Crescent Diecast Metal Footbridge Kits.

[Ruffnut Thorston]

Some photos of the Crescent Footbridge kits. Ref. 1823S, 1823M, 1823L.

 

This footbridge has a close resemblance to the Hornby Dublo Footbridge (D1).

 

The H.D. Footbridge is painted a cream "concrete" colour, and can only be assembled in one formation without serious modification.

 

Hornby Dublo Footbridge D1 (Pre 1952 version.)

 

 

 

There are two versions of the H.D. Footbridge. The Crescent bridge is closest to the original version of the H.D. bridge, which does not have the triangular parts on the step sections, which were added to the second version after 1952.

 

Hornby Dublo Footbridge D1 (Post 1952 version.)

 

 

 

The Crescent bridges are painted in shades of green. Some have, or had as they break easily, dummy lamps attached to some of the landing infil sections. It looks likely that the lamps were only present on the early sets, as all the parts we have are without any trace of these lamps.

 

Some versions have adverts on the sides of the steps. As we have seen several examples with the same adverts, they are likely to be factory applied.

 

 

The Crescent bridge is made in such a way as to be able to be assembled in many formations, subject to the parts being available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set 1823L

 

 

Set 1823M

 

Set 1823S

 

 

 

Crescent sold the bridge in different sets, with different numbers of parts, as shewn on the box top illustrations.

 

 

The box top illustrations shew a lamp on the main span.  this is unlikely to have been made that way...unless someone knows differently.

 

The smoke deflector plates also came in a brown colour.

 

 

Which bridge was made first? Hornby Dublo or Crescent...

 

I don't know for sure....but the H.D. bridge has a hole in the bottom step, which is a blind hole on the Crescent steps...

 

 

Edited April 12, 2020 by Sarahagain
More Photos added

[Il Grifone]

Some time ago, I acquired a Dublo footbridge missing a set of steps (don't ask!). Finding an odd set of the Crescent steps*,  I thought they'd do, but obviously they don't fit though they are the right size. Modification was on the 'to do' list but I then found* a set of Dublo steps (the other type of course, but they'll do), so I'm looking for a Crescent footbridge....  The adverts were definitely a factory fitting. I have only seen 'Esso' that I recall, which doesn't preclude others of course.

 

* Toy fair junk boxes always have useful goodies!

 

Besides the footbridge, Crescent did lower and upper quadrant signals (rather overscale) and a set of farm figures (25mm size in figure collecting lingo) AFAIK the range consisted of a farmer, land girl, cows (lying and standing) , horse (IIRC described as a cob though it isn't), pig and trough, sheep, dog, swan and annoyed goose. They come mainly in brown! As long as they are kept apart they can be 'got away with'. Particularly avoid mixing with the Lilliput range which are  a perfect example of what 00/H0 means - neither one nor the other. Initially they were intended for use with Trix Twin.

Were there any other items?  (A few railway personnel were included with the big 'all-in-one' set).

 

P.S. I forgot they was a station name hoarding (and seats etc.?).

 

Sorry if I drifted a bit OT.

Edited April 13, 2020 by Il Grifone
Despite proof reading, one slipped through.

[Ruffnut Thorston]

Looking around, I found this...

 

The large set mentioned above...

 

https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/index/Railway_Set_2135_(Crescent_Toys)

 

 

And an example of the later (? Usually seem to be less zinc pest examples, better metal mix...) Upper Quadrant semaphore signals. (Obviously not interlocked! )

 

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by Sarahagain
more added...

[Il Grifone]

I knew I'd seen it somewhere and forgot the obvious! I'd also forgotten the loading gauge - the gauge is usually broken or missing altogether.

I had decided to not collect the upper quadrant Crescent signals. Resolution broken - I now have one....

These must have appeared later and probably missed the Korean war shortage of magnesium.  I didn't even realise they existed until adulthood, whereas I had some of the lower quadrant - proper signals for a boy living next to a GWR/MR railway line (Clifton Down, Bristol - there was a splendid MR home signal on the Avonmouth side). It was situated next to the front end of the Class 150 DMU at the start of this video.

 

 

 

I made a bracket signal from a junction signal suffering from the pest. It seems to have just affected the double arm doll - faulty mixing of the alloy or will it all crumble into dust one day?

 

I'm still looking for the (rather useless) gantry  (in reasonable condition and  a Grifone-friendly price - they usually fail on one or both of these criteria!). IIRC it cost 9/6d - rather out of pocket money range.

 

Steve Flowers does replacement ladders (these are also usually missing/broken).

http://www.model-supplies.co.uk/oddments.htm

 

(usual disclaimer)

Edited April 14, 2020 by Il Grifone

[Il Grifone]

I found this photo that shows it (not well I'm afraid) just above the first wagon behind 4660. This must have been the daily morning delivery of coal to the yard (now buried under a supermarket).

 

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/PHOTO-GWR-LOCO-4660-AT-CLIFTON-DOWN-RAILWAY-STATION-ON-7TH-JUNE-1960-/362610807781

 

I couldn't resist sharing this photo (from rather before my time!) The signal is just off frame behind the carriages of the saddle tank.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/35428973050

 

By my time, there was another row of shops on the other side of the road behind the station (Whiteladies road* above the pantechnicon). Out local chippie was up the road (Cotham Hill) which goes behind the builds (above the telegraph pole. next to it there was a shop which sold Crescent Toys (back on topic  )

 

 

Edited April 14, 2020 by Il Grifone
Possible copyright. I would think it's OK, but....