Mastermodels OO Gauge metal figures, etc.

[Ruffnut Thorston]

This post is mainly from an article I wrote for The Train Collector, the magazine of the Train Collectors Society, back in 2017.

 

 

Mastermodels.

This was a range of model railway, and also model garage, for toy cars, accessories.

Originally made by Don Bowles of Croydon, from 1950, in 1951 the range passed to B.J. Ward Ltd. (Wardie Products).

The peak of the range seems to have been around 1956.

The last known catalogue was produced in 1958.

Some plastic figures were released around 1962, when the Mastermodels range petered out.

Apart from the diecast figures and accessories, there were also wooden stations in the 'Woodside', 'Rickwood' and other buildings and kits.

The larger scale Garage accessories were the 'K' series, and B.J. Ward Ltd. also marketed the 'Gilco' range.

 

(Fig.1)(Mastermodels Catalogue Cover.)

 

I have for a while been wondering about the apparent links between Slater’s, Merit (J & L Randall Ltd) and Mastermodels (B.J. Ward Ltd., Wardie products) as all three companies made very similar looking model figures.

 

(Fig. 2) (Merit, Slater’s & Mastermodels comparisons.)

 

(Fig.3) (Merit, Slater’s & Mastermodels comparisons.)

 

 

(Fig. 11) (Merit Slater’s Mastermodels Man with Golf Clubs)

 

(Fig. 17) (MERIT Slaters Mastermodels from left Man with stick and bag)

 

Whilst those made by Mastermodels were cast metal (Except for some very late plastic versions in 1962.), the Slater’s and Merit figures seem to me to be nearly identical, but made in plastic.

 

Possibly the Merit (Now PECO Modelscene) figures were at some point supplied to Merit by Slater’s?

 

Did Slater’s take over the tools from Mastermodels?

 

When it comes to the Permanent Way workers, there is some difference between the Mastermodels and Merit figures. The wheel barrow is similar though.

 

(Fig. 4) (Mastermodels Set 23 Track Repair Party)

 

Merit 5077. Track Maintenance Party. (6 pieces)

 

 

Merit 5078. Cable Laying Party. (5 pieces)

 

 

Another potential link, is between the Mastermodels Cable Drum, and the Airfix Trackside Telegraph Poles and Cable Drums kit. Both use the same company name on the labels on the cable drum sides. Henley.

 

(Fig, 5) (Mastermodels Set 35 Cable Laying Party)

 

 

MASTERMODELS Set 23 Track Repair Party.

 

 

 

MERIT Track and cable parties from catalogue folder.

 

 

 

MERIT and Mastermodels COALMAN WITH SACK.

 

 

MERIT Coal Scales and Modelmaster Coal Bunker Catalogue illustration.

 

 

MERIT Coal Scales and Modelmaster Coal Bunker Catalogue illustration.

 

 

MERIT Coalmen and Scales from Catalogue Folder.

 

 

 

 

Merit catalogue illustration and metal Gradient Post, now believed to be a Trix accessory. With a Mastermodels Cable Drum.

 

 

 

Sources.

 

Merit, Slater’s and Mastermodels figures in our collection.

 

Merit Catalogue Folder. Unknown date.

 

Mastermodels Catalogue. Date unknown, but probably later 1950s.

 

Mastermodels Listing of Models For Collectors. Compiled August 1998. By Paul and Jennifer Brookes.

 

Ramsey's British Model Trains Catalogue, 9th Edition, Volume 2. (Warners, 2015)

 

 

 

More to be added over time...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2020 by Sarahagain
More added...

[Ruffnut Thorston]

Some extracts from a Mastermodels Catalogue...unknown date.

 

Mastermodels Catalogue. Date unknown, but probably later 1950s. Also shewn is the Mastermodels Listing of Models For Collectors. Compiled August 1998. By Paul and Jennifer Brookes.

 

 

Mastermodels Set 7 Chocolate Machine and illustration from catalogue.

 

 

Mastermodels Seated Passengers Set 4 .

 

 

Mastermodels Seated Passengers Set 5.

 

 

Mastermodels Railway Staff Set 1 Later Set.

 

 

Mastermodels Railway Passengers Set 2.

 

 

Mastermodels Railway Passengers Set 2. Three sets with assorted colours from our collection.

 

Mastermodels Five Assorted figures Set 3.

 

 

Part of Set 3. From our collection.

 

 

Mastermodels Set 57 Crew Unloading Truck.

 

 

Mastermodels Set 57 Crew Unloading Truck. From our collection. The timber baulk is a matchstick.

 

 

Mastermodels Set 57 Crew Unloading Truck METAL FIGURES.

 

 

Mastermodels Set 57 Crew Unloading Truck PLASTIC FIGURES 1962.

 

 

Mastermodels Station Clocks (2) Set 66.

 

 

Mastermodels Loading Gauge No. 80.

 

 

Mastermodels and MERIT Platform Seats.

 

 

Signs.

 

Similar "Whistle" etc. signs were it seems made for Trix Trains, the design of the Trix signs being the same as the Merit plastic Whistle, etc. signs.

 

The square board signs (Mastermodels example below.) were also made in plastic by Merit.

 

 

 

 

Woodside Stations. (Nameboard and bench from our collection.)

 

 

 

 

 

Mastermodel Farm Series.

 

Edited June 7, 2020 by Sarahagain
Some small typos corrected.

[dunwurken]

There was a series in the Model Railway Enthusiast by Paul Brookes which ran from June 1998 through to March 2000.  There is a history of the company and a list,  in numerical order, of over 100 items produced by the company each item having a colour photograph and a brief individual description/ history with on/off market dates.  

 

I have a scanned copy of the series but, due to the dreaded coronovirus no access currently to the original magazines.

 

Malcolm

 

 

[Albyn]

15 hours ago, dunwurken said:

There was a series in the Model Railway Enthusiast by Paul Brookes which ran from June 1998 through to March 2000.  There is a history of the company and a list,  in numerical order, of over 100 items produced by the company each item having a colour photograph and a brief individual description/ history with on/off market dates.  

 

I have a scanned copy of the series but, due to the dreaded coronovirus no access currently to the original magazines.

 

Malcolm

 

 

Paul subsequently published a book about Mastermodels which so far I have resisted buying.  perhaps i should.  Most of the metal figures i own are Mastermodels but a few are not shown above so could be just not illustrated or maybe are from a different maker.....

[Ruffnut Thorston]

Not all of the Mastermodels range has been pictured on here yet...

 

I will also have to think about finding a good priced copy of the book.

 

I have the list, and a good Collection of the MRE paper magazine.