cannot comprehend, as we are so accustomed to smaller scale model railways. It was still very early days for model railways in O gauge, and without digging through reference books, I cannot recall another scale model O gauge loco commissioned by BL from Bing before they went to 7mm scale. Note in the catalogue description of the GWR loco, it even mentions the scale, 3/8". Mark

Most people really don't realise just how prolific Bing were in the British market in the 1920s. And how keenly priced they were compared with Hornby. Or just how much Hornby and Bing copied each other and made introductions on an almost tit for tat basis. There's certainly plenty of 1920s British market Bing still floating around in the UK. I'd say, based on my collecting experience, it would be far easier to build up a wide ranging collection of British market Bing from the 1920s, than the equivalent in Hornby. And replying to the earlier point about the cost of things, I recall reading in the reproduction Bing 1912 catalogue that the retail price of a lithographed George the Fifth was 12/6, and in the pre WW1 B/L catalogues, a Carette litho George the Fifth or GNR Atlantic was 8/6. "Cheapie" Carette wagons were 1/- each. They must have sold in reasonable quantities, as they still turn up often enough. Mark

The Bing for Gamages Ivatt 4-4-0 was thankfully one of those semi scale items that was made before and after WW1. I have a pre 1914 example, which I don't have a photo of to hand unfortunately. Which I immediately found in the relevant file on the computer after posting this comment! Mark

Thank you for remembering! Here is a photo of my Mignon display, from the first time it was exhibited, at the Beckenham and West Wickhem Model Railway Club annual vintage show. Mark

The loco isn't generic, it's an LNWR Chopper tank increased in size until it was big enough to take the smallest possible clockwork mech Bing could make. Mark

Don't believe everything you read, the Spa side at Eridge is getting a ramp cut into the platform, to permit a run round. Mark.

That GTV dates from around 1920, only livery they litho version came in before WW1 was LNWR black. Mark

12 volt DC according to the instructions, reproduced in the Hugar book by Paul Brooks. Mark

I have to admit, I'm equally bemused as to why they have chosen to do things this way round, what with the new LBSCR Atlantic at the Bluebell being so close to completion. No big news stories to accompany the GN version, as far as I'm aware? Either way, I'm in, I've got to be, after the campaign a friend and I have mounted against Paul for the last 3 or 4 years..... Mark

It's useful to remember the less than obvious fact, at least from an early 21st century view point, that when electricly first came to the domestic setting, there were no electric appliances. It was purely for lighting, then came thoughts of other things that could be powered by this new source of energy. Mark

The gauge 1 0-6-2T is indeed Bing for B/L. Attached is a photo of my example. Some of the descriptions have to rate as probably the worst lot descriptions in the history of auctions, the description of the 0-6-2T is "Vintage iron and tin motorised G scale model locomotive". I read it over the phone to a friend, and he was amazed and shocked to discover what it was actually describing. Also a couple of good gauge 1 locos separated from their tenders, which appear as separate lots. Oh well, some buyers may get a bargain, but pity the unfortunate vendor. Mark

Those knees almost certainly belong to Tappers supremo Graham Lock, well known shorts wearer.

Did someone mention trains? Mark

Dragging me into the conversation? Thank you for the invite Kevin! :-) Well, the B/L 112 tank was a post war (1921) introduction in O gauge, but it did appear pre 1914 in gauge 1 and 2, 1911 for steam, and 1912 for clockwork, so maybe the gentleman has that slightly confused. I have a bit of a "thing" for 112 tanks, having 7 O gauge and 6 gauge 1 examples! Probably the most interesting are the ones referred to in B/L collecting circles as the generic versions, in green livery, as in my photos, Actually, the example with the white/black/white lining is the pre grouping GWR version (don't laugh, you'll hurt its feelings, and the colour and livery detail are a match for the Bing for B/L O gauge GWR 2-4-2T Birdcage tank), and the white/black/gold lined example is the NER version, the white/black/gold lining matching Aerolite in the NRM at York. It's something I've been meaning to write an article about for the Bassett Lowke Society magazine for some time, but failing to do. Short Precursor tanks, a great loco for collectors to obsess about, due to the large number of different liveries they did it in. LNWR, CR, MR, GNR, NBR, GWR, LMS, LNER and SR, and that might not be all of them. I've only got one, an SR example. Mark

A recent acquisition that deserves a place here, this set was made by George Fischer, a German maker of tin toys of the inexpensive kind, in the mid 1920s. I need to sort 4 wheels and a couple of axles. Last photo contains an O gauge Bing for Bassett Lowke loco for scale. Mark

I was lucky enough to know John as a member of both the HRCA and the TCS, a true gent and a great friend, he will be seriously missed. Mark

From what little I remember, anything connected with milk bottles and their delivery, including related toys, so, yes! Mark

Nearholmer, I think you have summed it up as succinctly as is possible. I'm very proud to be a TCS member, it's a fantastic club, as you say, full of interesting people who are genuinely interested in the subject, and not monetary worth. I for one would still collect the things I collect, even if they were 10p each, it would suit me fine, as I could just have lots more! And on the diversity of what people collect, most of you shouldn't really be surprised that there is a milk bottle collecting club. Mark

All I can say, in answer to the question what age does something become collectable, join the Train Collectors Society, and you will discover there really is no lower limit on when a thing is collectable, basically, it's collectable when someone collects it. As for the word "vintage", it seems to be applied to almost anything and everything, and seems rather meaningless to me at least. Just loom at all the ebay listings that include the word vintage. Mark

I have great sympathy for your father, family holidays are a flawed concept, at least they are if the idea is that everyone is going to enjoy it, because that never happens. And don't get me started about families, Philip Larkin had it sussed, that's all I'm saying. Mark

Exactly, the market decides.

Greg, the originals have wound field motors, like pre war Hornby, so will run off AC or DC. The reproductions sold as Traditional are straight replicas, and also have wound field motors. The rest of the repros have some degree of electronic gubbins, to make awful noises, but they have DC can motors, so if you remove the electronics as I did with one loco, they run off DC fine. I will warn you, I spent about 25 years resisting the urge to collect Standard gauge American tinplate, bus succumbed to it quite badly in the end! Mark

Well, to start, they ain't diesels, but electric locos. Mostly based on New York Central designs, S motors and T motors mostly, with the odd Milwaukee Bi Polar thrown in. In the photo, from left to right, Lionel 381E (Milwaukee Bi Polar), Lionel 408E (NYC S motor), same again, Lionel 402E (NYC S motor), Lionel 9E (NYC T motor), same again, Lionel 318 (NYC S motor), Lionel 318E (NYC S motor), Lionel 318 (NYC S motor), Lionel 10E (Milwaukee Bi Polar), Lionel 8E (NYC T motor), Lionel 8 ( NYC T motor). Some of the locos shown are actually MTH/Lionel Classics replicas. Mark

Brought this a few years ago, as a bit of vintage bodging, it really appealed to me! Mark