Special 1966 Train Sets
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Set CTS.661R (made for Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears)
Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears 49N 14181 CN Diesel HO Freight Set
A 'Fairbanks Morse diesel locomotive' - really ?
This is one of the most recently 'discovered' of all the Canadian Sets; its existence only coming to light in late November 2008.
The set was composed of the R.55 CN Diesel Loco, R.342 CN Car Transporter, R.116 Gondola Car with 'TR' shield and 'EXPRESS DELIVERY' inscription, R.115 CN Caboose, R.167 Track Pack, Model 2200 Transformer and, in addition, the following Super 4 Track: Double Straight, Point (Right-hand) and Track Bumper. This set was produced exclusively for Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears Limited. The Simpson-Sears sales sticker on the side of the box lid shows a price of $37.99 for the set. Sadly, the internal set packaging has been lost due to the ravages of young children and time so it is not possible to see the unique layout of the set box inner tray. |
Rather curiously, on the box lid label the English language version and French language version of the set contents differ somewhat: the English version lists a R.55 CN Loco, R.342 CN Car Transporter and R.116 Gondola Car yet the French version of the set contents details the R.55 CN Loco, R.342 CN Car Transporter, R.116 CN Gondola Car and R.115 CN Caboose.
A printing error perhaps? Did something get lost in the translation; namely a Caboose ? Or, do the French just simply expect more value for their money? In addition, the CN Gondola Car had not been released when the sets were originally ordered and assembled. |
Set CTS.662R (made for T. Eaton)
The set was composed of the R.55 CN Diesel Loco, R.345 Side Tipping Car Set, R.115 CN Caboose, R.167 Track Pack, R.454 Siding Set and Model 2200 Transformer. The set was sold exclusively through the Eaton's department stores and retail outlets in 1966. The retail price was $39.95 Canadian.
Packaging was again as the 1966 Standard Set boxes; featuring the CN Diesel Locomotive on the new three-colour picture box lid and with black printed inner tray.
Packaging was again as the 1966 Standard Set boxes; featuring the CN Diesel Locomotive on the new three-colour picture box lid and with black printed inner tray.
The set box contents label clearly states that the CN Caboose should have been included with this set. However, a number of sets have been found which include the R.115 maroon Transcontinental 'TR' shield version of the Caboose.
At that time, there was quite a lot of left-over Transcontinental stock in the factory stores. Tri-ang were trying to dispose of all their remaining Transcontinental stock items and one means of doing this was to include items such as the 'TR' shield version of the Caboose in the Special Sets which were offered at a preferential discount to the big stores.
At that time, there was quite a lot of left-over Transcontinental stock in the factory stores. Tri-ang were trying to dispose of all their remaining Transcontinental stock items and one means of doing this was to include items such as the 'TR' shield version of the Caboose in the Special Sets which were offered at a preferential discount to the big stores.
Set CTS.663 (most probably made for Woodward's) - No details are available at present
Set CTS.664 (made for The Bay)
The set was composed of the R.55 CN Diesel Loco, R.342 CN Car Transporter, R.235 Canadian National Pulpwood Car, R.136 CN Box Car, R.115 CN Caboose, Model 2200 Transformer and R.167 Track Pack.
The set was produced exclusively for 'The Bay' (Hudson's Bay Company) and sold through their retail stores. Retail price was $29.88 Canadian. Packaging was as the 1966 Standard Set boxes; featuring the CN Diesel Locomotive on the new three-colour picture box lid together with black printed inner tray. |